Lanark ASC coach Karen Kelly praised after clocking up 50 years at the club

Lanark Amateur Swimming Club head coach Karen Kelly has been praised as a ‘one-off’ after clocking up 50 years’ service with the club.

Karen, who turns 60 this year, has been with the club since swimming as a 10-year-old, and rose through to the post of head coach, where she selflessly dedicates much of her own time to help the kids.

Secretary Janet Bone says she has never seen a coach like Karen, and loves that many of the parents who bring their children to the club have themselves been coached by her.

Janet, who herself has more than 12 years’ service with the club, said: “We’ve never had this in the history of the club.

“Our other longest-serving member was her mum Mary, who dedicated a lot of years, but not as many as Karen.

“In all the time I’ve been here I’ve never seen anything like it.

“That’s near enough her lifetime, from the age of 10 she’s been at the club, and she’s 60 this year.

“Karen started as a swimmer, her first four years at the club were as a swimmer, and she went on to volunteer to help the younger kids in a poolside helper post.

“She then progressed to coach, and head coach, and has been there ever since.

“She dedicated so much time to the club, and it’s an amazing achievement.

“Karen is absolutely outstanding value to the club. What she does behind the scenes! She does all the entries for the club and the kids’ swimming, all in her own time, and she gives up holidays to go with the kids to galas and everything.

“She coaches six sessions a week as a volunteer. I can’t say enough about how much we as a club value Karen.

“The dedication that she gives, and the inspiration she gives to the kids is outstanding.”

The calibre of Karen’s coaching is also high, with several swimmers regularly winning