Tara and Olivia
Read their story below
Our very own Tara works within our Swimming and Sports team, so it is no surprise that hers and daughter, Olivia’s story starts in the pool! Tara comes from a competitive swimming background so of course, introduced her daughter to the water from a young age, bringing Olivia swimming once a week on average since she was just 6 weeks old, she is now 12…that is a lot of swimming!
“Swimming has always been a number one activity to get my children involved in….not because I used to be a competitive swimmer, or because I work in the industry though!”
From their earlier stints in the pool…little did Tara know that Olivia too would follow in her mums’ footsteps and go on to swim competitively. Tara says “She's now enjoying competing in swimming so must admit I watch her swimming more often than we swim together but she'll also ask for us to go swimming together when she has a day off school”.
Whilst the competitive side of swimming is something that spurs this mother-daughter duo, Tara also recognises the significance of water safety was also a factor when bring up her daughter in and around the pool as well as its physical benefits.
“I know the importance of being safe around water and believe swimming is fun, a sport for life and has something for everyone!”
The progression of seeing Olivia take to the water is something that Tara is incredibly proud of a to be able to share it with her is something that she does not take for granted. “It's lovely, the journey from her first experience in the pool (she fell asleep!) to her writing a training session for us to do in lane swim together has been really special.” Although – Tara admits “I really need to get training if I am going to be able to keep up with her as she gets older!”
Tara hopes that her daughters love of swimming is something that she continues throughout her life and something they can continue to share in years to come.
“As much as I am proud that my daughter is swimming competitively now at 12, what I like most is how much she just absolutely loves swimming, I hope this will always be the case because swimming has so much to offer for fitness, fun, opportunity and longevity in sport.”
To read other stories like Tara and Olivia, please click here.