There is just one week left to nominate your favourite volunteer for the 2009 Aquaforce Volunteer Awards. If you haven’t voted yet there are still a few days to get your nominations in for a deserving volunteer - voting closes on Wednesday 1st July.

Many volunteers give their time and energy at club and county level, and this annual event celebrates those outstanding contributions that volunteers make to the ASA. It also offers the ASA, county associations and clubs an opportunity to thank everyone who works hard to deliver the sport.

Last year saw over 130 nominations submitted nationally, with Regional Award Winners invited to attend the National Award Lunch in Sheffield.

The five award categories are:
1. Outstanding contribution at club level    
2. Outstanding contribution at county/regional level
3. Long Service Award (25 years or more)                    
4. Young Volunteer - under 18 year
5. Outstanding contribution by a 18 to 25 year old

Yvette Heywood, the ASA’s National Volunteer Co-ordinator, said:
“The recognition and value of the Aquaforce Volunteer Awards is growing and we hope that this year we will see the highest number of nominations to date.”

To nominate someone simply complete the nomination form and return it to your regional office by 1st July 2009.  CLICK HERE to download.

Please direct any questions to volunteering@swimming.org

Young people have just a few days left to secure an ‘incomparable work experience placement’ within swimming.

The Youth Sport Trust and ASA are looking to recruit one young person, who ideally would be between 18 and 25-years-old, to become a Young Official Development Officer within swimming – but they must get their application in by Friday 26th June 2009.

The full-time volunteer Officer would work with the ASA’s staff, local schools, colleges and clubs to support the training and deployment of young people as officials at local, regional and national competitions.

Yvette Heywood, the ASA’s Volunteer Manager, said: “This is a brilliant opportunity for a young person to enhance their contacts within the swimming industry.

“It will look great on their CV and will give them experience of a range of organisational skills, including time management, presentation skills and attending and conferences.”

The role, which will cover approximately 30 hours per week, will begin in September 2009 for 40 weeks.

Expenses of up to £60 a week are available for everyday expenses such as food, travel and subsistence, as well as up to £4,000 towards accommodation expenses.

The ideal candidate would, among other attributes, have strong verbal and written communication skills and demonstrate genuine enthusiasm to work with young people. For a full job specification and more details please CLICK HERE.

Opportunities are also being offered in other sports, including Athletics, Badminton, Fencing, Gymnastics, Judo, Lacrosse, Table Tennis, Tennis and Volleyball.

-ENDS-

For more information contact the ASA PR Manager Sharon Rose on 01509 632262, 07876 652318 or email sharon.rose@swimming.org

The ASA 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 1,220 affiliated swimming clubs through a National/Regional/County structure. The ASA aims to ensure everybody has an opportunity to learn to swim.

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