Making Waves – Celebrating changemakers across the aquatics community

The water should be a place where everyone feels they belong. That’s why Swim England is proud to launch Making Waves, a new, ongoing series profiling inspiring role models and changemakers across its aquatic sports.

Kicking off during Pride Month, this first edition will spotlight four incredible individuals from the LGBTQ+ community who are helping to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment both in and out of the pool.

Each week, the national governing body will share a new story celebrating people who are making a difference – founding inclusive initiatives, coaching with compassion, standing up as allies and leading change from within.

All the individuals featured took part in a portrait photography session at the iconic London Aquatics Centre, with striking images that will be shared alongside each profile. These portraits aim to capture not just who they are, but the strength, pride, and visibility they bring to aquatic sports.

These stories are more than just individual achievements, they reflect Swim England’s broader mission to embrace the full diversity of its sports, as outlined in the One Swim England strategy.

Inclusion at the core of the community

This work also forms a key action in the national governing body’s recently published Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP), reinforcing its commitment to elevate underrepresented voices and build a culture where everyone feels they belong.

“This series reflects the heart of what One Swim England stands for,” says Mike Hawkes-Wade, Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Swim England.

“By centering the lived experiences of those who have too often been on the margins, we not only challenge barriers, but we also show what’s possible when inclusion is at the core of our community.”

Making Waves will continue beyond Pride Month, with future editions profiling other communities referenced throughout the DIAP. It is a year-round commitment to amplify stories that deserve to be seen, heard and celebrated.

June’s Pride Month series will feature:

• A founder creating welcoming spaces for the LGBTQ+ community
• A coach championing inclusive practice in club aquatics
• An ally creating opportunities through their role within an operator
• And the chair of Pride in Water, the LGBTQ+ aquatics network

“No one should ever have to question whether they belong in the water,” adds Mike. “Representation isn’t a bonus, it’s essential. These role models are helping to change aquatics, and we’re proud to give them the visibility they deserve.”