Celebrating 40 Years at Swim Ontario!

“Stress, pressure, anxiety – you find a way to deal with things. I work hard and am a very happy person.”​ - Heather Dwinnell

By David Grossman

To many, she has been the impossible made possible.

More than just that familiar face in the office, very few people are as pragmatic, efficient and stimulated by the challenges of the day.

Those who know her, say that not often appears a charismatic individual, discrete and organized, who has worked for an organization for more than 40 years. Talk with her, and she’s looking forward to another 10 more and that Golden Anniversary.

Look around, and you won’t find a classier individual than Heather Dwinnell.

It was July 28, 2020, a date that marked a milestone for the Toronto-born woman – 40 years as an employee with Swim Ontario. Now residing in Bowmanville, she makes the daily journey to her office at one of the largest amateur sport organizations in Canada.               

Heather is the Membership Services and Office Coordinator but the title doesn’t do justice to the loyalty, dedication and variety of work that she has been doing for more than four decades.

When you meet Dwinnell, you witness a woman with energy, enthusiasm and someone who embraces her job. Always impeccably and professionally dressed, there is an allegiance that goes along with a sparkling attitude.

“Always so reliable, efficient and effective,” praised Dean Boles, Swim Ontario’s Chief Executive Officer. “The challenge for her is not just getting the job done – but always getting it done well. We all – athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers – benefit immensely from her role and stability.”

Dwinnell talks about not being anyone special. If she does move on one day, she’ll leave behind the glimmering validation that no one will ever be able to take away what she has accomplished.

As a teenager, Heather Hunter, as she was then known, attended Leaside High School. She was a gymnast at a private club, coached gymnastics at the East York Gym Club and pursued studies in coaching gymnastics at Seneca College.

So, how did the gymnast enthusiast end up in the sport of swimming?

Dwinnell has a few chuckles before explaining that she accepted an administrative staff job at the former Ontario Sport Centre. She would fill in for an employee on maternity leave as the office staff worked for multiple sports. In 1980, when an employment opening occurred, she made the quick jump from gymnastics to swimming.

“I don’t regret the move – it was a job and I was quite happy,” she said. “There were challenges and frustrations – but I’m sure that’s the situation everywhere. Stress, pressure, anxiety – you find a way to deal with things. I work hard and am a very happy person.”

She took swimming lessons as a child – but didn’t like getting her hair wet. Other than swimming in the lake at a family cottage near Bancroft, she was not one for competitive swimming – but that hasn’t stood in the way of her celebration of the sport.

An administrator, also a historian, Heather has been top notch in on-the-job learning. She’s primarily responsible for registration and club affiliation along with a list of other many administrative duties. Supportive of her colleagues, Dwinnell claims people in and out of the Swim Ontario office know her as the registrar, the one who handles invoicing, the audit, and the list goes on.

While the job can get overwhelming with the volume of work, especially at key times of the year, Dwinnell – as the employee with the longest tenure at the Provincial Sport Organization – has transformed from the average worker to someone who has a fanatical work ethic.

“Since I have been here, I have watched Swim Ontario grow from 5,000 members to 20,000,” said Dwinnell. “It’s a great sport and activity for many people of all ages and I’m just thrilled to be part of this large family.”

Many things strike people about Dwinnell: her composure, the ability to deal with multi-tasking and her aura. Those who know her, praise her qualities and characteristics, and say that rarely is there any expression of self-doubt.

“She came right out of college, willing to learn and was adaptable,” recalled John Vadeika, executive director of the organization from 2004 to 2018. “She took risks to make things better. What I really remember is that Heather was willing to embrace new thoughts and ideas and move the organization in a positive way.”

Her job isn’t always serious and Heather has had fun with it – even committing the odd blooper.

Rick Hannah is a former President of Swim Ontario, Board member and presided over the Ontario Aquatic Hall of Fame.

“There was a time when Heather accidentally left one name off the list of inductees to the Hall of Fame – and that individual was present in the audience,” he said. “She was so embarrassed and I could see she really took it to heart. I told her things like this can occur, and will continue to happen. But she was so classy in dealing with it. She’s as competent as they come, efficient and highly professional – just an absolutely stellar individual.”

Lea Bredschneider is a legend to the sport of swimming in Canada; her involvement in Ontario swimming included executive roles, coaching, chaperoning athletes and is a member of the Ontario Aquatic Hall of Fame. Working at Swim Ontario for 13 years with Heather, Bredschneider said trust, friendship and professionalism are words that describe Dwinnell.

“She’s the rock of Swim Ontario – no doubt about it,” said Bredschneider. “Everyone went to her because she has a memory second to none. She was then, and still is, the backbone of the administration. I am convinced the organization could not have made it without her.”

Bredschneider also remembers a particular scenario – and not listening to Dwinnell.

“I like to throw things out and Heather always asked if I was sure about it,” she said. “Five weeks later, when I needed some of that material, in a very humble way, she told me it was tossed. I not only ate crow, but going forward, relied on her for many things.”

David Grossman is a veteran award-winning Journalist, Broadcaster with some of Canada’s major media, including the Toronto Star and SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN, and a Public Relations professional for 45+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations.