Announcement We regret to inform you that John Adye has decided to step down from his role as Derby Excel Director of Swimming, from Friday 9th January 2026. John will be taking up a position still within swimming, but working from home, allowing him to spend more time with his young family. He will still be coaching a few sessions per week with Derby Excel until the end of the 2025-26 season. John has asked us to pass on this message from him: “The decision to step down from my...

At our AGM this evening, Ralph Shepherd has been elected as Club President, following the announcement today that current Club President Joyce Mellor has decided to step down. Ralph has been associated with the club for many many years, and recently celebrated his 80th birthday! Congratulations Ralph!

Ed Spink coached his last session for us this evening, before moving to pastures new (in this case, Manchester!) Ed has been a huge part of City of Derby and then Derby Excel, swimming at the club when he was growing up, then coaching. Thank you for all you've done for Derby Excel, Ed. Good luck with your move, we hope it all goes well for you!

Joyce Mellor has made the difficult decision to step down as Derby Excel President. Joyce has been associated with the club since 1969, when her children began swimming with City of Derby and has been involved ever since! She's done a variety of roles and also served on Derbyshire ASA. Now in her 90s, Joyce feels the time has come to step away, as she is finding it more difficult to come to the pool and attend meets and other DX events. Thank you very much Joyce for all your...

Just a reminder that our AGM is tonight at 6pm at Moorways, in the meeting room at the end of the corridor opposite the balcony entrance. The agenda is here All members welcome.

Our first talk of the season will take place on Tuesday 30th September at 7.30pm, and will be about sleep! It'll be held virtually via Microsoft Teams, and will last for one hour. The Meeting link will be communicated nearer the time to Derby Excel members. The talk will be delivered by Gavin Rackard, MSc, SENR, ISESA Gavin will cover the following topics: 1. What is sleep and what are sleep cycles? 2. The sleep characteristics of athletes. 3. To nap or not to nap? 4. How can sleep be...

Huge congratulations to our coach David Pratt, who was shortlisted for the East Midlands Regional Age Group Coach of the Year Award. Although he didn't win, he received Highly Commended recognition and an award. Well done David, we are all very proud of you!

Well done to everyone who competed at the Derbyshire Junior Grand Prix on Saturday. This was held at The Arc Leisure Centre in Matlock, and is a series of three galas held at monthly intervals in the Autumn. The aim is to give novice swimmers an opportunity to race against their peers from all over Derbyshire, and get experience in the wonderful world of competitive swimming! The results can be found here: https://results.derbyshireswimming.org.uk/2025/2025%20-%20Junior%20Grand%20Prix/JGP2025-1/

Congratulations to all our winners from Presentation Night. All swimmers who competed at the Club Championships will receive an award - either for a Top 6 finish overall in their age category, or a participation medal. Anyone who wasn't there, please go to the Timing Suite on poolside (under the balcony by the window end at Moorways) to collect your award. And make sure you come to Presentation Night next year! :) Here is a list of the winners announced on the night. Club Champs Overall Winner per Age Group...

Derby Excel's annual Presentation Night took place at Rolls Royce Pavillion last night, and was a fantastic event celebrating the achievements of our swimmers last season. Over 300 people attended, and there was a brilliant atmosphere and the venue looked great, decorated with Derby Excel flags. Congratulations to all the swimmers who won trophies, plaques and medals. We hope this inspires you for the new season ahead. Well done to Green team coached by Ed Spink, who won the team event from the Club Championships, scoring 678 points. Second were...