Angela May from Thornhill in Cardiff has been voted the best swimming teacher in Cardiff winning the first round of a national UK competition.
Angela is 69 years old and has been teaching for over 30 years at Llanishen Better Leisure Centre. She was nominated by a combination of pupils, parents and work colleagues all of whom were impressed by her dedication, enthusiasm and commitment to her job.
More than 700 nominations were made nationwide and Angela will now go through to a regional semi-final. If she is successful she will then go forward to a national judging day to take place at former Olympic venue, the London Aquatics Centre in Stratford.
The initiative is the brainchild of leisure operator and charitable social enterprise Better, which operates seven pools in the Cardiff partnership and a total of more than 140 swimming pools across the UK. Better is the biggest provider of swimming lessons in the UK, employing over 1.400 swimming teachers and running more than 18,100 swimming lessons each week.
The Swimming Teacher of the Year Award is also being supported by the Swimming Teacher’s Association (STA) and Speedo, representatives of whom will make up part of the final judging panel.
Commenting on her win, Angela said: “I am delighted to have been nominated for this award; it came as a complete surprise to me. It is an honour to have been recognised for something I thoroughly enjoy. ”.
Jo Smith, Manager at Llanishen Better Leisure Centre, added:
“Angela is a hugely dedicated and hardworking individual. She has inspired and encouraged a huge range of swimmers to enjoy and benefit from their time in the water. She is able to make even the most nervous swimmer feel comfortable and confident in the water, while encouraging the more able to progress and hone their skills.”
