The 2020 Westpac Swimmer of the Year Awards continued on Tuesday 12 May with a further 3 major awards being announced. Some of the most influential leaders within Swimming WA were acknowledged for their ongoing dedication to the development of swimming in Western Australia.
Swimmers' Swimmer of the Year
The Swimmers' Swimmer of the year is a peer-selected award by Swimming WA elite swimmers. The winner receives the highest number of votes for their achievement, resilience and dedication to the sport over the past season.
For 2020, Nicholas Rollo has been voted the 2020 Swimmer’s Swimmer of the Year by his peers after another phenomenal year of Open Water Swimming. Rollo who has been steadily improving over the past 3 years. He recently made the jump to Australian team selection after claiming silver in the Men’s 10km Marathon at the Australian Open Water Championships in January.
A former Perth City Club Captain, Rollo is no stranger to leadership, often going out of his way to support and encourage younger teammates. With a wealth of experience and phenomenal race awareness, there is no doubt Rollo will be an incredible asset for Open Water Swimming in WA as we continue to lead Australia ahead of Tokyo 2021 and beyond.
Technical Official of the Year
The Technical Official of the Year is awarded to a Swimming WA Official who has attained a level of excellence in the field of officiating.
The 2020 Technical Official of the Year has been awarded to Trevor Verran from Guildford & Kalamunda Districts Swimming Club, after years of dedicated service to the Swimming WA community.
Trevor has been at the forefront of Official recruiting and education, working closely with the state body and key stakeholders to develop technology that has been vital in the development of officiating in WA.
Officiating on all levels, from development programmes such as the Westpac Summer League to National level competitions, Trevor is always a friendly and supportive face that operates under the utmost professionalism.
Swimming would not be possible without the ongoing support of people such as Trevor and Swimming WA is incredibly lucky to have such an amazing group of Officials assisting the sport. Congratulations to Trevor Verran for an incredible 2019/20 season and thank you to all Officials who continue to support swimming throughout Western Australia.
Westpac Volunteer of the Year
The Westpac Swimming WA Volunteer of the Year is awarded to an individual who has displayed an outstanding level of volunteer commitment and contribution to the sport of swimming in WA.
As one of the hardest working volunteers in the sport, there is no doubting Helen Harding is a well-deserved recipient of the 2020 Swimming WA Volunteer of the Year.
Through numerous years of service with Southside Penrhos Wesley, Swimming WA, and as a Technical Official, Helen’s knowledge of the sport is second to none.
Over the year’s Helen has served in numerous positions on the Southside Penrhos Wesley committee including as President, Treasurer and Secretary. Under her guidance, the club has thrived, being widely acknowledged as one of WA’s best.
Winning over an incredible list of nominees, Harding has been a true servant to the sport including being instrumental in the support and development of the Central Zone, taking the position as the Zone Coordinator.
Additionally, Helen often assists the state association contributing to the Competition Planning Committee as well as providing invaluable knowledge on ground-breaking innovations such as the Club Central Programme developed by Swimming Australia.
Helen is an invaluable member of the Association and Swimming WA is truly grateful for her service and the service of all volunteers around the state.
More awards to be announced Wednesday, 13 May.
