Congratulations to Archie Goodburn on his award of the prestigious Peter Heatly Award

The Peter Heatly Award is awarded annually to the competitor who has done most to enhance or uphold the prestige of East District during the year.

This year the award is bestowed upon:

Archie Goodburn

Archie has conquered many hurdles over his swimming life so far and has many achievements under his belt , some of which are:

• 2019 – Bronze medal for 50m breaststroke at the World Junior Championships.

• 2022 – Competed at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

• 2023 – Gold medal for 50m breaststroke at the British Championships.

• 2023 – Also, part of the 4 x 50m medley relay at the European Short Course Championships.

Whilst all this is amazing and a true credit to Archie and sees pride from the District point of view, Archie’s biggest challenge was yet to come.

In June 2024, he was diagnosed with a form of brain cancer which affects the brain and spinal cord, which is inoperable.

Despite this devastating news, Archie has shown incredible resilience and a positive mindset where he has taken the diagnosis full on and with immense courage.

He has taken his diagnosis and used it to ‘champion’ the cause, using the media to raise awareness of this and promote the involved charity.

Archie’s story is slightly unusual and not the normal criteria for this award but he is a true credit to his family and his whole ethos with his positive energy makes us, as a District, extremely proud of him. His very public journey and resilience is a true inspiration to us all that no matter what the hand is that you are dealt, you need to make the most of it.

Archie’s words, when asked how he feels, have been:

“I am young, I am fit, I have the most phenomenal network of friends, the best family I could hope for and a fantastic girlfriend by my side.

I am determined to take this head-on and to keep being Archie.”

It is with immense pleasure and pride that we award Archie Goodburn with the Peter Heatly Award.