Youngsters get chance to quiz London Roar stars Adam Peaty and James Guy

Members of Newham and University of East London Swimming Club have enjoyed ‘an experience they will never forget’ after getting the chance to quiz the stars of International Swimming League team London Roar.

They were invited to meet Adam Peaty, James Guy, Duncan Scott, Cate Campbell, Emma McKeon and Sydney Pickrem ahead of them competing in the latest ISL fixture.

Newham were chosen to meet the team as they are a ‘big, local, diverse club which trains at the London Aquatics Centre’ – the venue for the latest match between London Roar, Aqua Centurions, Energy Standard and Iron on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 November.

Around 40 of the club’s swimmers had the opportunity to question the London Roar team and pick up a souvenir autograph before watching them train.

The club posted on its Instagram account: “Thanks to all the [London Roar] swimmers for giving up their time to answer questions and meet and greet our swimmers.

“The swimmers have taken some amazing information away along with all the signed pictures and T-shirts – it was an experience they will never forget.”

Peaty said: “There is no point being at the top of the game in any sport at the elite level if you are not going to give back to the grassroots.

“This is where I was a few years ago.

Fabulous questions

“It’s so important just to give them the opportunity to obviously meet the people who are at the top of their game right now because these are the next possible generation of future stars, so we need to protect that.”

Lucy Oldham, team manager for London Roar, said: “We had a great time.

“They were asked everything from their favourite naughty treat to recovering from injury, motivating themselves when they lost interest and swimming multiple events.

“Our guys talked about what swimming has given to them. Adam said it wasn’t about the medals, it was about always doing your best and pushing yourself but having fun.

“Emma talked about friendships and the opportunities to travel the world, while James also stressed how important it was to enjoy swimming and then shared some training tips with Duncan.

“Thank you Newham for the amazing welcome and some fabulous questions. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.”

The latest match in the ISL is being being streamed live by the BBC and begins at 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Pictures: ISL via LaPresse