By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
A NARRE WARREN teenage swimmer learnt more than a thing or two about leadership last month from one of Australia’s most impressive young leaders.
Jack Marshall, 16, was presented with his Paul Sadler Swimland Diploma on 28 March by Jessica Watson OAM, the youngest person to sail non-stop and unassisted around the world.
Jack’s mum Tanya said Jessica spoke to the young swimmers about determination and developing the ability to persevere through adversity.
“She was there just to give a talk about her journey with her sailing, she was very inspirational for the kids,” she said.
“She told them there were challenges on the way, no matter what you want to do, and to keep striving for success.
“She also spoke of her ups and downs and getting to the point she was at now.”
Jack and several of his friends received the diploma after years of involvement with the Narre Warren swim school, which required him to complete a range of different swim challenges.
“It covered a wide variety of swimming, including a distance swim and an open water swim, which is so different to swimming in a pool,” Tanya said.
“Kids also get to do a sub 45 for the diploma, which is 50 metre freestyle sprint in less than 45 seconds.
Jack began at the school when he was 10 months old, stopped when he was 13 or 14, and soon returned.
“A few of his friends all decided to come back and the diploma was something they could all be a part of together,” Tanya said.
Jack, who’s now training to be a swimming teacher at Paul Sadler, said Jessica Watson had inspired the young swimmers and given them a lot of advice to draw on.
“The swim school has been a massive influence on me, I’ve been around the joint for my whole life,” he said.
“Getting the diploma was definitely a milestone.”
