A PIONEERING coach who created a generation of swimmers in Southend - including Commonwealth and Olympic medallists - has died.

Mike “Mr Swimming” Higgs has lost his battle with cancer this weekend.

Echo:

Making a medallist - Mike and Pam with Mark Foster in 1980

Echo:

Star - Mike with Sarah Hardcastle in 1985

A highly-respected international swimming coach, Mr Higgs was mentor and coach to a generation of Southend swimmers including a handful of whom found international success.

This included former short-course World and Commonwealth champion Mark Foster, Olympic medallist Sarah Hardcastle and Commonwealth champion Jackie Willmott.

Mike, who founded the Borough of Southend Swimming Club (BOSS) in 1985 with wife Pam, lost a year-long battle with cancer on Saturday at the age of 73.

Paying tribute on social media, Mark Foster said: “Sad news hearing of the passing of Mike Higgs.

“Mike and Pam were my first coaches and had so much success in the pool. Mike you will be missed by all. Rest in peace.”

In Ms Hardcastle and Ms Willmott alone, Mike celebrated 20 international podium places for Great Britain.

The British Swimming Coaches Association described him as a “doyen of swimming in Essex at all levels of the sport”, adding: “He was Mr Swimming in Essex through the 70s and 80s let alone Southend.

“He truly was a legend in his own lifetime.

“His clean and uncompromising style was perfect for its age and he was a huge supporter of coaching in Britain.

“We offer our sincerest condolences to Pam and all his family. We have lost a friend and colleague.”

Mike’s first success at senior level was Paul Betts, who raced at the 1976 Olympic trials over 100m breaststroke.

Betts posted a note of condolence on Higgs’ Facebook page which read: “Sad news, just found out that my old coach has died today following his battle with cancer.

“You will always be with us Mike. I along with many others will never forget you and your 1,500m fly warm up. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Pam. R.I.P. Mike Higgs.”

Jackie Willmott joined the Southend squad in early 1974 and was national champion within three years.

Under Mike, Sarah Hardcastle claimed podium spots at the LA Olympics in 1984 aged just 15 - the youngest ever British woman to win an Olympic medal.

She went on to win bronze in the 400m freestyle at the 1986 World Championships.

The Borough of Southend Swimming Club described Mike and Pam as the “engine room” of the club.”

which they led between 1985 and their retirement to South Africa in 2007 where he enjoyed going on safari.