Close of the season
Today is the last club race day of our 50th anniversary season and I hope you have enjoyed another great season. We have celebrated our 50th anniversary with a number of events throughout the season and these will culminate with our Anniversary Dinner on Saturday 6th April.
The season had a few hiccups along the way, with the delay in the installation of the new starting blocks. I hope you have enjoyed using them and they have helped improve your race starts. The storm in February caused the closure of the pool for 2 weeks, meaning we lost one week of races and had to transfer another week over the Wentworthville Swimming Centre.
The implementation of split age groups from National Championship level down has meant a greater volume of championship meets at Area and State level and this created an impact on when we could hold our club championship events, with these being spread over more weekends as well.
Thank you to our committee, officials, parents & swimmers for your support of the club during the season. In particular I would like to acknowledge a number of people:
- Peter & Alison for their tireless work behind the scenes to keep the club ticking over weekly;
- Ian & Ben who arrive early every week to set up ready for club races;
- Dominic & Danielle who have organised and delivered great bbq’s throughout the season;
- Our club captains, Charlie-Rose and Michael who organised the weekly raffles and Whales Challenge relay teams among a number of other tasks.
Thank you to our Learn to Swim instructors and helpers. Learn to Swim is a key offering of our club and it introduces future swimming members to our club. We will have 3 additional instructors next season, with Trish, Hayley & Margaret all undertaking training and obtaining accreditation.
We will be taking the club photo today, so make sure you stay around after races. There is also a bbq to celebrate the close of the season.
For those who will continue to train we will see you at Granville Swimming Centre and I hope to see everyone at the Annual Presentation, to be held on Saturday 1st June, 2019 at Club Merrylands.
Swimming NSW State Junior Championships
We have 5 of our club members competing at the Swimming NSW State Junior Championships this weekend at SOPAC. This is a great achievement & first time experience for Matthew Vicic, Helen Macpherson, Nevah Shrestha, Niushka Shrestha & Summer Shrestha. The girls will also compete in two relay events. We are very proud of each one of you and wish you the best of luck with your swims. May the whale be with you all.
Masters National Championships
Well our team of 5 competitors have returned from the Masters National Championships and they needed to pay for excess baggage on their return flights, with a tally of 18 medals (5 gold, 10 silver & 3 bronze). In addition there were 11 PB’s also swum. The team also won the Life Member’s trophy for the club for their efforts over the championships. Congratulations to Alison Johnston, Steven Nguyen, Kylee Murray (who won her first National medal at the meet), Melissa Cohen & Ian Wilson.
Metro South West Area Long Course Sprint Meet
Last Saturday saw 20 of our junior members compete at the Metro South West Area Long Course Sprint Meet at Blacktown Aquatic Centre. Again our junior members flew the flag taking home 10 medals and 32 PB’s. Congratulations to our whole team on their performances and thank you to our parents who assisted with the hosting duties at the meet.
Winter Swimming
McCredie Park Aquatics Swimming Club run club races on a Friday night at Guildford Pool (races start at 6.30pm) and this is an opportunity to stay fit and practice for short course events. Their winter season commences on Friday 5th April and concludes in September. There are breaks over the school holiday periods in April & July. Let Graham know if you are interested in attending these races.
50th Anniversary Dinner
The 50th Anniversary Dinner being held at The Holroyd Centre next Saturday 6th April, 2019. The welcome commences in the ground floor foyer at 6.00pm and main course being served from 7.00pm.
We look forward to joining with you at this event to celebrate this milestone for our club. Mr Chris Fydler OAM, President of Swimming NSW, is attending and has graciously agreed to speak about his experiences as an Olympic swimmer and now as a parent of competitive swimmers.
Squad Training & Enrolment
Remember training moves to Granville Swimming Centre next Monday 1st April 2019. If you intend to continue training you need to enrol before attending training session as the coaches need to ensure the squad you join has space. Enrol at https://merrylandsasc.asn.au/coaching/enrol/
Trophy Return
If you still have any perpetual trophy’s to return from last season please let us know as we will need to make arrangements to collect the trophy prior to the annual presentation.
Annual Presentation & AGM
The Annual Presentation will be held on Saturday 1st June, 2019 at Club Merrylands. The presentation is booked from 6.00pm, with the presentation of trophies to commence at 6.30pm.
The club’s Annual General Meeting will be held on Monday 3rd June, 2019 commencing at 7.30pm in the club room at Merrylands Swimming Centre. All financial members of the club are entitled to nominate for positions on the committee and to vote at the AGM.
The dates for nominations for committee positions and club awards are:
- Service Excellence Award – closes 31st March, 2019
- Life Member nomination – 60 days before the AGM (Thursday 4th April, 2019)
- Committee nomination – 30 days before the AGM (Saturday 4th May, 2019)
See the club website for more information about these and how to submit a nomination. If you would like more information or have a question please see any of our current committee members.
Thank you to our sponsors for their support of our club