Mike Beard

• Born: 24 July 1942

Mike Beard

Dedicated volunteer Mike Beard has made an outstanding contribution to swimming and water polo.

He joined Stourbridge Swimming Club at the age of seven, where he learned to swim, before joining the water polo team.

After playing for the club, he went on to represent Worcester, becoming captain of the team.

Aged 18 he joined the club committee, becoming the publicity officer and, subsequently, treasurer.

Mike made the move to Solihull and was involved with the swimming club and water polo team, becoming coach and an official – roles he held for more than 30 years.

He soon joined the club committee, where he became treasurer and chair.

Mike was voted onto the Midlands committee and became treasurer in 1977 – a position he still currently holds for the West Midlands region.

In 1989, he was named the Midlands District President and became the ASA President in 2000.

He was nominated for the ASA Committee in 1991 and was a member for 15 years, becoming chair of the committee in 2001 until 2006.

Mike has been a trustee for the national governing body since 1984 and in 2009, he received the Harold Fern Award.

He was also awarded the BEM for his services to swimming in 2016.