Severnside Tritons: A Proud Heritage
Severnside Tritons was established in September 2009 following unanimous approval from the Gloucester County Amateur Swimming Association. The club was formed through the merger of two historic county clubs—Thornbury Swimming Club and Stroud Swimming Club. Shortly after forming, Tritons athletes began competing under the new banner in the Arena National Swimming League in October 2009.
Stroud Swimming Club
The origins of Stroud Swimming Club trace back to 1905. Originally known as the 'Stroud Swimming and Water Polo Club,' it began as a male-only organization focused primarily on water polo. Training initially took place in the canal at Wallbridge, Stroud, until the construction of the Stratford Park outdoor pool in 1936. This 55-yard lido, built to provide local employment and celebrate the team's success, offered premier facilities that helped the water polo team reach national competitive levels.
In 1974, the club moved its training to the new indoor heated pool at the Stratford Park Leisure Centre. Following the closure of the Cirencester pool, the "Tetbury Dolphins" relocated and merged with Stroud, eventually adopting the name "Stroud Swimming Club" in 1978. Historic trophies from the original club, including a cup last contested in 1964, have been recovered and remain a central part of the club’s annual championships.
Thornbury Swimming Club
Thornbury Swimming Club has roots dating back to the late 1960s, beginning as the competitive section of the Thornbury Chantry Swimming Club (1968–1970). It formally reformed as an independent entity in April 1970. After training at various Bristol venues, the club made the new Thornbury Leisure Centre its home in 1980.
The club was shaped by notable figures such as Val Ross, a dedicated coach and ASA President, and Ben Pollard, who became Bristol’s first paid swimming coach in 1979.
The Merger: Joining Forces
Between 1994 and 2009, both clubs enjoyed significant success, producing numerous County Champions and National qualifiers. Malcolm Casey, Thornbury’s Head Coach who had guided swimmers to 22 National podium finishes, was appointed as the first Head Coach of Severnside Tritons.
Both clubs entered the merger with strong foundations, holding ASA Swim 21 (subsequently SwimMark) accreditation—a testament to their high standards of management and coaching. Stroud’s submission for accreditation had been singled out as outstanding, and they brought a strong record of Open Water success to the new partnership. The merger received overwhelming support, with over 90% of members voting in favour.
Severnside Tritons Today
Since 2009, Severnside Tritons has continued to thrive, serving the communities of Thornbury and Stroud. With an annual membership of approximately 100 swimmers, the club competes in the County, Regional and National Championships and events, Arena League and various local and regional leagues and galas.
The club organizes two Open Meets annually (June and November), along with younger swimmer development camps and overseas warm-weather training. A robust training timetable allows swimmers to access sessions at both Thornbury and Stroud locations throughout the week. Driven by a dedicated committee and a strong workforce of parent volunteers, the future remains bright for the club and its athletes.
