Somerset ASA

New ASA Online Membership System goes live

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:04:27 -0600

The ASA has today launched its new online membership system.

Click to access the new OMS.

The ASA has launched its new Online Membership System (OMS), a new web-based portal that will revolutionise the way Registration Officers administer member details.

It went live at midday on 30 Jan 2012 and offers a quicker and easier way to manage membership, putting control into the hands of Registration Officers. It will allow clubs to do the following tasks, and more, online:

Make your annual return
Add new members
Amend members details
Lapse members
Renew members
Have an accurate calculation of fees due
Print membership reports for the club
Assign club officer roles

An email will be sent to all Registration Officers over the 24 hours from launch, inviting them to activate their account. So, make sure you check your inbox.

For full information on using the system for annual returns and other membership matters, access the User Guide.

And if you have any questions about the new system please feel to contact us using one of the following routes: email memberships_online@swimming.org or call on 01509 640727.

2012 SASA President's Dinner to be held in Ilminster on 20 April

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:44:09 -0600

President John Farrant to host dinner at Ilminster

The 2011 Somerset ASA President John Farrant has announced that he shall be pleased to welcome you to the Shrubbery Hotel, Iminster on the occasion of a dinner to celebrate his year in office on Friday 20 April. Guests should aim to arrive at 7.30 p.m. for dinner at 8.15 p.m. For further detail as to how to book for this function click here and please put the date in your diaries! The closing date for booking is 6 April 2012.

ASA SW Region School of Swimming Development Course - Bryanston 2012

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:06:46 -0600

12-18 August 2012 - Bryanston School, Blandford Forum, Dorset

Course Fees £320

This ASA SW Region School of Swimming Development residential Competitive Training course is targeted at the ‘skill development’ club swimmers who compete in county events but are not necessarily finalists in district events.

Places are available for swimmers 11 years (as at 31 December 2012) and over, with emphasis on the 13 years plus swimmers. Older swimmers are encouraged to apply.

More detail will be published soon.

Apply for an Information Sheet and Application Forms from the ASA South West website www.swimwest.org or from:

Neil Harper
22 Clarence Grove Road
Weston Super Mare
North Somerset
BS23 4AQ

or

P Sartain
43 Blackmore Drive
South Down
Bath
BA2 1JW

Application Closing Date: 21 May 2012

Download and unzip file for Course Advert, Application and Medical Form.

It is essential to enclose a self addressed envelope.

IOS Teacher/ Coach Education Courses Feb to May 2012 – Somerset and Dorset

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:50:35 -0600

Click to download the most recent Somerset and Dorset education planner for Feb to May 2012 (as at 20 Jan 2012)

South West Disability Swimming Squad (North) Website

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:47:05 -0600

The South West Disability Swimming Squad (North) website is now live www.swdssn.org.uk.

Lyndsey Hollands is in the process of building a ‘south’ section to this site. Meanwhile, current content is very North focussed as that is where the squad is based. counties.

For more information on joining the squad contac Lyndsey Hollands, <link href="mailto:lyndsey.hollands@swimming.org">lyndsey.hollands@swimming.org</link> or 07909 951896.

Somerset Disability Swimming Development Day

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:38:38 -0600

4 February 2012 (4.30pm to 6.30pm) - Strode Swimming Pool in Street, Somerset.

With interest in disability sport higher than ever, Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership in partnership with the Amateur Swimming Association are hosting a Disability Swimming Open Day.

The Open Day is designed to get more people with a disability involved in swimming. The swimming session is open to any swimmer with a physical, sensory or learning disability. The session will be adapted to cater for all levels of ability. All swimmers will then be signposted into further swimming opportunities, including learn to swim schemes, local clubs, regional squads and teams and regional and even national competitions!

This is a great opportunity for children and young people with a disability to get involved in disability swimming in this exciting year for sport.

Click to download flyer for full information. In order to attend the Open Day, swimmers must register by contacting Lyndsey Hollands, lyndsey.hollands@swimming.org or 07909 951896

Please pass this information on to anyone who may interested in attending.

Vacancy - Somerset ASA Swimming Committee Member

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:32:45 -0600

Be part of it!

In the run up to the British Gas Somerset ASA Swimming Championships and Age Group Competition 2012 the County Management Team would be pleased to receive expression of interest from Somerset ASA Affiliated Club Members who can give up just a few hours of time toward keeping Somerset Swimming at the forefront of competitive and development opportunity for swimmers. Two vacancies have arisen on the Somerset ASA Swimming Committee, which meets just three or four times a year on a Saturday morning followed by refreshments and a chance to talk about and influence aquatic sport and related issues across the County.

As a committee member you would contribute your expertise gained whilst working with your club toward ensuring the county swimming competition schedule takes place and appropriate development opportunities are staged across Somerset. Appropriate training and development opportunity would be made available to those appointed. Without your help there will not be county level opportunity for your swimmers so why not be part of it all and volunteer!

If you would like to discuss the role further or volunteer your services please contact either County Secretary Ben Batley at ben.batley1@btinternet.com or our current Somerset ASA President John Farrant. We shall be on or around poolside during coming months so come on why not help us to help you - you're views are important. The next meeting of the Swimming Committee will be held on Saturday 14 April 2012 between 10am and 1pm at the Ring O' Bells, Ashcott with refreshments afterwards - you will be more than welcome!

Bath’s British champion Stacey Tadd dives into the world’s biggest fundraising swim

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:34:01 -0600

Entries for the 25th annual Swimathon opened this week with British Champion Stacey Tadd and Paralympic finalists Dave Hill and Kate Grey joining swimmers in the pool at Bath Sports and Leisure Centre.

Meanwhile in London, TV presenter, model and keen swimmer Jodie Kidd and London 2012 Ambassador Duncan Goodhew swam the first two lengths at London’s Oasis Sports Centre to also mark the launch of the world’s biggest fundraising swim.

Swimathon again joins forces with Marie Curie Cancer Care and, for the first time, the BBC’s and British Swimming’s Big Splash, and Sport Relief, to host the event in 645 pools across the UK between 27 and 29 April 2012. Swimathon Weekend participants swimming for Marie Curie Cancer Care can choose from the 5k, 2.5k or Team 5k challenges and those opting to raise money for the ‘Big Splash Mile for Sport Relief’ can take part individually or as part of a team to complete the Mile.

Swimmers will be provided with tips, expert advice and British Gas Swimfit Training Plans designed by 10k World Champion Keri-Anne Payne for the 5k Challenge, Duncan Goodhew for the 2.5k Challenge and Jodie Kidd for the Mile.

Jodie Kidd said: “I‘m delighted to help launch the 25th Swimathon - and in such a special sporting year for this country. With all the talk of being inspired to take up exercise in 2012, it’s events like this that give us all that sometimes necessary goal to aim for. Whilst I can’t claim to be a fish in the pool exactly, diving into my local pool is something I definitely enjoy. And even more so now that I can take my little boy in with me.”

Swimathon Weekend President, Duncan Goodhew said: “We all know that sports such as swimming will enjoy their time in the limelight this year. 2012 also being our 25th Anniversary year, we’d love to add to the half a million people who have taken part in the event so far, to dive into pools up and down the country. These amazing people have raised more than £34 million for charity to date and, by teaming up with the Big Splash, we’re aiming to raise record amounts for not one but two important charities.”

British Champion, Stacey Tadd said: “With the London Olympics sure to inspire the nation into the water, the Swimathon Weekend will give swimmers an additional reason to swim more often, as they prepare for the challenge and also aim to raise money for some fantastic charities. I wish everyone the best of luck and am pleased that I could support some of the swimmers at one of the launches of the event in Bath.”

Susan Dors, Chair ASA South West Region, “Big Splash is an excellent way of getting into swimming. By linking with Sport Relief participants are not just helping themselves keep fit but also helping others. It’s also a great start to 2012. Well done and thank you to all involved.”

Councillor David Dixon (Lib-Dem, Oldfield), Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “The Swimathon Weekend is a great opportunity to keep fit and raise lots of money for charity at the same time so Bath & North East Somerset Council is proud to support this fantastic event. We hope it will inspire many other people to dive in and enjoy the Council’s swimming pools across Bath and North East Somerset so that they can get active in the year of the London 2012 Olympics.”

Jason Curtis, Head of Operations for Aquaterra Leisure, who manage and operate four sport and leisure centres on behalf of Bath and North East Somerset Council, said: “We are delighted to be hosting the regional launch of the Swimathon Weekend at Bath Sports and Leisure Centre. The event is a key feature of our calendar every year, and we encourage the whole community and our own staff to get into the pool and take part - in fact, we have recruited the most swimmers in the SW region for the last couple of years. Anything that helps to raise the profile of being active and keeping fit, while raising money for a good cause – and having fun while doing it is important to us.”

Marie Curie Nurse, Catherine Le Roy said: “Funds raised by people taking on the Swimathon 2.5k and 5k Distance Challenges will help support Marie Curie Nurses like me who provide free nursing care to people with terminal cancer and other illnesses. The charity expects to care for over 31,000 terminally ill patients in the community and in its hospices this year.”

All the money raised by the public for the Big Splash Mile for Sport Relief will be spent by Comic Relief to help people living incredibly tough lives; both here, at home in the UK, and across the world's poorest countries.

Each of the first 10,000 people to sign up online for a Swimathon Weekend challenge before 31 January 2012 will enjoy half price entry. Swimmer entry is open at www.swimathon.org until 25 April 2012.

Swimathon
- Swimathon is the world's biggest fundraising swim, and will take place from 27 to 29 April 2012.
- Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2012, the Swimathon Weekend will engage even more swimmers and pools than ever before. The event will incorporate the 5k, 2.5k, and Team 5k challenges for Marie Curie Cancer Care and the Big Splash Mile for Sport Relief.
- Swimathon started in 1986 and since then more than half a million swimmers have taken part, raising over £36 million for charity.
- Pools and operators continue to encourage visitors to enter Swimathon, with more than 33% of participants this year hearing about the event through their swimming pool. Their continued support is extremely important to the success of the event.
- Swimathon has raised funds for a variety of nominated charities, including Macmillan Cancer support, NSPCC, The British Heart Foundation, The Prince’s Trust and, most recently, Marie Curie Cancer Care and the Swimathon Foundation.

The Swimathon Foundation
- The Swimathon Foundation, a company limited by guarantee, is the independent registered charity which owns the annual national Swimathon event.
- The Swimathon Foundation through its trading subsidiary arranges the staging and promotion of the Swimathon event in a nationwide network of participating swimming pools, to encourage members of the public, whatever their age or ability, to understand and realise the benefits of regular swimming as a means to improve health and wellbeing and to achieve personal fitness goals.
- The Swimathon Foundation selects a National Charity Partner to promote itself and its charitable activities in association with the Swimathon and to receive funds from members of the public, including those participating in the Swimathon, in support of its activities. For the 2012 Swimathon the selected charity is Marie Curie Cancer Care.
- In addition, the Swimathon Foundation aims to support local communities in their efforts to promote the benefits of physical activity, particularly through swimming.
- The Swimathon Foundation is a charity registered at the Charities Commission Charity Number.1123870.
- www.swimathonfoundation.org

Marie Curie Cancer Care
- The official charity partner of Swimathon since 2007.
- £5.8 million has been raised for the charity to date, providing hundreds of hours of nursing care and support to terminally ill people and their families.
- Marie Curie Cancer Care is one of the UK’s largest charities. Employing more than 2,700 nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals, it is best known for its network of Marie Curie Nurses working in the community to provide end of life care, totally free for patients in their own homes.
- The charity expects to provide care to around 31,000 people with terminal cancer and other illnesses in the community and in its nine hospices this year. Research shows around 65 per cent of people would like to die at home if they had a terminal illness, with a sizeable minority opting for hospice care. However, more than 50 per cent of cancer deaths still occur in hospital, the place people say they would least like to be. Since 2004 Marie Curie Cancer Care has been campaigning for more patients to be able to make the choice to be cared for and die at home.

Sport Relief
- As one of the UK’s biggest fundraising events, Sport Relief brings the entire nation together to get active, raise cash and change lives. All the money raised by the public helps people living incredibly tough lives, both at home in the UK and across the world's poorest countries.
- As the nation celebrates the biggest ever year of sport, the entire country can join in the fun with Sport Relief 2012 from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th March. Over one million people are expected to take part in the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile and with a whole weekend of top Sport Relief telly planned across the BBC, it’s all set to be huge.
- But the fun doesn’t stop there. The Big Splash Mile for Sport Relief gives the public a unique opportunity to really go the extra mile and continue to fundraise after Sport Relief Weekend.
- Visit www.sportrelief.com to keep up with the latest news.
- Sport Relief is an initiative of Comic Relief, registered charity 326568 (England/Wales); SC039730 (Scotland).

Big Splash
- British Swimming and the BBC are working together to inspire the nation to swim, through a mass participation campaign called the Big Splash.
- Throughout the year the BBC will highlight swimming as an important life skill and gateway to a host of fun activities through a range of programmes across TV, radio and online. British Swimming is working with local swimming pools to offer a range of activities and resources to help get the nation swimming.

British Swimming
- British Swimming is the National Governing Body of swimming, water polo, synchronised swimming, diving and open water in Great Britain.
- British Swimming is a federation of the national governing bodies of England (Amateur Swimming Association), Scotland (Scottish Amateur Swimming Association), and Wales (Welsh Amateur Swimming Association).

Discount
- The 50% discount applies to the first 10,000 full price Swimathon Weekend Distance Challenge online entries submitted and paid for before 31 January 2012. It doesn’t apply to concessions or SimplySwim.

Is your club struggling with finances?

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 10:05:21 -0600

County consultation and development to continue with focus on clubs

Whether it's pool hire, water time or coaching cost your County Management Committee guess that your club might well be in need of a boost in these difficult times no matter what the size of your membership. Buiding on the back of the very succesful Somerset ASA 2011 General Meeting of Clubs your County representatives are keen to ensure we have engaged with as many of our affiliated clubs as possible to highlight funding streams that are available to you, with a focus on club rather than athlete.

Over recent years the County has supported the establishment of Club Networks with centres at Taunton and Bath and acknowledged the centre of excellence at Millfield School for athletes to aspire to in terms of specialist coaching and water time but what of all 31 of our clubs themselves and the venues they operate from? Hence the Management Team's priority for 2012/13 - Somerset ASA Clubs - especially during that period after the Olympic focus moves to Brazil.

So why not come along to the Ring O' Bells, Ashcott at 10am on Saturday 31 March 2012 to meet with Development Officer David Flack and the rest of the team to learn more about our Bursary Scheme; money we have already 'earmarked' for Development and discuss how best County funds are allocated to Clubs on an application and priority basis?

The event is open to all Somerset ASA Club members - We look forward to seeing you!

Frome's record breaking Club Championships

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 08:12:54 -0600

Swimmers of all ages enjoy first class competition

Frome Swimming Club competed their annual club championships hosted at Frome Leisure Centre during November and December. This fantastic event saw over 100 club record breaking times recorded!

The Club's Championships are open to all members including the development squad swimmers (the youngest of which is 8 years old), the competitive squad and also the masters and the waterpolo players. Two mature competitors included former elite swimmer Jonathan Greenstreet and club chairman and triathlete Alan Poole. With such a mix of young and old it provided an electric atmosphere and many of Frome’s younger swimmers were competing for the first time. By the looks of the smiles on their faces, it wont be the last! The swimmers all put in a fantastic effort and the results proved that; in total 80 Frome swimmers took part, with 85% of the total swims being new personal best times.

Once again the highlight of the event was the 50m freestyle handicap race, where faster swimmers are handicapped by time and swim against slower swimmers (usually much younger!) many of whom end up with nearly a length head start. There were some very close finishes, but once again the younger swimmers proved victorious with 11 year old Cherry Bruce winning the Girls event and 10 year old Bradley Smart winning the Boys.

The distance evening proved popular this year with more swimmers taking part in both the 800m & 1500m finals. The Hooper family nearly filled one heat on their own with 5 of the 6 family members taking part!

A huge thank you goes to all the parents & volunteers who stepped forward to fill the many roles needed to run the Championships and made it such a great success for all.

In 2012 the squad will be preparing for the county and regional championships but first they will enjoy a well earned Christmas break! Frome Swimming Club would like to thank Avalon Leisure and Sarah Cruwys the Centre Manager for supporting the club championships 2011 by hosting the gala.

Swimathon Weekend launch event

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 11:26:14 -0600

Join David Hill, Kate Grey and Stacey Tadd in the pool to mark the launch of the world’s biggest fundraising swim!

Start the New Year with a resolution to get fit and raise money for charity by joining swimmers in the pool at Bath Sports Centre to mark the launch of the Swimathon Weekend.

Now in its 25th year, Swimathon has joined forces with British Swimming’s and the BBC’s Big Splash, Marie Curie Cancer Care and Sport Relief to hold the world’s biggest fundraising swim. Swimmers can take part individually or as a team in the Big Splash Mile for Sport Relief or the 2.5k, 5k and 5k Team distance challenges for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

To prepare you for the Swimathon Weekend challenges a special training session is taking place on Thursday 5 January from 12pm to 2pm led by Martin Mosey, Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Performance Swimming Programme Director.

You’ll have the opportunity to meet and swim with your local swimming stars, club swimmers and members of the public who will be taking part in the Swimathon Weekend from 27 to 29 April 2012.

Plus Bath Sports Centre is offering all swimmers an opportunity to swim for free between 12pm and 2pm on the day!

With the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games just around the corner, there is no better way to kick off the year with the young and old, beginners and champions together in the pool taking part in a special training session.

Swimmers can register to take part in a Swimathon Weekend challenge at www.swimathon.org

New Masters Squad at Wells and Shepton Mallet

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 11:31:02 -0600

Why not start the New Year with a splash and make a return to the pool

Wells & Shepton Mallet Swimming Club (WASM) are introducing a new Masters Squad to the team. If you are aged 18+ and interested in improving your swimming, increasing you speed/pace, want to compete or just want some more fitness then the masters swimming is for you.

Sessions begin on Monday 9 January 2012 and will continue every Monday 7.30pm-8.30pm at Millfield School Pool (set to short course). The Squad will have a couple of lanes so if you are more of a beginner then you will not be in a lane with competitive master swimmers and vice versa.

Photo: Jos Felton a WASM Masters swimmer competes in the 2011 WASM Club Championships

Sessions will be taken by Nicki Maguire and Lloyd Hartnell. For further information please contact Adam Spencer (Head Coach WASM) on adam@southwestpersonaltrainers.com or 07746445674. More details can also be found on the club website at www.wasm.co.uk

The WASM Team look forward to seeing you in the pool in 2012!

Somerset swimmers shine at DSE Short Course Championships

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:54:24 -0600

One World Record, Four British Records, numerous PB's and swimmers qualifying for national and world class programmes

Twenty three swimmers from the South West Region, including five from Somerset, took part in the DSE Nationwide Short Course Swimming Championships in Sheffield 26 and 27 November 2011. This is the largest squad to have competed in these championships in recent years and the wealth of talent on display ranged from Paralympians to swimmers on the World Class Development and Talent programme. There were also a few swimmers for whom this was their first competition at this level.

Somerset's Ella Scott (Keynsham and the SWDSS(North)), Harriet Dickinson (Burnham on Sea and the SWDSS(North)) along with University of Bath based swimmers, Kate Grey, Liz Johnson (Somerset ASA's Swimmer of the Year in 2011) and Dave Hill were all competing. Harriet

The value of Somerset ASA Club Networks also shone through as Harriet also trains with Clevedon SC to top up her training hours.

The competition ran over two days with the South West getting off to a flying start in the first session with some superb winning performances from Aaron Moores and Chloe Davies who both set new British Records in 100m Backstroke, followed by gold medals from Jan Langton S6 (100m Fr), Jonathan Fox S7 (100m Bk), Dave Hill (University of Bath) S9 (100m Bk and 100m IM), and Kate Grey SM9 (100m IM) completed the winning streak. There were some gutsy swims resulting in personal best from Elliot Smart, Tirion Hughes, Rebecca Turner, Sallie Phillips and Rossen Stanislavov.

The session ended with a fantastic performance from the S14 medley relay team of Aaron Moores, Craig Harris, Joseph Schenk and Henry Fletcher who fought hard for their 3rd place.

Building upon the first session, session two saw an amazing swim from Jonathan Fox in the 400m freestyle to set a new World Record for this event. This session also saw notable performances from Dave Hill (University of Bath) 100m Butterfly (2nd) Ellen Keane S9 100m Butterfly (2nd), Aaron Moores, Joseph Schenk and Craig Harris came 2nd, 3rd and 4th respectively in the S14 200m Freestyle and Chloe Davies also 2nd in the women’s 200m Freestyle. Levana Hanson recorded a PB in S8 400m Freestyle and earned a well deserved 2nd place. Somerset's Harriet Dickinson (Burnham on Sea) swimming in her first Nationals came 4th in the S10 category of this event and managed a PB. In the 200m IM Michael Jones SM8 and Ryan West SM9 both came 4th in their categories and recorded PB’s. The last individual event of the session saw Chloe Davies set a new British Record for the 200m IM S14 class.

Now the competition was really underway and at the end of session two the Team were in third place on points providing the swimmers with the encouragement to carry on the good work in session three.

Next day the team were in good spirits with Jan Langton starting the session off with 3rd place in the S6 50m Butterfly followed by Aaron Moores in the 100m Breaststroke breaking another British Record. Also In the same event massive PB’s were recorded by Joseph Schenk, Elliot Smart, Stuart Ring, Ben Procter and Henry Fletcher taking at least ten seconds off their entry times. George Rogers in SB6 class also recorded a PB.

In the women’s 100m Breaststroke (Sb9) Kate Grey (University of Bath) was 2nd Ellen Keane 3rd and Harriet Dickinson (Burnham on Sea) 10th with a new personal best time. Levana Hanson in the SB7 category also recorded a personal best time. Chloe Davies in the S14 class was 2nd.

In the penultimate event of the session, the 50m Freestyle. Jonathan Fox was 2nd in S7; Michael Jones was 5th in S8 class and Ryan West 4th in the S9 category. Ben Procter in S14 category was 1st followed by Aaron Moores (5th) Joseph Schenk (7th) Craig Harris, Elliot Smart, and Stuart Ring also achieved personal best times. The women’s 50m Freestyle saw Jan Langton in 3rd place followed by Kate Grey (University of Bath) 2nd in her class. Tirion Hughes was 3rd in S13 category and Chloe Davies 3rd in S14 class.

The final events were the mens 34 point 4 x 100m Freestyle relay with a strong team of Ryan West, Nils Rehm, Michael Jones and Jonathan Fox who managed 5th place while the womens team of Kate Grey (University of Bath), Ellen Keane, Jan Langton and Harriet Dickinson (Burham on Sea) clung onto 3rd place. The mens 60 point 4 x 100m Freestyle relay team of Craig Harris, Elliot Smart, Joseph Schenk and Ben Procter had a nail biting finish fighting all the way for 2nd place but when Scotland were disqualified they eventually took gold.

Jennie Walsh, Team Manager South West said, "The team’s commitment to their swimming and support throughout the competition could not be faulted. There were some excellent performances and all the swimmers can be very proud of what they achieved throughout the weekend."

For full results click here

ASA strategy consultation

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:48:33 -0600

Help shape the future

The ASA is inviting your club to help shape the future of swimming and other aquatic sports beyond London 2012.

The ASA is preparing to develop its next four year strategy (2013-17) and your club’s and members’ views are important to us. Your feedback is extremely valuable to us as we want to be able to provide products and services that meets your needs. You can provide a collective club response to the survey and you can circulate the link to your members to allow them to also provide an individual response.

Clubs can take part in the research to shape the next strategy here

Individual swimmers and non-swimmers can take part in the research to shape the next strategy here

(Note: you must be 18 or over to respond to this survey).

In advance, ASA South West thank you for taking the time to contribute to this important phase of developing our sport

Alison Usher

Regional Director

Somerset President John Farrant presents the Swimmer of the Year Trophy for 2011

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:00:05 -0600

University of Bath's Liz Johnson recognised for her year of success

SASA President John Farrant recently caught up with Somerset ASA's Swimmer of the Year Liz Johnson despite her hectic training and competition schedule to award her the trophy for 2011. Liz has been away at several training camps in her quest for selection to the Paralympics Team for London 2012. We wish her every success!

Street & District Club Championships spot stars of the future

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 16:56:17 -0600

Kate and Mollie Spraggon win medals galore!

Sunday 13 November saw Street and District Club Championships start with a 1 length (25 metre) challenge for the smallest members of the club - the swimmers of the future! The club was represented by over 100 swimmers from widths, pre-squad, junior and senior squads with ages ranging from 5-15 to include Kate and Mollie Spraggon.

There were many highs on the day, and even a dead heat in the 50 metre breaststroke between Xander Hartley and Oliver Willies, who came joint first in the 10 year old boy category! The day ended with a medal ceremony for all competitors who took part, these were presented by Ange Robertson (Junior Coach) and Davi Ferreira (Head Coach).

Ange said, “It was lovely to see a good turn out at the club champs with the younger swimmers swimming their first 25 meter challenge and others competing for the very first time. Well done to everyone and congratulations to the swimmers who won medals”. Whilst Davi added, “I love the way the swimmers raced, this was not a competition it was more like a party, this is exactly what club champs is all about. I would like to see even more of our younger swimmers taking part next time”.

For more information on the club please visit the website www.streetanddistrictsc.co.uk

Annual awards night at Chard

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 08:24:45 -0600

Chard and District Swimming Club celebrate success

Chard & District Swimming Club held their annual awards night on Saturday 19 November 2011. It was truly a ‘Team’ event, with all the organising and catering done by the Club Committee, producing a splendid spread for the 160 swimmers, parents and guests who attended as well as giving swimmers the opportunity to dress up and let their hair down away from the pool!

The Club was pleased to welcome The Mayor of Chard, Cath Morrison and her husband; John Farrant, Somerset ASA President and ex-Club Coach with his wife Pamela; and, Mr Steve Larcombe and his daughter representing the Larcombe family, founding members and patrons of the Club.

Awards for Club Championships, Somerset Top Positions, Regional Qualifiers, Top National Qualifier, Junior League Top Swimmers, Progress and Merit Awards, and Certificates in recognition of service given to the Club by Young Volunteers were given. The Gerald Larcombe Memorial Cup for special service to the Club was awarded to Club Secretary Heather Pullinger, and a special presentation was made to John and Pamela Farrant for their help and continued support of the Club.

The Club are currently looking for a new Head Coach; anyone interested should click here and make contact via the Club website

Entry information for the British Gas Somerset ASA Championships 2012

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:02:51 -0600

Closing dates - 20 January (Long Distance) and 27 January (Other Events)

Somerset ASA Competition Secretary, Albert Yap, has published entry details for the British Gas 2012 Somerset ASA Championships.

The County Management Committee do hope that you find the entry fees affordable this year and look forward to receiving your club's entry as soon as possible.

Hy Tec entry file click here

Promoters Conditions dated 21 November 2011 click here

Payment details click here

Programme details click here

Qualifying Times click here

Please note there are changes this year to the Age Group and Youth Categories, which Albert has highlighted in yellow in the Promoters Conditions.

Online Membership System (OMS) is coming

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:40:58 -0600

ASA membership returns made easier in 2012

The ASA Membership Services have written to all Club Registration Officers to make contact before a new online membership system (OMS) is launched in February 2012 that will allow CRO's and a small number of club officers the ability to submit membership returns via the internet.

Rachel Washington, the ASA Head of Administration and Compliance, introduced the new system to delegates at the ASA South West Region Office in Wellington on Saturday 19 November 2011.

For detail of Rachel's presentation and the new system click here.

For the answer to frequently asked questions click here.

More information will be fothcoming as the system is developed with members being able to amend thier own detail from later in 2012.

The ASA Membership Team will be running virtual workshops on 25 and 30 November or on 5,6,7 December at 7pm for you to learn more from the comfort of your own computer. Why not sign up to learn more?

For further detail and specific enquires please contact either Rachel or the ASA Membership Team at renewals@swimming.org or memberships_online@swimming.org

Somerset ASA General Meeting of Clubs proves great success

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 10:34:17 -0600

"The most productive and informative meeting in recent times"

Delegates representing 14 clubs from across County attended this year’s General Meeting of Clubs held in Ashcott. Opening the meeting County President John Farrant thanked all those who had responded to his invitation and paid tribute to the many volunteers from across the County who give freely of their time to the sport.

This year’s event was an opportunity for club delegates to meet and engage with representatives from the County Management Committee to share and exchange views on a wide range of topics affecting the present and future direction of the sport.

County Development Officer Dave Flack who presented the new County Development Strategy 2012 - 2013 set out the importance and need for both the County ASA and clubs to actively engage and work closely with each other particularly in these uncertain economic times. “I believe we all have to work together to ensure we continue to have a vibrant and successful swimming Community across the County, in this respect the Development Plan sets out the County ASA intentions and we remain committed to supporting and working with clubs, but this has to be part of a two way process.”

Chairman of Bridgwater Swimming Club, Don Symes commented, "This was my first time as a delegate to the General Meeting and certainly as a Chairman of a Club I was impressed by the wealth of experience and support from the County Management Team, it sparked considerable debate and has to be one of the most productive and informative meetings I have been to in recent times."

Delegates were invited to an interactive workshop during the meeting and the County will closely look at the range of issues which were discussed for further consideration at the next County Management meeting in January 2012.