Swimming Club’s Fond Farewell to Shirley

At the age of 90, Shirley Grayson has made the decision to retire from Southwell Swimming Club and move north to County Durham to be close to her family.

On Sunday evening November 13th, Coach Paul Marlow took time out of the training session to say a few words of admiration for Shirley’s coaching and judging skills and then on behalf of the club he presented her with a small statuette to say thank you for over 55 years of service to the club. She was presented with flowers by Andy Nelson, Manager of Southwell Leisure Centre.

Shirley was not only a coach abut also club secretary for most of the time steering the club through the many ups and downs and making sure it had British Swimming accreditation. Shirley is passionate about swim coaching and takes great pride in encouraging youngsters to be efficient swimmers with good technique hoping they reach their full potential as competitive swimmers.

She has encouraged our members over the years to take part in interclub swimming leagues within Nottinghamshire and the East Midlands and Open Meets. Shirley has been actively involved with competitive swimming as a judge and Time Keeper both for the Club and Nottinghamshire.

In 2007 she was rewarded with the Newark and Sherwood Senior Volunteer of the year sport award for over 40 years service to the club and was put on the Nottinghamshire Role of Honour in that year too. In recent years Shirley has been a President of Nottinghamshire ASA and last year they presented her with a clock for her services to swimming in the county.

We all wish Shirley a restful retirement and all agree she will be greatly missed.

MARILYN BROADHEAD