Swim England nominated for Sports Business Award for response to pandemic

Swim England’s response to the coronavirus pandemic has earned another national awards nomination.

The recognised national governing body for swimming, artistic swimming, diving and water polo is in contention for a Sports Business Award 2021.

It is one of eight organisations in the running for the Best Covid-19 Response by a Sport honour.

Also nominated are the English Football League, ITTF Foundation, LTA, Motorsport UK, Premiership Rugby, Table Tennis England and Volleyball World.

The winners will be announced during a ceremony at The Brewery, Chiswell Street, London, on Thursday 18 November.

Emma Griffin, Swim England’s marketing, communications and operations director, said: “We’re thrilled to be on the shortlist for the Sports Business Awards 2021 for our response to Covid-19.

“Keeping our members engaged in the activities they love when they are locked out of pools was a huge test but I’m proud of the way the entire Swim England team rose to that challenge.

Dedicated hard work

“On top of that, we created the #OpenOurPools campaign in a matter of hours after pools were not among the business allowed to reopen as the first lockdown was eased, which gained a huge response from our members and the general public.

“We also produced the industry-leading guidance to help facilities prepare to welcome back people to water when the Government relaxed the lockdown restrictions.

“It’s an honour in itself that dedicated hard work has been recognised with this nomination.”

It is the fourth award Swim England is currently in the running for.

The organisation is also up for two prizes at the Covid Response Awards after being shortlisted for Best Communications During Covid-19 and Best Membership or Fan Engagement During Covid-19.

Swim England’s Water Wellbeing project has also been nominated in the Community Health Development category at the Royal Society for Public Health’s prestigious Health & Wellbeing Awards 2021.