Hills Road Sixth Form College sports activator Linda Swain inducted into AoC Sport Hall of Fame

Linda Swain has been inducted into the AoC Sport Hall of Fame.

The sports activator and netball coach at Hills Road Sixth Form College for the past 14 years, she has been recognised for her exemplary commitment and significant contribution to sport.

Swain has been a key member of staff, raising more than £140,000 worth of sports funding through government sponsorship, NGB grants and private firms to increase the number of students accessing sport.

As coach of the netball team for 12 of her 14 years at the college, Swain has guided them to three county schools cups, and bronze at the AoC National Finals in 2017.

Swain, who has also been vice-chair of the AoC East of England operations network for the past 11 years, set up a club partnership between Cantabrigian Rowing Club and Hills Road Sixth Form College.

It has seen more than 60 students take part in rowing on a weekly basis, alongside four coaching staff, and created and continues to facilitate the Hills Road ‘Learn to Row’ programme to help complete beginners learn the basics of the sport to move onto the competitive programme.

She is also vice-chair of the Cambridgeshire County Netball Association and a member of the East Regional Netball Management Board.

Outside of Hills Road, Swain has been a driving force for netball in the county since 1978, setting up and developing High 5 netball, coaching centres, junior clubs and summer schools. In addition, she has delivered coaching courses and supported young members to become netball officials.

Ayden Duffy, head of sport at Hills Road Sixth Form College, said: “The sports department are incredibly proud of Linda being presented this prestigious award by AoC Sport.

“Linda’s commitment and continued contribution to sport over the years has been astounding.”