Telstra Swimmer of the Year Competition

You could win a family trip to the 12th FINA World Championships in Melbourne and, if you are a Telstra customer, a private family swimming lesson with Grant Hackett, just by voting for your favourite swimmer in the Telstra People's Choice Award.

The prize includes return economy class flights to Melbourne for 4 people, 3 nights accommodation in Melbourne and 4 tickets to the FINA World Swimming Championships in Melbourne. If the winner is a Telstra customer at the date they submit the entry and also at the draw date, they will also be awarded a private swimming lesson for their family (up to a maximum of 4 people) with Grant Hackett.

Plus there are bonus prizes including Telstra Next G handsets and signed swimming memorabilia.

To enter, pick your favourite swimmer from the Top five Australian FINA world ranked swimmers for 2006 (Leisel Jones; Jessicah Schipper; Jodie Henry; Lisbeth Lenton; Brenton Rickard) and either:
  • visit http://www.beinvolved.telstra.com/ and follow the competition entry prompts


  • OR

  • SMS the name of the swimmer of your choice followed by your full name to:
    1999 SWIM

Entries close 11:59pm December 10th, 2006.

Visit http://www.beinvolved.telstra.com/ for further details and competition terms and conditions.

See Also
  • Telstra Swimmer of the Year Competition

  • Swimming Australia
  • Metropolitan Entries

    Entries for the 2006/2007 NSW Metropolitan Championships close on Saturday, 25th November, 2006.

    The entries are to be on Multi-Entry Cards.

    To compete at these championships you must have achieved the required qualifying time at an approved meet as detailed on the Qualifying Time Information page.

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

    For more information on NSW meets read the Championship Procedures information in the Swim Meets Section.

    No late entries will be accepted.

    See Also
  • 2006/2007 NSW Metropolitan Championships - Program of Events
  • 2006/2007 NSW Metropolitan Championships - Qualifying Times
  • Qualifying Time Information

  • Winter Meet Entry Procedures

  • State, Metropolitan and Country Championship Procedures

  • Competitor Information

  • Schedule of Constants

  • Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre Parking Arrangements
  • World Swimming Championships Tickets

    Spectators will be able to see the best aquatic athletes in the world at the 12th FINA World Championships for as little as $20 and no more than $198 it was announced yesterday.

    Tickets to the heats and finals of the swimming competition are split across three price levels – Levels A, B and C (restricted view) - with family tickets for as little as $60.

    Ticket and accommodation packages for the Championships are on sale today and can be purchased from the 12th FINA World Championships Travel Office by calling 1300 133 232.
    Tickets will go on sale from Monday October 16 through Ticketek and can be purchased via the internet, telephone or at any Ticketek retail outlet.

    Ticket Prices
    Sport A Reserve B Reserve C Reserve
    (Restricted View)1
    Family Package
    (2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children)
    Cost per additional children’s ticket
    (up to three)
    Swimming (Finals) $198 $98 $50 $150 $37.50
    Swimming (Heats) $58 $38 $20 $60 $15
    Synchronised Swimming (Finals) $58 $38 N/A $114 $28.50
    Synchronised Swimming (Prelims) $252 N/A N/A $75 $18.75
    Diving (Finals) (Sessions 1 hour plus) $78 $38 N/A $114 $28.50
    Diving (Finals) (Sessions under 1 hour) $48 $25 N/A $75 $18.75
    Diving (Prelims) $38 $20 N/A $60 $15
    Water Polo (Finals) $78 $38 N/A $114 $28.50
    Water Polo (Semi Finals) $48 $25 N/A $75 $18.75
    Water Polo (Evening Games (AUS)) $38 N/A N/A $114 $28.50
    Water Polo (Prelims) $253 N/A N/A $75 $18.75

    1 Price Level C – Rod Laver Arena Swimming seats are restricted view and limited availability.
    2 Tickets to Synchronised Swimming preliminary sessions will be sold on a general admission basis.
    3 Tickets to Water Polo preliminary sessions will be sold on a general admission basis.


    See Also
  • Ticketek - Melbourne 2007 12th FINA World Championships

  • Melbourne 2007 12th FINA World Championships - Tickets affordable and accessible to the 12th FINA World Championships

  • Melbourne 2007 12th FINA World Championships Website
  • 2005/2006 Season Review

    2005/2006 marked the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Merrylands Amateur Swimming Club. The appointment of a new coach and a revamped training program, the break through of some new swimmers to our representative teams and an increase in club members were just some of the events in another successful season.

    The 2005/2006 season was preceded by the search for, and appointment of a new coach, following the resignation of long-time coach Kristen Sunner. With some big shoes to fill, one of the club's former assistant coaches, Peter Johnston, was eventually appointed to the position, closely followed by the appointment of 3 new assistant coaches.

    The new season began with some brilliant October weather, attracting new members to the club for both the weekly Saturday morning races and weekday training sessions.

    The club's Learn to Swim program continued to increase in popularity and numbers. The highlight of the season being the addition of 5 new Austswim Qualified Instructors (Nathan Cause, Todd Jenkin, Sarah Johnston, Meaghan Legge and Rhys Legge) to our Instructor ranks.

    The 2005/2006 season also saw the running of the Open 1500m Freestyle Championships for Men and Women for the second time. Held on a Friday night in February again, 9 swimmers battled it our over the 30 laps. Both Championship records were broken, with the Mens event won by Mitchell Emery and the Womens by Brittany Johnson.

    The season's events remained largely unchanged from the previous year. Some members were able to successfully defend their titles while some events saw the emergence of new champions. Having broken Team Johnston's strangle hold on the Relay Competition last year, the Merrylands Mermaids were unable to defend their title as a new team "The Swimmers" swept all before them, convincingly winning the competition. In the Senior Handicap, it was a different story as Glen Stanford dominated the competition for a second year straight.

    Brittany Johnson received the Champion of Champions Award for the third year in a row after winning both her Age and Open Championships, placing second in the Female Graded Pointscore and setting 11 club records. Brittany also represented the club at the Cumberland and Metropolitan Championships and also qualified for her first ever State Championships.
    At the other end of the scale, Stephanie Ibrahim was presented with the Jack Smart Encouragement Award after steadily improving over the season.

    In the Graded Pointscore, Greg Stanford, was awarded the Michael Rossek Trophy for the highest placed Junior Boy in the Graded Races Pointscore while Amber Johnson received the Ronald Exley Trophy for the highest placed Junior Girl. Amber's victory in the Graded Pointscore made her the most successful Graded Pointscore swimmer in the club's history, becoming the only swimmer to have won the competition on 4 separate occasions.

    2005/2006 was also a turning point for our representative teams. After a gradual decline over the last couple of years, the number of swimmers representing our club during the season increased slightly. The moving of the Summer Metropolitan Championships to early March from its usual December date (due the Commonwealth Games) helped to boost our team numbers, giving our swimmers extra time to qualify for the meet.
    During the season we had swimmers competing at all levels up to and including State Age Championships with our teams consisting of a mixture of new and experienced swimmers. Some swimmers returned to teams after not qualifying or competing in the previous year, some were rookies, qualifying for their first representative team while others added new events to their roster or qualified for new teams.
    Brittany Johnson qualified for her first State Championships while Anthony Ventra qualified for the Metropolitan Championships for the first time, competing at both the Long & Short Course Championships. Brittany became our first Metropolitan Finalist since 2003, finishing 7th in the 100m Breaststroke at the Short Course Championships. Both Brittany and Anthony also won their first ever District Championship medals at the Cumberland Short Course Championships, both in the 50m Breaststroke.
    Our club was also represented by relay teams at both the State Age & District Championships for the first time since 2001, with our Boys 11-12yrs 4x50m Medley Relay team winning the silver medal at the Cumberland Championships.
    Five of our swimmer's performances at District meets over the summer were recognised with selection in the 2006 Cumberland District Development Squads.
    Our representative teams would have been even larger without the removal of the 50m events from the Short Course programs for the Metropolitan & State Age Championships. The changes to the programs meant that 3 swimmers missed out on competing at these meets.

    In the Club Championships, the Senior Mens Age Championship was the most hotly contested with 9 swimmers competing in the age group. The 12yrs Boys Age Championship was also well contested with 6 swimmers competing and two swimmers finishing equal first. 19 Championship records were broken over the season, the same number as the previous season.

    Rachel Johnston
    Senior Womens 50m Backstroke (Karen Pender, Kristy Smith, 1997/98)
    Todd Jenkin
    Senior Mens 100m Freestyle (Robert Griffey, 2001/02)
    Senior Mens 50m Breaststroke (Peter Johnston, 2001/02)
    Senior Mens 100m Breaststroke (Peter Johnston, 2001/02)
    Open Mens 100m Breaststroke (Todd Jenkin, 2003/04)
    Open Mens 200m Breaststroke (Todd Jenkin, 2003/04)
    Brittany Johnson
    15yrs Girls 50m Freestyle (P. Walters, 1976/77)
    15yrs Girls 200m Freestyle (Samantha Anderson, 2003/04)
    15yrs Girls 400m Freestyle (D. Fielder, 1972/73)
    15yrs Girls 50m Backstroke (S. Lee, 1982/83)
    15yrs Girls 100m Backstroke (N. Fenton, 1973/74)
    15yrs Girls 50m Breaststroke (Natalie Green, 1998/99)
    15yrs Girls 100m Breaststroke (C. Ellen, 1972/73)
    15yrs Girls 50m Butterfly (P. Walters, 1982/83)
    15yrs Girls 100m Butterfly (L. Childs, 1980/81)
    15yrs Girls 200m Individual Medley (A. Exley, 1983/84)
    Open Womens 1500m Freestyle (Brittany Johnson, 2004/05)
    Mitchell Emery
    Open Mens 1500m Freestyle (Todd Jenkin, 2004/05)
    David Wang
    12yrs Boys 200m Individual Medley (D. Turner, 1978/79)


    2005/2006 saw the running of our annual swimming meet, the Merrylands SwimFest, at Merrylands for the fourth time. The weather was outstanding with the meet beginning in brilliant sunshine and running very smoothly. The meet again featured the use of AOE & SAT timing equipment and entries were the third highest in the last 8 years. Our club had 43 swimmers competing. Our members won 49 medals and our club also topped the club pointscore.

    Our club also hosted the Cumberland Sprint Meet at Merrylands Swimming Centre for the first time. Again held in brilliant sunshine, our members performed well both in and out of the water, winning a number of medals but also instrumental in the running of the meet.

    Finally, our Winter Competition was held for the third time and despite low numbers the competition was again very tight. Peter Johnston won the male competition and Glenda Wood the female competition.

    See Also
  • 2005/2006 Rankings

  • New Coach Appointed

  • 2005/2006 Presentation Evening

  • NSW State Age Distance Championships - Team

  • NSW State Age Distance Championships - Results

  • NSW State Age 9-12yrs Championships - Team

  • NSW State Age 9-12yrs Championships - Results

  • Cumberland Open & Age Championships - Team

  • Cumberland Open & Age Championships - Results

  • NSW Metropolitan Championships - Team

  • NSW Metropolitan Championships - Results

  • Cumberland Sprint Meet Results

  • Cumberland Development Squads

  • NSW Metropolitan Short Course Championships - Team

  • NSW Metropolitan Short Course Championships - Results

  • Cumberland Open & Age Short Course Championships - Team

  • Cumberland Open & Age Short Course Championships - Results
  • Swimming opportunities in pools

    SWIMMING time trials will be held at Merrylands Amateur Swimming Club on Saturday September 16 and 23 from 7am.

    This year's season at the pool at 17 Burnett Street, Merrylands, begins on October 7, also at 7am.

    Pool spokeswoman Teresa Johnson said swimmers unable to register for the season on either Saturday are welcome to register on any Saturday morning. All levels of swimmers are encouraged to join for enjoyment and fitness, she said.

    Merrylands Swimming Centre goes Smoke-Free

    When Merrylands Swimming Centre re-opens on Monday, 11th September, 2006, it, as with all sporting venues in Holroyd City, will be a Smoke-Free zone.

    At it's meeting on 6th September, 2005, Holroyd Council resolved to ban smoking in playing fields, sports grounds, swimming centres and around playground equipment.

    Signage will be errected at the swimming centre and any person who smokes contrary to those signs will be committing an offence. An on the spot penalty of $110 will apply. For more information see Holroyd City Council's Website.

    The only haze in the air at the pool will be the steam from the heated water.

    See Also
  • Holroyd City Council - Mayoral Minute - Smoke-Free Playgrounds

  • Holroyd City Council - Smoke-Free Areas around Children's Playground Equipment, Playing Fields, Sporting Grounds, Buildings and Swimming Centres

  • Holroyd City Council - Smoke-Free Areas around Children's Playground Equipment, Playing Fields, Sporting Grounds, Buildings and Swimming Centres
  • Training Returns to Merrylands

    Training returns to Merrylands Swimming Centre on Monday, 11th September, 2006.

    On this afternoon, there will be a short meeting before training begins to outline some small changes that have been made to the program for this season.

    The meetings will be held at the following times:
    • Dolphins & Sharks - 4:30pm
    • Junior Squad - 5:00pm

    On this afternoon you will also need to complete enrolment forms for the 2006/2007 season.

    All squad members must register as members of Merrylands Amateur Swimming Club for the 2006/2007 swimming season. Swimmers are encouraged to attend the club’s races on a Saturday morning to register and participate in the races.

    If you cannot register on a Saturday morning, you are welcome to register at training however, please note that there is a $5 surcharge per member if you register with the club at training.

    Training times will be available on the Training Schedule page.

    See Also
  • Training Schedule
  • 2006/2007 Swimming Season

    The club will be running two weeks of time trials leading into the 2006/2007 Swimming Season, starting at 7:00am on Saturday, 16th and Saturday, 23rd September.
    On these two mornings you will also be able to register for the new season after the time trials.

    These two mornings will also be your opportunity to order club uniforms for the season and will also be your only chance to enter swimming meets that are on during October.

    If you are unable to register on these mornings you are welcome to register on any Saturday morning during the normal season. The 2006/2007 season will begin on Saturday, 7th October.

    Learn to Swim Registration for existing members will also take place during September, while Swimming Training returns to Merrylands on Monday, 11th September.

    See Also
  • Club Uniforms

  • Upcoming Swim Meets

  • Learn to Swim

  • Swimming Training
  • 2006 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships

    The Pan Pacific Swimming Championships begin in Victoria, Canada today. The Championships run until Monday, 21st August with Fox Sports showing each day’s finals program.

    The coverage begins on Friday, 18th August with 1.5hrs of coverage each day and a 2 hour review on Tuesday, 22nd August.

    For full details of the events and television coverage see the schedule here.

    See Also
  • 2006 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships - Finals Program & Television Coverage

  • 2006 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships Website
  • Two First-Time Medallists at Cumberland Short Course

    Anthony Ventra and Brittany Johnson both won their first ever Cumberland Championship medals at this weekend's Cumberland District Open & Age Short Course Championships.

    Merrylands' team of 5 swimmers performed outstandingly well in spite of a limited preparation with only one full week of pool training in the last 6 weeks. The club finished with 2 medalists, 5 finalists and 11 personal best times from 17 events at the two day meet. All of our members swam at least one personal best time.

    Brittany won our first medal at the meet, winning the bronze medal in the 50m Breaststroke. She backed up this performance with finalist ribbons in her two other events and a new PB in the 100m Freestyle.

    Anthony's medal was also won in the 50m Breaststroke but this time it was a silver. Anthony also finished with a finalist ribbon and new PB in the 100m Freestyle.

    Amber Johnson swam new personal best times in both of her events, slicing four tenths off her 50m Freestyle time on Saturday morning and them backing up on Saturday afternoon to take just over a second off her 100m Backstroke time.

    Peter Johnston swam new PBs in 4 out of his 5 events with a finalist ribbon and PB in the 50m Breaststroke. He also broke his 100m and 200m Breaststroke times and took a tiny 0.02 off his 50m Freestyle.

    David Wang was our fourth finalists at the meet, also in the 50m Breaststroke. He swam 3 new personal best times, breaking his 50m and 100m Freestyle times and taking almost 3 seconds off his 200m Individual Medley time.

    Our finalists were:

    Anthony Ventra
    12yrs 100m Freestyle (9th)
    12yrs 50m Breaststroke (2nd)
    David Wang
    13yrs 50m Breaststroke (9th)
    Brittany Johnson
    16yrs 100m Freestyle (4th)
    16yrs 50m Breaststroke (3rd)
    Open 100m Breaststroke (6th)
    Peter Johnston
    17yrs & Over 50m Breaststroke (8th)


    Congratulations to all 5 swimmers on their performances. Overall our club finished in 21st position on 36 points.
    The full results with splits are now available.

    Medal Tally

    Gold 0
    Silver 1
    Bronze 1

    See Also
  • Cumberland Open & Age Short Course Championships

  • 2006 Cumberland District Open & Age Short Course Championships - Results