Nominations open to find latest inductees into Swim England Hall of Fame

The search is underway to find the latest inductees into Swim England’s Hall of Fame.

Launched in 2019 as part of the national governing body’s 150th anniversary celebrations, a total of 29 athletes, coaches, volunteers and pioneers of all aquatic sports have been included so far.

Now individuals, clubs, counties, regions and wider organisations can submit the names of people they believe deserve to be added to the Hall of Fame later this year.

The nomination process opened on Saturday 1 July and closes on Thursday 31 August.

A panel of representatives from all aquatic disciplines will then review the submissions and decide who should be added to the Hall of Fame during the Swim England National Awards, at the Great Hall, University of Birmingham, on Saturday 18 November.

The judges will be looking at how nominees have gone above and beyond in their contribution to swimming, para-swimming, artistic swimming, diving, open water and water polo against the following criteria:

Athlete

Must have had success at the highest level (European, World, Commonwealth or Olympic) AND contributed to the development of the sport in England to bring around positive change.

The focus of the Swim England Hall of Fame is to recognise those athletes who have used success to positively contribute towards the development of the sport in a significant way over a period of time.

Athlete nominations will normally be considered after retirement from the highest level of their performance, except in exceptional circumstances.

Coach

Must provide evidence of having worked at the very highest level of performance and have achieved success in one or more of the following areas:

• Enabling an athlete to break through to the very highest levels of attainment;
• Coaching a team to break through to the very highest levels of attainment;
• Coaching athletes to world class success (Olympic or World medallists).

Volunteer/administrator/official

Must illustrate having made an extraordinary impact to the sport. The nomination must demonstrate why there is something special about the achievements an individual has made and show where they have made a significant difference.

Long service is not part of the criteria. Although having achieved over a period of time is helpful, it is more about the outcomes and achievements. There must have been a demonstrable positive change brought about as a result of the individuals’ input.

In 2022, Mark Foster, Karen Pickering and Dawn Zajac were added to the Hall of Fame.

The first inductees in 2019 also included swimmers Sharron Davies, Duncan Goodhew and Steve Parry plus synchronised swimming stalwart Jenny Gray and lifelong volunteer Alan Donlan.

To suggest someone for inclusion, please click here to complete the nomination form.