5 Medals at Metro South West Championships

Merrylands' team of 8 swimmers won 5 medals and were finalists in 13 events at the Metro South West Area Open & Age Championships on the weekend. Ten new personal best times were also swum at the meet.

Brittany Johnson won two medals at the meet. Her first medal came in the Open 100m Freestyle where she finished a surprise 3rd and broke her PB by 0.84 seconds. Brittany's second medal was a silver in the Open 50m Butterfly in a new personal best time of 31.53. It was a close finish in the race with 2nd to 6th place separated by only 0.44 seconds. Brittany also swam a new personal best time in the 400m Freestyle, breaking her previous best by almost 7 seconds.

Anthony Ventra won the club's other three medals, with silver in the 16yrs 200m Individual Medley, 100m Breaststroke and 100m Backstroke. Anthony was also a finalist in all his other individual events with 2 new personal best times.

Another swimmer to final in all his events was Peter Johnston. Peter finished in the top 10 in all 6 of his events, with a new personal best time in the Open 200m Breaststroke.

Five out of eight of our individual competitors were a finalist in at least one of their events. Timothy Tunks finished in 7th place in the 11yrs 100m Breaststroke while Amber Johnson finished 4th in the 17yrs & Over 50m Backstroke and 10th in the Open 100m Butterfly.

Finalist & Medallist Summary:

Timothy Tunks
11yrs 100m Breaststroke (7th)
Anthony Ventra
16yrs 100m Freestyle (4th)
16yrs 100m Backstroke (Silver)
16yrs 100m Breaststroke (Silver)
16yrs 100m Butterfly (4th)
16yrs 200m Individual Medley (Silver)
Open 50m Freestyle (7th)
Amber Johnson
17yrs & Over 50m Backstroke (4th)
Open 100m Butterfly (10th)
Brittany Johnson
Open 100m Freestyle (Bronze)
Open 50m Breaststroke (5th)
Open 50m Butterfly (Silver)
Peter Johnston
17yrs & Over 50m Freestyle (9th)
17yrs & Over 50m Backstroke (8th)
17yrs & Over 50m Breaststroke (6th)
Open 50m Breaststroke (9th)
Open 100m Breaststroke (6th)
Open 50m Breaststroke (7th)

The swimmers who swam PBs were:

Timothy Tunks
100m Freestyle
100m Breaststroke
Lachlan Stewart
100m Freestyle
Anthony Ventra
100m Backstroke
100m Butterfly
Jason Page
50m Butterfly
Brittany Johnson
100m Freestyle
400m Freestyle
50m Butterfly
Peter Johnston
200m Breaststroke

Congratulations to all 8 swimmers on their performances.

The full results now available here.

Medal Tally
Gold 0
Silver 4
Bronze 1

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

  • 2010 Metro South West Area Open & Age Championships - Results


  • 2010 Metro South West Championship Medallists

    Metro South West Championships

    The Metro South West Area Open & Age Championships will be held at the Blacktown Aquatic Centre on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th February, 2010.

    Our club will be represented by 9 swimmers at the meet, competing in 29 individual events. For two members, Lachlan Stewart and Jason Page, this will be the first time they have swum at an Area Championships.

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

    Timothy Tunks
    11yrs 100m Breaststroke (Day 1 - Session 1 - 11:18am)
    11yrs 100m Freestyle (Day 2 - Session 3 - 11:58am)
    Stephanie Hindle
    13yrs 200m Individual Medley (Day 2 - Session 4 - 2:42pm)
    13yrs 100m Freestyle (Day 2 - Session 4 - 4:46pm)
    Lachlan Stewart
    13yrs 100m Breaststroke (Day 1 - Session 1 - 10:11am)
    13yrs 100m Freestyle (Day 2 - Session 4 - 4:40pm)
    Jason Page
    15yrs 100m Freestyle (Day 1 - Session 2 - 1:36pm)
    Open 50m Butterfly (Day 1 - Session 2 - 3:34pm)
    Anthony Ventra
    16yrs 100m Freestyle (Day 1 - Session 1 - 9:55am)
    16yrs 200m Individual Medley (Day 1 - Session 1 - 11:37am)
    16yrs 100m Butterfly (Day 1 - Session 2 - 2:23pm)
    16yrs 100m Breaststroke (Day 2 - Session 3 - 10:01am)
    Open 50m Freestyle (Day 2 - Session 3 - 11:24am)
    16yrs 100m Backstroke (Day 2 - Session 4 - 3:43pm)
    Amber Johnson
    17yrs & Over 50m Backstroke (Day 1 - Session 2 - 2:22pm)
    Open 100m Freestyle (Day 1 - Session 2 - 2:50pm)
    Open 50m Butterfly (Day 1 - Session 2 - 3:38pm)
    Open 100m Butterfly (Day 2 - Session 4 - 4:24pm)
    Steven Nguyen
    Open 100m Freestyle (Day 1 - Session 2 - 2:45pm)
    Brittany Johnson
    Open 400m Freestyle (Day 1 - Session 1 - 9:17am)
    Open 50m Breaststroke (Day 1 - Session 1 - 11:49am)
    Open 100m Freestyle (Day 1 - Session 2 - 2:50pm)
    Open 50m Butterfly (Day 1 - Session 2 - 3:38pm)
    Peter Johnston
    17yrs & Over 50m Freestyle (Day 1 - Session 1 - 10:30am)
    Open 50m Breaststroke (Day 1 - Session 1 - 11:44am)
    17yrs & Over 50m Backstroke (Day 1 - Session 2 - 2:19pm)
    17yrs & Over 50m Breaststroke (Day 2 - Session 3 - 10:06am)
    Open 100m Breaststroke (Day 2 - Session 3 - 10:47am)
    Open 200m Breaststroke (Day 2 - Session 4 - 3:06pm)

    Times should be used as a guide only.

    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/.

    See Also
  • 2010 Metro South West Area Open & Age Championships - Program of Events
  • 2010 Metro South West Area Open & Age Championships - Qualifying Times
  • State, Metropolitan and Country Championship Procedures

  • Competitor Information
  • State Masters Entries

    Entries for the 2010 NSW State Masters Short Course Championships close on Saturday, 27th February, 2010. The Championships will be held at the Peninsula Leisure Centre, Woy Woy on Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st March, 2010.

    There are no qualifying times to compete at these championships, but you must be a registered Masters Competitor.

    The entries are to be submitted using E-Entries (instructions here) or, if you are unable to use E-Entries, on Multi-Entry cards. All Entries must include your Masters Registration Number (not your Swimming NSW Registration Number).

    Please start to submit your entries early, to ensure you have plenty of time to get your entries in, especially if you are using E-Entries for the first time.

    No late entries will be accepted.

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

  • Masters E-Entries Instructions

  • 2010 NSW State Masters Short Course Championships - E-Entry File
  • Merrylands SwimFest Results

    The Results of the Merrylands SwimFest are now available.

    Thank you to everyone who attended the meet. We hope that you had an enjoyable day and achieved some good results.

    Thank you to all the members of our club and other volunteers who worked at the meet, we couldn't have run it without you and you did a great job.

    The results of the meet are now available in the SwimFest section of our website.
    We would like to thank the sponsors of the meet for their continued support.

    The 2010 Merrylands SwimFest Swim Meet is proudly sponsored by:
  • St George Bank Greystanes

  • Merrylands Bowling & Sports Club

  • TransPacific


  • and supported by:
  • Starr Partners Real Estate Merrylands


  • Major Sponsors

    St George Bank

    Merrylands Bowling & Sports Club

    TransPacific

    St George Bank Greystanes Merrylands Bowling & Sports Club TransPacific

    Supporting Sponsors

    Starr Partners Merrylands

    “Real Estate...made easy”

    Starr Partners Real Estate Merrylands


    See Also
  • Merrylands SwimFest Swim Meet

  • St George Bank Greystanes

  • Merrylands Bowling & Sports Club

  • TransPacific
  • Starr Partners Merrylands
  • Merrylands SwimFest

    Almost 900 entries have been received for our annual swimming meet, the Merrylands SwimFest, which will be held at Merrylands Swimming Centre on Saturday, 20th February, 2010.

    Just under 200 swimmers from 30 clubs have entered this year's meet with 855 entries received.

    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 2010 Merrylands SwimFest Swim Meet is proudly sponsored by:
  • St George Bank Greystanes

  • Merrylands Bowling & Sports Club

  • TransPacific


  • and supported by:
  • Starr Partners Real Estate Merrylands


  • Major Sponsors

    St George Bank

    Merrylands Bowling & Sports Club

    TransPacific

    St George Bank Greystanes Merrylands Bowling & Sports Club TransPacific

    Supporting Sponsors

    Starr Partners Merrylands

    “Real Estate...made easy”

    Starr Partners Real Estate Merrylands


    See Also
  • Merrylands SwimFest Swim Meet

  • St George Bank Greystanes

  • Merrylands Bowling & Sports Club

  • TransPacific
  • Starr Partners Merrylands
  • Metro South West Development Squads

    Nominations are now open for the 2010 Metro South West Development Squads.

    To be eligible for selection, swimmers must have competed in the meets below and return the nomination form to Metro South West by the 31st March, 2010.

    Target Squad (B Squad)
    Selection Group: 13 – 18 years who have competed at Summer Metro and/or State Championships.
    Eligibility: Nominee’s must have competed in Metro South West Championships at Blacktown on 27-28 February, 2010.


    Achiever Squad (C Squad)
    Selection Group: 9 – 12 years who have competed at Summer Metro and/or State Championships.
    Eligibility: Nominee’s must have competed in Metro South West Championships at Blacktown on 27-28 February, 2010.


    NSW Development Meet Squad (D Squad)
    Selection Group: 9 – 16 years who have not qualified for Summer Metro or State Championships.
    Eligibility: Nominee’s must have competed at either:
    • Metro South West Championships at Blacktown on 27-28 February, 2010
    • Metro South West Sprint Meet at Wentworthville on 27th March, 2010
    • Speedo Sprint Series Heats at SOPAC on 7th February, 2010
    Members of this Squad will be selected to compete at the Swimming NSW Development Meet.


    Novice Squad
    Selection Group: 7 – 8 years
    Eligibility: Nominee’s must have competed at either:
    • Metro South West 5-8yrs Meet at Guildford on 6th March, 2010
    • Metro South West Sprint Meet at Wentworthville on 27th March, 2010
    • Speedo Sprint Series Heats at SOPAC on 7th February, 2010

    Open Water Squad
    Selection Group: 13 – 18yrs who have competed at 2009/2010 State Open Water Championships
    Eligibility: Nominee’s must have competed in Metro South West Championships 2009/2010 MSW Open Water Championships at SIRC on 20th December, 2009.


    More details on squad activities and selection criteria can be found in the Metro South West 2010 Development Structure document below.

    See Also
  • 2010 Metro South West Development Squads - Nomination Form

  • 2010 Metro South West Development Squads - Development Structure
  • NSW State Open Results

    Some good swims by Merrylands' swimmers at last weekend’s NSW State Open Championships.

    Brittany Johnson was just outside her personal best time in both her events, swimming her 2nd and 3rd fastest times ever in the 100m Butterfly and 100m Freestyle.
    Peter Johnston swam a new personal best in the 50m Breaststroke while Amber Johnson and Anthony Ventra were disappointed with their swims after not swimming their best.

    Congratulations to all 4 of our swimmers for qualifying, especially Anthony, Brittany and Peter who qualified for the Championships for the first time.

    See Also
  • 2010 NSW State Open Championships - Team
  • NSW State Open Championships

    Merrylands will be sending its biggest team in over 20 years to the NSW State Open Championships which begin at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre on Friday, 12th February, 2010.

    Our team of four swimmers features three members for whom it will be their first ever individual events at an Open Championships. The team will swim in six events over the three day meet.

    Amber Johnson will be competing at the meet for the second time, and will swim in the 100m and 200m Backstroke; however Anthony Ventra, Brittany Johnson and Peter Johnston will all be swimming at the meet for the first time.
    For Brittany, it will be her first Open Championships and only her second State meet, after swimming at the NSW State Age Distance Championships in 2005. While Peter and Anthony both swam in a relay at the NSW Open Short Course Championships in 2008, it will be their first individual swims at an Open Championships, and for Peter, it will be his first individual event at a State Championships.

    Our team will contest the following events:

    Anthony Ventra
    Open 50m Freestyle (Day 3 - Sunday Heats (Session 5) - 10:40am)
    Amber Johnson
    Open 200m Backstroke (Day 1 - Friday Heats (Session 1) - 11:53am)
    Open 100m Backstroke (Day 2 - Saturday Heats (Session 3) - 10:40am)
    Brittany Johnson
    Open 100m Freestyle (Day 1 - Friday Heats (Session 1) - 10:36am)
    Open 100m Butterfly (Day 2 - Saturday Heats (Session 3) - 9:51am)
    Peter Johnston
    Open 50m Breaststroke (Day 1 - Friday Heats (Session 1) - 10:29am)

    Times should be used as a guide only.

    Congratulations to Anthony, Amber, Brittany and Peter for qualifying and good luck to them at the meet. You can follow our team's progress over the week at http://www.nswswimming.com.au/.

    Changes to Parking for the NSW State Open Championships
    There is a major Athletic event on adjacent to SOPAC for the duration of the NSW State Open Championships.
    The Shane Gould Ave Gates will be closed at the following times:

    Friday 12th - Vehicle & Pedestrian Gates 4:00pm - 8:00pm
    Saturday 13th - Vehicle & Pedestrian Gates 7:00am - 4:30pm
    Sunday 14th - Vehicle & Pedestrian Gates 7:00am - 4:30pm

    Swimmers and supporters, please take these changes into account when travelling to the centre.

    See Also
  • 2010 NSW State Open Championships - Program of Events

  • 2010 NSW State Open Championships - Qualifying Times

  • State, Metropolitan and Country Championship Procedures

  • Competitor Information

  • Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre Parking Arrangements
  • Swimsuits - A Call to Action

    The following is an open letter from Forbes Carlile, M.B.E, concerning the continuing debate over performance enhancing swimsuits.

    Dear Friend of Swimming,

    I am writing to a large number of Australia’s swimming clubs on a matter that is of great concern to me, and, I believe, should be of great concern to all clubs, parents and swimmers. These concerns relate to the future integrity of swimming, and the unnecessary expenditure by parents and swimmers on swimwear. I ask that this letter be brought to the attention of your club’s committee; and perhaps be emailed to your members and other interested parties, and displayed at your pool.


    Background
    You would all be aware of the turmoil that has existed in the swimming world over the last two years due to the introduction of performance-enhancing suits. These suits resulted in an unprecedented number of devalued world, continental and national records being set, and had a disastrous impact on the image and credibility of our sport; which had always been seen as purely technique and training-based.

    Swimming’s governing body, FINA, through the Congress of its member federations, was finally forced to act on this during the World Championships in Rome in July 2009. The Congress voted overwhelmingly to include swimsuits in an existing rule (SW10.7) that prohibited swimmers using devices that “may aid speed, buoyancy or endurance”. The result is that any suit that has a reasonable possibility of aiding performance is illegal, as it should be.

    In addition, FINA set parameters for the material (e.g. type, thickness, porosity, buoyancy) and body coverage of suits and stipulated that the new FINA Swimwear Approval Commission must assess all suits.

    It may appear that the problem has been effectively dealt with, but the reality is a very different story.


    Knee-Length Suits
    Despite the fact that many in the swimming community were in favour of a return to brief suits for men and suits to the hips for women, a compromise of knee-length suits was put to the Congress. It was likely this was done to appease the swimsuit manufacturers, who for obvious reasons lobbied hard for no change.

    Coverage of the arms, lower leg and back was prohibited for the obvious reason that the greater the coverage, the greater the likelihood that a suit may aid performance. Logically then, any suit should only cover what modesty requires, which makes knee-length suits completely unnecessary.

    Far more importantly, the potential for knee-length suits to enhance performance demands their prohibition.

    It has only been since the performance-enhancing suits appeared that the degree to which the extensive thigh area is an attractive target for performance enhancement has been fully appreciated. This area plays a vital role in contributing to the angle of buoyancy and therefore the reduction of resistance. The thigh muscles are the body’s largest and hence provide the best opportunity for the benefits that compression may provide.

    Without thigh coverage the swimsuit manufacturers will be far less motivated to find loopholes by investigating new material technology that appears to be within the current rules but subsequently proves to be performance enhancing.

    Indisputably, brief suits for men and suits to the hips for women would greatly reduce the likelihood of performance enhancement, and simplify the approval and monitoring process.


    FINA’S Role
    FINA deserves no credit for its response to the suit debacle. Action should have been taken much sooner, and was only taken when elite-level swimming had become a laughing-stock.

    One only has to know that FINA has commercial relationships with swimsuit manufacturers to conclude that conflicts of interest may well be affecting its views and actions, with seemingly scant regard for what is best for the well-being of the sport.

    In addition there is no transparency regarding the approval and monitoring process, resulting in great confusion as to how suits are approved and how compliance is being checked.


    Swimsuit Manufacturers
    With their exorbitant price tags and limited life span, the performance-enhancing suits of the last two years were no doubt a good investment for the manufacturers, especially from a promotional perspective. For the same reasons, it is in their interests that suits are now permitted as much coverage and as many technological advances as possible.

    Even before 2008 swimsuit manufacturers claimed that knee-length suits aided performance, and current promotional material for a number of manufacturers’ FINA-approved 2010 swimsuit ranges claim what is clearly performance enhancement. Either this is false advertising or it renders these suits illegal.

    Understandably, possible performance enhancement would seem to be the only reason why a swimmer or parent would buy a suit that covers more than modesty requires, and pay significantly more to do so.

    It is causing great frustration amongst swimmers and parents that it is currently difficult to purchase men’s brief suits and women’s suits to the hips for competition, thereby forcing parents and swimmers to pay significantly more for knee-length suits.


    How This Affects Your Swimmers and Parents
    Below is a summary of why you should be concerned about this situation:
    • Knee-length suits clearly may aid performance, making them illegal under FINA rules.
    • The lack of transparency and widespread confusion about the approval and monitoring process has justifiably resulted in a lack of confidence that performance-enhancing suits have been eliminated and will not reappear.
    • FINA cannot be relied upon to control this situation due to a gross lack of resolve that is likely to be motivated by conflicts of interest.
    • The suit manufacturers are selling knee-length suits accompanied by claims that are either completely untrue or render their products illegal. In addition there is limited availability of cheaper men’s brief suits and women’s suits to the hips, forcing competitive swimmers to buy the more expensive knee-length suits.
    What Can You and Your Members Do?
    It seems the only way that change can be brought about is for there to be a groundswell of pressure from the ‘grass roots’ up such that FINA feels it has no alternative other than to act, as was the case with the decision in Rome. You can help return integrity to our sport by doing any or all of the following:
    • Given that it is the National Federations that have most influence with FINA, the most powerful thing you can do is contact Swimming Australia and let them know your views.
    • Contact your State association, make your feelings known, and suggest that the association makes representations to Swimming Australia.
    • Raise the matter at district level, make your feelings known, and suggest that your district makes representations to your State association and/or Swimming Australia.
    • Let your coach know your views and suggest that he/she raises it through the Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association.
    • Email this to others in the swimming community and/or discuss this matter with them to alert them to the situation.
    • Contact the suit manufacturers and/or your local distributor and query them about promotional material that advertises performance enhancement, and the availability of brief competition suits.
    • Contact FINA (office@fina.org) and make your feelings known.
    It could greatly assist the sport of swimming if you act as suggested, as I firmly believe that unless knee-length suits are prohibited and unless there is complete transparency and certainty in the approval and monitoring process, swimming could once again head down the disastrous path it took over the last two years.

    Yours sincerely,

    Forbes Carlile, M.B.E

    Co-Principal Carlile Swimming
    Life Member Swimming Australia
    Life Member Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association


    See Also
  • Swimsuit Update

  • SwimNews - Whither The Racing Brief?

  • SwimNews - Stop The Runaway Train

  • SwimNews - Suit Wars: Issues Of Science And Progress II
  • Speedo Sprint Series Heat Results

    Stephanie Hindle will represent Merrylands at the Speedo Sprint Series Finals after some excellent swims by our team at the Metro South West Area Heats this morning.

    Stephanie will be our first Finalist since 2007 and will contest 2 events after finishing 5th in the 13yrs 50m Breaststroke (41.56) and 3rd in the 50m Butterfly (32.68). She also finished 8th in the 50m Backstroke. The results were a perfect return to competition for Stephanie since she had been forced to spend nearly all of the summer season on the side of the pool, after fracturing her wrist in September last year.

    Our other 4 swimmers at the meet also performed well. Timothy Tunks finished 9th in the 50m Breaststroke in a new PB of 44.77, while Hayley Baker, Charlotte Neill and Lachlan Stewart also swam well with at least 1 new personal best time each.

    Congratulations to our swimmers on their results and good luck to Stephanie at the finals on March 13th.


    See Also
  • 2007 Speedo Sprint Series Heat Results


  • Finalist - Stephanie Hindle will be Merrylands' first Finalist in the Speedo Sprint Series since 2007.
    Finalist
    Stephanie Hindle will be Merrylands' first Finalist in the Speedo Sprint Series since 2007.