STA Member of the Year Award
Mark McNichol Wins STA Member of the Year Award
It’s taken a few days for me to gather my thoughts and truly appreciate the whirlwind that was my first STA (Swimming Teachers’ Association) Conference. From the moment I stepped into the event, I was absolutely blown away by the high quality of the presentations, the professionalism of the exhibitors, and the overall relaxed yet incredibly informative atmosphere. It was an experience I won’t forget anytime soon.
One of the highlights for me was reconnecting with people I had previously only known as “boxes on a screen” during online meetings. And yes, in case anyone’s wondering, I heard more than my fair share of “Wow, you’re tall!”—if I had been paid £10 every time someone said that, I might have been able to retire! 😅
A Special Thanks to the STA Team
Of course, none of this would have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the incredible STA team. The entire STA team deserves all the praise for pulling off such a fantastic event.
The Honour of Being a Speaker
I was also incredibly honoured to be invited as a speaker at the conference. A huge thank you to Helen Done for believing in me and giving me the opportunity. I genuinely hope that those who attended found value in my talk because I certainly had a lot of fun delivering it. It was both nerve-wracking and exciting to share my experiences and insights, and I’m grateful to everyone who listened and engaged.
A Moment That Left Me Speechless
Now, here comes the part that still leaves me a bit gobsmacked—I was awarded STA Member of the Year. To say I was shocked is an understatement. Being nominated alone was such a massive honour, but to actually win? Mind-blowing. I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. I am truly humbled, honoured, and proud to have received this award. It’s moments like these that remind me why I do what I do and fuel my passion for making swimming accessible and fun for everyone.
Onwards and Upwards to 2025!
This experience has not only been a career highlight but also an incredibly humbling reminder of the importance of community, support, and continuous learning in our field. I’m excited to take this recognition as motivation to keep pushing forward. Onwards and upwards to 2025! 🏊♂️
Thank you once again to everyone at the STA and to those who continue to support in at the deep end. Let’s keep making waves—together!
Why This Award Matters to in at the deep end
Winning STA Member of the Year is more than just a personal achievement for Mark—it’s a reflection of everything we stand for at in at the deep end. We believe in providing high-quality, accessible swimming lessons, and continually improving how we deliver our programmes. This award reinforces our commitment to aquatic excellence and motivates us to keep raising the bar in everything we do.
If you’d like to know more about our approach to swimming lessons, community impact, or the award itself, feel free to get in touch with us!
