Fletcher was an initially a member of the Beaver Swimming Club[1] before he joined the Victoria Swimming Club in Belfast.[2] He was the 1952 Irish junior breaststroke champion and the Ulster champion,[3] in addition to representing Ulster at senior level.[4][5]
Fletcher specialsed in the breaststroke[6] and broke the eight-year-old Irish breaststroke record in July 1954.[7]
He represented the 1954 Northern Irish Team[8] at the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Vancouver, Canada, participating in the 220 yards breaststroke event.[9]
His selection for the games had caused a protest from the Post Office ASC, who claimed that their own swimmer Alan McCrum had beaten Fletcher in a trials event.[10] However, after the games he was given a civic reception by the Lord and Mayor and Lady Mayoress at the Belfast City Hall.[11]
