Bletchley Leisure Centre welcome new lead with a special connection
We have welcomed a new Swimming Co-ordinator with a heartwarming connection to the pool. Katie, 23, learned to swim at age four from none other than her current boss, Chris Hawkes.
Katie began her aquatic journey at Stoke Mandeville Stadium in 2006, where Chris was her swim teacher. Nearly two decades later, she’s returned to the industry where it all began, now leading our swim programme and mentoring the next generation of swimmers.
Chris, now Regional Aquatics Manager for our centre, said:
“Katie always tried her best and showed great commitment to her lessons, as she worked her way through the SMS swimming programme.
“Since then, she’s added a range of qualifications to her portfolio, including her STA level 2, National Pool Lifeguard Qualification and more recently she trained in the teaching of Baby and Pre-school swimming lessons.
“She’s someone with a genuine passion to support people, young and old, to develop the key life skill of learning to swim. I’m so proud that I was there at the start of her journey and have seen her develop as a teacher and as a person.
Katie added:
“Seeing some of the children I’ve taught when I first started teaching in stage 1 now swimming in lanes, doing 25 metres easily - that’s great to see and to know that you helped in their swimming journey makes me feel quite proud.
“My new job as a Swim Co-Ordinator is a great opportunity for me to lead the excellent Bletchley Leisure Centre swimming teacher team, and grow the programme, keep people active and enjoying the water.
“Chris has always been there during my own aquatics journey, and luckily in the new role, that won’t change. His support and expertise will be vital, and just like when I was that four-year-old girl, nervously taking my first ever swimming lesson, Chris will know just what to say to ensure I’m ready to do my best!”