Senior Swimmer of the Year 2009
Read all about the Senior Swimmer of the Year from the Kelloggs/ASA Swimtastic Awards 2009.
Presented to a swimmer who has had their swimming success later in life, for example, overcoming obstacles in their quest to achieve.
Winner 2009
Gold
Stephen Williams
Lives: Ffynnongroyw in Flintshire
Stephen has had a morbid fear of water since childhood. When he started going to the pool he had no confidence but through his own hard work, Stephen has shown commitment and dedication to overcome mental health and physical problems and achieved his aim to learn to swim. He now not only swims for fitness, he also brings his grandchildren to the pool and visits swimming lessons to encourage other adult learners. He’s even considering becoming a swimming teacher.
Silver
Shirley Bennett
Lives: Sheffield
Eight years ago Shirley had a quadruple heart by-pass and was advised by her doctor to take up swimming to help her recovery and health issues. At that time Shirley could not swim – she had low confidence, anxiety problems and walking difficulties.
Shirley had to wear armbands at first and she was very self conscious as children used to laugh at her at the pool. Despite this, she has stuck at it and now she can swim 25 metres without armbands. The most important thing is that her health has improved greatly and with it her confidence has soared.
Bronze
Adrian Taylor
Lives: Staines, Middlesex
Adrian started swimming lessons two years ago but he was a chronic aquaphobic with many underlying health problems, including problems with his spine. Despite these problems, he has shown a real commitment to learning to swim and his determination is admirable. Adrian has never missed a lesson and has even been swimming when his illness has caused problems. He has gone from an aquaphobic to a squad swimmer in three years, as well as completing a scuba diving open water qualification.
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