PLYMOUTH Leander have launched two new junior swimming squads and named them after their two most successful swimmers – world champions Ben Proud and Ruta Meilutyte.

The Ben Proud and Ruta Meilutyte squads are aimed at younger swimmers in an attempt to bridge the gap between learn to swim programmes and club swimming.

Proud is the current 50m world butterfly champion and Commonwealth Games 50m freestyle champion, while Meilutyte won Olympic, World and European breaststroke titles while at Leander and Plymouth College.

Leander head coach Robin Armayan said the new junior squads are a great addition to the club’s junior pathway.

“They allow children to progress through our system more smoothly and also strengthens our partnership with Everyone Active and other learn to swim programmes,” he said. “Hopefully, it will make it easier for children from Stage 7 upwards to make the transition to club swimming.”

Coach Ellie Kerslake, who looks after Leander’s youngest swimmers, said: “It’s something I’ve been working towards for some time and it’s fantastic to see the new squads up and running.

“The whole purpose is to give children more experience in the pool, with lots of emphasis on technique and developing skills in all four strokes, tumble turns and racing dives, while, most importantly, having lots of fun.”