South Axholme
Sharks Committee Meeting Present:Simon Latham, Jeff Buxton, Jill Watson, Bev Webb, Claire Windle, Jim Cook, Margaret Gray, Sandra Temperton, David Gray, Tony Lockey, Mo Leggott, Stuart Watson & Robin Halls. Apologies:Paul Edgar & Jan Simm. Minutes of Last Meeting It was pointed out that Stuart Watson had not been noted as the elected new Treasurer for South Axholme Sharks Amateur Swimming Club in the Minutes of the AGM held on the 27th of November 2007. Apologies to all and especially to Stuart for this oversight, which has now been amended in the Minutes, a copy of which will be sent to all Committee members etc shortly. Matters Arising None. Correspondence Sandra has received a copy of the Minutes, Accounts and revised constitution from the Yorkshire Swimming Association. We have received an invite to an Open Meet at Leeds Pool from Sports Aid. Correspondence given to Jill.Coach’s Report Following the last committee meeting that I attended in October, the AGM on the 27th November and the last meeting of the new committee also on the 27th November 2007, which I was not present. I offer my report. Galas attended by SAS, since the last meeting Borough of Barnsley Santa Splash B/C open meet at Ponds Forge All events were 50 mtrs except the IMs, which were 100mtrs, the Gala was well attended by SAS swimmers, who gave a very commendable account of themselves, with a lot of age group swimmers coming away with PBs and speeding tickets or trophies for their age group and ability level. Notable swims Robyn Hunt cut off time achieved There were too many to mention by name, but well done to all swimmers who took part, you did the Club and yourselves proud. With a special mention to Rebecca Buck, as this was her first ever Open Meet and she swam excellently and did herself and the Club proud. Well done Rebecca. But top honour went to Bridie Smith finishing as the top girl in the 12 years age group, well done Bridie, a fantastic result. In addition to attending Galas and Open Meets. I wish to report briefly on the following meetings attended on behalf of SAS. Barnsley Minor League AGM > attended by Simon and myself Results of BML are now confirmed and following a successful campaign by SAS in Division 2 of the Barnsley Minors League, we finished 3rd overall out of five teams competing behind Champions Sheffield City 574 points, Wakefield 513 pts, SAS 473 pts, Chapletown 447 pts and Askern 444 pts. Adwick were relegated from Division 1 and join Division 2 and Askern were relegated from Division 2 to Division 3 and Barnsley have been promoted from Division 3 to Division 2 - all for next year. This means that SAS will compete against the following Clubs in 2008: Adwick Notable changes from the BML rule changes from the AGM:
BML Officials - Committee persons appointed with no change, however the Secretary did say that this would be her final year of office after thirty years of service. Pocklington League AGM No one from SAS attended but a letter was sent to the AGM meeting, which Out lined our request to join the league again for 2008. We received good support from Adwick, who convinced the Committee that our intention was honourable and that we would not disappoint again as we did last time by dropping out of the League after one season. Julie wrote a very apologetic letter explaining how the Club had changed and that we have a new enthusiastic committee and coaching staff and are keen to join the Pocklington League. After a long discussion, it was agreed that SAS would be accepted and would swim in Division 3 against Rossington, Edlington, South Hunsley, and Pocklington. Date of entry to be 15th November in year of competition. DMASA AGM Simon and myself attended the AGM at the Keepmoat Stadium on the 6th of December 2007. Division 1 Division 2 Leagues for 2008 will be as follows: Division 2 There was a lengthy discussion regarding Education and swimming in Doncaster and the development of swimmers and teaching in Doncaster and its association with the ASA. The education secretary reported that after many telephone calls to the ASA office he had received the result of the last level 1 teachers course run, all passed and had now received their certificates. He reported that it appeared that the ASA is in a mess and doesn’t know what its doing, everything is about money and how much they can get. Administration and organisation is poor and the attitude is take it or leave it. Hop Davies said he would step down, as he thought he had not performed to how the Committee would expect; this was not accepted and Hop Davies was given a vote of confidence to remain. This is to be a discussion point at the next GPC meeting in addition to the way forward. Consideration will be given to joining the STA for the teaching of swimming however, this does conflict with ASA law and what Doncaster swimming is affiliated to; all Galas are held typically under ASA law. This also breaks into the development of swimming in Doncaster and at a recent meeting to discuss swimming in Doncaster, attended by Simon and Julie Hirst, DMBC were unable to offer any news for the future of the development of swimming in Doncaster. Again this is to be a discussion point at the next GPC meeting on the 8th January 2008. The Treasurer’s report was accepted as a true record. An Accounts report was circulated for members present, with something like £25k in the bank. Copy available. Officials appointed: A lengthy discussion took place regarding proposed rule changes to the Dinsdale League and the DMBC Met Individual Championships. Armthorpe, Adwick and Thorne all submitted proposals for rule changes but these were either withdrawn, on examination that they would not work, or were not accepted. It was proposed by Adwick and Armthorpe and accepted that all 9/10 year age groups would swim individual events. Date of entry to be 31st December in year of competition. It was proposed by Adwick that all events should be 50 mtrs except the IM which would be 100 mtrs. The reason given was to encourage more swimmers and parents to get involved with swimming, to get more parents on the balcony and run the sessions over longer periods say two or three days with each day having say two sessions. This was voted on and passed as follows Armthorpe > For As a result of this vote Mick Garside resigned as Competition Secretary, saying he could not see the work he has done for Doncaster swimming go ‘down the pan’ for the sake of one Club’s ambition to be top Club. Meeting closed However, after many emails over the two weeks since the AGM and discussions at various Club Committee meetings, Nigel Hunston reported back to his Committee at Armthorpe and received a lot of aggressive criticism, as a result Nigel has resigned his position as Chair. Mick Garside however, has now said he will not ‘throw his teddy out of the cot’ completely and he has said he has received calls for an Emergency General Meeting. I have queried the grounds for the EGM, and it cannot be for the grounds that one Club wants to change the rules and is accepted for another Club to disagree and seek a re vote. I therefore ask the SA Sharks Committee for comments and guidance as to how we should be represented at the next GPM and possible EGM!! On the 8th January 2008. See comments later re this. Forthcoming Galas The Sprint Night at Gainsborough Pool, on the 19th of January 2008, has had to be cancelled but we are looking to rearrange this as soon as possible, revised details to follow. Barnsley Minor League first round on the 26th of January 2008 at Adwick. See Sharks notice board and website for full details. Any Other Business Jim confirmed that the cost of the take up spanner, which was brought up at the last meeting, had been met by Epworth Pool and Sharks equally, as more than one spanner was purchased. We now have a contact name for Swim 21 and we feel confident that our folder will be back with us shortly. Regarding the subject of swimming in Doncaster as mentioned previously, the Committee felt that not all DMASA Galas should be 50m sprints, as some swimmers are better at the longer distances and would therefore benefit from being given the chance to compete at the longer distances, perhaps the John Harriman Championships could be 50m sprints and the Doncaster METS could be 100m events? Alternatively, the DMASA should look at re-scheduling their Championships to include a sprint meet, a middle distance meet and a long distance meet, this would be fair to all swimmers giving them wider scope and hopefully this would promote swimming in Doncaster at the same time. If anyone is interested in swimming development in the Doncaster area they should attend the meeting on the 8th of January next. Jeff confirmed what he thought was the current criteria for entry into DARTES, which is that the swimmer should have achieved a Yorkshire qualifying time or be within a certain percentage of it and he/she should be put forward by the Feeder Club Coach, if accepted they would then go into the Development Squad for stroke technique training etc. which would then hopefully lead them into the training squad with DARTES. Jeff would like to see the DMASA take over the swimming development in Doncaster from DMBC and swimming development should include stroke clinics and coaches training for all Feeder Clubs thereby bringing the Feeder Clubs training in line with what DARTES are looking for in their swimmers. The DMASA should appoint a Swimming Development Officer who should be able to drive this forward. Sandra suggested that the whole of the swimming Gala programme should be looked at again, which will then hopefully include what we have suggested above. Jeff to go to the next meeting to suggest our ideas and the Committee agreed that whatever decisions were made, as long as he was happy with them, we would support his corner/decision. The Committee discussed the format of the Presentation/Social nights and agreed that we should only have one social night every year, for the presentation of the trophies, in January/February each year. The first one to be held Jan/Feb 2009. We could then perhaps look at a social day in the summer months i.e. a garden party/fun day, to be held at Columba Park or Belton Pavilion. Mo Leggott to look into possible venues with an outside green area, possible date 19th of July 2008. Boys Senior Captain - Chris Watson Girls Senior Captain - Gina Holroyd We then went on to discuss whether we ought to have a new look/colour Club swimming hat, as Jeff and others have expressed concern that they cannot differentiate between our swimmers and other Club swimmers in blue hats when in the water. Jeff to look into getting samples for the Committee to decide and agreed that the new hat should at least have a different coloured Sharks logo, possibly orange, on a blue background with a bold stripe going across the top. Jeff has also priced some basic t-shirts with the Sharks logo on the front and back, price circa. £4 each with a minimum order of £300. The idea of a Club t-shirt appealed to the Committee. Jeff advised that the life saving course was due to start at Epworth Pool on the 8th of January 2008 however, he asked if the Committee would mind if the start date were postponed until the 15th of January, as Jeff is unavailable on the 8th. The Committee agreed that this should begin on the 15th. Pat Remmington is to run the course and will start by teaching personal survival. Course to start at 6pm and will run until 6.45pm each session, the cost of the course will be £2.50 for each session. The cost of the Life Saving Teachers Course will be £32 per person. We need to decide who we are going to be affiliated to; either the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) or the Swimming Teachers Association (STA). Margaret Gray advised that there were still some cups missing not yet handed back from last years Club Champs but she will endeavour to get these back from the relevant persons otherwise we may have to purchase some replacement trophies for presentation. Margaret also asked if the 20 or so medals that were left over after Club Champs could be presented to swimmers who took part but did not win a medal or trophy? Previously all swimmers in this category were given a certificate for taking part in Club Champs. The Committee thought this would devalue the achievement of winning a medal or trophy however, it was agreed that they should be presented with a certificate for competing and for notable achievement. Jeff to organise if possible. Tony asked if anyone had looked at the donations made to the Club being ‘gift aided’, which would effectively gross up the amounts being donated by 25%. Also, the fees paid by Masters swimmers may be eligible for gift aiding or can we arrange the fee structure for Masters to make part of it a Charitable donation? Jim to refer to Rob re this. Tony also asked about when and how the squads were reviewed, in particular the numbers in each squad. Jeff advised that he was assessing this at the moment. Another point of discussion was the progression of swimmers from lessons to Sharks, how was this done and was it effective? We should perhaps look at it as a natural progression from lessons into the Club and in this way we would possibly retain more swimmers for the Club. Again Jeff is currently looking into this and it has already been agreed with Rob that Margaret should start taking the advanced section in lessons, so that she can feed the competent swimmers into Life Saving then onto Sharks. In an effort to attract more swimmers into the Club it was suggested that the Pool may want to hand over the running of the lessons to Sharks so that all training in whatever form is run by one Committee. It was agreed that this should be discussed at a later date when the Sub-Committee have reported back to the main Committee about the possible options open to them from the proposal regarding Sharks becoming a separate entity from the Pool. It was pointed out that the Code of Conduct currently on our notice board still refers to Kev Dunne and also needs to be re-written as one paragraph in particular doesn’t make sense. Bev to look into this. At the last AGM, some parents were concerned that the there were under 16s helping on poolside on some occasions. Rob has now addressed this issue, particularly for the Wednesday evening session and confirmed that legally there must be at least one Level 1 Coach or above on poolside at every session and any one coach can only effectively manage 20 swimmers at any one time. Each Coach/Teacher can have assistants to help them but they must be aged 16 yrs or over. Claire confirmed that the Sprint Ladder had now been updated and was finished for this year but would begin again for 2008 and she would endeavour to place an updated copy on our notice board at regular intervals. The copy on the website would also be upgraded accordingly. The Committee agreed that the Sprint Ladder motivates swimmers to improve their times and when it was placed on the board previously it was always a great point of interest to the swimmers. Jeff advised that in the past PBs achieved in relays were counted towards Sprint Ladder points however, it was decided that this should be discontinued as only the first swimmer in a relay team can officially qualify for a PB, which would leave the other swimmers in the team at a disadvantage.Date of Next Meeting Tuesday,22nd January 2007 at the Red Lion Hotel, Epworth to start at 7.15pm. |