Harry left his previous swimming club to start Merton Pisces Swimming Club over 50 years ago in 1973 because he felt that the club were only interested in supporting their best swimmers.
Harry made it his aim to encourage all his club members, regardless of their ability and to find ways for them to enjoy learning to swim and also improve in the process.
The Club was rather different to the usual swimming club in others ways too; by organising social events such as outings at weekends and by taking them on a week’s holiday to the Isle of Wight once a year it enabled the members to form friendships and made them feel part of a swimming community. This also had the added effect of improving their performances because they felt part of a team.
Harry has always run the club on an entirely non-profit and voluntary basis with him giving all his time to the club and doing whatever roles are required. Not a day goes by without him doing work for the club. He does a tramendous amount of work that is never seen, doing the administration, arranging galas, holidays, trips, sorting finances and booking sessions all for free.
Harry is as passionate now as he always has been about running the club and keeping to its founding principles of equality and affordability.
Even after over 50 years, Harry is as passionate now as he always has been about running the club and keeping to its founding principles of equality and affordability.
If you wish to see how the club has affected people lives and where some former club members have progressed with the help of the club, then have a look at the testimonial page.
Harry has started educating swimmers and helping them take life saving courses and teaching course to provide swimmers with possible jobs within the industry. Some are staying to help the club and many others are now lifeguards in many of the pools in and around Merton. Some are now teaching swimming at various locations. So many of the children are taking their love of swimming and staying with it even after leaving education and giving something back to the sport they know and love.
A little recognition of what Harry does, with hopefully more to come.
Harry Receives The Coronation award for outstanding service to children and young people of Merton
