A host of talented swimmers, volunteers and aquatic professionals were recognised by the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) at their inaugural awards ceremony in October. Split into eighteen categories, the awards celebrate the commitment and achievements of those involved in aquatics.
Among those recognised was national leisure operator Everyone Active, who took home the Facility Operator of the Year Award 2014 for the fourth year running.The team also received a further five gold awards and two bronze awards across six different categories.
“The awards have been an incredible success for Everyone Active,” commented Jacqui Tillman, group swim development manager at Everyone Active. “We are all overjoyed to win the ASA Facility Operator of the Year Award for the fourth time. It is fantastic to see our staff and centre members receive the recognition they truly deserve.”
Other notable winners included seven-year-old Benjamin Staniforth from Nottinghamshire, who took the title of Young Swimmer of the Year after raising £4,500 for charity by swimming the distance of the English Channel. The Senior Swimmer of the Year Award went to Masters Swimmer John Harrison – a former Royal Navy veteran from Surrey, who has been swimming for 93 years and recently set a world and European record in the 100-104 age group.
Jon Glenn, ASA head of ‘Learn to Swim’ said: “The ASA Awards is an opportunity for us to celebrate the many successes in the community – from people making great achievements in the pool and volunteering at our events or at their local club, to our facility operators who develop the right programmes to get the nation swimming. “We have heard some truly inspirational stories and I would like to thank everyone for their ongoing commitment and dedication to swimming and aquatics.”
