Worcester Swimming Club 'proud' of members Rebecca and Matthew Redfern following Paralympic games

The siblings competed in Paris last week, with Rebecca winning gold

Mark Stowe from Worcester Swimming Club has been coaching the pair for nearly a decade
Author: Elliot BurrowPublished 11th Sep 2024

The coach of Droitwich Paralympian siblings Matthew and Rebecca Redfern say everyone at Worcester Swimming Club are proud of what they achieved in Paris.

Rebecca finished first in the women's SB13 100m Breaststroke final last week to claim her first gold at a games after picking up silver in Rio and Tokyo, while her brother Matthew was making his Paralympics debut.

Mark Stowe has been coaching the pair now for nearly a decade, and says it was great seeing them both rewarded for all their hard work over the years.

He said: "It was truly memorable getting to see Rebecca win that gold medal, top the podium, celebrate, and cry a lot.

"She desperately wanted gold just to complete that journey, but to see them swim together in the relay and watch Matt hand over to Becky was really cool to see two Worcester swimmers in the same team."

Both were welcomed back to the pool where they train on Monday at Perdiswell Leisure Centre, with members of all ages turning up to celebrate their success.

"I was probably more emotional seeing that, back home with their team-mates, than I was in Paris," Mark said.

"All the kids stood down the side of the pool, it wasn't just those who were swimming that night, every single one of them wanted a high five off them as they walked past, and it was absolutely stunning.

"Even the older athletes who swim with them all the time, they all still wanted to have a photo taken with them both, and they are so proud of their friends."

They narrowly missed out on a medal in the 4x100m mixed freestyle relay, finishing fourth.

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