Davidson & Jack Receive Swimming NZ Life Memberships

Announcement of two Swimming NZ Life Memberships

Swimming NZ is thrilled to have presented two Life Memberships at the recent 2025 Apollo Projects NZ Swimming Championships in Auckland.

Jo Davidson (North Shore) and David Jack (Auckland) were recognised for their outstanding service to swimming in New Zealand. They received the highest individual honour that can be bestowed as they became Life Members.

Davidson received her Life Membership for her more than 45 years of service to the sport. Davidson started her journey as a technical official whilst she was a teenager and still swimming competitively. She was the youngest official to become a qualified National Referee at the age of 21 years old.

Since then, Davidson has been a technical official at Swimming NZ competitions throughout her involvement with the sport and has a decorated CV for officiating on the international stage. Some of her international highlights include officiating at two Olympic Games in Athens 2004 and London 2012, and three FINA World Championships in Barcelona 2003, Melbourne 2007 and Rome 2009. Davidson also officiated at the home Commonwealth Games in Auckland 1990 alongside her father.

In addition to her years of service as a technical official, Davidson has shared her experience as a valued member of the Technical Advisory Committee for many years, which included being the Chair during that time.

Davidson received her Life Membership from Swimming NZ President and fellow Life Member Ron Clarke on day two of the championships.

Davidson was humbled to receive this award.

"It is an honour to receive Life Membership of Swimming New Zealand and join a group of people who have been or are passionate about this sport. Swimming has bought me friendships, an awareness of how hard the swimmers work to get to their goals and enjoyment over many years."

Congratulations to Davidson for receiving this award and we thank her for her outstanding service to our sport for more than 45 years.

David Jack received his Life Membership for his more than 30 years of service to swimming. Jack has held a number of roles within the sport during this time, which include being a Swimming NZ board member in the early 2000s, and a board member and President of the Auckland Swimming Association over many years.

Jack was also involved in the delivery competitions as an AOE operator of the timing equipment for Auckland over many years.

In more recent times, Jack has been the Deputy Chair and now Chair of the NZ Swimming Trust, where they have supported many up-and-coming swimmers and Aquablacks.

Over the years, Jack has been recognised for his service to Swimming NZ by receiving a Service Award in 2009, an Honours Award in 2017 and now receives the highest honour that can be bestowed by receiving Life Membership.

Jack was presented his award from Swimming NZ President and fellow Life Member Ron Clarke on day four of the championships, prior to the annual Legends Relay that Jack helps organise each year.

Jack was honoured to receive his Life Membership.

"I am humbled to receive the award of Life Membership as I recall the giants of our sport who have been similarly honoured. There is also a pleasant satisfaction in having the years of involvement recognised."

On behalf of the wider swimming community, Swimming NZ would like to express our thanks to both Jack and Davidson for their outstanding service to our sport across many years. We are grateful we can recognise them with the presentation of Life Membership.