FINA Technical Synchronised Swimming Committee Member Sue Edward was awarded on the occasion of the Queen's Birthday Honours 2017, in the category of Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Mrs Sue Edwards has contributed to synchronised swimming in New Zealand and abroad for more than 50 years.
Mrs Edwards has held many different administrative positions within synchronised swimming in New Zealand. These positions include serving as the Chairperson of Synchronised Swimming New Zealand (SSNZ) since 1988, as a member of the New Zealand Swimming Federation Board from 1983 to 2003, and as a Member of the Aquatics New Zealand Board since 2004.
In 2011 her contributions to SSNZ were recognised with a Life Membership.
She has also had an active career as a judge and referee for national and international competitions, officiating at Olympic Games, Commonwealth games, FINA World Championships and numerous New Zealand domestic competitions.
She is one of only five FINA Judge Educators in the world and her contributions to FINA’s Technical Committee were recognised with a FINA Gold Pin in 2009.
Mrs Edwards’ commitment has been a key driver of the growth of synchronised swimming in New Zealand and she continues to work hard both nationally and internationally for the development of the sport.