A long-running borough-wide swimming competition has ended a six-year hiatus today (12 June), as school children from across Tower Hamlets came together to celebrate swimming, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
The Tower Hamlets School Swimming Gala, which has a history stretching over six decades, dived back into action at York Hall Leisure Centre on Thursday with 140 pupils from nine local primary schools competing across 16 races, including backstroke, front crawl, breaststroke, butterfly and relay races.
The participating schools include Culloden, St Mary’s & St Michael’s, St John’s, The Aldgate School, Faraday, Globe, St Paul’s & St Luke’s, Manorfield, and Olga Primary Schools.
A huge congratulations to Olga Primary School, who were crowned overall winners of this year’s gala.
The event was supported by the Tower Hamlets Sports Development Team and Bethnal Green Sharks Swimming Club.
The gala plays a role in helping to identify and support outstanding local talent, with winners being offered the opportunity to train with Sharks Swimming Club - creating a pathway to regional, national, and international success.
Previously held at St George’s Leisure Centre and run by the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Council until 2004, the event was then organised by GLL Better until 2019, when it was paused due to the pandemic.
Lutfur Rahman, Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, who along with Cllr Kamrul Hussain, Cabinet Member for Culture and Recreation, presented medals and certificates to winners, said:
“I’m really pleased to see the return of the School Swimming Gala which is a fantastic celebration of sport, determination, and young talent in our borough.
“Bringing our leisure services back in-house means that we’re now better placed to support young swimmers through events like this, which helps to nurture confidence, build friendships, and spark ambition, while also making our leisure services more inclusive and accessible with opportunities for every child to thrive.
“I congratulate every participant for their incredible effort.”
Cllr Kamrul Hussain, Cabinet Member for Culture and Recreation, said:
“This gala is about more than just races, it’s about giving every child the chance to shine, be active and feel proud of their achievements.
“We’re committed to keeping sport and physical activity accessible for all, and I’m thrilled to see this tradition return stronger than ever.”
Posted on Friday 13th June 2025