Issue 14, 2025/2026 by Matthew Vicic - 9th January, 2026

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Saturday Club Races

Welcome to our second club race morning for 2026. Please arrive as early as possible to help setup. Setup is underway by 6.30am and all help is appreciated in getting this completed.

We have also seen a huge increase in swimmer participation which is fantastic. However, this means we need to do our best to make club races run smoothly and quickly as possible so we can start our first race at 7.00am. So, swimmers do your best to know beforehand what events you are doing and get down to the pool deck as soon as you are call or possibly even before! It is important to note that there will be no more waiting for swimmers to gather equipment, if you are not in marshalling you won't swim your race!

Another reminder that our first championships for the year will be the 50m & 200m (Open) Butterfly on Saturday, 24^th January. So, enter in those races now before you run out of time!

Club Attendance – A Record-Breaking Morning!

Our final club morning of the year recorded the highest attendance at club races since 5 February 2000, an incredible milestone for our club and a huge reflection of the energy, growth, and community spirit at Merrylands.

Seeing the pool deck buzzing with swimmers, families, volunteers, and supporters was a fantastic reminder of how strong our pod has become. Thank you to everyone who turned up, raced, cheered, timekept, cooked, organised, and supported — this record belongs to all of you!

Let’s carry this momentum into 2026 and keep making memor-waves together! 🐋💙

Squad Reminders

Firstly, the past week has been increasingly hot, so this is a reminder to all swimmers to make sure you are bringing enough water and electrolytes to keep you hydrated while at training. A water bottle is a part of your swim gear, just like your flippers and kick board so make sure you bring it with you.

Secondly, Speedo Sprint Series heats are coming up on Sunday 1^st February. All swimmers in Junior and Development Squad should be targeting this meet. Swimmers in the Novice Squad can speak to their coach. Entries for the meet close on Thursday 22^nd January.

Thirdly, all swimmers who can, masters as well, should be competing at SwimFest, make sure you enter if you have not already. This meet is great practice for all swimmers and a great opportunity to gun for some pb’s.

Merrylands SwimFest

Another week goes by, and we are another week closer to SwimFest. Entries close on Saturday 7^th February) so make sure you get your entries in early. Merrylands members can use the special member button for discounted entry fees.

As always SwimFest is not run by a lone Whale but the entire pod, so please step forward and let Sylvia Chan (Meet Director) know you are available. Please do this ASAP!

If you hate confrontation, we’ve got you covered. You can also sign up to help at this form: https://forms.microsoft.com

Some of the jobs for SwimFest include:

1. Timekeeper (record swimmer's time)
2. Chief Timekeeper (manages all the timekeepers)
3. Marshal (organising racers into their heats & lanes)
4. Check Starter (collecting and checking racers from marshalling to blocks)
5. Announcer (announces event for marshalling, medal winners etc.)
6. Recorder (managing and verifying results)
7. Runner (pass msgs between timing operator, recorder and timekeepers)
8. Medals (hand out medals)
9. BBQ Cook (sausages and onions)
10. BBQ Food Server (making sausage sizzles)
11. Bake and Raffle sales (collecting payments, serving baked goods, writing raffle tickets)

We are also looking for anyone keen enough to bake/make some goodies and treats for us to sell (see form), if you are interested, please speak to Sylvia Chan.

Newport Pool to Peak – Results

Four of our Whales took on the Newport Pool to Peak event on Sunday, competing across a range of distances — and what a great showing they had!

Congratulations to Ian Wilson, who placed 3^rd in his division in the 2km event. Alison Johnston narrowly missed the podium, finishing 4^th after being just pipped on the run up the beach. Amy Shaw (Morning Squad) also completed the 2km swim and topped it off by winning an amazing raffle prize.

Special congratulations to William Johnston, who tackled the 400m event which was his first ever ocean swim. A fantastic achievement!

Well done to all our Whales for representing the club so proudly in the open water! 🐋🌊

Lions Club Award Nominations

Each month the Committee votes for the Lions Club Award – the club’s Volunteer of the Year.

We received a lot of nominations for December and a big thankyou to everyone. The nominations received were:

A huge thankyou to all our helpers and donators. If you wish to nominate someone for the Lions Club award, you can do so here: https://forms.office.com

Swimmer Spotlight – Grace Brancatisano

This week we spotlight a swimmer who has built confidence through squads and discovered a love for club racing and community activities.

Q1: Tell us about your swimming journey

A: I started Learn to Swim as a toddler at North Rocks, completing most of the levels before joining Merrylands squads, where I've been a member just over 2 years. Squads have given me the confidence to race at my high school swimming carnival held at SOPAC, which was much bigger and daunting than my primary school swimming carnivals (much smaller and optional to compete).

Q2: Favourite stroke?

A: Freestyle, because I can go fast and the technique isn't complicated. My least favourite stroke is Butterfly because it's quite tricky!

Q3: Proudest swimming achievement so far?

A: Moving up to Junior squads after being in Novice for a while. Juniors is a bit more challenging but not too bad.

Q4: Swimming goal for this year?

A: Do a 200IM race! I probably should have done one by now, maybe I'll do one this week!

Q5: What do you love about the Club?

A: I've never raced before apart from school carnivals and now I love Club races! I love the club's community activities too — the dessert/bake stall at the InterClub Cup was fun to participate in where I made chocolate chip cookies in our Club colours!

Q6: Something interesting about you

A: I play guitar and piano. I often do band camps and in the next few years, I hope to do Music (Piano) for HSC, just like my mum did! Actually, my entire family do Piano — Mum, Dad, Danny (reluctantly) and even Ruth (self-learns at the moment!).

Fundraising Update – Look What Our Whales Achieved!

Our amazing club community has been busy making waves, and the results are fin-tastic! Thanks to everyone who baked, guessed, raffled, bought tickets and supported our fundraisers throughout the season. Your efforts and support of these events has raised significant funds for the club, which goes towards purchasing items and trophies at presentation. Three events recently raised a total of $1,287.50. These were:

• Christmas Raffles & Lolly Jar – $476
• Inter-Club Bake Sale & Raffles – $591.50
• Halloween Lolly Jar – $220

From sweet treats to spooky guesses, every dollar raised helps support our swimmers, events, and club activities. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed...proof that when our pod works together, we make a whale-sized difference! 🐳

Merrylands 50’s

Last week we held the annual Merrylands 50’s races and we saw some close finishes throughout the event. It was great to see 3 heats of the preliminaries, with 22 swimmers entering the event. The preliminary heats saw the number of swimmers reduced to 16 for the semi final round. The semi finals saw 8 swimmers progress to the Final round, with ages of swimmers ranging from 9 to into their 60’s. Being a handicap event it saw everyone having a great chance to take out the first prize, however a big swim from Nina Okorovik saw her blitz the field by almost 2 seconds. Congratulations Nina on your win this year.

Upcoming Meet Calendar

Check the website for the full list of upcoming meets, closing dates, programs and qualifying times.