TAVISTOCK Swimming Club is thrilled that ladies club captain Amber Francis has won the Swim England Young Volunteer of the Year award at a recent awards ceremony at Birmingham University.

This award recognises a Swim England young volunteer who, at the young age of 17 years-old, is already making an impact within the world of aquatics.

This adds to her success in winning the 2017 Devon Sports Awards’ young volunteer of the year and also being named as the Swim England South West regional young volunteer of the year.

Amber said of the award: ‘It is a great feeling to be recognised for the work I have done and winning this award helps to recognise that all volunteers play a huge part in the running of swimming clubs.’

Club president Sue Dunstan told Times Sport: ’Amber is a talented, successful and highly valued member of Tavistock Swimming Club. She leads by example, taking her current role as ladies club captain very seriously.

‘For nearly three years, since the age of 14, Amber has been coaching at the Wednesday evening transition session for children who have reached the appropriate level at the Meadowlands Swim School and are considering joining TSC. Despite the challenge involved in taking this step, many of these children, having benefitted from Amber’s calm and friendly approach, have moved on to train happily with TSC.

‘In addition she is a club swimmer, a member of the committee who makes useful contributions on behalf of the swimmers as well as regularly assisting the head coach James Lake on poolside, teaching and encouraging our younger members in training and at competitions. During these sessions she continually helps nervous and new competitors, stepping in as applicable to encourage any anxious or upset child.’

Amber has also recently completed the ASA young volunteer programme. She gives up full days to support our coaches at competitions, locally and further afield, even when not swimming herself.

Amber lives in Tavistock. She has a firm commitment to her academic studies at Plymouth High School for Girls.

Sue, added: ‘Amber leads a very full and busy life in her home community, including volunteer work through her Duke of Edinburgh Bronze and Silver Awards in Swimming and previously at an Animal Foundation as well as fitting in a part time job.

‘Over Easter weekend Amber achieved her ASA Level 1 Teaching qualification, which will extend her expertise in supporting our younger swimmers. She is currently taking her level two swim teaching qualification.

‘She is an exceptionally well-motivated, energetic, enthusiastic and popular young volunteer and a deserved recipient of these awards.’