Harry Koskie

The grandson of a 19th century Polish-born English immigrant, Harry Koskie was born Leon Henry Kwiatkowskie. He went on to be involved in the world of swimming for most of his life and served the Northern Counties ASA for over 50 years from 1935. He was their president in 1950 and 1951 and in 1964 was made a life member. Two years earlier he was honoured with the presidency of the Amateur Swimming Association.

Koskie started swimming with Hanley Swimming Club in April 1919 and was a member of their water polo and relay teams. He went on to be an administrator, referee, judge, manager, coach, and Great Britain and England team manager. One of his greatest successes as a coach was in the 1930s when he coached the legendary Norman Wainwright, who went on to win 21 ASA tiles and set 50 records.

Koskie attended most Olympic and Commonwealth Games between 1936-68 in either an administrative or managerial role. His first Olympic appearance was at Berlin in 1936 when he was a goal judge in the Sweden v. Iceland water polo match.

Koskie, who served in the Royal Air Force as a pilot officer during World War II, spent most of his working life in the pottery industry with the Blythe Colour Works near Stoke-on-Trent, of which he eventually became a director.