Glad Pye has been a member of our club since it was formed in 1968 and has been an active member of
the NSW Swimming community for over 40 years. In that time she has seen a countless number of swimmers
through the NSW Swimming structure and has participated in all levels of our sport.
Glad devotes an incredible amount of her time to Swimming on a Club, District and State
Level. Glad is a Life Member of Mt Pritchard, Blacktown City and Merrylands Swimming Clubs, the
Metro South West Area (formerly the Cumberland District) and is also a Life Member of CHS (Combined High Schools Sports Association). She
has devoted many years to ensuring the development and success of Swimming
within these Clubs, the Cumberland District and NSW Schools.
Glad has been responsible for the coordination of the Speedo Sprint Series (formerly Shell Series)
since 1976, showing an amazing level of dedication and commitment over 27 years. The Speedo Sprint
Series is an important entry-level meet with heats conducted in all NSW Swimming Districts leading to
a Grand Final Series in Sydney.
Glad was a member of the NSW Competition Committee for twenty three years; a member of the NSW Board of
Management for twelve years and a member of the NSW Education Committee for sixteen years. Glad is also an accredited Referee.
Glad also currently fulfills the invaluable role of presentation officer for all NSW Swimming
Championships. She ensures the required medals and ribbons are packaged and ready in advance of the
meets and that our presentations run smoothly.
The club was without a coach for 1980/81 and Glad Pye took on the position of
Amateur Coach. Glad coached a number of swimmers during her time in the position, in particular coaching Astrid Howton to Gold in the 100m Backstroke at the State Championships.
Glad remained in the position through to the end of the 1985/86 season when she had to relinquish the role due to work commitments.
One of the highlights of Glad’s Swimming involvement was during the 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games
where she worked tirelessly to assist with any duty that was required, both on deck and in the
presentation area. In 2000 Glad was also a recipient of the Australian Sports Medal.
In 2001 Glad received the Premier’s Award for Active Citizenship and was also named as NSW
Swimming's Volunteer of the Month in November 2001.
In February 2004, Glad was awarded a Distinguished Long Service Award at the NSW Sport Federation
Awards for her service to all levels of swimming.
In 2006, Glad's service to our club was formally recognised with the naming of
the Club Room at Merrylands Swimming Centre after Glad and her husband Jim. The Club Room was
officially named the "Glad and Jim Pye Club Room" by the Mayor of Holroyd, Councillor Dr John Brodie,
at a special ceremony on Saturday, 9th December, 2006.
Glad along with her husband Jim now take a particular interest in school swimming and referee at many
zone and regional meets thereby officially recognising the performances of the registered swimmers
competing. Some highlights have been the Pacific School Games in 1988 Sydney, 1992 Darwin, 1996 Perth and Sydney 2000.
See Also