The new awards are being sponsored by Konfidence, and have been created to celebrate and showcase the achievements of all those involved in delivering learn to swim programmes and aquatics training over the last 12 months, in line with STA’s charity objectives.
“We’ve been wanting to create our own awards for some time now, and we believe after all the industry has been through over the last few years, now is the right time to recognise and celebrate the STAr achievements of all those involved in delivering learn to swim and training programmes.”
– Dave Candler (STA CEO)
Why STA Aquatic Excellence Awards?
As a national governing body for swimming and an educational charity, STA is dedicated to the teaching of swimming and water safety.
For the last 90 years, STA has worked to deliver the highest standards of swimming teaching, and today represents over 18,000 members, and partners with swim schools / leisure operators in the UK and internationally. The new STA Aquatic Excellence Awards will celebrate and showcase the achievements of all those involved in delivering learn to swim programmes and aquatics training over the last 12 months, in line with STA’s charity objectives.
What will an STA Aquatic Excellence Award mean to your business?
Winning a STA Aquatic Excellence Award will provide recognition that you or your organisation has been judged and deemed to demonstrate excellence in their STAr award category by a national governing body for swimming, and it provides an opportunity for you to promote your service as award-winning. Winners will also be provided a STA Aquatic Excellence Award logo.
The STA Aquatic Excellence Awards are open to all UK and international learn to swim providers who work in the given STAr award categories.
Applications will be judged ‘blind-folded’ by STA’s Trustees and the winner’s will be chosen on the basis that the entry fulfils the STAr awards criteria.
- You may be nominated, or enter yourself or your organisation for more than one award.
- If you wish to supply additional supporting information or images highlighting any special features or services you would like us to consider, please upload up to three labelled files with your entry.
- Please fill in all sections of the entry form, ensuring you supply full contact details.
- Incomplete or incorrect entry forms will be disqualified from entry.
- Entries received after the closing date of Friday 1st September 2023 will not be entered.
- The judges (STA Trustees) reserve the right to move entries into relevant categories. You will be notified of any suggested changes.
- The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence shall be entered into.
- The finalists will be announced on the STA website W/c 18th September 2023.
- The winners will be announced at an informal awards ceremony at STA’s National Conference in October.
- Award Applications Open – Monday 31st July 2023
- Award Applications Close – Friday 1st September 2023
- Finalists Announced – w/c 18th September 2023
- Awards Presentation Evening – Friday 13th October at STA’s national conference in Leicester – book your place here.
2023 STAr Award Categories
There are 10 STAr award categories and they are open to all UK and international learn to swim / training providers who work in the stated awards criterion.
STAr Swimming Teacher of the Year
All swimming teachers perform a special job, but the purpose of this award is to recognise a swimming teacher who has gone above and beyond in their role. The award aims to acknowledge the remarkable achievements of one individual who has made a real difference in grassroots swimming teaching over the last 12 months.
The judges will be looking for a swimming teacher that has helped someone, supported a group or made an exceptional difference in their community.
STAr Tutor of the Year
This is open to all STA Tutors of any qualification discipline. It will be rewarded to recognise the achievements of an individual STA Tutor over the last 12 months.
The award will acknowledge the role they have played as a STA Tutor and the judges will be looking for examples of the impact they have made in helping train the next generation of aquatic professionals.
STAr Swim School Provider of the Year – UK
This is open to all UK organisations who deliver learn to swim programmes. The award will reflect how the operator has implemented innovative learn to swim strategies that have expanded the opportunity for people of all ages and abilities in their communities to learn a key life skill.
The judges will also be looking for examples of how the organisation has delivered best practices in swimming teaching through training, education and career development.
STAr Swim Academy of the Year
This is open to all STA Swim Academies. The award will reflect how the Academy has implemented innovative learn to swim strategies that have expanded the opportunity for people of all ages and abilities in their communities to learn a key life skill.
The judges will also be looking for examples of how the Academy has delivered best practices in swimming teaching through training, education and career development.
STAr Swim School Provider of the Year – International
This is open to all international organisations who deliver learn to swim programmes. The award will reflect how the operator has implemented innovative learn to swim strategies that have expanded the opportunity for people of all ages and abilities in their communities to learn a key life skill.
The judges will also be looking for examples of how the organisation has delivered best practices in swimming teaching through training, education and career development.
STAr Not-for-Profit Community Campaign of the Year
Anyone involved in aquatics and who has delivered a not-for-profit swimming-related campaign in their communities over the last 12 months.
The judges will be looking for the award winner to show how they engaged with their audience and who benefitted, and demonstrate the positive impact the campaign made.
STAr Approved Training Centre of the Year – UK
This is open to all STA ATCs. The award will reflect how the ATC has consistently managed its compliance responsibilities to the highest level, while also delivering excellent, high-quality courses for learners. The award will recognise the ATC’s practices regarding inclusivity, equality and diversity, and all activity that supports STA in fulfilling its charity objectives.
The judges will be looking for the ATC to demonstrate how they have shown compliance and quality assurance excellence, alongside examples of best practice and exceptional initiatives.
STAr Approved Training Centre of the Year – International
This award is open to all of STA’s International ATCs. The award will reflect how the ATC consistently delivers excellent, high-quality courses for learners. The award will recognise the ATC’s practices regarding inclusivity, equality and diversity, and all activities that support STA in fulfilling its charity objectives.
The judges will be looking for the ATC to provide examples of best practice and exceptional initiatives.
STAr Member of the Year
The purpose of this award is to recognise an STA member who has made an outstanding contribution to support other STA members with their career progression.
The judges will be looking to acknowledge an individual who has inspired, mentored and acted as a source of positive encouragement for other STA members.
STAr Water Safety Educator of the Year
Anyone involved in water safety education, and who over the last 12 months has played a pivotal role in helping to promote the importance of learning to swim and how to be safe in and around water, in line with STA’s charity objectives.
The judges will be looking for the award winner to showcase their volunteering activities and explain who benefitted.
Other STA Awards
Henry Pike
Nominations only, closed for 2023 applications
Cross of Merit
Chosen by the STA President
Ross Eagle Award
Nominations only, closed for 2023 applications
Submit Your Nomination