Double Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington visited Uttoxeter Leisure Centre to surprise a local swimming teacher with an award.
The retired Team GB star, who twice struck gold at Beijing 2008, visited the facility to present local swimming instructor Jayne Egerton with the Swim Teacher of the Year Award.
Open to more than 3,000 swim teachers across Everyone Active’s 230-plus sites nationwide, the award recognises an inspirational individual who goes the extra mile in providing quality swimming lessons each week, ensuring they are fun, dynamic, inclusive and safe.
Jayne has been qualified as a teacher for many years but has been teaching at Uttoxeter Leisure Centre, run by Everyone Active in partnership with East Staffordshire Borough Council, since 2016.
Ceri Stalker, Swim Manager at Uttoxeter Leisure Centre, said: “One of Jayne’s biggest passions is that she wants anyone of any age to be able to swim. She is one of the most kind and caring members of the swim team who always helps whenever she can.
“Her work with her private lessons is incredible. She has helped those with learning disabilities as well as physical disabilities in the pool, she has helped keep them mobile and active.
“Jayne would help any of the new members of the team, whether they are struggling to come up with new and fun ideas for lessons or they need more ideas for teaching the older stages who want to learn more about stroke technique.”
Rebecca said: “I’d like to congratulate Jayne for her award and for how instrumental she has been in the success of her classes.
“I still remember my swimming teacher and all the lessons I had with her. Learning to swim isn’t just learning a life skill, it’s developing these kids, giving them an education and building confidence – and it’s the same in adults.
“It’s so much more than just a skill or a medal, it really shows you who you are as a person.”
A Council spokesperson said: “Congratulations to Jayne for winning such a prestigious award, it is a great achievement and shows her passion for swim teaching. For one of our East Staffordshire leisure facilities to be visited by a double Olympic champion and recognised for their dedication to providing high quality swimming lessons is fantastic for the Borough.”
Everyone Active hands out a variety of other awards for its standout colleagues throughout the year, including Activity and Wellbeing and Sports Coach of the Year accolades.