The success story of Derventio eXcel, the Competitive Performance Squad of Derbyshire's Swimming Performance Pathway has continued with the selection of Ripley swimmer Emma Smithurst to the Great Britain Team to compete at the forthcoming European Short Course Championships taking place in Istanbul from December 10/13.

Although Emma is now doing the bulk of her training with City of Manchester Aquatics she retains her membership with Derventio eXcel.

Emma is the first Derventio eXcel swimmer to receive an International call up for a major championship since David Ellis qualified for 2008 Paralympics in Beijing, a fantastic testament to the foresight and support six years ago of The  Derbyshire Swimming Association and Derbyshire Sport in implementing and developing a performance pathway for all  swimmers within Derbyshire. There is no doubt that without the introduction of this pathway and the opportunity of a full time training programme with first  Mark Rose as Head Coach  and now with Andi Manley at the reins, Emma would have had to follow Ross Davenport and Dean Milwain in training outside the County. 

Emma descibes her selection 'as  fantastic and exciting, I was unsure if I had made the selection criteria, so I just got my head down in training  after the Summer break and worked towards The British Championships in March. I hope I can go out to Istanbul and swim to the best of my ability and use the experience hopefully towards further Championship opportunities in the future'