Excellence in aquatic education celebrated at SWIM Australia Awards 2024

The 2024 SWIM Australia Awards Gala, held tonight at The Kings Theatre in Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast, have celebrated outstanding achievements in coaching, swim education, water safety, and community impact, with the top awards going to Dean Boxall of St Peters Western Queensland named Coach of the Year while Viki Kendrick from Flinders Aquatic Academy Queensland took out the Teacher of the Year award.

The annual event, this year hosted by local radio personality and former high-performance swimmer Ashlea Gierke, showcased the dedication of Australia’s best coaches, swim schools, instructors, and the programs making a significant difference across Australia.

The sold-out gala, a key feature of SWIMCON24, was attended by 300 industry professionals from Australia and around the world.

This year’s winners have set the benchmark for excellence in aquatic education and water safety, as well as honouring Paris24 Olympic and Paralympic coaches.

Among the awards presented were SWIM Life Membership awarded to Bill Kirby OLY and Dawn Fraser AC MBE OLY, and Outstanding Contribution to Coaching in Australia to Rohan Taylor, and Outstanding Contribution to Swimming in Australia to Ruth Everuss OLY and Pat Wright.

The evening featured inspirational speeches from winners, who emphasised the importance of continuing efforts to improve water safety, swimming skills, and accessibility for all.

Commenting on the awards Brendon Ward, Chief Executive of Swim Coaches and Teachers Australia (SCTA/SWIM) “we congratulate all the winners at the awards gala. Their dedication and hard work have truly set a high standard.

“(Tonight) we celebrate not just your achievements, but the passion and excellence you bring to everything you do. Keep inspiring and pushing the boundaries of success!”

The SWIM Australia Awards are held every year at SCTA’s SWIMCON, and are the penultimate awards ceremony for the aquatic industry.

Also unveiled at the conference was the venue for next years conference, at the National Wine Centre in Adelaide.

Key awards presented were:

Coach of the Year
Dean Boxall
St Peters Western

Age Group Coach of the Year
Chris Mooney
Bond University

Multiclass Coach of the Year
Jon Bell
St Hilda’s

Open Water Coach of the Year
Kate Sparkes
Yeronga Park

Meritorious Service to the Teaching of Swimming in Australia
Fiona Njirich
WA Education Department

Teacher of the Year
Viki Kendrick
Flinders Aquatic Academy 

Teacher of the Year - Babies and Toddlers
Sacha de Wit
WaterPonyz Swim School

Teacher of the Year - Learners with Disability
Connor Bailey
Darren Lange Swimming Academy

Small Swim School for Marketing, Promotion and Customer Service
Winner - Harley Street Swim School 
Highly Commended - Swimtikes Family Swim School and Swimz Guildford
 
Medium Swim School for Marketing, Promotion and Customer Service
Winner - All Coast Swim Stars 
 
Large Swim School for Marketing, Promotion and Customer Service
Winner - Macquarie University Sport and Aquatic Centre 

Large Swim School for Innovation, Team and Staff Development (Regional)
Winner - Darren Lange Swimming Academy

Best Large Swim School for Innovation, Team and Staff Development (Metro)
Winner - Wanneroo Aquamotion
 
Best Medium Swim School for Innovation, Team and Staff Development
Winner - Aqualife Swim School
 
Medium Swim School for Innovation, Team and Staff Development
Winner - Pete's Swim School
Highly Commended - Prouse Swim School and Little Snappers Swim School
 
Large Swim School for Outstanding Community Service
Winner - South Australia Aquatic and Leisure Centre
 
Medium Swim School for Outstanding Community Service
Winner - First Splashes Swim School
 
Small Swim School for Outstanding Community Service (Regional)
Winner - Charters Towers Swim School
 
Best Small Swim School for Outstanding Community Service (Metro)
Winner - Swimtikes Family Swim School
 
SWIMSAFER Award of Excellence Large Swim Schools
Winner - Armadale Fitness and Aquatic Centre
 
SWIMSAFER Award of Excellence Medium Swim Schools
Winner - All Coast Swim Stars
Highly Commended - Glennie Aquatics
 
SWIMSAFER Award of Excellence Small Swim Schools
Winner - Swimz Guildford
 
Outstanding Contribution to Swimming in Australia
Rohan Taylor, Head Coach Swimming Australia
 
Open Teams Coaches - 2024 Paris Olympics 
Rohan Taylor
Leigh Nugent
Michael Palfrey
Adam Kable
Ben Higson
Kareena Clark
Kate Sparkes 
 
Open Teams Coaches & Outstanding Coaching Achievement - 2024 Paris Olympics 
Michael Bohl
Dean Boxall
Vince Raleigh
Tim Lane
Damien Jones
 
Outstanding Coaching Achievement - 2024 Paris Olympics 
Ashley Delaney
 
Open Teams Coaches - 2024 Paris Olympics 
Greg Towle
Harley Connolly
Kate Sparkes
Jon Bell
Marty Roberts
Misha Payne
David Heyden
Andrew (Herbie) Howard
 
Multi Class Outstanding Coaching Achievements
Ash Callus (1 Gold / 2 Bronze)
Ash Delaney (1 Gold)
Chris Wright (1 Gold)
Misha Payne (1 Gold / 1 Silver)
Jon Bell (1 Gold )
Harley Connolly (1 Silver / 3 Bronze)
Kate Sparkes (1 Silver /1 Bronze)
Andrew Herbie Howard (2 Bronze)
Alex Hirschauer (1 Silver)
David Heyden (1 Bronze)
Brian Glass (1 Silver)
Matteo Melis (2 Bronze)
Martin Roberts (1 Bronze)
Jol Fink (1 Silver)
Josh Smith (1 Bronze)
 
Outstanding Supporters Award 
Vorgee
 
Life Member 
Bill Kirby
Dawn Fraser
 
Outstanding Contribution to Coaching
Ruth Everuss OLY
Pat Wright 
 
SWIM Trainer of the Year
Debbie Gordois.

Click here to contact Swim Coaches and Teachers Australia (SCTA/SWIM).