Record Number of Entries for 2008 SwimFest

A record number of entries have been received for our annual swimming meet, the Merrylands SwimFest, which will be held at Merrylands Swimming Centre on Sunday, 24th February, 2008.

Over 350 swimmers from 34 clubs have entered this year's meet with over 1,500 entries received.

Unfortunately this means that swimmers, officials and spectators are in for a long day at the meet which is expected to finish just before 6pm.

A full timeline and list of clubs competing can be found in the Merrylands SwimFest section of our website.
Please note that the timeline should be used as a guide only.

Visiting clubs are reminded to bring their own chairs and shelter as there is limited seating and cover at Merrylands Swimming Centre.

We would like to thank the sponsors of the meet for their continued support.

The 2008 Merrylands SwimFest Swim Meet is proudly sponsored by:
  • Starr Partners Merrylands


  • and supported by:
  • Merrylands Bowling & Sports Club


  • Starr Partners Merrylands

    “Real Estate...made easy”



    See Also
  • Merrylands SwimFest Swim Meet

  • Starr Partners Merrylands
  • Speedo Sprint Series Heat Results

    Merrylands' team of 11 swimmers performed well at yesterday's Speedo Sprint Series Heats with new personal best times swum in 28 out of 37 events.

    For 10 of the swimmers this was their first Speedo Sprint Series and for some, their first meet at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre. Dispite this, they managed to overcome their nerves and put into practice what they have been learning at training and club over the past months to take huge chunks of time off their PBs.

    In particular, Kelly Broschofsky, Tanya Cleland, James Graham, Belinda Sloane, Timothy Tunks and Taysha Wilson swam personal best times in all of their events.

    Congratulations to all our swimmers on their performances.

    The full results are available here.

    See Also
  • 2008 Cumberland Area Speedo Sprint Series Heats - Results
  • Speedo Sprint Series Heats

    The Cumberland Area Speedo Sprint Series Heats will be held this Sunday at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre. Warm-Up is at 8:00am for a 9:00am start.

    Merrylands will be sending a team of 11 swimmers to the meet to compete in 37 individual events. Our team consists of:
    Ryan Bartolo
    Kelly Broschofsky
    Peter Broschofsky
    Ethan Burton
    Tanya Cleland
    James Graham
    Belinda Sloane
    Chantel Teakle-Jones
    Timothy Tunks
    Taysha Wilson
    Logan Woodcock

    The top 3 swimmers from each event at the area heats will progress to the series finals at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre on Sunday, 9th March, 2008.

    Good luck to all of our swimmers competing at the meet especially the 10 swimmers who are attending their first Speedo Sprint Series. All swimmers are asked to wear their white club cap when they compete.
    Those swimmers attending the meet for the first time should read the Competitor Information and State, Metropolitan and Country Championship Procedures.

    And don't forget your money for your Speedo Sprint Series T-Shirt!

    See Also
  • 2008 Cumberland Area Speedo Sprint Series Heats - Program of Events

  • 2008 Speedo Sprint Series Finals & Grand Finals - Program of Events

  • Competitor Information

  • State, Metropolitan and Country Championship Procedures

  • Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre Parking Arrangements
  • Cumberland Championship Results

    Merrylands' swimmers achieved the club's best result since 2004 at the last ever Cumberland Championships on the weekend. The club had 4 medallists and 12 finalists from the 26 events contested over the two day meet.

    David Wang won the club's first medal of the meet when he finished 3rd in the 14yrs 100m Freestyle and also won the club's final medal of the meet when he came from behind to snatch third in the 200m Individual Medley.
    David was also a finalist in two events, finishing 4th in the 100m Breaststroke and 6th in the 100m Backstroke.

    Anthony Ventra and Mitchell Burt became our other medallists when they finished 2nd and 3rd in the 14yrs 100m Breaststroke, both in new personal best times. For both swimmers it was their first ever individual long course championship medals.
    Anthony and Mitchell were also both finalists in the 100m Freestyle (5th & 9th), 100m Backstroke (5th & 4th), as well as the 200m Individual Medley (8th & 4th).

    Amber Johnson finished 8th in the 15yrs 100m Backstroke while Peter Johnston was our fifth individual finalist at the meet, finishing 10th in the 17yrs & Over 50m Breaststroke and 10th in the 50m Backstroke.

    The club's Open Mens 4x50m Freestyle also finished in 10th place.

    Medallist & Finalist Summary:

    Mitchell Burt
    14yrs 100m Breaststroke (Bronze)
    14yrs 100m Backstroke (4th)
    14yrs 100m Individual Medley (4th)
    14yrs 100m Freestyle (9th)
    Anthony Ventra
    14yrs 100m Breaststroke (Silver)
    14yrs 100m Freestyle (5th)
    14yrs 100m Backstroke (5th)
    14yrs 100m Individual Medley (8th)
    David Wang
    14yrs 100m Freestyle (Bronze)
    14yrs 100m Individual Medley (Bronze)
    14yrs 100m Breaststroke (4th)
    14yrs 100m Backstroke (6th)
    Amber Johnson
    15yrs 100m Backstroke (8th)
    Peter Johnston
    17yrs & Over 50m Breaststroke (10th)
    17yrs & Over 50m Backstroke (10th)
    Mens Open 4x50m Freestyle Relay
    Peter Johnston, Mitchell Burt
    David Wang, Anthony Ventra
    (10th)

    Our swimmers also swam 19 personal best times with another 4 unofficial PBs swum in the relays. Mitchell Burt (100m Backstroke, 100m Breaststroke, 200m Individual Medley) and Anthony Ventra (200m Individual Medley) both swam two PBs in one event, with Mitchell breaking his 50m and 100m times in his 100m events and Mitchell and Anthony also breaking their 50m Butterfly time in the 200m Individual Medley.

    The swimmers who swam PBs were:

    Mitchell Burt
    100m Freestyle
    100m Backstroke (50m & 100m)
    100m Breaststroke (50m & 100m)
    200m Individual Medley
    50m Butterfly (200m Individual Medley Split)
    50m Freestyle (Relay Leg) (Unofficial)
    Anthony Ventra
    100m Freestyle
    100m Backstroke
    100m Breaststroke
    200m Individual Medley
    50m Butterfly (200m Individual Medley Split)
    50m Freestyle (Relay Leg) (Unofficial)
    David Wang
    100m Freestyle
    100m Backstroke
    200m Individual Medley
    Chantel Teakle-Jones
    100m Backstroke
    100m Breaststroke
    Belinda Sloane
    50m Freestyle (Relay Leg)
    Tanya Cleland
    50m Freestyle (Relay Leg) (Unofficial)
    Kelly Broschofsky
    50m Freestyle (Relay Leg) (Unofficial)
    Amber Johnson
    100m Freestyle

    Congratulations to all our swimmers on their great results.

    The full results with split times are available here.

    Medal Tally

    Gold 0
    Silver 1
    Bronze 3

    See Also
  • Cumberland Open & Age Championships

  • 2007/2008 Cumberland Open & Age Championships - Results
  • Cumberland Open & Age Championships

    The 2008 Cumberland Open & Age Championships will be held at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre this weekend. With the planned changes to Areas from April 1st, these are expected to be the last ever Cumberland Championships.

    Merrylands will have a team of 9 swimmers competing in 24 individual events and 2 relays over the two days of the meet.

    Our team consists of:

    Mitchell Burt
    14yrs 100m Backstroke (Day 1 - Session 2 - 1:52pm)
    14yrs 100m Freestyle (Day 1 - Session 2 - 4:15pm)
    14yrs 100m Breaststroke (Day 2 - Session 3 - 11:10am)
    13yrs 200m Individual Medley (Day 2 - Session 4 - 3:04pm)
    Anthony Ventra
    14yrs 100m Backstroke (Day 1 - Session 2 - 1:52pm)
    14yrs 100m Freestyle (Day 1 - Session 2 - 4:15pm)
    14yrs 100m Breaststroke (Day 2 - Session 3 - 11:10am)
    13yrs 200m Individual Medley (Day 2 - Session 4 - 3:04pm)
    David Wang
    14yrs 100m Backstroke (Day 1 - Session 2 - 1:52pm)
    14yrs 100m Freestyle (Day 1 - Session 2 - 4:15pm)
    14yrs 100m Breaststroke (Day 2 - Session 3 - 11:10am)
    13yrs 200m Individual Medley (Day 2 - Session 4 - 3:04pm)
    Peter Johnston
    17yrs & Over 50m Freestyle (Day 1 - Session 1 - 10:03am)
    17yrs & Over 50m Backstroke (Day 1 - Session 2 - 1:46pm)
    17yrs & Over 50m Breaststroke (Day 2 - Session 3 - 9:45am)
    17yrs & Over 50m Butterfly (Day 2 - Session 4 - 2:59pm)
    Open 100m Breaststroke (Day 2 - Session 4 - 3:42pm)
    Chantel Teakle-Jones
    11yrs 100m Backstroke (Day 2 - Session 3 - 11:42am)
    11yrs 100m Breaststroke (Day 2 - Session 4 - 2:23pm)
    Amber Johnson
    15yrs 100m Freestyle (Day 1 - Session 1 - 11:29am)
    Open 100m Backstroke (Day 1 - Session 1 - 12:08pm)
    15yrs 200m Individual Medley (Day 1 - Session 2 - 2:14pm)
    15yrs 100m Backstroke (Day 2 - Session 3 - 11:31am)
    Open 200m Backstroke (Day 2 - Session 4 - 1:11pm)
    11/12yrs Relays
    Girls 11/12yrs 4x50m Freestyle Relay
        Belinda Sloane, Kelly Broschofsky,
        Tanya Cleland, Chantel Teakle-Jones
    (Day 1 - Session 1 - 11:55am)
    Open Relays
    Mens Open 4x50m Freestyle Relay
        Peter Johnston, Mitchell Burt
        David Wang, Anthony Ventra
    (Day 1 - Session 2 - 4:24pm)

    Times should be used as a guide only.

    Congratulations to the 9 swimmers for qualifying and in particular to Chantel who has qualified for her first Cumberland Championships.
    Second Claim Members, Jonathan and Rebecca Tuivawa will also be competing at the meet representing McCredie Park. Good luck to all our swimmers at the meet.

    You can follow the team's progress over the weekend at http://www.cumberlandswim.com.au/.

    See Also
  • 2007-2008 Cumberland Open & Age Championships - Program of Events & Qualifying Times
  • State, Metropolitan and Country Championship Procedures

  • Competitor Information

  • Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre Parking Arrangements
  • State Age Results

    Amber Johnson swam two new personal best times at the NSW State Age 13-18yrs Championships at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre last week.

    On Wednesday morning in the 100m Backstroke, Amber took 0.41 seconds off her PB to finish in 24th place in a time of 1:13.25.

    Amber then returned on Friday morning to contest the 200m Backstroke where she finished in 28th place in 2:41.01, breaking her PB by 0.16 seconds.

    Congratulations to Amber on her results and thank you to those members who came along to support her. The full results with split times are available here.

    See Also
  • 2008 NSW State Age Championships - Team

  • 2008 NSW State Age 13-18yrs Championships - Results

  • 2008 NSW State Age 10-12yrs Championships - Results
  • NSW State Age Championships

    Amber Johnson will be Merrylands' sole representative at the NSW State Age 13-18yrs Championships which start at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre today.

    This will be Amber's first State Championships since 2004, competing in both the 14yrs 100m and 200m Backstroke events.

    Amber Johnson
    14yrs 200m Backstroke (Day 3 - Wednesday)
    14yrs 100m Backstroke (Day 5 - Friday)

    Congratulations to Amber for qualifying. You can follow her progress over the week at http://www.nswswimming.com.au/.

    On the weekend, Rebecca Tuivawa, a Second Claim Member of our club, competed at the 10/U-12yrs Championships, representing McCredie Park Aquatics. Rebecca swam in the 12yrs 100m Backstroke and 100m Butterfly events, breaking her PB in the Backstroke by 0.85 and her Butterfly PB by 2.56.

    See Also
  • 2008 NSW State Age 10-12yrs Championships - Results

  • 2008 NSW State Age 13-18yrs Championships - Program of Events

  • 2008 NSW State Age 13-18yrs Championships - Qualifying Times

  • State, Metropolitan and Country Championship Procedures

  • Competitor Information

  • Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre Parking Arrangements
  • Cumberland Championship Entries

    Entries for the 2007-2008 Cumberland District Open & Age Championships are due in with our Race Secretary by Saturday, 12th January, 2008. The entries are to be on Multi-Entry Cards, which will be available on Saturday.

    To compete at these championships you must have achieved the required qualifying time. The Entry Times should also be related to the course in which the meet is to be conducted with the appropriate constant added to the time.

    Your Multi-Entry cards must be completely filled out including date and place that times were achieved. Entries must also include your registration number.

    See Also
  • 2007-2008 Cumberland Open & Age Championships - Program of Events & Qualifying Times

  • Meet Entry Procedures

  • State, Metropolitan and Country Championship Procedures

  • Competitor Information

  • Schedule of Constants

  • Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre Parking Arrangements
  • On the Blocks to Beijing

    Sports fans will be treated to the perfect appetizer to this year's Olympic Games when the country's best swimmers go head to head as they vie for selection on the Australian swim team to compete in Beijing in 2008.

    The 2008 Telstra Australian Swimming Championships will be held in Sydney from Saturday, 22nd March until Saturday, 29 March, 2008.

    All of Australia's big names will be on pool deck battling it out to gain selection on the most hotly contested team of them all. See Hackett, Jones, Lenton, Henry, Monk, Schipper, Welsh and many more!

    Club Members will be able to purchase discounted finals tickets to the World Cup for $22 per adult and $15 per concession/child or $65 per family (2 Adults, 2 Children). As usual, this offer is only available through the club.

    This year you can purchase your tickets directly from Ticketek here (you must use this link to get the discounted prices) or by calling Ticketek on 132 849. The password for phone and box office sales is ‘Dolphin’. This must be quoted to receive the discounted prices.

    Swimming NSW is also giving you the chance to win a trip for two people to see Australia's top swimmers battle it out at the Championships. The prize includes accommodation at the Novotel Sydney Olympic Park for 2 nights, finals tickets for two people to the Championships on two nights, two tickets to the Sydney Royal Easter Show, a Samsung NextG mobile phone handset and a Speedo gift pack. Click here for more details on how to enter.



    See Also
  • 2008 Australian Swimming Championships - Program of Events

  • Ticketek - Club Ticket Offer - Finals Tickets

  • Ticketek - Club Ticket Offer - Heats Tickets

  • Swimming NSW Competition Details

  • Swimming NSW Competition - Terms & Conditions
  • January School Holiday Training Times

    Our last training session for 2007 is on Thursday, 20th December. Training then recommences on Wednesday, 2nd January.

    Training sessions during the School Holidays will be held in the mornings or late afternoon to avoid the heat in the afternoons. If you are going away during the holidays please let us know when you will be away.

    Session times are listed on the Training Schedule page here.

    The normal training times will resume on Monday, 28th January, 2008.

    See Also
  • Training Schedule