Team England has proudly risen to the top of para swimming at the Commonwealth Games since its debut at Delhi 2010. 

As England’s best para swimmers prepare for Glasgow 2026, here’s the history of Team England in para swimming that has seen the St George’s flag hoisted high. 

A medal-winning debut for Team England

Team England’s para swimming team made a splash at Delhi 2010, returning with five medals from their debut competition at the Games.

Six years before claiming Paralympic gold at Rio 2016, Stephanie Millward claimed England’s first ever para swimming medal with bronze in the women's 50m freestyle S9. 

Millward continued to set the standard with two silver medals in the 100m freestyle and butterfly S9, only behind 15-time Paralympic gold medallist Natalie du Toit.

Robert Welbourn’s bronze in the 100m freestyle S10, as well as Simon Miller’s silver in the 50m freestyle S9, marked a bright start to Team England’s para swimming story. 

Oliver Hynd makes Glasgow golden

The first of many victors for Team England, Oliver Hynd secured England’s first-ever para swimming gold medal at Glasgow 2014 in the 200m individual medley SM8.

It came two years after he won Paralympic Games gold on home soil in the very same event at London 2012.

Elsewhere north of the border, Stephanie Slater stepped onto the podium with silver in the 100m freestyle S8, beaten only by Australian Maddison Elliott’s world record.

Thomas Hamer’s silver in the 200m freestyle S14 rounded off a campaign that proved Team England’s pedigree at the top of the sport.

Gold Coast by name and nature

Inspired by Hynd’s groundbreaking win in Glasgow, three gold medals returned in England’s hands from Gold Coast 2018 in Australia. 

Hamer levelled up his 200m freestyle S14 silver from Glasgow, finishing in a blistering world record time of 1:55.88 to claim gold.

Alice Tai also stormed to the top step in the 100m backstroke S9, beating Australia’s most decorated Paralympian Ellie Cole to gold.

Tai also picked up silver in the women's 100m freestyle S9, joined by Emily Beecroft in the top four, just outside the medals.

Lewis White collected silver in the men's 100m freestyle S9 as youngster Ellie Robinson soared to victory in her favoured 50m butterfly S7 event.  

Victorious home campaign shines

At Birmingham 2022, Team England didn’t just have multiple athletes on the podium - they had multiple athletes on the same podium. 

Maisie-Summers Newton and Grace Harvey achieved an exceptional feat in the women's 100m Breaststroke SB6, securing a 1-2 in the final to take both top steps of the rostrum. 

Jessica Jane-Applegate and Louise Fiddles also clinched second and third together in the 200m freestyle S14, with teammate Poppy Maskill just behind for fourth.

The story of the Games went the way of experienced head Tai, who retained her 100m backstroke S8 gold medal. It marked an incredible comeback after having had her leg amputated and classification changed in January that year.

Hannah Russell swam to silver in the women's 50m freestyle S13, while James Hollis came out of retirement to achieve his Commonwealth Games dreams of standing on the podium, as he won bronze in the men's 100m butterfly S10.

Their most successful campaign yet, with seven medals and three golds, Team England were united more than ever on home soil.