BEVERLEY A. BLOOMER

2012 INDUCTION TO THE RHODE ISLAND AQUATIC HALL OF FAME

In 1968 Bev became the Assistant Aquatic Director at the Pawtucket YMCA. For twelve years she served as the assistant coach of the swim team, ran the summer day camp and preschool programs and taught swimming lessons. In 1980 she was hired as the Aquatic Director at the Cumberland Lincoln Boys & Girls Club where she taught lessons to children from infant age through competitive level for thirty years.

When Bev arrived at the club in 1980, all the girls and boys activity times were separate. Seeing past old stigmas and barriers she realized the opportunities for more potential lesson times if activities were combined, Bev was the first to combine the recreation times. She essentially created a whole program of swimming lessons from infant/parent, tiny tots, the preschool program, levels classes and the “Gym & Swim ” program. Beverly developed a strong enrollment of all levels of swim lessons. She created new programs, maintained the pool facilities, hired and trained instructors and coaches; oversaw a major pool renovation and did everything in between.

Under Bev’s leadership, The Club has been the starting point for many successful swim coaches and swimmers throughout the years. Since 1995, the Penguins have won nine Rhode Island Massachusetts League swimming championships. Cumberland and Lincoln High Schools have won many state championships since 1980 including 5 girls and 3 boy’s titles at Cumberland, and 3 girls’ championships at Lincoln. Many of the swimmers who contributed to these titles were taught to swim by Bev and got their competitive start at the club. Over her career at the club, she received an honorary award from Cumberland-Lincoln Rotary. Through her entire career Bev has always emphasized fairness, quality instruction, and most importantly cared and loved each of her students and swimmers.