Olympian and world champion swimmer Liam Tancock has joined Loughborough College today for a major event marking National Apprenticeship Week and National Careers Week.
The College’s biggest ever Careers and Employability fair is offering hundreds of students opportunities for full-time work and training with a host of industries and services on the look-out for talent – including Swimzi.
Former Loughborough College Sports Science degree student Liam is three time world champion, four-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist and current 50m backstroke world champion and has twice competed in the Olympic games. He is also owner and director at the successful sportswear brand and has returned to the College hoping to find a digital marketing apprentice and a junior graphic designer as well as part timers for the many events the rapidly-expanding company is involved with.
“We’re going from strength to strength and growing fast and it’s exciting to be able to welcome new people to our team,” said Liam, between chatting to students at the Swimzi stand.
“I love being back at the College and seeing how it’s also going from strength to strength with all these fantastic facilities and programes – there’s no doubt that if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t have been able to compete at the highest level I did and to get my degree.
“Helping elite athletes to achieve in their sport and academically is something Loughborough College has down to a fine art. There were were times when they tutored me when the College was shut to students so I could fit my education around the Commonwealth Games – that really is going above and beyond.
“I moved up from Devon in 2003 and I’ve stayed here to live and work – Swimzi is based in Barrow upon Soar. That’s testament to the positive experiences I’ve had here and the support I’ve received. There really is a great vibe at the College and in Loughborough.”
Swimzi is at the heart of swimming and aquatics disciplines like triathlon, obstacle courses and open water. “I wish it had been around when I was younger. At school I was known as ‘Liam the swimmer’ but the only things I could wear were the clothes and labels my friends could all wear. There was no chance to show I was a swimmer and be proud of that.
“But the clothing and gear we produce means that’s an option and people love it. They enjoy having that identity. We’ve also produced kit for more than 100 teams and clubs across Europe and we have other sports coming to us, like rugby, netball, hockey and lacrosse, which is great.
“I’m hoping that today we’ll meet our next team members who are going to help us with the exciting things we’re doing.
“We’re always eager to hear from anyone who is keen to know more about joining us so if anyone couldn’t make it along to Loughborough College today they can email us at info@swimzi.com “