Coach Ron Philpott has left Leatherhead Swimming Club after 13 successful years to become head of the Crystal Palace Beacon programme, which will aim to transform aquatic sports in south London.

His wife Sue is also leaving to take up a post as head of aquatics for Greenwich Council.

The pair leave on a high with a club record 20 individuals and all six relay teams having qualified for the National Championships at Ponds Forge, Sheffield, in July.

Both of these wonderful coaches will be sorely missed at the club. As well as achieving great results, they have moulded the club into a family.

This is demonstrated by the parents and supporters winning the sought after award of top supporters at the National League Finals on three out of the past five years.

The club said their farewells at the annual presentation at Oxshott on Monday with hundreds of past and present swimmers and parents turning up to give the pair of fantastic send off and to wish them all the very best for the future.

A replacement for Sue Philpot to coach the National Development Squad at the club, has already been appointed.

Stuart McCrea a swimmer at the club for more than 14 years, and with many National Championships and British Championships appearance under his belt, has taken over.

The club are currently interviewing several highly qualified and talented coaches to take on the position of head coach and an announcement is expected next week.