The genial former president of Launceston Aquatic Club is Swimming Tasmania's volunteer of the year.
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Kevin French, now a technical official who has volunteered at Tasmanian and interstate meets, is among those honoured in the annual awards for the sport's governing body.
Swimming Tasmania said the award was in recognition of French's contribution to the sport at club, regional and state level for more than 10 years.
French said he was "humbled" to receive the award.
Launceston Aquatic's head coach, Peter Tonkin, was also among the winners. A 1964 Olympian, Tonkin, of Lanena, adds the Swimming Tasmania coach of the year award to the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to swimming that he received in January.
"I would not be receiving this award without the support of our diverse coaching team at LAC and the support of all at the club," Tonkin said on Facebook. "Working together, we have achieved a lot over the past two years and the future is looking bright."
And the successes extended to swimmers, with LAC's Emily Mitchell, Georgia Woods and Dawson Howell, all receiving age group swimmer of the year recognition. Jonte Adams, of South Esk, was also among the winners.
Former Launceston swimmer Jardene Ralph, 21, now with Sandy Bay, won both the young leadership award and the open water swimmer of the year title.
Other awards announced so far include - multi-class swimmer of the year: Jet Jankiewicz (Hobart Aquatic Club); official of the year: Glenise Gale: swimmer's swimmer: Brenna Lemon (HAC).
Age group awards - 12 years: Ethan Jones (HC), Ella Chan (HAC); 13 years: James Clues (HAC), Emily Mitchell (LAC); 14 years: Noah Kamprad (HAC), Matilda Smith (Sandy Bay); 15 years: Max Giuliani (HAC), Georgia Woods (LAC); 16 years: Jonte Adams (South Esk), Mollie Bailey (HAC); 17 years: Jack Walton (Ulverstone), Dawson Howell (LAC); 18 years: Campbell Lane (HAC).
OCEAN SERIES
Ten races around the state comprise the Tasmanian Ocean Swim Series, which gets under way at Carlton Park Surf Festival on November 30. Other dates are: Devonport pub to club on December 8; Brook St Pier (Hobart), December 28; Burnie, January 11; Boat Harbour, January 12; Kingston, January 26; Bridport, TBA; Port Sorell, March 14, Seven Mile Beach, March 28; and Blackmans Bay to Kingston Beach, March 29.
POPULAR MEET
Entries are open for the Burnie 100, the annual meet at Burnie's 50m outdoor pool, on November 23. Always a highlight of the calendar, doors open at 8.30am, warm-up is at 9am and racing starts at 9.45am. Entries close on November 20.
TOP HONOUR
Former club captain Thomas Clarke has been awarded South Esk's highest honour, life membership, in recognition of his long and valued service. Clarke is studying to become an orthopaedic surgeon.
DIARY DATES
- Nov 1: Time trial, Launceston.
- Nov 9: Time trial, Hobart.
- Nov 16: Time trial, Launceston.
- Nov 16-17: Development squad clinics, Launceston.
- Nov 23: Burnie 100.
- Nov 30: Time trial, Hobart.
- Jan 11: Time trial, Hobart.