21 December 2007
City of Leeds Swim Club Supporters Committee Chair Barbara Lancaster has received an honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her invaluable contribution to sport over the years.
Barbara has been involved with the swimming club since the 1970’s when her daughter was competing at Leeds. She quickly became involved in the committee and the running of the club and became Chair of the supporters committee in 1978.
She worked as Team Manager for a club tour of China in 1988 and went on to become the first female national squad Team Manager in 1996. She worked with the teams at the 1992 and 1996 Olympics and the 1993 European Championships.
Babs as she is know is remembered fondly by swimmers on the squads and has enjoyed every moment of her career within swimming. “I am absolutely overwhelmed to receive this award,” she said. “I’m amazed to get an MBE for doing something that has been so pleasurable for 32 years. I knew when I first sat watching my daughter swimming that I had to get involved with the sport and I have never regretted that decision.
“It has been lovely to get to know so many swimmers and watch them take their steps towards success. Swimming is very much a one to one sport and everyone involved knows how hard the athletes work towards their success.”