Ararat Swimming Club coach Jo Donnan has been nominated for a Swimming Australia Local Legends award.
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Donnan has spent the last five years teaching club members new skills in the pool and said she was shocked she was nominated for the award.
“I do it because my kids are there and I enjoy what I do, not because I want to get nominated for an award,” she said.
“All the kids get so much out of it as well which is why i continue to do it.”
Despite school swimming being the only competition Donnan took part in as a child, her own children took up the sport which piqued her interest.
She said it was a good opportunity to get involved, rather than just watching from the side of the pool each week.
“The kids moved into squad swimming and the club needed someone to take on the coaching role, so I thought I would give it a go,” she said.
“I think the interaction with the kids, we have a lot of fun and watching them progress from when they first start and you see them improving.
“Swimming is a life skill, it is good for health and fitness and I think it is important to learn.”
It is a big effort to be the head coach of a swimming club.
Donnan said she has dedicated a lot of time to training and the swim meets as well as getting qualifications to allow her to coach.
“I have had to do a number of courses which continuously need updates,” she said.
“Even on a weekly basis you will come across a kid who is not quite picking up, so you have to figure out a different way to get the message across.
“So I go home and do some research and come up with alternatives and that allows them to understand easier.”
The head coach said the support she has had from others in the club has been important over the years.
“The committee has been massive, without them no club can operate well, because they do all the background stuff to make my job easier,” she said.
“So that has been a big help for me.”
The new Wimmera season is approaching and Donnan said the team is looking good ahead of the first meet.
“The team is shaping up really well,” she said.
“We have some good junior swimmers who have been with us for a year or two and their work ethic is showing now with some improved times during training.
“There are opportunities for others to get involved this year if they would like.
“I would encourage other parents to take on a coaches course, because it is a lot of fun and is great working with the kids but I am not going anywhere, I will be around for a while yet.” The first meet is in Horsham on October 21.