Bernard Simkins ‘honoured’ to receive prestigious Harold Fern Award

An ‘honoured’ Bernard Simkins has been awarded the prestigious Harold Fern Award for 2024 after a lifetime of commitment to aquatics.

His dedication throughout the years has seen him serve on regional and numerous national boards and is one of Swim England’s founding directors.

He’s been a member of Stourbridge Swimming Club for almost 30 years after re-joining the club he swam at as a youngster to support his two daughters.

Now, he’s privileged to become the fourth member from the club to receive the illustrious award.

He said: “I’m extremely honoured [to receive the award]. I can’t speak for all clubs, but I would be surprised if there was another club, especially our size, to have had four winners with three of those having sat on the national board.

“So, it’s special to join them on that list of winners.

“I’ve had an incredible journey, making so many friends along the way. From supporting the swimming teachers at Stourbridge right the way through to people on the national board, who are from all different walks of life.

“Everyone I’ve come across have been such lovely people and they’re all just doing the best they can to help the sport. This is only the second award I’ve ever had in swimming, so I’m delighted!”

A dream journey

After 13 years on the Swim England board, Bernard will step down from his role at the end of his current term.

As part of the board, he’s thrived, using his commercial and financial knowledge combined with his love of the sport to support the development of aquatics.

He was the last chair of the Swimming Times and has previously served as president of both the West Midland’s Region and Worcester County.

Bernard, who will collect his award at this Saturday’s Swim England National Awards ceremony, highlighted the important role that his wife and two daughters have played in his journey.

He added: “My journey started with my two daughters Rebecca and Charlotte learning to swim and joining Stourbridge Swimming Club – a club that I was a member of as a teenager.

“It began with a simple tap on the shoulder when someone asked me ‘would you like to join the committee? You won’t need to do anything’. A week later I was fixtures secretary, and I cannot believe what was to happen over the many years that followed. I had become one of the thousands of volunteers who are so important to this wonderful sport that also helps to save lives and improve the health of our nation.

“Becoming chair of the club, president of the county and region at the same time and being on the regional board for 18 years and the national board for 13 years.

“I’ve represented Swim England at the Houses of Parliament and been a founding director of Swim England. Things I never would’ve dreamed I would do.

“Although I have presented trophies to swimmers who have gone on to win Olympic medals, I have been a referee for 17 years and still love to officiate at club level and seeing swimmers at the start of their journey.

“The majority will never get to an Olympic or Paralympic level but being part of that journey where they’ll make many friends and great memories, just like my two daughters have, that is the foundation of our sport.

“A special mention to my long-suffering wife Patricia, who is not into sport but has given up so much for my hobby and passion over the years.”