During the year we have held 8 Committee meetings and attendance has been as follows:- Nicky Booth – 8, Alan Thorne – 7, Rod Thompson – 8, Janette Summerbee – 8, Marion Britton – 7, Lynne Sissons – 1, Chris Marsh – 4, Rhys Tamlyn – 1, Michelle Jenkins – 4, John Sissons – 4, Jean Trewhitt – 6, Diana Weare – 4, Mick Shortman – 4, Sarah Millard – 2.  As you can see attendance, for genuine reasons, has been more varied this year which, on occasions does lead to a delay in progressing some issues, nevertheless I would like to again say a big thankyou to all of our 50+ volunteers who have helped run the Club over the last year. 

Some of the key items we have dealt with were the immediate issues we faced when the University first installed the boom in their pool last Christmas.  Sessions had to be re configured and on some occasions limited to a set number or standard of participants.  We will shortly be reviewing with the University the current usage pattern and see whether any further changes are required.

A special word of thanks to Derek Milliner, our webmaster, for continuing to expand our web site. Derek welcomes any new improvements /ideas and at the same time we would encourage all members with the facility to call up the site to keep up to date. Please help each other to make maximum use of the site. www.bristolcentralsc.co.uk

During the year we secured £2000 National funding to help introduce school children to both Synchro and Water Polo.  This was a great opportunity for the Club and we provided teachers during Council pools time and encouraged starter and development sessions in our club time.

The Club has continued to grow this year with over 60 new members against 41 leavers.  We want this trend to continue of course whilst at the same making sure we are offering the best teaching/coaching opportunities to all members.  Your Committee reviews this issue regularly.

We have had a few Child Protection issues this year and all members and parents are urged to occasionally check on the website the details of our Rules and policies around such matters and ensure that standards of behaviour are maintained at a high level. All volunteers that have contact with our younger members are CRB checked.

The Committee has agreed to recommend to the AGM that our rules on Associate Membership should be modified to allow all regular volunteer helpers to be granted Honorary Associate membership status.

During the last year 5 of our junior members took advantage of the Regional Aquaforce Volunteer scheme where they were supported to gain experience of Team Management, teaching/coaching swimming, Marketing the Club, organising a gala, officiating and health and safety issues.  One of the young volunteers was chosen to help officiate at this years UK schools games.

Last year the Bristol City Council commissioned a report on the future use of swimming pools in Bristol and the opportunities for current Swimming Clubs.  A report has been produced and includes recommendations for the ongoing structure of competitive swimming in the Bristol area, as well as school and public uses of the facilities (including the long awaited 50m pool at Hengrove).  The detail is being reviewed by a combined Committee of interested parties and Bristol Central’s own Marion Britton is the Secretary and will direct all items of interest to the Club back to our Committee for consideration.

We are very proud of the achievements of many of our members this year – Mens Water Polo becoming National champions, 4 members relocated to Manchester and Aldershot with National squads, 2 chosen to go to the Beijing Olympics to observe as part of the preparation for 2012, members winning medals in the World Masters championships, great success at the 2007 Synchro Nationals and further substantial improvements in the Speed section’s performances.

Diana Weare has again stepped in to organise the Social events, the Synchro starter courses have assisted the financial situation for all sections, we have expanded the number of specific sessions (including Horfield pool), Speed had an overseas training break and we ran a development weekend in Bristol.

In addition we obtained extended accreditation this year from the ASA’s Swim 21 scheme for the organisation of the Club, Workforce, Speed and Synchro sections.  We are currently presenting details of our current status and an action plan in order to receive revalidation certificates from our governing body.

Marion Britton has been appointed as the President of the South West Region of the ASA for 2008/09

Finally the Committee and many others were saddened at the news that Jo Thompson and Stacie Bryant died during the year.  Both worked hard for the Club over many years and their support has been badly missed.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and I hope you enjoy the following annual reports.

Rod Thompson