COACH VICTORIA TORRANCE RECEIVES DUKE of EDINBURGH GOLD AWARD

Everybody at REN96 is very pleased and proud to congratulate club coach Victoria Torrance on being awarded her Gold Award in the Duke of Edinburgh (DoE) award scheme.  She was presented with her award recently by Renfrewshire Council’s Provost Cameron.

Victoria said “DofE has been a huge part of my life for a few years now, through it I have met some of my closest friends and I've learned so many new skills. It's not all about the expeditions, you've got skills, physical and volunteering sections to complete, which allow you to learn, meet new people, see new places, expand on skills you already have and have new experiences in which you learn new skills. If I could go on my journey from start to finish again, I absolutely would. With memories that will last me a lifetime and friendships with people that I couldn't even have dreamed of meeting, I'll be forever grateful for the experience I've had and all of the opportunities it has given me. I've gained so much from DofE and if you get the chance I would 100% go for it.  It's been tough at times but I wouldn't change it for the world.”

Victoria has been a part of the REN96 family since she was 7 years old, competing with the team for 11 years. In her final year of competing she began to use her love for swimming to assist coaches on poolside and then she joined the coaching team.  As well as being a coach, Victoria is also a swim teacher and she is passionate about seeing children progressing from being learners to strong swimmers.  In Victoria’s eyes swimming sessions are meant to be a place of joy, laughter and fun where a variety of children from a variety of backgrounds can come together to do something that they love. She loves seeing them making friends and coming out of their shell with each session while also seeing their swimming skills progress.

This is a tremendous achievement for Victoria and everyone at REN96 gives her their warmest congratulations. 

Allan Kelly for REN96