Supporting the Team: A Conversation with Tabitha Pickersgill
Tabitha Pickersgill is this year’s Girls’ Club Captain at Harwich, Dovercourt and Parkeston Swimming Club. Alongside her own training and competitions, she helps support younger swimmers and plays an important role in encouraging the team spirit that makes the club special.
- Favourite stroke
- Butterfly
- Years involved with the club
- 8 years
Harwich, Dovercourt and Parkeston Swimming Club is proud to see swimmers grow not only in their performances in the pool but also as role models for others. Tabitha Pickersgill is a great example of this.
As this year’s Girls’ Club Captain, Tabitha helps support the team both in training and at competitions. She also regularly assists during group sessions, helping younger swimmers and encouraging them as they develop their skills and confidence in the water.
Alongside this, Tabitha continues to work hard on her own swimming. Her determination and team spirit have been recognised by her fellow swimmers, having received the Swimmers’ Swimmer award this year and in previous years — a reflection of the respect she has earned within the club.
Like many swimmers, Tabitha has faced challenges along the way, but her resilience and determination mean she always returns ready to give her best and support those around her.
We asked Tabitha a few questions about her swimming journey and her role within the club.
Interview Questions
1. How did you first start swimming with Harwich Swimming Club?
I used to come and watch Oliver. I had completed all the stages with swim to swim then I attended a school swim gala and Lucy asked me when am I going to join the club and it went from there.
2. What does it mean to you to be this year’s Girls’ Club Captain?
I feel empowered to be chosen as this years girls captain after being the junior captain for three years. It means that I can use my role to be supportive and encouraging to all my team mates at competitions and training.
3. You often help support younger swimmers during sessions. What do you enjoy most about doing that?
I enjoy seeing them improve, gain confidence and pass on some of my swimming knowledge to them. I like encouraging them to be the best they can be, because I truly believe every child can become as great as they wish to be.
4. What advice would you give to younger swimmers who are just starting out at the club?
Talk to as many people as you can, make friends with people. Your first meet will always be the scariest so don’t just do one and be put off it’s only because it’s all very new to you, but they get easier and they are definitely fun too.
5. You’ve won the Swimmers’ Swimmer award more than once. How did it feel to be recognised by your teammates in that way?
It made me feel absolutely brilliant, it’s the main trophy I always wish to win at presentation night even from when I first started at the club when I was 7 years old so to go on and win it now three years consecutively made me feel I truly belong as this club. It shows me that my hard work and commitment is recognised amongst my teammates.
6. Swimming can be a tough sport at times. What helps you stay motivated when training gets challenging?
Katie!! Talking to her when I feel I can’t do it anymore she always gives me the best advice. My advice is talking about your feelings and challenges to any of the coaches massively helps, they will all listen and give great advice. On the days I really don’t feel like it I end up having the best training sessions and feel I’ve achieved so much after.
7. What do you enjoy most about being part of Harwich Swimming Club?
How we are like one big family, we are friends rather than just teammates. Everybody is always so supportive of each other. People at the club are always there as they see you at your worst and at your best, they always stick with you no matter what.
8. What are your personal goals in swimming at the moment?
I plateaued for quite a while with my training and race PBs, so now I’m starting to PB again I would like to keep slowly ticking the old PBs off. I also want to prove to myself that I can do it, swimming is such a mental sport as well as physical so I want to get my head into it more this year.
9. Who has helped or inspired you the most during your time at the club?
when I first started at the club I always looked up to Matt Kent, the way he presented himself in the pool was outstanding and he was such a nice guy with it. Now it’s Katie, let’s be honest how many coaches swim like Katie…what a role model! she’s an all round genuinely nice person she listens to me even when I have some random gossip from school I just need to vent at times she’s always there to listen and then encourages me to get straight back in the pool. she’s just amazing
10. Finally, what message would you give to the younger swimmers who look up to you?
Sounds pretty basic but keep going! Like I said above I plateaued for years but my times are slowly moving again. So don’t be disheartened, when you’re young you will get lots of PBs then you hit teenage years and they are not always so easy to get, don’t be hard on yourself just keep training and those times will come. I’m always poolside at most training sessions, and all competitions if you ever want a chat or advice I’m happy to help where I can
Closing
Harwich, Dovercourt and Parkeston Swimming Club is proud to see swimmers like Tabitha grow into leaders within the club. Her willingness to support younger swimmers, combined with her determination in the pool, makes her a fantastic role model for the team.
The club is grateful for the positive example she sets and looks forward to seeing her continue to develop both as a swimmer and as a leader within the Harwich Swimming Club community.