Following their recent promotion to Division 1 of the National Arena League, Bath Dolphin head coach Phil Brake is confident the club can go from strength to strength.

It is the first time Dolphin has reached this level for almost a decade and Brake has no doubt that the club will be able to compete with its rivals.

Brake said: "It feels great to be back in Division 1. We will certainly hold our own against the others, we won't be pushing for promotion just yet but I know we can do well.

"The kids have been swimming well in the junior division as well so at the moment everything is looking promising for the club."

The reward of promotion is greatly deserved by one of the oldest clubs in the country after it was formed in 1899. The club still holds many of its original values close to its heart and Brake is proud of the club's heritage.

He said: "Our history goes back 110 years and we try to hold on to all of our traditions. We still use the same Bath Dolphin badge we did back then and we still present the Lord de Blaquiere trophy which was given to us by him when he was our first president in 1899."

The club also has a link with the Alkmaar swimming club in Holland. It stretches back to the Second World War when the people of Bath made collections for their Dutch neighbours and it is believed to be the oldest twinning in the country.

Brake said: "It's great. They come to us one year and we go to them the next. It's fantastic that it is based on such an important event and all our swimmers love competing against them."

As well as the Alkmaar link, Dolphin also has strong connections with the schools in the town, as well as the university.

The club also helps to encourage participation by some of the town's younger swimmers. It helps to run the town's inter-primary schools gala each year.

Brake said: "We don't mind giving up our time to help officiate the event. I myself referee it and it's great for all the children to be competing and getting involved with swimming."

The success of the club in recent times has led to a recent influx of swimmers from rival clubs. Brake is confident that this will only help to boost Dolphin's profile and make it stronger in competitions.

He said: "Most of our members come from word of mouth or through friends but our recent success has attracted swimmers from other clubs.

"If you are doing well more people want to be associated with you and we welcome anyone who wants to join us."

Brake is adamant that a recent influx of swimmers not based within the city will not hamper the club's traditional values and that local swimmers are still as welcome as they have always been.

He said: "We are always looking for new members. We actively invite children to come and join us and we promote ourselves in the schools and youth clubs within the town.

"Anyone who wants to come down and get involved will be more than welcome."

For further information about Bath Dolphin, contact Sue Woolley on 01225 319159 or visit the website at www.bathdolphin.co.uk.