A remarkable journey that began in the pool at the former Llantarnam Leisure Centre has come full circle for 17-year-old Meghan Willis.
The Cwmbran teenager has recently qualified as a swimming teacher after earning her Swimming Teachers’ Association (STA) Level 2 Award in Swimming Teaching.
Meghan, who was born with no right hand and a partial right forearm, first took up swimming to learn how to be safe in water.
Her early lessons were taught by Chris Bateman, a local STA tutor. He co-delivered her teacher training in Cwmbran earlier this month through CB Training Services alongside STA Tutor Ross Othen.
Chris has now welcomed her back as a newly qualified swimming teacher on his team at CB Training Services.
‘Absolute privilege’
Chris said: “It was an absolute privilege to support Meghan on her path to becoming a qualified swimming teacher. Having first taught her to swim at Llantarnam Leisure Centre, it was incredibly special to now co-deliver her STA Level 2 Award in Swimming Teaching all these years later.
“She approached the course with the same dedication and positive spirit she brings to her swimming, and she was an inspiration to everyone on the programme. Meghan will be an incredible role model for her learners, and we couldn’t be prouder to have helped her reach this milestone.
“Following the course, I was also delighted to offer Meghan employment as a swimming teacher with our team – completing a remarkable chapter in her story.”
Meghan’s swimming career has seen her win medals at para national events and represent Team Wales at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, where was the team’s youngest swimmer
She’s also been a passionate advocate for water safety and disability awareness. At just 11, she joined STA’s Water Safety Squad and became its youngest-ever ambassador a year later.
Now, with her teaching qualification, Meghan hopes to encourage others to learn how to swim, regardless of ability.
‘Proud moment’
Megan said: “Achieving the STA Level 2 Award in Swimming Teaching is such a proud moment for me. Swimming has given me so much – confidence, resilience, and opportunities I never thought possible.
“Growing up, I used to hide my arm because I didn’t want people to stare. But in the pool, I realised people cared more about what I was doing than how I looked. Now I hope to be that role model for young swimmers, showing them that whatever their ability, they can achieve great things.”
She’s a member of the Torfaen Dolphins Performance Squad and the Welsh Elite squad- continuing to compete at the highest level.
Last April, Meghan set a new Welsh S9 Para Record in the 200m Individual Medley at the Aquatics GB Championships. She balances her training – up to 40km a week -with schoolwork and her role as an ambassador for Reach, a charity supporting children with upper limb differences.
‘Truly inspiring’
Dave Candler, STA CEO, praised Meghan’s journey, saying: “We are incredibly proud of Meghan. To see her progression from a young Water Safety Ambassador to now achieving the STA Level 2 Award in Swimming Teaching is truly inspiring.
“She represents everything STA stands for – using swimming as a platform to build confidence, break down barriers, and create opportunities. Meghan shows future generations of teachers and learners that disability is never a barrier to success in aquatics.
“Her story also highlights how swimming with STA can be the first step on a lifelong journey – from learning to swim for safety, to achieving success on the national stage, and even qualifying as a teacher to inspire others.”