Teenager Jessica Sugden of The City of Canterbury Swimming Club hoping to inspire club-mates after swimming at the Speedo National Summer Meet

Teenage Canterbury swimmer Jessica Sugden hopes her national success can help inspire others at her club.

Sugden, 16, of The City of Canterbury Swimming Club, swam at the Speedo National Summer Meet in Sheffield.

In the 50m butterfly, she swam a personal-best time in the heats before finishing 10th overall in Tuesday’s final in the under-16 category.

“We used to be a really big club, but numbers are not quite as big now. But I’m hoping to be a role model for them,” said Sugden, joined at the event by Dover Life Guard Club’s Tommy Goldup who was 11th in his competition.

“Not many remember people from the club going to nationals because it was a long time ago.

“It’s good to get some fresh blood coming through.”

Sugden was delighted with her performance after qualifying through Kent and then regional competitions.

She explained: “For my heat, I was not too nervous. But the day before I was very nervous.

“I met up with my coach and another competitor from Dover. For the finals, I was very nervous.

“But I qualified 19th into the competition and then came 10th.

“Covid cut out a lot of my prime years internationally. I really only had two weeks of training but still managed to get a personal best so I’m so proud of myself.”

Sugden works as a lifeguard in Margate, as well, and she added: “I love the water so much so being a lifeguard is brilliant.”

Jessica and her dad, Henry, then rushed back from the competition - before setting off on holiday to Croatia the following day!

Sugden said: “It will be quite hot and it will be by the sea so at least I will be by the water."