This award is being presented in recognition of incredible dedication, leadership and commitment shown to Edinburgh Artistic Swimming Club and every athlete within it.
Having previously competed in artistic swimming herself, she understands the sport from every perspective. She has spent around twenty years coaching and has now stepped up into the role of Head Coach, a position she has embraced with passion and determination. Her commitment to the club goes far beyond what could ever be expected. She consistently gives her time, energy and expertise to support swimmers of all ages and abilities, always striving to help the club grow and succeed.
In addition to coaching, she also volunteers as the synchronisation judge at competitions, supporting not only our club but artistic swimming in Scotland as a whole. She has further invested in the club by completing the Poolside Educator course, allowing her to run Poolside Helper courses in-house and help develop future coaches and volunteers within the club. Her willingness to contribute in so many different ways highlights just how committed she is to the growth and development of artistic swimming at every level.
What makes her particularly inspiring is the way she balances motherhood with her coaching career, continuing to give so much to the club. Her dedication to both her young family and to the club is an inspiration to swimmers and volunteers, who have watched her return to poolside after the birth of each of her three children, juggling parenting and coaching with extraordinary focus, compassion and skill. Her dedication, resilience and incredible work ethic are truly exceptional and inspire everyone around her.
Alongside this, she continues to invest in both her own development and the future of the club. She was attending the Head Coach Programme before the birth of her third baby and continues to attend with her baby now, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to developing as a leader and coach. She is also launching a new Masters programme this August, creating even more opportunities within artistic swimming.
To top it all off, she is also taking over as the East District Artistic Swimming Convener, further demonstrating her dedication not only to our club, but to the continued growth and development of artistic swimming across the region.
Her can-do attitude is one of the things we admire most about her. She takes every challenge in her stride, always remains positive and never shies away from hard work. No matter the circumstances, she simply gets on with things with determination and professionalism, setting an incredible example to everyone around her.
She is a true inspiration to all of us at the club and an outstanding role model for our swimmers. She shows every athlete what is possible through hard work, resilience and passion, while also demonstrating what women with children can achieve. Her positivity, determination and unwavering support have had a huge impact on so many people.
We are extremely grateful for everything she does for the club, and this award is a truly well-deserved recognition of her dedication and influence.
The Mary Black Award for Artistic Person of the Year goes to Louise Fleming of Edinburgh Artistic Swimming Club.
(Citation from Michelle Williamson – Team Manager – Fife Artistic Swimming Club
Louise maintains a family tradition of involvement with Aquatic Sport, her sister Vivien who also coaches at Edinburgh, her mother is a past East District President (and more) and her Grandfather was Jack Snowden MBE, past East District President and past SASA President.