Press Release

TOP MINISTERIAL HONOUR FOR STA’S CHIEF EXECUTIVE

1st November 2007 

The Chief Executive of the Swimming Teachers Association, Mr Roger Millward has been awarded a top honour from the Council of Irish Water Safety (IWS) by being chosen to become a ‘Life Governor’. The award recognises Roger’s dedication to fostering good relations between STA and the Irish Water Safety Association. 

Irish Water Safety is the Government’s Statutory Water Safety Body for Ireland, and a ‘Life Governor’ award is the highest honour that can be given to any person within the Association.  Roger joins a select number of people who have been conferred this award, which include 3 Government Ministers and the Deputy Chairperson of the Dail.

The announcement was made at the STA’s conference in October by Jim Lawlor, who was appointed to the role of Company Director at IWS by the Irish Ministry, and who also represents IWS on the board of the International Federation of Swimming Teachers’ Association (IFSTA).  The Citation read:

The Swimming Teachers’ Association celebrates its 75th anniversary of teaching swimming and saving lives in October 2007. 

Roger Millward has been an exceptional Chief Executive for a long number of years with the STA, seeing his organisation rise to great heights in their efforts to bring swimming and other aquatic skills to the public, thus saving lives.  As Chief Executive, he heads-up professionally, with a Board of Directors, a stalwart and dedicated group of people, who teach swimming throughout the UK.  He also has a role within the IFSTA, which sees him giving of his expertise at an International level.

On several occasions Roger Millward has championed assistance to Irish Water Safety.  On one special occasion, this was done through the provision of personal insurance for our members who wished to teach swimming outside the ambit of Irish Water Safety.  In 1999, he spearheaded a special agreement of mutual cooperation between the two organisations, allowed for an interchange of ideas and recognition of awards, which to date has greatly worked to the advantage of Irish Water Safety within its swimming disciplines.

Through the encouragement of Roger Millward, Irish Water Safety was invited to join the IFSTA in which we play an active role.

In recognition of Roger’s Millward’s dedication to fostering good relationships between both organisations, and also marking the STA’s 75th anniversary, it is recommended to the Council of Irish Safety that he become a ‘Life Governor’ on this the 25th October 2007.

On receiving the ‘Life Governorship’, a surprised Roger said that he was personally deeply honoured to receive this award, and would willingly accept it on behalf of everyone at STA.  He also thanked Irish Water Safety for all their support over the years, and paid special thanks to everyone involved with the STA.

The President of the STA, Mr Dave Candler added: “For Roger to be recognised by the Irish Government for the work and contribution the Association has made to the teaching of swimming and saving lives over the last 75 years, both here in the UK and internationally, is truly a great honour for the STA and one we are all proud of.”

Roger Millward will be formally presented the ‘Life Governor’ award by the Minister of Ireland at a special awards ceremony on 20th November at Dublin Castle.  

For further information about the STA, and its work in promoting the importance of learning to swim and water safety education, please visit www.sta.co.uk.

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