She is no ordinary instructor, however.
The Special Olympics Echuca coach is one of the most highly regarded mentors in the sport, and after a quarter century of recording lap times and correcting technique, she is as invested as ever.
“I’m just passionate about swimming,” she said.
“But more so passionate about seeing athletes with an intellectual disability be provided quality training and quality competitions — and the pathways for these athletes are huge.”
Milgate still meets once a week with her team at Special Olympics Echuca, but her role as a coach has seen her travel all over the globe in various capacities.
“I started off coaching our local group here in Echuca some 25 years ago and have been involved since then, coaching on a weekly basis with a small team that we have of swimmers,” she said.
“From then I have been a coach at State and National Games for Australia, and then went through a selection process to be an assistant coach and a head coach at various World Games.
“I was then selected by Special Olympics International to be the technical delegate for a number of World Games."
Milgate recently returned from the World Games in Berlin, her sixth as an assistant delegate or technical delegate, where she again provided her vast knowledge to Special Olympics International as a technical delegate for swimming.
As the key representative of Special Olympics International for swimming, Milgate’s role was to ensure the correct interpretation and implementation of specific Special Olympics rules for the more than 500 athletes that took to the pool.
“I also advise the local organising committee on any technical requirements of the specific sport,” she said.
“And also ensure that the main thing is a safe, quality, dignified environment and competition for athletes."
As a supporter of Special Olympics for many years, Milgate still carries the same enthusiasm for helping the athletes as when she started, and is always encouraging others to become involved.
“At any event, whether it’s a local, regional, state or national event, our athletes are very competitive, and a lot of them are highly skilled,” Milgate said.
“They may start off with our local club, and then progress to maybe National Games or then World Games or even Invitational International Games.
“There’s a good pathway for all swimmers in our program. We are always looking for volunteers to assist with all of our programs at the Echuca Club, that’s really important.”
• For more information on how to become involved with Special Olympics Echuca, head to www.specialolympics.com.au/echuca or contact echuca.secretary@specialolympics.com.au
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