The Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) awards took place on Saturday, November 14th, where the commitment and achievements of athletes, coaches and volunteers across the entire organization were honored. Founded in 1869, the ASA remains as England’s’ national governing body for swimming, diving, water polo, open water and synchronized swimming.
All aquatic disciplines were recognized at the awards event over the weekend, split into 19 separate categories of recognition. Earning one of the event’s most prestigious awards was 2015 double World Champion and World Record Holder, Adam Peaty. As only the 2nd British swimmer in history to win 2 individual golds at a World Championships, Peaty was named Swimming’s Performance Athlete of the Year award, an honor Peaty says it is “absolutely delighted” to receive.
The Performance Athlete of the Year award is intended to recognize an English athlete ‘who has produced outstanding international results during the last 12 month, while always conducting themselves in a manner befitting of a professional athlete.’
Says the 20-year-old Peaty of his honor, “The past two years have been incredible and I am so grateful to be working with such a talented support team. Everyone works unbelievably hard and I am so proud of everything we’ve achieved together as a team so far.”
“I’m really looking forward to next year and I will continue to work hard to ensure I’m in the best shape possible to compete in front of my home crowd in London and then at my first Olympic Games.”
Open Water swimmer, Jack Burnell, won his discipline’s Performance Award as well. Burnell became the first British athlete to qualify direclty for the 2016 Olyumpic Games via finishing in 5th place in the 10k open water event at the 2015 FINA World Championships.
Winning the award in the other aquatic sporting disciplines include Tom Daley (Diving), Honor Grims (Water Polo), Tully Kearney (Para-swimming), Jodie Cowie and Genevieve Randall (Synchronized swimming), and Judy Wilson (Masters swimming).
Of the enormous efforts over the year, which culminate in this award celebration, Adam Paker, Chief Executive of the ASA said, “These Awards are an opportunity for the ASA to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the aquatics community over the past 12 months from athletes and coaches to volunteers and facility operators, all of whom play an important role in leading our sport.”
“We have heard some truly inspiring stories today and on behalf of the ASA I would like to thank everyone linked to this event for their ongoing commitment and for being such incredible ambassadors for swimming and aquatics.”
All award winners can be seen here.
