A Northwood schoolteacher was recently named the East Regional Artistic Swimming Development Coach of the Year.
Emma Chapman was recognised with the accolade at the Swim England National Awards, held at Birmingham Great Hall.
Emma, as well as teaching physical education at Northwood College for Girls, is the head coach at Dacorum Artistic Swimming Club (DASC).
Reflecting on her prestigious win, Emma told Northwood&Ruislipnews: “It was brilliant to win. I am very proud of myself, and all the hard work was very well worth it.”
Artistic swimming, which was formerly known as synchronised swimming, is where swimmers perform a choreographed routine to music.
Emma believes that the sport often does not get the recognition it deserves.
She said: “People don’t take the sport seriously but it’s actually one of the hardest sports.
“People just think it’s wearing silly hats and nose clips, but it’s like running a 100-metre race while holding your breath.”
Emma first became interested in the sport at age 11 when her local leisure centre offered her a trial session. Since then, it has played a major role in her life. She now coaches teams for the same competitions that she attended in the past.
DASC currently has 50 members with two squads that train three times a week, which Emma attends on top of her job as a teacher.
In a post on Instagram, DASC said: “Emma is dedicated to developing our club and supports all of our swimmers to enjoy our sport and succeed! Well done, Emma!”
A spokesperson for Northwood College for Girls said: “Huge congratulations to Miss Chapman, who has won the Regional Artistic Swimming Development Coach of the Year Award and was a finalist for the National Award.”
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