It is with great sadness to document the passing of Yvonne Kelley on Thursday 22nd March 2018.

Yvonne had been involved in swimming all her life and after moving to Stalybridge became involved with her local club as a swimming teacher in 1974, teaching many generations of children to swim and play water polo. Yvonne later became a referee for both disciplines in 1998. Her passion was to encourage young people to swim and be safe around water, and to encourage smaller clubs to continue in both junior swimming and water polo.

Despite working full time, Yvonne showed commitment to our sport by giving up most of her evenings and weekends to attend galas or competitions for swimming or water polo, whilst also continuing to teach at Stalybridge Swimming and Water Polo Club.

Over a lifetime of support and dedication to the sport, Yvonne’s proudest moment was being asked to be involved with the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games both with Water Polo and later in the year the main games.

Alongside her officiating and teaching, Yvonne also supported Central Lancashire Swimming and Water Polo Association and Manchester and District through her continued involvement at association meetings by ensuring fairness between clubs and improving the experience for all those involved. As part of her support she was also nominated as Trophy Secretary where she worked hard to ensure that the worthwhile recipient received recognition for their hard work and effort.

Swim England North West Management Board and Regional Staff would like to offer their condolences to Yvonne’s family and friends.