THIS weekend's British National Age Group Championships in Sheffield will be a proud moment for one Flintshire family. Siblings Thomas and Fiona Clarke, who are members of Flint Amateur Swimming Club, will compete in testing events in the Ponds Forge pool after posting stunning qualifying times. Thomas, 11, who is a pupil of Custom House Lane Primary School in Connah's Quay, will go for glory in the boys' Under 11s 400m individual medley. His older sister Fiona, 13, who is a Connah's Quay High School pupil, will once again attempt to win the girls' 1500m freestyle. No one is prouder of Thomas and Fiona than their parents Mike and Nikki. Like their children, they have a great love for the sport, and are Masters swimmers and gala officials at Flint. Officials at the club are delighted that two of their youngsters are off to Sheffield. Flint head coach Paul Griffiths said: 'Thomas and Fiona are members of a very talented group of swimmers here at Flint who are following the Welsh Amateur Swimming Association's long term athlete development programme. 'They have worked very hard to achieve the qualification marks required in arguably two of swimming's toughest events. 'We were a bit surprised by Thomas as we thought he would be gaining his times next year, so he is ahead of schedule in that respect. 'Fiona's qualification for the third year running is a major accomplishment and is a reflection of a lot of dedication from both Fiona and her parents.' Edna Hall, chairperson of Flint, said: 'We are very grateful to Mike and Nikki's commitment to the club and are very proud of Fiona's and Thomas' achievements as we are of all our swimmers.' * The brother and sister duo were in fine form as Flint performed superbly at the Bangor Open Meet. Against fierce competition from clubs like the hosts, Wrexham, Preston and Warrington, Flint took 25 gold medals, 13 silver and 10 bronze. The youngsters set 14 new meet-records. Fiona and Thomas, Katie and Rachel Agrippa and Abigail Moxley were those successful. | 
