South Axholme Sharks Committee Meeting

held at

The Red Lion Hotel, Epworth

on the

1st March 2006

Present: Simon Latham (Chairman), Kevin Dunne (Head Coach), Sandra Temperton (Secretary), Gill Watson, Margaret Pennell, David Gray, Margaret Gray, Lynn Crawford & Bev Webb.

Apologies: Tim Blackham, Gail Riggott, Mary Lambert, Jim Cooke & Julie Hirst.

Minutes of the Last Meeting

The minutes were passed as a trust record apart from the date of the 2nd Club Champs Gala at Gainsborough Pool, which should have read the 1st July 2006 and not the 3rd June 2006 (shown under the heading Correspondence).

Matters Arising

Kev went to a DARTES meeting for coaches on the 28/2/06 and was advised that the revised criteria for entry, would be that all swimmers wishing to become a member of DARTES would be assessed on the 200m Individual Medley (IM) swim. The DARTES Head Coach is therefore looking at organising a Gala just for swimmers to compete in the 200m IM to include all age groups. Kev suggested that Sharks should look at having their own Gala to include this ‘swim’, alongside perhaps a 100m freestyle kick and a 400m freestyle competition as well. This would not only give our swimmers some practice before the DARTES Gala, but may well give them the opportunity to obtain Yorkshire qualifying times. The date would more than likely be the 3rd June 2006 at Gainsborough Pool, as this date has already been booked at the Pool. It was suggested that we could perhaps include a ‘fun session’ at this Gala as well however; it was thought that the Gala would already be quite lengthy as it was. It was also suggested, to encourage as many swimmers as possible to our Gala, we could give them extra points towards the Sprint Ladder i.e. 20 points for taking part instead of the usual 2 points. This was agreed. We are to see what interest we have in this Gala before we decide the final arrangements i.e. age groupings for medals etc.

The Reef Squad Gala, mentioned at the previous meeting, is still to be arranged however, Kev suggested we could incorporate this in the friendly Gala against Retford on the 8th April, as he will be able to get some 25m swim times for these swimmers at that Gala.

Lynn confirmed that she had booked Brumby Hall for the next Presentation night on the 14th July. Brumby Hall catering only offer pie & peas or a buffet, we decided to choose the buffet as we thought the children would prefer this. Lynn to confirm prices before booking. The disco has also been booked for this night.

Correspondence

We have received the new Running Imp catalogue, which shows a few of the SAS items in there, although the model wearing the swim hat needs a lesson on how to put it on!

Sandra has received an ASA Volunteer Recognition Scheme brochure, whereby the Club can put name(s) forward of anyone who they feel should be recognised for their work as a volunteer within the Club.

Letter received from Lianne Roberts (Katie Lindop’s mum) asking if Katie can remain in the Club as a non-training member, as she is now training with Team 1 at DARTES and will not be able to attend any of the Sharks training sessions. She would still however like to be considered for any of our League Galas, if possible. All agreed that this would be ok, Sandra to write to Lianne to advise.

Dearne Valley Swimming Club have invited us to a friendly swimming & barbeque meeting on the 15th July 2006 (afternoon start). Kev has accepted on our behalf.

Coaches Report

The Lincs Senior League Gala held on the 11th February last, was a good Gala, Cleethorpes & District Club (CADS) won the Gala by some 40 points and then it was a battle between 2nd, 3rd & 4th. In the end Sharks came 4th missing 2nd place by only 8 points! The Final scores were: 1st - CADS with 223 points, 2nd - Deepings with 170 points, 3rd - Scunthorpe Anchor with 169 points, 4th - Sharks with 162 points, 5th - Boston with 144 points and 6th - Grimsby with 123 points. We only had 1 DQ for a swimmer doing 2 arm pulls underwater at the start in breaststroke.

Next came the John Harriman Championships at Adwick on the 19th February. 11 swimmers took part and they scooped 14 gold, 5 silver and 4 bronze medals between them, a great achievement! Darren Fordham won 3 golds and 1 silver, Hayley Dunne won 4 golds, Emily Fordham won 3 golds, Georgina Holroyd won 2 golds and 1 bronze, Jonathan Pennell won 3 silvers, Anna Laird won 1 silver and Ian Davison won 2 bronze. It was a little disappointing in that Darren and Hayley left without their medals as there was some confusion with the age groupings for the Masters swimmers however they have been promised the medals in the post.

The 9 years and under girls relay team (Phillipa Smith, Lucy Windle, Hayley Lewis and Lily Webb) won 2 gold medals in their races.

Simon Latham returned from the World Fireman’s Games in Hong Kong with 3 gold medals, 2 silvers and 1 bronze from the swims he took part in there. He also achieved some excellent PBs. Who needs a ‘drag suit’ for training when you have an old t-shirt! Well done Simon - World Champ.

Well done to the swimmers who took part in the Yorkshires recently. Emily Fordham finaled in the 100m fly, Anna Laird was 1st reserve in the 100m fly & Alex Cook who came 11th in the 200m IM.

Forthcoming Galas

Barnsley Minor League 2nd round (1st round for us) to be held on Saturday the 11th March at Gainsborough Pool against Chappell Town, Borough of Barnsley & Sheffield City.

The 2nd round of the John Harriman Champs to be held at Adwick on Sunday the 12th March. Apparently Stuart Walker will be officiating there and therefore anyone who wishes to take their practical tests for judging, timekeeping etc. are encouraged to do so.

Barnsley Minor League, 3rd round, to be held at Goldthorpe on the 1st April.

Friendly Gala to be held at Retford on the 8th April.

Any Other Business

Kev advised that at the DARTES coaches meeting yesterday evening, the Head Coach, Roy, has agreed to come to Epworth for approx. 2 hours, he can either do a training session with the kids or talk to the Committee. It was agreed that the training session for the swimmers would be more beneficial. Kev to advise. Roy will also be organising a coaches forum every 4 months for the coaches of the DARTES feeder clubs to attend.

Kev advised that the Club Champs Gala 1 entry forms would be given out next week.

It was brought to our attention, at the last Gala held at Gainsborough Pool on the 11th February 2006, that there were some issues raised, including health & safety. Firstly, some of the supporters had complained that they thought the poolside supporter’s entrance fee of £3 per person was too high. It was therefore agreed that we should revert back to the £2 supporters entry fee for future Galas held there. The Referee at this Gala complained about the there was insufficient lighting at the Pool, there were also complaints about the life-guards, the standard of changing room facilities, the starting blocks and the lane-ropes being absent of the plastic rings in some places. As it was the lane ropes were made safe temporarily at the time and the life-guard was in place at all times but was not very noticeable in a blue tshirt. Although we are aware that Gainsborough Pool is going to be refurbished shortly, it was agreed that we should write to the Pool with our comments and also copy in the Council. We also need to find out if the Public Liability Insurance held at Gainsborough Pool includes cover for any accidents that may happen whilst we are running a Gala there.

Kev advised that he had been asked by Trenton Dolphins, who train at Gainsborough Pool, for a contribution towards the purchase of some new lane-ropes for Gainsborough. We should be receiving a letter regarding this shortly and we will address this at that time.

It was also suggested that we should look at another 25m Pool in the area to host Galas. Riddings Pool in Scunthorpe was mentioned and Lynn is to look into this for us re the availability at weekends and the cost etc.

The Committee would also like to express its thanks to Chris Lewis for the superb job he is doing in up-dating the Sharks web site. He is doing a really professional job and has many more ideas for the site. It is well worth a look and is a great way of promoting our Club.

Kev has ordered the swim hats for swimmers with their names on them, from the list that was up on the notice board and these should be with him by mid March.

Date of Next Meeting

Wednesday the 5th April 2006 for 7.30pm at the Red Lion Hotel in Epworth.