JIM Wilks is reflecting on his year in the role of Swim England president.

The Croft resident, who is president of Warriors of Warrington, had the honour of being selected for the national position by the Swim England board during a Commonwealth Games year.

It gave him the opportunity to visit and attend the Games in Birmingham which Jim recalled as one of his many highlights throughout the past 12 months.

“What a 12 months it has been,” he said.

“I don’t think anything quite prepares you for it. Over the years I’ve done various jobs at local, regional and county level but then you come into this big Swim England presidency role and it’s absolutely amazing.

“You get to travel all across the country and get to see so many incredible events every weekend. There have been so many highlights.

“I’ve been fortunate because it gave me the opportunity to attend the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and that was rather special.

“It was one of those moments where you think back to when you started your career in the sport, and suddenly you think ‘I’m here, how did this happen’?"

Jim and his wife Norma attended a number of clubs and events across the county to help promote the aquatic disciplines.

“I specifically remember attending the Diving National Skills competition in Leeds and it was absolutely incredible to see those youngsters starting off in their careers," he said.

“Hopefully some of those divers will go on to become Olympians in the future and it showed just one example of all the incredible talent across aquatics in this country.”

Jim recently handed over the ceremonial chain to new president, Doug Whitham, at the 2023 Swim England Artistic Swimming National Junior and Senior Championships.

He became the first person from Warriors and Warrington to be appointed Swim England president, even making him the governing body's first in the role from Cheshire in almost 50 years.

His contribution to promoting swimming started about 35 years ago when his sons became interested in the sport competitively.

Since then he has been involved in the sport as an administrator and swimming official at all levels – district, county, regional, national and international level.

A Swim England north west regional board member and chairman of Cheshire County, Jim has been recognised for his contribution to the sport by being given life membership of the club, the district and Swim England north west region.