The Finalists Are Revealed – STA Aquatic Excellence Awards 2026
STA has today revealed the finalists for its 2026 Aquatic Excellence Awards, following a record number of entries from individuals and organisations across the aquatics industry.
The annual awards celebrate and showcase the achievements of those involved in delivering learn to swim programmes, aquatic training and water safety, in line with STA’s charitable objectives.
Nominations once again came from across the UK and internationally, and from both the public and private sectors, reflecting the breadth of STA’s membership and the many individuals, swim schools, leisure operators, training centres and organisations making a difference in aquatics.
With a record number of entries received this year, the judging panel faced the difficult task of selecting the finalists across 12 award categories.
Listed in alphabetical order, the 2026 STA Aquatic Excellence Awards finalists are:
Member of the Year
- Kitchener Duckworth
- Grace Kearns
- Susan Murrell
Swimming Teacher of the Year
- Matthew Jenkins – Jenkins Swim Studio
- Danielle Moorhouse – Wrea Lodge Swimming
- Tammy Wujiw – Octanauts
STA Aquatic Tutor of the Year
- Chris Bateman
- Chris Hawkes
- Lynesey Olson
First Aid and Lifesaving Tutor of the Year
- Chris Cadman
- Alice Kidd
- Gerard Maguire
STA Pool Plant Tutor of the Year
- Dan Beasley
- Andy Rudkin
- Deborah Shear
STA Swim Academy of the Year
- DB Leisure
- Inverclyde Leisure
- Wakefield Council
STA Not-for-Profit Campaign
- Active Tameside Aquatic Team
- RKLSwims C.I.C. – SwimShare Campaign
- The SMART Action Project CIC (SAP)
STA Water Safety Educator of the Year
- Jess & Tom Glover – Swim Superb
- Jennie MacCready – Better Swim School / GLL
- Tracey Murch – Swim with Jo
STA Swim School of the Year – Less than 500 Participants per Week
- Jenkins Swim Studio
- Octanauts Swim School
- The Jelli Swim Academy
STA Swim School of the Year – More than 500 Participants per Week
- Oakleigh Park School of Swimming
- Swim Superb
- Swim with Style
STA ATC of the Year – Less than 50 Courses
- AOK Training
- Leeds City Council
- Swimwell Academy
STA ATC of the Year – More than 50 Courses
- Andy Rudkin Pool Plant Training
- Turtle Tots
- Wakefield Council
Dave Candler, CEO of STA, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the response to this year’s Aquatic Excellence Awards, with a record number of entries and so many fantastic examples of the dedication, innovation and commitment that exists across our industry.
“Congratulations to all our 2026 finalists, and thank you to everyone who took the time to enter and share their achievements with us.”
The winners will be announced at the STA Aquatic Excellence Awards on Friday 13th November, as part of the STA National Conference at Cheltenham Chase Hotel.
STA would also like to thank headline sponsor Zoggs, alongside Seascooter UK, AMES Software, GreenTech International, Swimphony, MOR Solutions, AFM and Swimsure, for supporting the 2026 Aquatic Excellence Awards.
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