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Nicola is named new chairperson of Masters swimming group

Masters News

Nicola Latty has been named as the new chairperson of the Home Countries Masters Swimming Management Group.

She has taken over from Verity Dobbie who served on the current, and British, Masters group for 22 years.

Nicola has been a Masters swimmer for many years and qualified third in Olympic trials as an age group swimmer.

Here Nicola tells us a little bit about herself:

How long have you been swimming in Masters and what has been your proudest moment?

It’s 21 years since my first Masters meet, which was in Dallas. There have been many moments I look back on with pride and for many different reasons, so I’ll go with the most recent. At the European Masters in Slovenia last year one of my goals was to relax before every race and walk onto poolside with a smile on my face. It’s one of the best series of swims I’ve put together at an international Masters meet and I thoroughly enjoyed every race.

What do you find the hardest part of Masters swimming and how do you deal with this?

Firstly, breaststroke – it should be banned! I have no other way of dealing with this. Secondly, it’s not easy fitting everything in, especially when travelling with work. Meeting up with other Masters swimmers for a training session has become a highlight of many of my work trips.

What first interested you in volunteering for Masters Swimming?

I have benefitted from the contributions of volunteers since my age group swimming days and could say I really wanted to give something back. The truth is that I complained and was consequently ‘asked to help out’. This involved swimming knowledge, logic, data, spreadsheets and graphs which kept me content for hours so I was happy to help.

What would you like to bring to the post of HCMSMG chair?

My background is in engineering, specifically the design and modification of aircraft. This requires analytical and problem solving skills as well as the ability to get various teams and functions talking to each other. I will aim to transfer these skills to this role and prioritise the focus on the items in the terms of reference. Ideally, we will be able to deliver what Masters swimmers really want at a GB level. I can also provide biscuits at the meetings which is arguably the most important job of the chairperson!

The Home Countries Masters Swimming Management Group meet twice a year and are responsible for the management of British Masters.

Sharon Lock, Swim England National Masters and Open Water Development Officer, thanked Verity for her time in the role and welcomed Nicola to the post.

She said: “It has been a pleasure working with Verity who has always been passionate and enthusiastic in her role as chairperson.

“Her hard work and experience has enabled Masters to continually progress. 

“I’m looking forward to working with Nicola in the future. I’m sure her experience within swimming will allow her to steer the work of the group in a positive and exciting route.”

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