Marlins’ Anthony inaugurated as Sussex swimming president

Anthony joined Watford Swimming Club in 1949 but did not get the opportunity to compete very much until he left the merchant navy in 1961 when he took up Water Polo winning several Hertfordshire League titles and qualifying as a Referee. He also served on the club committee in various roles becoming Club President in 1973.

He moved to Haywards Heath in 1982 and joined Haywards Heath SC with his two daughters. Anthony became Chairman for three years 1983-86 during which time he started the Mid Sussex Open Medley Meet which was very successful for several years.

It was unusual for adults to swim competitively at that time but Anthony continued to train with the Club squad keeping out of the way at the back of the lane!

He was thus an example that swimming does not have to end at 18 and gradually a few more adults joined the Club leading to the formation of the Masters Section in 1990.

This section is now one of the largest in the country with around 200 members of whom about 40 compete from time to time.

Anthony continues to enjoy swimming picking up medals regularly including silver and bronze in the European Championships in 2007, and six National titles in 2012. He has been a member of many record-holding relay teams as recently as 2011, and was in a World Record team in 2000.

He was Sussex Masters Secretary for 20 years until 2010 during which time he selected and managed the Sussex Masters team to win the National Inter-County Competition in 2006.

Anthony has represented the South East Region on the National Masters Committee since 2000. He continues to officiate for the club and Sussex, and to coach some of his clubmates.