The George Thompson Open Meet was named in memory of the club's Life Long President who passed away in 2015. The swimming club was an enormous part of George's life - from his competitive swimming days which began at the age of 12, to coaching and as a long standing member of the committee, George was the last person to swim in the old open air Rushden pool which was condemned in 1985 and the very first person to swim in the new Splash Pool which opened in 1990.

Before the meet started a presentation was made to his daughter, Anne Cooper, whose family attended the meet as special guests.