NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY 2006
Dear Members
We are almost into March, where does the time go, and a second Newsletter for the Year already! We have had an extremely busy January and February in the water and out so here’s a latest update to keep you all informed of what has been happening together with some details about forthcoming events.
We have had an extremely efficient team working on this this year, many thanks to Mandy Smith, Dot Monte and Gill Baynes for all of their hard work this year in collecting in renewal of membership forms, relevant ASA forms and money. Thank you to all members for their cooperation in this as well, this job in the past has often been very difficult but we are more or less up to date now with the majority of renewals now in so many thanks to everyone. We would advise that any members whose renewal is still outstanding will shortly receive reminder letters informing them that they will not be allowed to swim if they do not renew. We have to ensure the safety of all swimmers at all times, anyone who has not renewed is not covered by our insurances.
We have at last secured some additional pool time from Castle Point Council, after many attempts to obtain this in order to relieve the very busy sessions and provide better quality training sessions for everyone. Castle Point Council have finally agreed to extend our weekend lunchtime sessions to 2 hours, from 12 – 2pm. This is a major achievement and a big step forward for the RSC as it will enable us to expand the Club further, together with providing more quality training sessions for all swimmers. Our excellent Coaching Team will be utilising this extra time to its full advantage and the initial changes to squad training sessions are detailed below.
This is a big achievement for the Management of the Club and I would like to thank everyone involved in the lengthy process to get to this point. Obtaining this valuable additional pool time has been on our Agenda for a very long time, we have been pursuing this constantly and it is excellent news that we have at last been successful. The existing Pool Management have been extremely cooperative in this matter and I would like to thank them for all their help.
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I would like to spend a little time on this subject as I feel this job is not very well recognised by many of our Members. The first point I would like to make is that without our Club Lifeguards there would be NO SWIMMING in our club training sessions. It is very simple - no Lifeguard, no one is allowed in the water! We currently have a shortage of Lifeguards and this has put a lot of pressure on our existing team of excellent Lifeguards lead by John Smith, who does an excellent job in ensuring all of our sessions are covered by one of our diminishing team. We currently have a National Pool Lifeguard Course running at the Pool organised by Marie Kelly and Debbie Jones and it is a little disappointing to see only non-club members signed up for it.
I would ask that if there are any parents who are competent or ex-swimmers to seriously consider taking part to help out in this area. We fully appreciate that this does involve a bit of a commitment firstly in doing the course and secondly keeping to the once a month training sessions, however it is a very important job and without Lifeguards the Club will not be able to operate.
All of our Lifeguards are paid by the Club at a rate of £ 5 per hour, and this can be taken as cash or offset against fees. The course involves an initial cost of approximately £100 but this is refunded to you once you have passed, then the system works so that you would then work for the Club until this has been repaid after which you will receive payment for all sessions you work.
If you would like to get involved in this area or would like more information please speak to either John Smith or me ASAP as we do need more people trained urgently.
1. CHILD PROTECTION WORKSHOP
In line with Swim 21 all our Coaches, teachers, lane-coaches, helpers and Volunteers should have been on an ASA approved Child Protection Course. With this in mind we have booked an Approved ASA Child Protection Workshop Saturday 6th May in the Clubroom. The Course is for 3 hours starting at 9.30am and costs approximately £ 20 per head (This will be confirmed nearer the time, the more people on the course the lower the cost per head). We can have a maximum of 25 people on the course and have opened it up to non-club members as well but if there is anyone from the Club, particularly helpers and volunteers interested in doing this course there is a notice on the main notice board for names. We hope to run another workshop like this later in the year, as all helpers should do this course, it is very important that everyone is aware of the correct Child Protection procedures and recommended guidelines for the safety of our children. If any one wants some more information on this please speak to Theresa Beale (Club Welfare Officer), Marie Kelly or myself.
2. E.G.M.
Also as part of Swim 21 we have to make some changes within the Management of the Club to bring us in line with the ASA’s Recommendations. We are now in a position to present some of these proposals to all Members for agreement hence an E.G.M. has been called for 31st March at 8pm in the Clubroom. I would ask that you make every effort to attend this meeting as it involves several changes that affect all members and it is your opportunity to voice any concerns regarding these matters. I will produce an Agenda for the Meeting nearer the time but the main areas that will be covered are as follows:
a) Changes to The Club Constitution
b) Introduction of a Code of Conduct document for all members
c) Change in our Financial Year
d) Change in the date for the A.G.M.
e) Acceptance of the ASA’s Recommended Child Protection Policy, Code of Ethics and Equity Standards Policy.
All of these documents with any relevant amendments are now available if anyone would like a copy
now please let me know, otherwise they will issued nearer to the time of the Meeting. If anyone has
any queries please let me know.
Unfortunately, it is somewhat disappointing that we are still receiving complaints about behaviour in the changing rooms. Would parents please ensure that they discuss with their children the importance of good behaviour in the changing rooms. I realise that a lot of this may be high spirits and do not to spoil anyone’s fun, but it can be very intimidating particularly to new and young swimmers to enter the changing rooms at times. This is a difficult area for us to control due to the Child Protection Guidelines that we have to follow, but we would appreciate your cooperation in this area, as we do not want to lose swimmers because of changing room antics! We are at the moment patrolling the changing rooms on Friday evenings. Helpers will be patrolling the changing rooms in 2’s at the change of each session to help monitor this situation. Any individuals who regularly persist in behaving badly in the changing room area will be dealt with in accordance with the Club Rules. This however, should be adhered to at all Runnymede training sessions and also at all Galas home and away, where swimmers are representatives of the Club, and it is expected that they act appropriately at all times.
I would like to say a very big thank you to Maz Robinson, Nikki Barrell and Mandy Cox for their excellent first fund-raising event, which was held at the Tandoori Parlour on 16th February. The evening was extremely well organised and raised an outstanding £ 400+ for the Club. This is going to be put to good use purchasing a much-needed Laptop for the Club. Anyone who didn’t attend this one missed a good night out and should make sure they come along to the next one. You will not only have fun but will help raise some money for the club at the same time. Well done to all of you and hears to the next event, which I believe maybe a Barn Dance in the summer. Don’t forget our BBQ in July as well, this is a major fund raising event for the Club, if anyone would like to help or get involved in this please see Maz or myself.
We are now half way through this years Essex County ASA’s Championships and have seen some outstanding results and lots of Medals. We have seen some fantastic swimming from some of our younger swimmers competing in their first ever County Championships and also some excellent results from our older and more experienced swimmers. It is great to see that The Club is now achieving great results in many more age groups and lets hope this success continues. I am sure that you would all agree with me, that we have some excellent Coaching Staff at Runnymede who have been working together for some time now. Their hard work and competent coaching skills are producing some outstanding swimmers across the age groups and our thanks go to them for their dedication and hard work in getting our swimmers to the standard that they are now at. This can only be good for all of us, it shows what an up and coming club we are.
Our top swimmers at Counties in their respective Age Groups so far are:
Henry Newton who won A Gold Medal in the 50m Fly, Silver in the 50 Back, Bronze in the 50 Freestyle 4th in the 50 Breast and 5th in 200m Breast. Henry is currently in 2nd Place overall for his age group so well done to him.
Sarah Wright won a Silver Medal in the 50m Back, 5th place in 400m F/S, 6th in 200m and 100m Fly, 7th in the 200m F/S and 10th in 50m Fly.
Charlotte Delicata – 4th in 400m F/S and 200m Backstroke, 7th in the 100m Backstroke and 50m Breast, 9th in the 100m I/M
Rebecca Scott – 5th in 50m Breast, 8th 50 Fly and 10th 50m F/S
Patrick Neary – 5th in 50m Breast, 9th 50m Back, 13th 50m Fly
Laura Humphreys – 6th 100m Fly
Alex Delicata – 6th in the 200m I/M, 8th in the 100m Back
Thomas Giles – 6th in the 50m Breast.
Other Top 10 places went to Rory Geoghegan, Charlotte Davis, George Smith, Rebecca Collins, Samantha Knight, Sarah Jarrett and Alice Cain.
Well done to everyone who took part, it is a great achievement to qualify for a County event and take part in these Championships you are swimming with the best in the County. Other qualifiers were Bethany Goldfinch, Daniel Nobes, Aaron Eveleigh, Harry Smith, Charlie Hunt, Chloe Davis, Elliot Eveleigh, Charlotte Hartin, Howard Clarke, Laura Rixson, Jonathon Ellis, Jennifer Lamb and James Spicer. You are all a credit to the club and keep up the good work.
LEAGUE/GALA RESULTS
In the Essex League the Club, currently in division 2 had an excellent result in round 2 winning the nights competition and putting them in a strong position as contenders for promotion to Division 1. The squad produced a superb total of 13 1st places with individual wins from Aaron Eveleigh, Henry Newton, Alice Cain, Charlotte Hartin and Sarah Wright. Various relay teams showing how the Clubs depth is rapidly improving secured the other 1st places.
Having already finished in 14th place in Division 1 of the London area National Speedo League at the end of last year and securing the Clubs’ place for next season, the Junior Speedo League team had a fantastic start to their competition. The team consisting of some of the Clubs youngest talent finished in 2nd place in the first round only beaten by one of the areas biggest Clubs, Barnet Copthall.
There were some outstanding individual swims by some young newcomers competing in their first gala of this kind with 1st places won by Zachary Beale, Rory Geoghegan, Henry Newton, Max Jobson and Thomas Giles; In the relay events the boys 9years and 10 years teams won all of their races, these 2 young new teams including Sam Cox, Matthew Davis, Max Jobson, Zachary Beale, Lewis Kerr, Rory Geoghegan and Adam Lamb look very strong for the following rounds and future galas.
PAT CARLANE GALA
This was a tremendous success this year raising over £ 500 for Cancer Research. Thank you to everyone who helped with this on the night, we were complimented several times about our excellent running of the Gala. It was fantastic to see so many people turn up to watch the evenings swimming, even if it was a bit of a tight squeeze to fit everyone in! Everyone swam brilliantly and despite being closely chased by Southend, Runnymede were triumphant winning the Gala and ensuring that this excellent trophy remains in our cabinet for another year.
OPEN GALAS
We have several Open Galas coming up in the next few months and it would be great to extend our outstanding Team Gala performances in more Open Galas as well. There appears to be reluctance by some parents/swimmers to enter Open Galas and it would be good if we could get more people to participate in these events and for us to be able to take larger teams to these Galas as well. The swimmers are trained to compete and it is a shame that we do not see more of them competing at Opens as well as Team Galas. Notices about Open Galas go on the main notice board well in advance of entry closing dates and we would ask if you to take the time to read them and decide whether they are appropriate for you. There is lots of opportunities to win medals and trophy’s for those that do well, as well as being a valuable experience for young competitive swimmers to swim against other children in the same Age Groups from different clubs.
Although they are sometimes a bit confusing or daunting there are many people at the Club who are experienced in these events, so please do not hesitate to ask anyone for advice or help if you need it. Alison Delicata is our Competition Secretary and has all relevant details regarding the Galas and is happy to assist wherever needed. We are here to help so please do not hesitate to ask.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
4th – 5th March Counties Block C @ Fullwell Cross. Warm-up Times tbc.
11th March Essex League @ Fullwell Cross. Warm-up 7pm.
18th – 19th March BWFSC Secondary Age Groups @ Waltham Forest
25th – 26th March Counties Block D @ Fullwell Cross. Warm-up times tbc.
Friday 31st March E.G.M. 8pm in Clubroom
1st April Essex League @ Runnymede. Warm-up 6pm.
2nd April Junior Speedo League @ Waltham Forest. Warm-up 6pm
8th April Essex County Masters Gala
9th April Red Squad Training Session @ Crystal Palace 11am – 1pm
14th April SOUTHEND EASTER MEET – Open gala at Warrior Square.
22nd – 23rd April REDBRIDGE AGE GROUP OPEN 100m/200m. Open Gala at Fullwell Cross
29thApril – 1st May East Region Youth Championships in Norwich
HEATHER DAVIS