Year in review - 2023
This last year saw the club enjoying continuing strong training participation, and a sizeable number of members competing at carnivals to become leaders of the Branch Point score Series for 2023 and a number of championship events.
Member numbers remained strong with 111 at the end 2023.
The club saw also the return of VegeChips as a major sponsor, and a new sponsor, Perskindol (a leading Swiss brand of muscle and joint pain relief gels and sprays) and we thank them for their invaluable support which contributed significantly to training lane hire, club apparel, swim hats and carnival expenses, and our financial health generally.
Training continues at strength – adapting to new needs, new cohorts
Gordon Whyte (Fitness Director) and Wilson Gamble, our training leads, continue to deliver an excellent training program much appreciated by members who train at our Sunday morning and Wednesday evening squads. Wednesday in particular has proved to be a great source of new members.
The major development during the year has been the Masters Swimming Australia (MSA) decision to allow only qualified coaches to coach from the deck (citing insurance reasons). Under Gordon’s leadership, we have had record numbers of coaching assistants take up the challenge of accreditation and 3 qualified during the year leading to 8 accredited coaches at year-end.
During the year, two young swimmers from Special Olympics joined the club and with help from newly elected Club Captain, Richard Peterson, we are developing our ability to cater for special needs in training, including for competition, which they both enjoy.
The Wednesday evening training sessions continue to be popular, and we have a permanent booking of five lanes each week allowing 25 members and try-outs to attend. Sunday sessions continue at full tilt, with between 30 and 40 swimmers per session. Race training sessions were also held prior to State and Nationals and were well attended.
While competition (and training for it) is a significant part of our activities, training and development of swimming skills is at the core of the club.
Competition still going strong!
Once again, our club was a strong participant in interclub, State and National meets during the year as well as providing many of the officials to help these happen.
Ably captained variously during the year by Phil Lindsay and Club Secretary (and former Captain) Tony Gallagher, our members participated strongly to the extent of topping the Division 1 Branch Points Score over the 11 qualifying carnivals; came first at State Long Course; first at State Short Course including the Gordon Cozins Trophy for most relay points; second in NSW Long Distance; third at State Relay; an 11-strong contingent participated at Nationals in Hobart; and 8 went to Worlds in Fukuoka, Japan, several of whom were place-getters (including some National records). Thanks also to Pat Chandler our Race Secretary and his alter ego ‘Buster’, our relay picker par excellence,helping us to victory on many an occasion.
Four of our swimmers appeared in the Top-20 point scorers for the year: (Tony Tooher, Cameron Jones, Helen Campbell, and Graham Campbell) while seven swimmers topped their respective age groups (Cameron Jones, Julia Atkins, Tony Tooher, John de Vries, Helen White, Helen Campbell, Graham Campbell and Liz Wallis).
Also, our swimmers broke 15 NSW Branch records,10 of which were also National, and 1 World (Liz Wallis for 95+LC 50m FR). Relay records were also broken: 3# 4x200FR women’s, 1# 4x200FR men’s and 3# 4x200 Mixed FR records along with 2# 4x25 women’s medley records.
Social happenings
The end of November saw our Anniversary Presentation Night at a new venue, Forestville RSL - again with a full suite of Awards - and a great member turnout. Great work from Social Secretary Christine Geftakis organising with help from Tony Gallagher (Secretary). The change in venue was well received.
Awarded by the coaching team, Female Swimmer of the Year was Violet Wilkinson, and Paul Johnson and Phil Lindsay were jointly awarded Male Swimmer of the Year. These awards are made by the coaches and recognise swimmers whose performances have improved the most over the year. The Max Award (Inaugurated by Max van Gelder) for the highest score across NSW Branch, National and World records for 2022 / 2023 was John de Vries who broke six National and nine NSW Branch records. Club Participation went to Paul Johnson (he attended the most carnival days in 2023 including Nationals and Fukuoka). The President’s Award went jointly to Violet Wilkinson and Bev Cook: Violet is our Gear Steward and has for many years successfully wrangled the often competing needs and wishes of members, the Executive Committee and our suppliers. Bev Cook you may not know ... she is the unsung hero of Sunday morning, keeping us fed and watered after training and always ready with a smile.
As well, our Xmas BBQ coordinated by Christine Geftakis and Tony Gallagher (quartermaster) with helpers Bill Yeates, David Craig, Bridget Cook was deemed a success. Thanks also to Stewart Heys for maintaining our social media presence along with Pat Birgan (web page content), and Susan Myers, our Registrar.
Health & Safety priority
Once more, our thanks to Sue-Ellen Norris for her wise counsel as club Safety Officer. There were no reportable accidents or COVID related incidents during the year.
Thanks and new beginnings
Thanks also to our Vice President Stewart Heys; Secretary Tony Gallagher and Treasurer Helen Campbell AND all our volunteers who participated in the running of the Club and events during the year. It couldn’t be done without you.
Finally, I will be retiring from the role of President at our AGM, so let me extend my personal thanks to everyone in the Club for their support and friendship over the last eleven years. You are a great bunch of people and I hope that you will give as much support to our next President.
Looking forward to a great 2024.
Graham Campbell
President, Warringah Masters Swimming