Great Britain targeting medals at European Junior Championships

GREAT Britain's junior swimming head coach Chris Martin has plumped for experience at the European Junior Championships this summer - and is expecting medals in return.

In total, 39 swimmers have been selected to travel to Helsinki in July, 12 of which will be competing at their second European Junior Championships, including Ellis Jackson and Georgia Hohmann, sixth and seven in the 400m medley and 200m backstroke respectively last year in Prague.

The squad was selected at the British Gas Swimming Championships in Sheffield earlier this month with Braxston Timm finishing fourth in 100m butterfly, a feat matched by Ieuan Lloyd in the 200m medley.  

And with London 2012 edging ever closer, Britain's head coach Martin wants his young charges to return from Finland with something to declare this summer.

"In any competition, experience is preferred," said Martin.

"In age group meets such as the European Juniors experience is hard to find and it is our hope that the twelve second timers will not only swim better but they will also bring their experience to the rest of the group.

"We have a tougher selection policy this year. As we get closer to the London 2012 Olympics all teams are becoming more directed to Championship performances.

"Our hope for Helsinki is that this will be a smaller more medal focused group."

"From a youth perspective the recent trial event was a positive competition.

"There were a number of new faces, some even younger than the European Junior age limit, that are starting to take higher places in the British Rankings.

"This can only help the overall swimmer pathway and good results at this summer's meet will only help to reinforce that."

SQUAD IN FULL

Rebecca Cole - City of Birmingham
Fiona Donnelly - Nova Centurion
Sara Hamilton - South Aberdeenshire
Danielle Hall-Jackson - City of Leeds
Natasha Hofton - Nova Centurion
Georgia Hohmann - Nova Centurion
Ellis Jackson - St Felix School
Rachael Kelly - Newcastle (Staffs)
Phoebe Lenderyou - City of Newcastle
Jessica Lloyd - City of Manchester Aquatics
Sara Lougher - Bridgend City
Karley Mann - Hillingdon
Rachel Martin - Nova Centurion
Siobhan-Marie O'Connor - Team Bath Y&A
Sian Morgan - City of Bradford
Sophie Pyatt - Stockport Metro
Emma Saunders - City of Manchester Aquatics
Sophie Smith - City of Leicester
Rachael Williamson - Kingston upon  Hull
Xander Alari-Williams - Sevenoaks
Charlie Boldison - Barnet Copt
Cameron Brodie - Kelly College
Jack Burnell - Lincoln Vulcans
Lewis Coleman -Team Ipswich
James Disney-May - Millfield
David Gregory - Plymouth Leander
Grant Halsall - Plymouth Leander
Alfie Howes - City of Cardiff
Calum Jarvis - Plymouth Leander
Ieuan Lloyd - City of Cardiff
Harry Needs - Camden Swiss Cottage
Joseph Parker - Plymouth Leander
Liam Selby - Stockport Metro
Christopher Steeples - Derventio XL
Thomas Sunter - City of Sheffield
Braxston Timm  - City of Sheffield
Sam vd Schootbrugge -Nova Centurion
Dan Wallace - Warrender
James Young - Plymouth Leander