INSPIRATIONAL coach Jonathan Woodford is the Amateur Swimming Association’s young volunteer of the year.
The 17-year-old scooped the national award for his devotion to work with younger swimmers at New Earswick Swimming Club in York.
The nationwide recognition came hot on the heels of the North-East regional accolade for the Haxby-based Joseph Rowntree School sixth-former, pictured centre.
Woodford is a talented swimmer in his own right, having represented New Earswick with distinction at county, regional and national level.
But it is as a role model to younger swimmers at the club that he has really caught the eye, teaching and coaching three times a week.
Woodford, a club member since the age of five, initially helped non-swimmers through the learn-to-swim programme when he was only 14.
By the age of 15, he was leading lessons to gain experience and, almost 12 months ago, Woodford took over as lead coach for the Age Group Development 1 Squad.
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