Derek Laverty

Laverty was a member of the Wellington Swimming Club of Belfast^[1] and in 1951 was runner-up in the Irish 1500 metres championships.^[2]

He also competed in water polo and in March 1952 emigrated to Canada.^[3] Specialising in the Freestyle he joined the Ocean Falls SC in British Columbia^[4] and later broke the quarter-mile Canadian record in July 1954.^[5]

He represented the 1954 Northern Irish Team^[6] at the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Vancouver, Canada,^[7] participating in the 440 yards freestyle event^[8] and the 1650 yards freestyle event^[9]

After the games the Northern Ireland team were given a civic reception by the Lord and Mayor and Lady Mayoress at the Belfast City Hall but Laverty was unable attend due to being based in Canada.^[10] He married Mary Hunter in Vancouver on 25 October 1957.^[11]