NOTICE TO ALL SUTTON SC MEMBERS

Sports Centre Results 2011 and Updates for 2012

On Saturday 17^thDecember 2011 Sutton Swimming Club finished 3^rdin the final gala of Division 3. It was a very close gala with the top 3 teams being separated by just 1 gala point on the night.

Both Sherwood 'B' and Rykneld finished the gala in joint first on 201 gala points and Sutton finished third on 200 gala points.

Prior to the gala Sutton had been leading Division 3 by 1 league point from Rykneld and were hopeful of gaining promotion to Division 2. Unfortunately for Sutton with the gala finishing as it did then both Sherwood and Rykneld shared 1^stand 2^ndplace league points giving them 5 and a half league points each, with Sutton receiving just 4 league points for finishing in 3^rdplace. This ultimately resulted in Rykneld winning Division 3 with a total of 29 and a half league points and Sutton finishing 2^ndin Division 3 with 29 league points. As a result of just 1 gala point Rykneld have now secured promotion to Division 2 and Sutton will remain in Division 3 for the 2012 competition.

This result is further aggravated by the following factors:

·        Once again Sutton SC was not able to field its strongest team in the final gala. A significant number of swimmers that were initially selected by the team managers to compete in this event were not available to swim on the night. 

·        Sutton SC swam the final Cannon event in the final gala forno pointsas we were unable to field a legitimate team on the night. We actually won the Cannon on the night by a considerable distance but even if we had finished last with a legal team we would have secured the extra point required to both win the gala and secure promotion.

·        Bramcote Swimming Club has decided to withdraw its 'A' team from Division 1 of the 2012 Sports Centre league. They have retained their team in Division 3 for 2012. This means that Bramcote will have a very strong team in Division 3 for 2012 with all its former 'A' team swimmers from 2011 now being able to compete in Division 3 for 2012.  

·        Kimberley Swimming Club has decided to rejoin the Sports Centre league in 2012 and in line with the rules have to join Division 3. As we all know Kimberley is a large club with around 500 swimming members so once again they should be able to field a strong team for Division 3 in 2012.

Sutton SC is a relatively small swimming club that does seek to continually improve and develop. Our Head Coach was confident that if we had secured promotion to Division 2 of the Sports Centre league for 2012 that we would have been able to hold our own in that improved standard of competition.

Sutton SC is run by a relatively small number of volunteers for no financial reward. Our coaching staff all give a considerable amount of their own time in order to ensure that each of our swimming members reach their full potential. To ensure that Sutton SC continues to improve and develop there is a requirement that all of our swimming members demonstrate their commitment to the clubs new Minimum Standards for 2012.

In particular swimming members need to attend a minimum of 2 training sessions each week and should be prepared to represent the club at galas if selected by team managers. It is recognised that for some swimming members this is a substantial commitment as they may well be required for the majority of galas. Equally it is demanding for swimmers parents or guardians as the galas tend to be held on Saturday evenings.

Unfortunately without this commitment from our swimmers and parents alike the club will not be able to progress. Adherence to the Clubs Minimum Standards will be closely monitored at the Coach's Monthly meeting and if the required commitment is not being displayed then the club will seek to appropriately address this. 

The results in galas are often very close and as the final round of the Sports Centre league demonstrates every point in every gala can make a significant difference to the overall outcomes. This notice is provided to encourage all involved with Sutton SC to make a concentrated effort throughout 2012 so that Sutton SC achieves its full potential, continues to improve and develop as a club.

Finally Sutton SC wishes that everyone has a very Happy Christmas and a successful New Year.

Glenn Baird (Chair of Sutton SC)

 

 

Pathway to Competitive Swimming

 

SUTTON-IN-ASHFIELD SWIMMING CLUB (SSC)

MINIMUM STANDARDS TO BE INTRODUCED AT MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL 2012

Dear swimmer, parent or guardian,

SSC is a competitive swimming club and does not provide swimming lessons or leisure sessions. We offer swimmers the opportunity to develop and achieve their maximum potential in the sport of competitive swimming.

From 1^stJanuary 2012 the below minimum standard measures will be introduced.

·        Beginner Swimmers will be required to progress to the Advanced Sessions by their 10^thbirthday.

·        Advance Swimmers by their 11^thbirthday are required to progress to lane 2 of the Advanced Sessions.

·        Advance Swimmers by their 12^thbirthday are required to progress to lanes 3 or 4 of the Advanced Sessions.

·        Each Swimmer is required to attend at least 2 training sessions each week.

·        Each Swimmer is required to represent SSC in any competitive event when selected by the Team Managers. 

Any swimmer not able to meet any of the required minimum standards without valid reason(s) will be discussed by coaching staff at their monthly meeting. Any action decided will be communicated at the earliest opportunity. 

Our committed coaches volunteer their time for no financial reward and they recognise that adhering to these standards requires a substantial commitment from swimmers, parents and guardians alike. Most members already surpass these levels of commitment and are rewarded through continuous improvement in their swimming results.   

It is hoped that by giving advance notice of the introduction of these minimum standards that swimmers, parents and guardians can properly assess their commitment to SSC before deciding whether to re-apply for membership.

These minimum standards are being introduced for a number of reasons including:

·        To prevent lane overcrowding (which can stifle individual development and create Health and Safety issues)

·        To ensure individual performance is regularly reviewed against established standards

·        To ensure appropriate swimmer development according to their age

·        To ensure that appropriate commitment is demonstrated by our swimmers, parents and guardians

·        To enable our strongest swimming teams to be fielded at competitive events more regularly 

It is acknowledged that some existing swimming members may not be able to achieve these minimum standards and it is regrettable that SSC will no longer be able to offer continued membership in these circumstances.

Each application for swimmer membership in 2012 will be reviewed against these minimum standards at the Coach meeting and membership will only be offered to those thought capable of achieving these minimum standards.

Any swimmer, parent or guardian concerned how these minimum standards may affect their future involvement with SSC should discuss in private their concerns with Gren Greaves our Head Coach.

 

Glenn Baird

Chair of Sutton-in-Ashfield Swimming Club