|
During the year we have held 8 Committee meetings and attendance has been as follows:- Richard Bryant – 7, Alan Thorne – 6, Rod Thompson – 7, Janette Summerbee – 8, Marion Britton – 7, Lynne Sissons – 3, Nikki Abbott – 4, Rhys Tamlyn – 5, Michelle Jenkins – 5, John Sissons – 3, Jean Trewhitt – 6, Diana Weare – 5, Nicky Booth – 7, Sarah Millard – 3.
Once again a big thankyou to all who have helped run the Club over the last year. We have over 50 volunteers who give up their time to make the Club successful and help our members both enjoy and achieve to their highest levels within their sport. However once again we have been unable to fill the Social Secretary post which we consider so vital to ensure that members (and parents) have the occasional opportunity to get together and have fun away from the swimming pool. Coupled with that role is fundraising and, as you will read further in the reports, it is considered critical that in this coming year we increase our efforts to bring more finance into the Club, not just by fees, to cover the extra costs this year of pool hire (expected to be 10% up), education of coaches and helpers and maintenance of sufficient reserves. So please think long and hard on whether you, or someone you know, would be able to assist us and feel free to let me know.
Meanwhile Diana Weare added part of the role to her already busy schedule and we thank her for organising the Prize giving disco, the Dinner dance and Race Night all of which were very successful.
Your Committee this year supported strongly the need for fully qualified teachers/coaches and helpers. We have had more than ever helpers attend Child Protection, Team manager, Equity, life saving and coaching courses and CRB checks have been undertaken on poolside helpers. The need for fully qualified helpers is a requirement from the ASA and currently 2 of our head coaches are applying for a full coaching licence from the Institute of Swimming. We also have 5 young volunteers who we have supported onto the National Aquaforce Volunteers programme which embraces a whole range of related activity including on the poolside, with Club Management, looking at marketing opportunities and promotion of the Club and officiating at events. Good luck to them all.
We are pleased with the progress made through starter sessions for Synchro and Water Polo. Both have led to a direct increase in ongoing membership and brought these sports to the attention of a new audience.
Overall swimming member numbers have increased by 9% but that disguises the fact that Synchro increased by 31%, Polo by 14% and Speed reduced by 3%. Clearly there is a need to bring Speed numbers up again quickly. Last year we invited all members, and parents, to help attract new members with the right swimming potential towards the club and we repeat that request again.
We are aware that the University are planning to install a Boom at the pool – probably over Christmas. We have been represented on their working group to monitor any benefit/impact on the Club.
Our new web site is gradually taking shape and many thanks to Derek Milliner who is our webmaster.
Last year we congratulated ourselves on gaining the ASA’s Swim21 accreditation for the organisation of the Club, Workforce and Speed section. This year we have started the process of extending the award to Synchro and Water Polo. We are due to hear how we have got on with Synchro later this month and Water Polo in 2008.
One of the requirements to obtain the award is to have a set of rules (constitution) drawn up in line with the ASA’s requirements. This has now been prepared and will be presented to the AGM for formal approval (Agenda item 12).
Plans for the 50m pool at Hengrove are gradually taking shape and we are monitoring progress, along with other local developments, through attendance on the Aqua Academy (a Committee of all local Clubs, the Council, Schools and Wesport Swimming Development Officers).
As suggested above control of our finances in the next year is going to be a major task for the Committee. The full detail will form part of the Treasurers report.
Finally the Committee and senior members were shocked to hear of the sudden death of young ex member Kerri Thresher a few months ago and sent condolences to parents Keith and Laverne and brother (and current member) Matt.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and I hope you enjoy the following annual reports.
Rod Thompson
|
