2009/2010 Season Review

01 October 2010 Peter-Johnston Features
2009/2010 saw the club build on the sucesses of our 40th Anniversary season while under the looming clouds of Holroyd Council's Swim Centre Review.

As the 2009/2010 season began, Holroyd Council was receiveing a report from consultants on the viability of the three council owned Swimming Centres. The report stated that upgrade works totaling an estimated $8 million would be required to conform with the proposed new Public Swimming Pool and Spa Pool Guidelines. The review concluded that none of Council’s three swimming facilities can be considered to be economically viable. As a result of the report, Council decided to investigate the feasibility of replacing the three existing swim centres with a modern outdoor/indoor, multi-use facility at a central location. This could effectively mean the eventual closure of Merrylands Swimming Centre.

In the pool, the club built on the successes of the previous year. Learn to Swim numbers remained stable while total membership was down slightly on the previous season. In the Swimming Australia GoClub PB program the club achieved the Bronze Standard for the first time, recognising the work that the committee members have contributed in continuting to move the club forward.

Four members underwent assessment for their Learn to Swim Instructor Qualifications this year with Steven Nguyen, Amber Johnson, Dylan Baker and Anthony Ventra all completing their assessments successfully. Dylan was a worthy recipient of the Learn to Swim Volunteer of the Year Award, often attending on a Saturday morning especially for Learn to Swim.

In the club competitions, a number of new champions were crowned while some successfully defended their titles. A new team "Joint Venture" took out the Relay Competition at their first attempt. The team was a merger of the previously successful "The Swimmers" and "To Be Advised" and they proved too hard to beat. Steven Nguyen won the Senior Handicap for the second year straight.

Brittany Johnson was presented with the Champion of Champions Award for a record breaking 6th time. Brittany won the Senior and Open Womens Championships, breaking 16 club championship records along the way and also represented the club at the Area, Metropolitan and State Open Championships. Brittany was also the first recipient of the Masters Aerobic Trophy.
From our novice swimmers, Carl Sorensen was presented with the Jack Smart Encouragement Award after steadily improving over the season.

In the Graded Pointscore Hayley Baker won the Girls Pointscore for the first time while Lachlan Stewart won the Boys Pointscore for the second year in a row.

The club's representative teams had another successful year with members competing at all levels up to and including State Open Championships.
For the first time in more than 20 years the club had four swimmers compete in individual events at the State Open Championships. Amber Johnson again competed in the Backstroke events while Anthony Ventra, Brittany Johnson and Peter Johnston all qualified for the meet for the first time. Peter all so represented the club at the State Open Short Course Championships and was our club's first representative in an individual event at this meet since 2005. Five swimmers competed at the Metropolitan Championships with Timothy Tunks qualifying for the meet for the first time, while Brittany Johnson swam six new personal best times from her seven events. The Metropolitan Short Course Championships were a similar story with Brittany swimming five new PBs from her six events. Tim also qualified for the State Age Championships, Metropolitan Short Course Championships and State Age Short Course Championships all for the first time.
At the Metro South West Championships, the club finished the meet with 5 medals with Anthony Ventra and Brittany Johnson taking home medals. Our swimmers were also finalists in 13 events. At the Metro South West Short Course Championships, Timothy Tunks won his first Area Championship medal and our club's only medal of the meet with finallists in 8 events.
The club also had its first Finalist at the Speedo Sprint Series since 2007, as Stephanie Hindle qualified for the finals in the 50m Breaststroke and 50m Butterfly.
Eight of our swimmer's performances over the season were recognised with selection in the 2010 Metro South West Area Development Squads.

2010 also saw the club's second appearance at the State Masters Championships. Steven Nguyen, Brittany Johnson and Peter Johnston represented the club at the State Masters Short Course Championships, collecting 11 Gold medals and 1 Bronze from the 12 events contested. Brittany Johnson and Steven Nguyen also set new State Masters records in three events.

In the Club Championships, 22 Championship records were broken over the season.



This year the club's Competition Committee made the decision to move our annual swimming meet, the Merrylands SwimFest, from it's traditional Sunday date to a new Saturday afternoon timeslot. The meet ran smoothly with 30 clubs in attendance and our club again topping the pointscore.

Our Winter Competition was held for the seventh time with increased numbers and those attending enjoying some new events. Philo Farid won the male competition and Hayley Baker the female competition.

As the Winter Competition ended, Holroyd Council announced, that to save money, it planned to no longer open either Merrylands or Wentworthville swimming centres during the winter months, with Merrylands closing its doors on 9th May and Wentworthville following on June 30th. Neither centre would re-open until early October. Council's decision to close both Merrylands and Wentworthville from April to October greatly affected the club's activities. The decision effectively signalled the end of the club's Winter Competition and Pre-Season time trials and has also heavily impact on the training of the club's swimming squads during the winter months. Training sessions from July to September moved to Guildford Swimming Centre, however with half the pool space that the squad had been permitted to use at Wentworthville. Council's decision to close Merrylands and Wentworthville from April to September means that the club now faces the prospect of having to train at a location other than Merrylands for more than half the year, an issue that it has not had to deal with since before the pools were heated in 2004.

Despite the council's actions the committee members worked harder than ever through the winter on new and innovative events and competitions, as well as strategies to attract and retain members. We look forward to an exciting and new look 2010/2011 season.

See Also
  • 2009/2010 Rankings

  • 2009/2010 Presentation Evening

  • NSW Metropolitan Championships - Team

  • NSW Metropolitan Championships - Results

  • NSW State Age 13-18yrs Championships - Team

  • NSW State Age 13-18yrs Championships - Results

  • NSW State Age 10-12yrs Championships - Team

  • NSW State Open Championships - Team

  • NSW State Open Championships - Results

  • Metro South West Championships Open & Age Championships - Team

  • Metro South West Championships Open & Age Championships - Results

  • Speedo Sprint Series Finals - Team

  • NSW State Masters Short Course Championships - Team

  • NSW State Masters Short Course Championships - Results

  • NSW State Open Short Course Championships - Team

  • NSW Metropolitan Short Course Championships - Team

  • NSW Metropolitan Short Course Championships - Results

  • Metro South West Open & Age Short Course Championships - Team

  • Metro South West Open & Age Short Course Championships - Results

  • NSW State Age Short Course Championships - Team

  • Metro South West Development Squads

  • Swim Centres Review
  • GO Club PB Bronze Award

    • Bronze Award

    16 September 2010 Peter-Johnston Latest News
    Merrylands Amateur Swimming Club has achieved the Bronze Standard in the 2010 Swimming Australia GO Club PB.

    The Australian Unity GO Club PB is the national swimming club standard that recognises and rewards swimming clubs by measuring their performance across five key areas:
    • Memberships
    • Administration
    • Activities
    • Coaching and Officiating
    • Marketing and Promotion
    This is the first year that the club has received the Bronze Award, having achieved the Green Award for the previous 5 years.

    The club has also been successful in receiving some much needed equipment from the Telstra Swimming Assistance Fund this year.

    See Also
  • Past GO Club PB Awards

    • 2010/2011 Registration

    12 September 2010 Peter-Johnston Latest News
    Summer is fast approaching so it’s time to find those costumes and goggles and get ready to hit the heated water.

    Training resumes at Merrylands Swimming Centre on Tuesday 5th October and our club races will begin with a new look program and Fun Day on Saturday, 9th October.

    Registration for 2010/2011 is now open and members will soon receive instructions via email on how to re-register for the summer.

    This year renewing members must register through the Swimming NSW Membership System on the Internet. Payments for registrations must also be made through this system via Credit/Debit Card.
    We understand that there will be some members who are unable to renew their membership online for various reasons. If you are unable to re-register online for any reason, please contact us and we can make alternative arrangements for you.

    Members in the Learn to Swim program will not be able to join or renew online. Learn to Swim Members will have to register on the Learn to Swim Registration & Grading Day.

    All parents and adults who regularly attend the Club Races on Saturday mornings are required to join the club as Non Swimming Members (unless they want to swim).
    There are a number of benefits to being a registered member of the club. Members are entitled to vote at Annual General and Special General meetings, vote for our Club Captains and can be recognised for their service to the club through awards such as the Lions Club Award or Life Membership. Other benefits of membership can be found here.

    This year, swimmers 18yrs & Over will again have the option of registering as a Masters Competitor. This allows them to participate in Masters Swimming activities including Masters Only competitions on Saturday Mornings.

    There will be a number of special events this summer including a trip to Jamberoo, the GoSwim Fun Days and exciting SpringSkins. The program for the Summer Season and the Time Record Sheet can be found in the Club Races section.

    See Also
  • New Look Summer Season

  • Club Races

  • Club Membership

  • Registration

  • GoSwim Fun Day

  • SpringSkins

  • Swimming Training

  • Jamberoo Trip
  • Swim Centres Review

    • New Look Summer Season

    12 September 2010 Peter-Johnston Latest News
    October marks the start of the new swimming season and swimmers will get their chance to hit the water in our new look summer program on Saturday, 9th October, 2010. This date also marks our first GoSwim Fun Day of the season with novelty events, relays, inflatable boats & floats and a free BBQ for swimmers.

    The summer program has undergone a face lift with some big changes made due to Holroyd Council's decision to close Merrylands Swimming Centre during the winter months, bringing to an end the club's Winter Competition and Pre-Season Time Trials.

    As a result many of the popular events that were conducted as part of the Winter Competition, have now been spread throughout the summer, the first of which is the Knockout Skins (now SpringSkins) which will be held on Friday, 15th October.

    Other events that will be held at various times throughout the summer include the Mystery Medley, 25m Sprint Challenge, Random Relay, Handicap Relay, Whales Challenge and Masters Timed Swim. There will also be an additional two GoSwim Fun Days and three special Friday Night events. To top it all off, there will be a social trip to Jamberoo Action Park on Saturday, 7th November.

    Training returns to Merrylands Swimming Centre on Tuesday, 5th October.

    The program for the Summer Season and the Time Record Sheet can be found in the Club Races section.

    See Also
  • Club Races

  • Club Membership

  • Registration

  • GoSwim Fun Day

  • SpringSkins

  • Swimming Training

  • Jamberoo Trip
  • Swim Centres Review

    • Jamberoo Trip

    22 August 2010 Peter-Johnston Latest News
    The Social Committee are organising a day at Jambaroo Action Park on Sunday, 7th November, 2010 so mark the date in your diaries now.

    The details are as follows:

    When: Sunday, 7th November, 2010
    Departing: Meet at Merrylands Swimming Centre at 7.45am for an 8.00am departure
    Returning: 6.30pm (approximately)
    Cost per person: $40.00 which includes unlimited rides and attractions at the park from 10am to 5pm and return coach travel. Children under the age of 3 years of age are free.
    What to bring: Food, drinks, chairs and/or rug, swimming gear and towels
    Supervision: Please note all children under the age of 16 years of age are required to be accompanied by at least one parent/guardian.
    Payment: Full payment must be received by Saturday 15th October, 2010.

    More information will be provided in the weekly Whales Tales Newsletters.

    See Also
  • Jamberoo Action Park

  • 2009 Jamberoo Trip

    • NSW State Age Short Course Championships

    11 August 2010 Peter-Johnston Latest News
    The NSW State Age Short Course Championships will be held at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th August, 2010.

    Following his Bronze Medal at last weekend's Metro South West Short Course Championships, Timothy Tunks will represent the club at the meet in the 11yrs 50m Breaststroke. This is the first time that Tim has qualified for the State Short Course Championships after achieving the required qualifying time in his last opportunity at the Metro South West Championships last Sunday morning.

    The details of Tim's event are as follows:

    Timothy Tunks
    11yrs 50m Breaststroke (Day 2 - Session 2 - 11:03am)

    Times should be used as a guide only.
    The full timeline is available on the Swimming NSW website.

    Congratulations to Tim for qualifying and good luck at the meet.

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

    See Also
  • 2010 NSW State Age Short Course Championships - Program of Events

  • 2010 NSW State Age Short Course Championships - Qualifying Times

  • State, Metropolitan and Country Championship Procedures

  • Competitor Information

  • Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre Parking Arrangements

  • Sydney Aquatic Centre Parking Upgrade

  • Swimming NSW

    • 1 Medal at Metro South West Championships

    11 August 2010 Peter-Johnston Latest News
    Timothy Tunks won the Bronze Medal in the 11yrs 50m Breaststroke at the Metro South West Area Open & Age Short Course Championships on the weekend while the club had finalists in 8 other events.

    On Sunday morning, swimming in lane 7, Tim took over almost a second off his PB to not only win his first Area Championship medal, but also qualify for his first State Age Short Course Championships in the process. Earlier in the meet on Saturday morning, Brittany Johnson was a finalist in of her events, with new personal best times in all three of them. Meanwhile, Peter Johnston was also a finalist in all five of the events he contested over the weekend.

    Besides the medal and finalist ribbons, 11 new personal best times were swum at the meet with every swimmer swimming at least one new personal best time. The swimmer's results are pleasing in light of the short preparation leading into the meet. Due to the closure of Merrylands, Wentworthville and Guildford pools for maintenance, most swimmers have only been back in the water for the last two weeks after a three week break.

    Finalist Summary:

    Timothy Tunks
    11yrs 50m Breaststroke (Bronze)
    Brittany Johnson
    17yrs & Over 50m Freestyle (9th)
    Open 400m Freestyle (9th)
    Open 200m Individual Medley (6th)
    Peter Johnston
    17yrs & Over 50m Freestyle (6th)
    17yrs & Over 50m Breaststroke (5th)
    Open 50m Breaststroke (8th)
    Open 100m Breaststroke (4th)
    Open 200m Breaststroke (10th)

    The swimmers who swam PBs were:

    Hayley Baker
    50m Breaststroke
    50m Butterfly
    Charlotte Neill
    50m Freestyle
    50m Backstroke
    50m Butterfly
    100m Individual Medley
    Timothy Tunks
    50m Breaststroke
    Stephanie Hindle
    100m Individual Medley
    Brittany Johnson
    50m Freestyle
    400m Freestyle
    200m Individual Medley
    Peter Johnston
    50m Freestyle

    Congratulations to all 6 swimmers on their performances. Overall our club finished in 20th position on 135 points. Our male team finished in 19th place on 102 points, with our female team finishing in 20th with 33 points.

    Medal Tally

    Gold 0
    Silver 0
    Bronze 1

    See Also
  • 2010 Metro South West Area Open & Age Short Course Championships - Team



    • Timothy Tunks - 2010 Metro South West Short Course Championship Medallist
    Bronze Medallist
    Timothy Tunks won his first Area Championship Medal, finishing 3rd in the 50m Breaststroke.

    Metro South West Short Course Championships

    02 August 2010 Peter-Johnston Latest News
    The Metro South West Area Open & Age Short Course Championships will be held at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th August, 2010.

    Our club will be represented by 6 swimmers at the meet, competing in 20 individual events and 1 non-championship event.

    This year's team will again feature both new and old swimmers, with one swimmer, Hayley Baker, making her debut after qualifying for her first Area Championships.

    Our team will be competing in the following events over the two day meet:

    Hayley Baker
    9yrs & Under 50m Freestyle (Day 1 - Session 1 - 9:58am)
    9yrs & Under 100m Individual Medley (Day 1 - Session 2 - 12:45pm)
    9yrs & Under 50m Backstroke (Day 1 - Session 2 - 1:56pm)
    9yrs & Under 50m Breaststroke (Day 2 - Session 3 - 11:10am)
    8yrs & Under 50m Butterfly Non-Championship (Day 2 - Session 4 - 1:20pm)
    Charlotte Neill
    10yrs 100m Individual Medley (Day 1 - Session 1 - 9:19am)
    10yrs 50m Butterfly (Day 1 - Session 2 - 1:33pm)
    10yrs 50m Backstroke (Day 2 - Session 3 - 10:22am)
    10yrs 50m Freestyle (Day 2 - Session 4 - 2:11pm)
    Timothy Tunks
    11yrs 50m Breaststroke (Day 2 - Session 3 - 9:14am)
    Stephanie Hindle
    Open 50m Breaststroke (Day 2 - Session 3 - 9:27am)
    Open 100m Individual Medley (Day 2 - Session 3 - 11:27am)
    Open 50m Butterfly (Day 2 - Session 4 - 1:25pm)
    Brittany Johnson
    Open 400m Freestyle (Day 1 - Session 1 - 9:06am)
    17yrs & Over 50m Freestyle (Day 1 - Session 1 - 9:41am)
    Open 200m Individual Medley (Day 1 - Session 1 - 11:07am)
    Peter Johnston
    17yrs & Over 50m Freestyle (Day 1 - Session 1 - 9:40am)
    Open 100m Breaststroke (Day 1 - Session 2 - 2:53pm)
    Open 50m Breaststroke (Day 2 - Session 3 - 9:25am)
    Open 200m Breaststroke (Day 2 - Session 3 - 10:27am)
    17yrs & Over 50m Breaststroke (Day 2 - Session 4 - 1:39pm)

    Times should be used as a guide only.
    The full timeline is available on the Metro South West website.

    Congratulations to our swimmers for qualifying and good luck at the meet.

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

    Changes to conditions at SOPAC during 2010 Metro South West Short Course Championships

    SOPAC has advised that there is an international water polo event on at the same time as the championships. All competitors need to be aware of the following:
    • The utility pool will be off limits for the entire meet.
    • 3 x 50m lanes with 25m partition will be available in the leisure centre training pool for warm ups.
    • Marshalling for both male and female events will be at the northern scoreboard end of the competition pool.
    • The change rooms on pool deck will be off limits from 1:00pm on both Saturday and Sunday.
    • There will be an overseas announcer at the diving pool. They have been asked to try not to impact on the starting of the races.
    • Both the western and eastern grandstands will be open to all our teams up to and including the southern end of the competition pool.

    See Also
  • 2010 Metro South West Area Open & Age Short Course Championships - Program of Events

  • 2010 Metro South West Area Open & Age Short Course Championships - Qualifying Times

  • State, Metropolitan and Country Championship Procedures

  • Competitor Information

  • Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre Parking Arrangements

  • Sydney Aquatic Centre Parking Upgrade

  • Swimming Metro South West

    • State Age Entries

    25 July 2010 Peter-Johnston Latest News
    Online Entries for the 2010 NSW State Age Short Course Championships close on Wednesday, 4th August, 2010 at 3pm.

    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.

    All entrants from our club will be required to use the Online Entries system. Online Entries will close at 3pm SHARP on Wednesday 23rd June, 2010. Manual entries will only be accepted if you cannot enter online, but close with the club on Monday, 26th July, 2010. All entries after this date must be completed online. Instructions on how to enter online are here.

    The Entry List for the meet will be placed on the homepage of the Swimming NSW website (www.nswswimming.com.au) which will be available for download from approximately 5pm Wednesday 4th August, 2010. All entrants are encouraged to download this document and check the events they have entered and their qualifying times. If any of these are incorrect you will have until 5pm Thursday 5th August, 2010 to send an email to correct any mistakes to meet.entries@nsw.swimming.org.au.
    Changes can only be made by sending an email.

    All competitors should attempt to enter the championships using the online system as soon as possible. The online system uses your best time as at the closing date for your entry time. So you can enter early, knowing that if you swim a new PB before the closing date, that new time will still be used as your entry time. If you have any questions or problems please contact a member of the club’s Competition Committee (Tricia Johnston, Teresa Johnson or Peter Johnston) before the Manual Entry closing date so that you don't miss out on entering.

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

    Instructions on how to enter online can be found here and on the Meet Entry Procedures page.

    No late entries will be accepted.

    See Also
  • 2010 NSW State Age Short Course Championships - Program of Events

  • 2010 NSW State Age Short Course Championships - Qualifying Times

  • 2010 NSW State Age Short Course Championships - Online Entries

  • How to Enter Online

  • Qualifying Time Information
  • Meet Entry Procedures
  • State, Metropolitan and Country Championship Procedures
  • Competitor Information
  • NSW Championship Entry Times (Schedule of Constants in Seconds)
  • Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre Parking Arrangements

    • Holroyd Community Survey

    13 July 2010 Peter-Johnston Latest News
    Holroyd Council's Living Holroyd program has been created to focus our city on the future, with Council and our community working together. Whether you live, work or play in Holroyd, Council want you to help them to identify priorities, set strategies and develop a long-term vision for Holroyd.

    Club members are encouraged to complete the survey to have their say, especially in light of the Swim Centres Review currently underway.

    You can complete the questionnaire here until 6pm on Friday, July 23rd.

    See Also
  • Swim Centres Review
  • Living Holroyd