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A nation swimming

Here are the nominees for the Swim England Club Coach/Teacher Award

The Swim England National Awards 2021 is a chance to recognise and celebrate the incredible spirit of the aquatics community – especially evident during these challenging times.

The awards ceremony will be streamed live on the Swim England Facebook page on Saturday 9 October. To receive a reminder update before the Awards commence, click here.

Each day in the run up to the awards, the spotlight will be on the shortlisted nominees for each of the categories.

The nominees for the fifth award, the Swim England Inspirational Club Coach/Teacher Award, are:a

Joshua Simpson – Oadby & Wigston Swimming club (East Midlands Region)

Joshua Simpson has been described as a fantastic motivator, coach and all-round good person by members of his club.

His determination to support all athletes and members has seen the club successfully deliver Level X events as well as establishing a group of volunteer Covid Liasion Officers within the club.

His organisation and leadership have guided the club well throughout these challenging times.

Mike Robinson – Clitheroe & District Swimming Club (North West Region)

Mike Robinson’s ‘regular engagement and poolside approach’ has seen this club’s swimmers remaining ambitious, determined and motivated throughout the pandemic.

As a coach, he has catered for athletes of all ages and abilities meaning that the younger swimmers within the club are keener than ever to race and experience competition again.

New swimmers have blended seamlessly into the programme as the atmosphere Mike creates is a positive and welcoming one.

Dave Champion – Teamipswich Swimming (East Region)

Devoting his life to swimming has earned Dave Champion a reputation as a dedicated and passionate coach.

His communication during periods when athletes were out of the water was outstanding and his regular social media updates kept team morale high.

Virtual zoom sessions, cookery nights and daily land training kept the club members together even when they were apart.

Sophie Monaghan – Brent Dolphins (London Region)

Sophie Monaghan has proved to be an integral part of Brent Dolphins club and took on the role of head coach in July 2021.

She has dedicated her time to both the practical side of the club’s training and the health and safety duties of the club’s committee.

She has been described as ‘prime example of a coach who goes more than the extra mile for her club, colleagues and swimmers; an outstanding role model for all’.

Kieron Piper – Sevenoaks Swimming Club (South East Region)

Kieron Piper’s inspirational leadership has ensured that athletes at the club have remained happy, safe and well.

He identified when swimmers were facing tough times during the pandemic and made sure they received the proper support they needed

He prioritised the physical and mental well-being of the athletes and has remained dedicated to the club and its members for many years.

Luke Harris – Newport and District Amateur Swimming Club (West Midlands Region)

After joining the club at the age of nine, Luke Harris was quick to give back to his club and sport by becoming a qualified timekeeper and volunteering his time at the club.

He completed his UKCC Level 1 Coaching course and since then, has brought new ideas to the club in his capacity as head coach.

A fantastic role model to the swimmers and the rest of the coaching team, his efforts have been appreciated by everyone at Newport and District.

Sally Freeman – Plymouth Diving (South West Region)

Plymouth Diving has been without a diving pool since July 2020 when news came that their own training pool would close due to urgent repair work.

During this time, Sally Freeman has arranged for the athletes to train elsewhere when pools reopened, as well as providing regular land training sessions.

Her efforts have never wavered and she has gone above and beyond to ensure the divers could return to the water in some capacity and remain in touch with the sport they love.

Becki McGuire – Morpeth ASC (North East Region)

Since joining Morpeth as head coach three years ago, Becki McGuire has transformed the club into a ‘high-achieving, aspirational club without compromising on the highly inclusive and supportive culture that runs throughout the club.’

Throughout lockdowns, regular zoom training sessions, Q&A’s, quizzes and friendly catch-ups were run in order to keep the athletes engaged.

Her adaptability, resilience and meticulous planning meant the club returned to the water at the earliest possible opportunity and has remained strong ever since.

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