Melton Swimming Club committee member, coach, and national competitor Manar Mahfouz is a lifelong Melton resident and is passionate about the sport of swimming. In June, she won the Swimming Victoria Diversity Award for promoting a safe and inclusive environment with the Melton Swimming Club, especially among younger people. Oscar Parry spoke with Manar about her connection to Melton and her recent award.
What is your connection to Melton?
I’ve gone to primary school in Melton, high school in Melton, and I’ve been a part of the Melton Swimming Club … I’ve been here for 22 years of my life. I’ve done pretty much everything in Melton.
What do you like most about where you live?
I think it would be the community – how, especially with schools and the swimming club as well, how different communities come together and we all have interests in very similar things … swimming would be the big one for me … I’ve met so many people because of it.
What, if anything, would you change about where you live?
Probably the weather, to be honest … but other than that, there isn’t really anything I would change.
Tell us a little bit about your Swimming Victoria Diversity Award this year.
It came to a shock to me that I got nominated for this award … but the award does recognise a Victorian individual or an organisation that [has a] significant impact to promote diversity or inclusion in swimming in Victoria, and I think a big part of it is … it recognises an individual providing an environment of support for any young individual coming into the sport. With [being a part] of the swimming club … I’m a committee member, I’ve been a captain with the swimming club for multiple years, and I’ve just been an athlete – and I love to be a role model for the younger individuals.
What do you enjoy most about the sport of swimming, and what benefits has it brought to your life?
The community I’ve been surrounded by, the individuals that I’ve come across, the opportunities – I’ve gone to travel and compete in other states with my swimming club – [building] long-living relationships … like friendships within the club. Even gaining mentors as well, so my coach … is a big mentor for my life. And [it’s] also just a massive stress reliever, honestly.
