Issue 1, Autumn 2025 by Graham Edwards - 4th April, 2025

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Autumn Racing Carnival

Welcome to the first week of our Autumn Racing Carnival for 2025.

We will be holding club races on the following Saturday mornings in April (5^th, 12^th & 26^th). The Autumn racing program includes some 25m Sprint events open to all swimmers. See the online entries for more details.

The pool opens at 7.00am and we ask that all swimmers & parents arrive at this time to help with setup and to allow the races to commence at 7.15am.

Annual Presentation & Club AGM

The dates are locked in for the Annual Presentation and Club AGM. So make sure you have these dates in your calendar:

With the AGM coming up it’s time to consider nominating for a role on the Committee. We have improved and automated our operations over the years, so for example as the Treasurer you no longer need to count all the 5 cent coins

Masters Championships

NSW State Long Course Championships

Congratulations to our team of 5 swimmers who represented our club so successfully at the State Championships at SOPAC. Our swimmers achieved a stack of season or long-time bests and picked up some bling (3 x Gold, 2 x Silver & 5 x Bronze medals) at the meet . For more information check out the club Facebook page.

National Long Course Championships

Good luck to our team heading to Melbourne for the National Championships over the 8^th to 12^th April. Safe travels and may the whale be with you all

Metro South West 5 to 8 Meet

We are excited to have a team of 6 swimmers heading to Campbelltown this afternoon to represent the club at the 5 to 8 Meet.

Good luck to Marcus Chan, Anna Johnston, Eden Johnston, Nina Okorovik, Ella Palise & Lily Palise. May the whale be with you all

Squad School Is In

Squad members don’t just spend time swimming laps up and down the pool. They love classroom work so much that they spent some time this week setting their goals for the coming season. Thank you to our coaches for preparing the fun lesson 😊

Squad Coaching Team

Our squad members and parents would have noticed over the past few months that Alison has taken on a greater role in the coaching of our training sessions.

We are pleased to announce that from 1^st April 2025 Alison has formally stepped in to become the Head Coach for our club. We are excited to have Alison take on this key role. Alison has been coaching since 2015 and has achieved outstanding results across a range of teams within the club. Please give Alison your full support and help her wherever possible.

Peter has decided to step down as the Head Coach of the club. He has a rich history of coaching since 1994 and was the club's Head Coach from 2005 to 2025. In 2013 and 2017, Peter was named as both the NSW and Australian Masters Coach of the Year, and the ASCTA Masters Coach of the Year.

It is difficult to put in words how much Peter has selflessly contributed to the squad development and the club’s growth over the many decades as a club member and coach. Peter has done a fantastic job as the Head Coach for many years with the squad program benefiting from a professional structure. Peter will continue to remain involved in the squad training program.

Thank you Peter from the bottom of our hearts. Luckily you haven’t changed or lost your sense of humour at all over that time

We are also pleased to welcome Matthew Vicic to the coaching team. Matthew is a Teacher of Competitive Swimming Trainee and will commence coaching the Novice Squad. Welcome Matthew 😊

Squad Training After April 2025

With Merrylands pool closing at the end of April, our squad training will move to Wentworthville pool until Merrylands re-opens in September 2025.

Anzac Day 2025

Our club is participating in the Cumberland Anzac Day Dawn Service again this year.

Date: 25^th April 2025

Venue: Merrylands RSL Club and then to Charles Mance Reserve, 6 Newman St, Merrylands

Times:

5.00am - March formation at Merrylands RSL entrance in Miller Street

5.15am - March will commence

5.30am - Dawn Service will commence

5.57am - Wreath Laying will commence

6.30am - Dawn Service Concludes

Club representatives will be laying a wreath on behalf of our club and members. If you are interested in attending or would like more information please see Denise Assi.

School Holiday Activities

There are a range of Easter school holiday activities available to keep the kids engaged:

DIVE CLINIC @ SOPAC Wednesday 16^th April

The session is booked out, so if anyone else is interested you will need to wait for cancellations or book into another session. Sessions & information can be found at https://www.sydneyolympicpark.nsw.gov.au/things-to-see-and-do/diving-clinic

MOVIE AND LUNCH – Thursday 17^th April

A Minecraft movie and lunch date is being planned for Thursday 17^th April. If you are interested please see Sylvia Chan (or contact her on 0435 178 628) by Thursday 10^th April to be included in the discounted group ticket purchase.

CLUB MERRYLANDS ACTIVITIES

The school holidays are a great opportunity to support one of our club sponsors, with a range of activities available at Club Merrylands. More details here.

If you are interested in any of these activities please see Sylvia Chan, as she can provide more information and will assist with bookings etc.

Make a Donation

If you would like to make a donation, or know someone who would like to then click on the link below.

Thank you to everyone who has made a donation during the season, your kind help is greatly appreciated and helps us purchase equipment for our member’s benefit.

Make a donation

Summer Season BBQ

Whilst the weather last Saturday was not kind to us, we were still able to enjoy a great end of Summer season BBQ. A big thank you to our Social Committee and helpers for putting on a great BBQ feed. It was a great way for everyone to celebrate the end of season. The junior members also received a surprise lolly bag and some also took on the role of cleaning up the pool area

Upcoming Meet Calendar

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