It has emerged that a cyclist who died in a crash last weekend was a stalwart of a city swimming club, where she "made a difference in so many lives".
Floral tributes have been left near the junction of Albermarle Road in Newmarket Road, where Jane Blackwell died after a collision with a red Renault Laguna on Sunday (August 20) lunchtime.
Ms Blackwell, who was aged in her 60s and lived in Hethersett, was a junior coach at City of Norwich Swimming Club.
READ MORE: Cyclist dies after Newmarket Road crash
A colleague of Ms Blackwell's at the swimming club, where the junior section is called Norwich Penguins, has paid tribute to her "passion to encourage young swimmers" for more than a decade.
Alex Pinniger, head coach at the club, said: "I first met Jane in March 2011 having only just advertised for a head junior coach.
"Jane contacted me and asked to meet up for a coffee and talked passionately about coaching junior swimmers, her love of sport and her experiences of being a swimming parent at the club, 20 years prior.
"She secured the position at our meeting and started immediately.
"Since then she was an invaluable member of our team for 12 years.
"She's caring, considerate, loyal and everyone's friend, as well as a brilliant swimming coach who went the extra mile, inspiring and championing her swimmers.
"She was such an exceptional coach that she was awarded Norwich Sports Coach of the Year 2014."
At the awards ceremony in City Hall, in 2014, it was announced that: "Jane's work is fundamental to the pathway to podium success.
"Her programme identifies and nurtures young talent aged 6-10.
"During the last two years, she has coached three young athletes to be ranked in the top 10 in the country, in their respective ages."
Alex added: "With lockdown affecting so many people’s mental health and well-being with swimming pools closed, Jane ensured that all 70 of her junior swimmers and their families remained fit, healthy, connected and felt part of something special every day by streaming daily fitness sessions live from her home gym.
"She made an incredible difference to so many lives.
"Jane took a particular interest in open water swimming and every summer she would organise and personally coach a series of open water training sessions at Whitlingham Great Broad.
"Her passion was to encourage young swimmers who had not previously participated in open water swimming to try it for the first time.
"She would always get in to the lake with the swimmers and reassure the nervous ones.
"Jane loved swimming with the groups and the children learned so much from being in the water with her.
"Our coaching team meet up regularly in the Red Lion restaurant to come together and discuss coaching matters.
"In Jane's 12 years with our club she attended every single meeting and adored being an integral member of our coaching team.
"But what she relished most at our meetings was the opportunity to champion all of her junior swimmers, talking with enthusiasm, joy and in tremendous detail about how well they are all progressing."
Tributes were also left at the site of the incident, with flowers and messages left paying respects.
Alex added: "Jane was a highly competitive swimming coach.
"Her junior teams won the Norfolk Junior League every year from 2011 through to - and including - this year, in 2023.
"Her teams regularly won the Eastern Junior League, progressing on to the National Grand Junior Final where they placed fifth on three occasions.
"Jane coached more than 1,000 swimmers in Norfolk and made a huge difference to every single one.
READ MORE: Tributes paid to cyclist who died in Newmarket Road crash
"We will miss her dearly, but she’ll never be forgotten and hope she rests in peace."
Police officers want to hear from anyone who witnessed the crash, the manner of driving beforehand or who has dash-cam footage.
Anyone with information can contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 101 or email SCIU@norfolk.police.uk.
'She was loved and respected'
Jane Blackwell was also a popular member of Norwich gym Dynamic Fitness in Ber Street.
A spokesman from Dynamic said: "Jane attended Dynamic Fitness for 11 years where she was loved and respected by the trainers and clients - Jane was truly part of a ‘Dynamic Family’.
"Some of Jane’s many fitness achievements included winning the Dynamic Summer Fitness League in 2018, qualifying for Great Britain in two European Triathlons, and also an eight-minute plank.
"Jane will be incredibly missed at the Dynamic Studio and never forgotten. The overriding word clients have used to describe Jane is ‘inspiring’."
'My daughter adored Jane'
Tributes have poured in on social media for Jane Blackwell from former pupils or parents of those coached by her.
Sarah Shipley said: "So terribly sad. Jane coached my children and was always very kind and made time for everyone.
"She will be greatly missed. My thoughts are with her family."
Ellie Parfitt added: "So sad to hear. Jane taught me to swim and supported me through many swimming years, galas and training.
"She will be missed."
Vanessa Isaacson praised Ms Blackwell’s impact, saying: "My daughter adored Jane - as she was her swimming coach.
"She looked up to Jane, she respected her and looked forward to her training.
"We will miss you so much.
"Thank you for all you did for us."
Danny Jackson said: "So very sad, a wonderful human being taken so tragically early.
"She will be greatly missed by us all and particularly by my daughter, who thought the world of Jane and all she taught her."
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