Jackson limer

Hello all! It is Jackson, and what a year it has been!

We have now reached the time where a new captain needs to be selected, and for the first time ever it is a vote of the people. Isn’t that interesting?

Below are the reasons why I think that all of you should put your trust in me yet again.

I will start off with the basic facts about me. I have been doing the sport we love for around 9 years now (yes I am getting old I know), and have been at this club for at least 8 of those. Black Lion has been a big part of my life, and I’m sure it will be for everyone. The past year as we know I received the opportunity to be club captain; I will say more on that soon. Before all this though I was still very involved with helping out with the club - I have been helping out with bronze and 6s squad on Saturdays since I did my bronze DofE award back in 2024. As well as that, outside of the club, in my school, I had become a “junior prefect” which was a role that allowed me to help out people who need a person to talk to and have a connection with someone, for assistance and a mental boost.

I believe all of that shows good qualities for helping out and being a person to talk to in times of need. I am an approachable person and enjoy talking to everyone who wants to talk.

Now that my starting context is done, let’s talk about my 2025/2026 for the club as the current captain.

As we know I took on the role last year, and wow what a time it has been! In my time I have got to know essentially everyone in the club; getting to have a conversation with everyone in some capacity. I think everyone is unique in their own way in our club and I think that’s what makes us all great in our own rights.

I have been a supportive and influential role model for people to look to if they need it - this can he seen in my appearance at every gala in the last year, including all KJL and NAL events, as well as the Sevenoaks gala that the younger people all enjoy in May. I have been there every time to support, assist, cheer on, and give advice to everyone who needs it wherever and whenever I can.

I have been dedicated to this club and this role the whole time I have been allowed to be club captain, and I am hoping that everyone has enjoyed my current period as captain. I have tried my absolute hardest to make our sport enjoyable, whether that be with help of another captain or by myself (which has really been the case since February this year).

I personally believe I have been a morale booster, and an influential figure during my time as captain, with my chants and loud cheers, and my (as we all know) super funny sense of humour! I believe the role of captain needs someone like this to keep spirits high in time of need, and I have the experience to help this.

I am fun, kind and approachable, and I believe these are the main 3 aspects needed for being a good club captain.

Thank you everyone for allowing me to do what I have done so far. The year has made me realise how important this role truly is to the club, and how important it is to have that person that everyone can rely on and look to.

With your votes I believe I, and whomever the other captain may be, can raise this club to even greater heights than what I aimed to raise it to in the time I have been captain.

An idea I have had in mind is - like a committee meeting - we do a swimmer’s meeting, held every 1 or 2 months, where if there is any concerns that need to be brought up, that you don’t think a coach or a parent will understand - or you have brilliant ideas that need to be brought up - then this meeting can allow for you all to speak your mind. No coaches, (preferably) no parents (but with ages this might be hard to do!), just us having a fun meeting!

I would also like us to do more team-building, enjoyable events for us to build up morale and be closer as a club; whether that be a swimming-based event, or something completely outside of the pool - team-building is necessary for our club, and I believe I can help allow for such events to take place.

Fundraisers for us would also be a great idea! Raising money in fun ways would be great for our club, and it would be something we can all prosper from. These would be something hopefully I can get the go-ahead for, if you all vote me in as captain again.

I have learned to be a great leader and have the experience to have another term as your club captain.

Thank you everyone for reading this; and I hope you all enjoy being able to vote for who you want for the first time ever.

See you all very soon!

-Jackson Limer-