On Friday 17th October, STA hosted its annual Aquatic Excellence Awards to celebrate and showcase the achievements of all those who have been involved in delivering learn to swim programmes and aquatics training over the last 12 months, in line with STA’s charity objectives.

For 2025, 12 STAr winners were announced, as three new categories were added this year for STAr Aquatics, Lifesaving and First Aid, and Pool Plant Tutors of the Year. The presentation ceremony was held at the Radisson Blu East Midlands Airport Hotel, as part of STA’s 2-day national conference, and hosted by STA’s President Ali Beckman, STA’s CEO Dave Candler and STA’s Water Safety Ambassador Mike Goody.

The Twelve 2025 STAr Winners Are:

STAr Swimming Teacher – sponsored by Splash About

Winner: Justyna Sandomierska-Wasik

Justyna Sandomierska-Wasik, who runs Koi Swim School, has been described by families as “the best swimming teacher they’ve ever met” – a reflection of the profound impact she has had on children’s water confidence and swimming ability. We were inundated with nominations from parents who praised her calm, patient and nurturing approach, noting how she adapts lessons to meet every child’s needs, including those with additional challenges. Many shared how previously nervous swimmers are now thriving, with one nominator saying: “Within one term, my daughters were swimming independently and had overcome their fear of water, something five previous teachers couldn’t achieve.”

Justyna is commended for making lessons both fun and productive, striking the perfect balance between technique, play and safety. Her teaching extends beyond swimming skills, instilling resilience, discipline and self-belief in her learners. The joy, passion and professionalism she brings to every session inspire not only her pupils but also their families.

STAr Tutor (Aquatics) – sponsored by Splash About

Winner: Becky Dowling

Over the past year, Becky Dowling has exemplified excellence as an STA Aquatics Tutor, making a significant contribution to both her ATC team and STA’s wider charitable objectives. Nominators praised her dedication to mentoring new tutors, co-delivering courses, and building their confidence so they feel fully prepared to lead. Becky also plays a vital role in supporting new swimming teachers, offering calm and approachable guidance that ensures they feel capable and inspired.

Through innovative in-house CPD programmes, she has raised standards across her team, fostering collaboration, inclusion and continuous improvement.

STAr Tutor (Lifesaving & First Aid) – sponsored by Atlantis, the Swimming Teachers App

Winner: Ross Othen

Ross Othen has been recognised as Lifesaving Tutor of the Year for his natural and calming teaching style, which helps learners feel at ease with what can be a challenging subject. Nominators praised his reliability, passion and ability to make training both engaging and effective. One said: “Ross makes the course fun but still gets the message across – we’ve had him deliver to several teams over the years with no complaints and lots of praise.”

Ross’s commitment ensures that lifesaving skills are taught with clarity, confidence and care, leaving a lasting impact on every learner he works with.

STAr Tutor (Pool Plant) – sponsored by AFM® (Activated Filter Media)

Winner: Aaron Bower

Aaron Bower received an overwhelming number of nominations, each praising his ability to make complex plant room operations easy to understand through real-life examples and hands-on teaching. One nominator said: “Aaron makes complex systems easy to understand by using real-life examples and props from the plant room, which keeps everyone engaged and confident.” Others highlighted his patience, approachability and professionalism.

As many of his learners expressed, Aaron doesn’t just teach – you leave his courses feeling prepared, confident and inspired. The STA Aquatic Excellence Awards are about honouring those who go the extra mile, and Aaron Bower does just that, every single day.

STAr Member – sponsored by SwimSure

Winner: Christopher Kelly

This year’s STAr Member award goes to Christopher Kelly, whose passion, knowledge and unwavering commitment to STA have made him an invaluable source of support to colleagues and members alike. Chris was described as “the calm in many storms,” always ready with advice, reassurance and his trademark warmth: “Well, how’s it going? How can I help?”
Nominators praised his outstanding understanding of STA procedures and policies, his generosity in sharing knowledge, and his willingness to go the extra mile for others. One colleague reflected on the words of the late Des Cossum, honoured posthumously with STA’s Cross of Merit last year, who said of Chris: “He is a good man, an outstanding STA tutor, and he will always do his best to help you out.”

STAr Water Safety Educator – sponsored by SwimSoft MOR Solutions

Winner: Rebecca Ramsay – Doing it for Dylan

Rebecca Ramsay has campaigned tirelessly for water safety education since the tragic loss of her 13-year-old son Dylan in 2011, after he got into difficulty while swimming in a disused quarry with friends. Determined that no other family should go through the same heartbreak, she founded Doing It For Dylan and has since dedicated more than a decade to raising awareness, delivering school talks to over 180,000 children, and working with national bodies such as the RNLI and the National Water Safety Forum.

In 2021, Becky launched the petition “Increase curriculum content about water safety as part of swimming lessons,” which received more than 108,000 signatures. The petition went on to win Petition Campaign of the Year at the Your UK Parliament Awards in 2022, and played a major factor in the long campaign that led to the historic announcement in June 2025: from September 2026, water safety will be included on the national curriculum for both primary and secondary schools.

This landmark change is why Becky is being honoured with the 2025 STAr Water Safety Educator award this year. Her strength, resilience and unwavering commitment over 14 years have not only honoured Dylan’s memory, but in the last 12 months have delivered a legacy that will save lives for generations to come.

Poignantly, the award was presented on what would have been Dylan’s 28th birthday – making the moment even more special and meaningful.

STAr Not-for-Profit Community Campaign – sponsored by AFM® (Activated Filter Media)

Winner: Sophie Mann & Adam Comfort

Sophie Mann and Adam Comfort from the Comfort Academy have made an extraordinary impact on young carers by removing financial barriers and offering free swimming lessons. We were inundated with nominations praising their commitment to creating opportunities for children who often miss out. Families described the sessions as “life-changing,” giving young carers the rare chance to simply be kids – to have fun, unwind, and gain confidence in the water. In the recent school holidays alone, more than 100 young carers enjoyed free swimming lessons, with many more places planned for the months ahead.

They have also gone even further in the last 12 months by supporting older young carers to achieve professional swimming teaching qualifications at no cost. This practical investment not only builds confidence but also provides employable skills and new career pathways in aquatics. One parent said: “My four daughters are young carers and from a low-income family. Sophie’s kindness has given them swimming lessons they would never otherwise have had – it means so much.”

By combining compassion with practical opportunity, Sophie and Adam are truly changing lives and exemplifying the spirit of community.

STAr Swim Academy – sponsored by Atlantis, the Swimming Teachers App

Winner: Active Lambeth

Active Lambeth’s Swim Academy has been recognised for its outstanding commitment to making swimming inclusive, accessible, and life-saving for everyone in the community. Now in only its second year, the Academy has already introduced a wide range of programmes designed to break down barriers and ensure people of all ages and abilities feel supported in the water.

Recent developments include fully funded disability swimming lessons, made possible through Lambeth Council, as well as weekly Adult Support Sessions and monthly Inclusive Sessions for children and adults with additional needs. The Academy has also launched community outreach initiatives such as free CPR workshops during International Learn to Swim Week, and dedicated activities for schools during Drowning Prevention Week.

Looking ahead, the Academy will introduce the STA Learn to Swim Programme, alongside new pathways including Junior Lifeguard and Swim Squad.

STAr Swim School Provider of the Year (under 500 participants per week) – sponsored by Soakly

Winner: Turtle Tots – Staffordshire

Turtle Tots – Staffordshire, led by franchisee Sam Tater, is recognised as this year’s STAr Swim School Provider (under 500 participants) for its commitment to delivering high-quality lessons with care and professionalism. Under Sam’s leadership, the school has built a strong reputation for creating supportive, engaging and effective swimming programmes that prioritise safety, enjoyment and skill development for every child.

Sam’s success has also been recognised nationally – this year she was named winner of the Franchisee Outstanding Achievement Award at the HSBC Elite Franchise Top 100 Awards, underlining her exceptional dedication and entrepreneurial spirit.

With a focus on community, quality, and consistent delivery, Turtle Tots – Staffordshire continues to make a positive impact on the lives of families it serves.

STAr Swim School Provider of the Year (over 500 participants per week) – sponsored by Soakly

Winner: GLL

GLL, the largest operator of swimming pools in the UK, is recognised for its outstanding scale and impact, teaching more than 140,000 pupils every week regardless of age, ability or background. Their commitment to inclusivity is evident through partnerships with schools and local authorities, delivering thousands of subsidised lessons and using innovative team-teaching models to break down barriers to access.

In 2024, GLL piloted an Inclusion Specialist initiative with Level Water – placing expert teachers into mainstream timetables to offer adapted lessons to 50-80 disabled children every week. This scalable model is now being considered for wider rollout, further strengthening GLL’s commitment to inclusive provision.

Alongside this, the charitable social enterprise has developed innovative ways to boost retention and engagement, including themed lessons linked to a national scheme of work that bring excitement for both teachers and pupils. They also provide clear pathways into employment, with a focus on developing the next generation of swimming teachers through initiatives such as the STA People Helper course and a strong CPD programme for both teachers and managers.

With seven STA disability qualification courses planned for 2026, ongoing investment in staff training, and more than 140,000 pupils learning to swim each week, GLL continues to set the standard for excellence, inclusivity and community impact in aquatics.

STAr Approved Training Centre of the Year (less than 50 courses) – sponsored by Atlantis, the Swimming Teachers App

Winner: Comfort Academy

Comfort Academy has demonstrated outstanding dedication to training and professional development over the past year, delivering high-quality STA courses while maintaining a strong focus on community impact. As well as making swimming more inclusive and accessible through their charitable initiatives, the team has ensured that every course is delivered with professionalism, care and attention to learner needs.

Their commitment to excellence, even on a smaller scale of delivery, shows how impactful an ATC can be in raising standards, supporting learners and opening pathways into aquatics.

STAr Approved Training Centre of the Year (more than 50 courses)

Winner: Neptune Aquatics

Neptune Aquatics has set the standard for training provision, delivering more than 50 STA courses in the last 12 months and equipping hundreds of new professionals with the skills and confidence to succeed in aquatics. Their ATC has been recognised for its consistent quality of delivery, breadth of courses, and commitment to supporting learners throughout their training journey.

By maintaining a clear focus on standards and innovation, Neptune Aquatics has played a vital role in ensuring a strong, skilled workforce for the industry.

The evening then continued with STA’s traditional awards – the Sir Henry Pike Award, Cross of Merit and the Ross Eagle Awards.

Sir Henry Pike Award 2025

Named in honour of Sir Henry Pike, who played a crucial role in the early days of STA as Honorary Secretary, this prestigious award recognises an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to STA over the past 12 months.

The 2025 recipient is David Cartwright.

David has been a constant source of support to STA for more than 34 years – from his time as a trustee and senior tutor, to today where he continues to champion everything we do. Whether it’s lending his expertise to campaigns, offering wise and sensible advice, or acting as a trusted voice in the media on behalf of STA, David has always gone above and beyond for the association.

Across his career, David has trained countless swimming teachers, playing a vital role in shaping the aquatic workforce. He has supported STA on numerous projects, from developing award schemes to helping extend the organisation’s reach in the Middle East. Over many years, he has also delivered STA swimming teacher courses for the Army School of Physical Training, training thousands of service personnel.

Most recently, David has extended his commitment even further by creating Spring Croft’s new community hub and swim school in Essex, a facility built entirely on STA programmes and qualifications. More than just a pool, Spring Croft provides a welcoming space for families and local residents, offering lessons, community activities, and opportunities for people of all ages to enjoy the water and stay connected.

David’s dedication, professionalism, and unwavering support for both STA and grassroots swimming make him a hugely deserving winner of this year’s Sir Henry Pike Award.

STA Ross Eagle Award 2025

Created in STA’s 90th anniversary year, the Ross Eagle Award honours the pioneering spirit of STA’s founder, Mr Ross Eagle, and is presented to an individual who has gone above and beyond for swimming during their career – someone whose determination and commitment has made a real difference at grassroots level and beyond.

The 2025 recipient is Camilla Golledge.

An aquatic specialist and one of STA’s original Brand Ambassadors, Camilla has dedicated her career to raising standards and expanding opportunities in swimming. As a tutor, and having recently started her own ATC, she has trained and supported countless teachers, ensuring more communities have access to safe, high-quality swimming and water safety education. She has also provided valuable input into STA’s aquatic programmes, with her honest and constructive feedback helping to shape resources used by teachers nationwide.

Alongside her professional expertise, Camilla has given her time freely at events and stepped in to support others at pivotal moments – most recently helping Sophie Etheridge, Founder of Adaptive and Disabled Open Water Swimmers, complete her ambition to swim the English Channel solo to raise funds for STA’s STARLIGHT charity campaign.

Her passion for aquatics, generosity of spirit, and unwavering support for her peers and the wider swimming community make Camilla a thoroughly deserving winner of this year’s Ross Eagle Award.

In Memory of Lynne Robshaw

During the evening, Lynne Robshaw was also remembered, having received the Cross of Merit earlier this year.

The Cross of Merit, chosen by the STA Trustees, is reserved for members who have provided long and fulfilled service – not only to STA, but to the wider world of swimming. It is an exceptional honour, and Lynne Robshaw was the embodiment of everything this award represents.

Lynne was presented with the Cross of Merit by Maria Timperley just before she sadly passed away earlier this year – and we are so thankful that she knew how special she was to all of us.

At the awards, Lynne’s daughter, Sarah, was invited on to stage and was presented with a Rowan tree to mark Lynne’s life and legacy.

Dave Candler, STA’s CEO said: “Every year, the Aquatic Excellence Awards remind us just how many inspiring people there are within our STA family and the wider aquatics community. From teachers and tutors to training centres and campaigners, this year’s winners represent the very best of what our industry stands for – dedication, compassion, and a shared commitment to making swimming and water safety accessible to all.”

Ali Beckman, STA’s President, agreed and added: “The Aquatic Excellence Awards are always a special occasion, but this year felt particularly moving. Hearing the stories behind each of our winners, and celebrating the lasting impact they’ve made in their communities, truly captures the essence of STA. Their dedication, innovation, and kindness continue to drive our work forward.”