Bucks leisure centres swimming manager makes final at national awards event
Chris Hawkes, a Regional Aquatics Manager who supports teams at six leisure facilities in the region, has been shortlisted in the Aquatics Tutor of the Year at the prestigious STA Aquatic Excellence Awards, which take place next month in Cheltenham.
The annual STA event celebrates individuals and organisations that are making a significant contribution to the aquatics industry, recognising excellence, innovation and commitment to developing the sector. The award judges look for individuals who inspire, mentor and encourage others across the aquatic sector.
Chris oversees aquatics provision in Buckinghamshire as well as in Oxford and the Bangor region of Northern Ireland. He is responsible for the commercial and operational performance of aquatics across the leisure centres he supports, with a primary focus on growing swimming lesson participation. He also oversees all aspects of pool programming, such as school swimming sessions and water safety initiatives.
Having spent his entire working life in aquatics, Chris is someone who loves teaching people to swim and supporting the development of each of his centres’ swimming teachers. He commented:
“For over 25 years, teaching swimming has been much more than a job to me; it’s been something I am genuinely passionate about. Watching learners develop, particularly those who started with me as children and later went on to become swimming teachers themselves, has been incredibly rewarding.
“Becoming a tutor has allowed me to take that passion even further by sharing my knowledge, experiences and enthusiasm with new candidates and supporting them as they begin their own journeys in aquatics.”
The STA Aquatic Excellence Awards were first held in 2023, and form part of the organisation’s annual conference, which this year take place at the Chase Hotel in Cheltenham. Dave Candler is the CEO of STA, and added:
“The standard of nominations for this year's STA Aquatic Excellence Awards has been exceptionally high, reflecting the incredible talent, dedication and professionalism across our industry.
“Being named a finalist is a fantastic achievement in itself, and we congratulate Chris on reaching this stage. We look forward to celebrating his achievements, alongside all our finalists, at the awards ceremony in November.”
For more information about swimming sessions and lessons at the centres Chris oversees in Buckinghamshire, please visit these websites:
· Buckinghamshire – https://www.moreleisure.com/buckinghamshire/
· Milton Keynes – https://www.moreleisure.com/milton-keynes/
· Stoke Mandeville Stadium - https://www.moreleisure.com/stoke-mandeville-stadium/