Five finalists announced for the 2022 Youth Volunteer of the Year Award

Five inspiring youngsters have been recognised as finalists for the Youth Volunteer of the Year award at the 2022 Swim England National Awards.

The winner will be revealed at an awards ceremony which will take place in the University of Birmingham’s Great Hall on Saturday 26 November.

A number of finalists have already been revealed including the Volunteer of the Year award and the Club of the Year awards, one for each of our four aquatic disciplines.

Awards will also be given to the technical official, coach and youth champion of the year as well as the spirit of aquatics award.

Several other awards will be given out at the ceremony such as the Breakthrough Athlete of the Year Awards, Spirit of the Commonwealth Games awards and the Harold Fern and Alfred H Turner awards.

Make sure to keep an eye on our channels as we announce more finalists ahead of the ceremony in Birmingham.

The nominees the Swim England Youth Volunteer of the Year Award, are:

Catherine Banham

After retiring from swimming for Linslade Crusaders, Catherine decided that she wasn’t finished with the sport and now puts all her efforts into volunteering.

At the same club, Catherine now teaches every Saturday morning for two hours. This session is with the younger swimmers of the club where she uses her swimming background to improve swimming technique.

She is also a qualified official and willingly officiates at internal club galas, open meets and county championships.

Catherine is also club Education Officer at Linslade Crusaders, using her experiences to provide guidance and support.

After her efforts at Crusaders, Catherine then spends a further two hours supporting Leighton Buzzard Otters Swimming club, a club set up for all ages and disabilities.

Thomas Moore

Thomas has given hours of his time supporting younger swimmers both through coaching of small groups and being a positive role model.

Previously a swimmer, he wanted to give back to the club and share what he’d learnt. Although only 15 years old, he has shown a massive commitment not only to his club but other clubs too where he volunteers at meets.

Thomas has been helping out with his club’s junior development and young competitive squads for the past two seasons.

He came through the young volunteer programme and now helps out four times a week and has built an incredible relationship with the club’s swimmers.

Jack Naylor Dunne

Jack is living proof that youth participation in the sport of swimming has so many more opportunities beyond being a swimmer.

This year he officiated at the both the Swim England and British Swimming Championships after officiating at numerous local meets throughout the year.

Jack is also the current Chairperson of the Swim England North East Youth Panel and this year became a member of Swim England’s National Youth Forum and CIMPSA’s Youth Panel, supporting young people to get involved in swimming.

As a qualified assistant coach, he also volunteers at Kingfishers Swimming Club, giving up to nine hours a week of his time to help the development of young swimmers.

Ryan Sawyer

Ryan has been a key part of Beacon Swimming Club over the last few years. He has taken the time out of his busy schedule to work with the coaches and the younger squad swimmers to help them improve under the coaches’ direction.

On top of this he helps out at every swimming competition the club attends in any capacity he is needed for. Younger children love having him around and you can see how much passion he has for the sport.

Ryan does all this alongside training for the British Championships that he took part in this year, breaking a County record in the 50m Backstroke and his become a real inspiration to everyone he meets.

Eva Farmery

Throughout the year Eva has gone out of her way to help others feel welcome and involved within the club.

As well as her work with Clevedon Swimming Club she has been working with another club to develop her para-swimming knowledge so she can support the club’s new young para swimmer.

She has also led the way in helping a new Ukrainian member feel comfortable at Clevedon as well as coaching them throughout the year.

Eva is a mentor to other young volunteers coming through the club and as a Level two coach is a huge support to the coaching team.

She also runs Development coaching for the club for where she brings through young talent to develop the sport.