During the year we have held 8 Committee meetings and attendance has been as follows:- Michelle Jenkins – 7, Alan Thorne – 5, Rod Thompson – 7, Janette Summerbee – 8, Marion Britton – 6, Chris Marsh – 5, Rhys Tamlyn – 3,  John Sissons – 4, Jean Trewhitt – 6, Nicky Booth – 8, Diana Weare – 4, Greg Harper - 6, Laura Wren – 7, Richard Bryant – 7, Nicky Bryant – 7 and Georgie Coombs - 4.

Once again a big thank you to our Committee members and the other 40 volunteers who give of their own time to ensure we provide support for our members throughout the year in all 3 sections. Also a big thank you to the Bristol Fire Service who allow us to regularly use their Central Office meeting room for our meetings. For information some of the other regular meetings we attend are:- ASA SW Regional (where Marion Britton did and excellent job as ASA SW President this year); Gloucester County; Bristol Council’s Aqua Academy and City of Bristol Swimming Club meetings; University Pool Users and Bristol Club Coaches.

Members of the Club have attended various courses this year to improve their own knowledge and skill of teaching, coaching, stroke improvement, disabled swimming, child protection, team management and life saving.

We have started dialogues with other interested clubs on improving the opportunities for members by sharing both water time and coaches at various locations. We are anxious to ensure that there is a clear system in operation in Bristol before the 50 m pool is available at Hengrove. Information on the progress with the building work will be managed by the Aqua Academy. We are also trying to represent the needs of all 3 sections in the pool time allocation programme when prepared.

At each Committee meeting we review our financial performance against the budgets set for each section, as well as expenditure on training, travel, equipment, venues etc and income from a range of sources.   The recent fire at the University pool and the changes that have been forced upon us at short notice has meant much extra work for all our helpers but a particular word of thanks to our Treasurer Janette Summerbee for keeping an overview on things and regularly advising on what we can or can’t do because of the financial considerations.

Our Medical Advisor, Dr Simon Handley, has recently reviewed and rewritten the guidance for dealing with swimmers with epilepsy or asthma. This will be available in the new year.

We attracted 60 new members (helpers as well as swimmers) during the last 12 months which exceeded the targets we set for this years Swim 21 exercise. That achievement together with progress of other more direct coaching and performance targets (particularly with Synchro) has led to our S21 targets being achieved again and the regional panel has approved our progress and forwarded our claim for national revalidation by the ASA.

During the year the Committee supported some updating for our club kit and banners.

We have noted the difficulties of providing sufficient deep water time for Water Polo locally and the reduction of National funding for this sport. The Senior members are already paying more than others because of the need to travel all over the country to play within the National Leagues. Despite that I am pleased to report that they constantly are rewarded by the men finishing in the top 4 of the National league and the ladies beginning to improve. But if any one knows of a kind benefactor we would like to hear from them!

Finally the Committee and many others were saddened at the news that John Jones (son of George Jones the founder of Bristol Central in 1937) died during the year. John had been a member for most of his life and kept up that interest by being President on 2 occasions and Chairman of the Club for many years. He will be missed.

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

Rod Thompson