Black History Month: Watch Andrea and India Brown interview

Throughout October, Swim England is celebrating individuals from all aspects of our sport who are championing equality as part of Black History Month.

Here swim mum and volunteer Andrea Brown describes the positive experiences she and her children, Jack and India, have gained from swimming.

It’s a sentiment that will resonate with many people in the swimming community.

“I feel as if we’ve formed connections with people that we may otherwise not have had in our lives – and those have been wonderful friendships,” said mum-of-two competitive swimmers, Andrea Brown.

“We have got so much out of the sport.”

As a swim mum and volunteer for the best part of a decade, it’s fair to say that swimming has had a huge influence on both Andrea and her children, Jack and India.

In a video interview with Swim England’s head of diversity and inclusion, Mike Hawkes, to celebrate Black History Month, Andrea explains why the sport is so important to them as a family.

“Everybody has their own individual experience but our experience as a mixed race black family has been nothing but positive,” said Andrea.

“We’ve never had any racism, any animosity. [To those] people who maybe are looking in and don’t see that representation and are nervous of it, my experience has been that it’s been nothing but welcoming and positive.

“It’s a sport that’s been very good to us. My children are looking at getting scholarships and going off to university. So, what you can get as a result of it and how that can be life changing, not just for health, but possibly your future career and your life.

Camaraderie

“We’re passionate about it. Not just in terms of the competition but really the camaraderie and the sort of the sense of that swim family that we’ve got from it. 

“So, I would just, I would encourage it. I love it – some of the best friends that I have are other swim parents.”

During the video interview, Andrea and India discuss swimming competitively and early morning starts, caring for their hair and what it means to be a swim mum. 

India also shares the inspirational story of her grandfather who was a Freedom Rider in America in the 1960s.

To watch the interview in full, please click here.