The efforts and hard work of Britain’s disability swimmers and volunteers have been recognised as part of the Nationwide DSE Sports Awards 2006.

The annual awards honour athletes and volunteers in disability sport, with bursaries totalling £22,300 to help the development of sporting talent in Britain.

This year’s awards were the biggest yet and 35 individuals were recognised with bursaries ranging from £200 to £6,000 at regional and national level.

Colchester Phoenix club manager Maggie Hargraves received the National Volunteer Prize for her commitment to her club and contribution to the success of disability swimming in the East of England.

Involved in disability swimming for the last 16 years, Maggie has been instrumental in the running of Colchester Phoenix swim club and has coached a number of her swimmers to British swimming teams, with some going on to claim World and Paralympic titles. Maggie works tirelessly to attract new swimmers and funding to the club, which will benefit from the £1,500 bursary awarded by Nationwide and Disability Sport Events.

Junior swimmers to receive regional awards from the DSE include 13-year-old World Championship bronze medallist Claire Warne (Luton), 15-year-old William Holland-Leavens (Deepings), 12-year-old UK School Games Champion Elizabeth Simpkin (Southport), 14-year-old World Championship silver medallist Louise Watkin (Kelly College), 17-year-old World Championship silver medallist Matt Whorwood (Newquay Cormorants) and 12-year-old World Championship finalist Eleanor Simmonds (Boldmere).

The Nationwide DSE Sports Awards were held at the Lancashire County Cricket Club on 7 December.

-ENDS-

For more information contact ASA media officer Amanda Smith on 01509 632238, 07876 652 318 or email amanda.smith@swimming.org

The Amateur Swimming Association is the English National Governing Body for Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Open Water, and Synchronised Swimming. It organises competition throughout England, establishes the Laws of the Sport and operates comprehensive certification and education programmes for Teachers, Coaches and Officials as well as its renowned Learn To Swim Awards scheme. The ASA supports 1,600 affiliated swimming clubs through a National/Regional/County structure. The ASA aims to ensure everybody has an opportunity to learn to swim.
www.britishswimming.org

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