Issue 13, 2022/2023

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year and welcome back to swimming club for 2023. We hope you had a restful Christmas and New Year and are ready to hit the water again to maybe work off some holiday indulgences!

Merrylands 50s

The highlight of this week’s program – the Merrylands 50s – is back for 2023.

How does it work? Swimmers that have entered the event have been evenly seeded across 4 heats for the preliminary round, and given a time handicap. You need to finish in the top 4 in your preliminary heat to progress to the semi-finals. The top 4 from each semi-final will then progress to the final. Swimmers will be re-handicapped after each round based on their time from the previous round.

The rules for handicaps are detailed on the website. Note that rule SW14.2 will apply to this event while rule SW14.3 will not apply. So you can’t get disqualified for going too fast, but you may get your seed time adjusted if you go too slow.

Need some tips for the event? Try asking one of our previous winners:

Year

Winner

2019

Lisa Shrestha

2020

Joseph Assi

2021

Aisha Abdelraheem

The first-placed swimmer in the final will win a prize.

Next Week: Handicap Relay

The fun events continue next week with the 2x50m Handicap Relay. Want to enter? Get a teammate, come up with a team name and enter online before 8pm Thursday.

Metro South West Qualifying Meet

Good luck to our team swimming at the Metro South West Qualifying Meet tomorrow: Joseph, Laura-Belle, Ren, Alison, Daniel and Matthew.

Merrylands SwimFest – Entries open

Our annual swim meet, the Merrylands SwimFest will be held on Saturday, 18th February, 2023.

This meet is not only great competition practice for our swimmers, but is the club’s main fundraiser of the year with proceeds going towards our annual presentation evening.

Needless to say, we need everyone’s support in running the meet, and our swimmers to compete.

Our members get discounted entry fees for the meet and both Full Swimmer and Club Only Swimmer members are able to compete.

Entries close on Saturday, 4th February. See the website for details, get your entries in and think about how you will help on the day.

Merrylands SwimFest – Timekeeping

One of the most important and best jobs at the SwimFest is timekeeping, and it couldn’t be any easier – push a button when the swimmers hit the wall at the end of the race. No pencil, no clipboard, no splits, no writing times. All you need is eyes, a thumb and a connection between the two. The rest of the time you have a front-row seat to all the action with food served to you on a platter. We need 16 timekeepers to run the meet, so please volunteer when asked later this month.

Speedo Sprint Series Heats

The Speedo Sprint Series Heats will be held at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre on Sunday, 12th February. Swimmers aged 8-13 years that can swim 50m are encouraged to swim at this meet - speak to your coach if you are unsure whether you should enter. Entries close on 31st January – see the website for details.

Do your kids know what is going on?

Keep you kids informed about what is happening. Print them a copy of the newsletter to read each week or sign them up to receive a copy via email.

Lions Club Award

Each month the Committee votes for the Lions Club Award – the club’s Volunteer of the Year.

You can nominate a club member to recognise their service online here.

Club Uniforms

Order your club uniforms before the Merrylands SwimFest online here.

COVID-19 Conditions

Read the conditions for club races here.

Upcoming Meet Calendar

Check the website for the full list of upcoming meets, closing dates, programs and qualifying times.

MEET NAME

MEET DATE

ENTRY CLOSING

Speedo Sprint Series Heats

12th February

31st January

Merrylands SwimFest

18th February

4th February

NSW Senior Metropolitan Championships

25th February & 26th February

14th February

Speedo Sprint Series Finals

4th March

Qualify via Heats meet

NSW State Open Championships

10th March to 12th March

28th February

NSW Junior State Age Championships

25th March & 26th March

14th March

NSW State Masters Championships

1st & 2nd April

24th March

School Holiday Activities

Bingo

Tuesday 10 January 10.30-12pm
Great prizes to be won
Register at https://www.clubmerrylands.com.au/

Kids Disco

Tuesday 17 January 11-1pm
Who is ready to party? Dress up in your favourite costume and join in the fun, Kids FREE soft drink, Prizes up for grabs
Register at https://www.clubmerrylands.com.au/

Kids Barefoot Bowls

Thursday 19 January and Friday 20 January
Roll up for a fun day on the green
10.30-11.30am
Register at https://www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/

Issue 12, 2022/2023

Christmas Celebration

Well, we are now halfway through the current season and Christmas provides a time to celebrate and rejuvenate for the new year.

On behalf of the Committee, I would like to thank everyone for their help with club activities. We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2023 ahead.

Today is our last swim of 2022 and club races resume on Saturday 7th January 2023 (squad training resumes on Tuesday 3rd January 2023).

Following club races today we will have:

  • Novelty races and events
  • Christmas Breakfast & Hamper draw

Merrylands 50’s

The Merrylands 50s is a knockout handicap competition with 3 rounds: Preliminaries and Semi-Finals, all leading to a Final with a winner-takes-all prize at the end. The top swimmers from each round progress to the next round. Each swimmer is given a time handicap, so everyone has a chance of winning.

Just enter Club Races as usual for the 7th January.

Updated conditions for attendees at all club activities

Updated conditions applicable for attendees wanting to attend any club activity (e.g. club races, squad training & social events) can be found here:

Important Club Reminders

We want to reiterate some important membership requirements:

  • Parents of swimmers under the age of 18yrs are required to attend club races with their children. It is not a babysitting service and if at least one parent is not able to attend then the child/children should not attend club races that morning;
  • The club is run by volunteers and requires the assistance of everyone to be able to run club races each week. We require at least one parent from each family attending club races on the morning to assist with jobs around the pool deck. This means a parent of each family is required to assist with roles such as timekeeping, marshalling, check starting;
  • Arrive at the pool early to assist with set up and be ready for races to start at 7.00am. Set up and pack up of the club’s equipment is not the domain of 1 or 2 people. Everyone can assist with this. So why not come down earlier and learn how to set up.
  • Even if your child/children are not swimming in the first event being at the pool assists us in getting races started on time as we need to ensure we have enough timekeepers to start races;
  • When timekeeping please ensure you use the lanyard to secure the stopwatch around your neck, remain quiet when a race is about to commence (the referee’s whistle is an alert for you that a race is about to start, as well as inviting the swimmers to get on the blocks or enter the pool), concentrate on the swimmer in your lane and be in the correct position at each turn and the finish of the race, i.e. looking directly down the pool wall so you can see the swimmer touch the wall.

Upcoming Meet Calendar

Check the website for the full list of upcoming meets, closing dates, programs and qualifying times.

MEET NAME

MEET DATE

ENTRY CLOSING

MSW Long Course Qualifying Meet

8th January

CLOSED

Speedo Sprint Series Heats

12th February

31st January

Merrylands SwimFest

18th February

4th February

NSW Senior Metropolitan Championships

25th February & 26th February

14th February

Speedo Sprint Series Finals

4th March

Qualify via Heats meet

NSW State Open Championships

10th March to 12th March

28th February

NSW Junior State Age Championships

25th March & 26th March

14th March

Sponsors

Thank you to our major sponsors who provide fantastic support to our club. If you know of a business or organisation that may be interested in providing sponsorship or support to our club please speak to Graham Edwards.

School Holidays

Bingo

Tuesday 10 January 10.30-12pm
Great prizes to be won
Register at https://www.clubmerrylands.com.au/

Kids Disco

Tuesday 17 January 11-1pm
Who is ready to party? Dress up in your favourite costume and join in the fun, Kids FREE soft drink, Prizes up for grabs
Register at https://www.clubmerrylands.com.au/

Kids Barefoot Bowls

Thursday 19 January and Friday 20 January
Roll up for a fun day on the green
10.30-11.30am
Register at https://www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/

Issue 11, 2022/2023

Maroon win Whales Challenge #2

In a tight finish, the Maroon team won last week’s second round of the Whales Challenge, defeating the White team 816-803.

The deciding round will be held on 11th March next year, so we have a bit of a wait to see who will come out on top in the 2022/23 season.

NSW Senior State Age Championships

Well done to Alison Johnston and Leo Zhu on their results at the NSW Senior State Age Championships this week.

Alison’s time in the 50m Freestyle was just 0.07 outside her best time this season, while Leo swam a PB in the 200m Breaststroke.

Well done to both swimmers!

Christmas Party

Our Christmas Party will be held next Saturday in conjunction with the Club Races from 7am. Races, including the Junior Handicap will be followed by Novelty Events and a BBQ and will be finished by 9:30am.

Enter the races as normal, and complete the Novelty Events form on the Online Entries page.

School Holiday Program

Time is running out to register for our School Holiday Program, with only a few spots left!

This program is for kids aged 5 to 12 and is open to both members and non-members. More details here.

Learn to Swim

This is the last week of Learn to Swim for this year. Lessons resume on Saturday, 4th February. Thanks to our instructors and helpers for running the program.

Christmas/New Year Break

Our last club morning for 2022 is the 24th December. Races will resume on 7th January, 2023.

The Merrylands 50s is back!

The Merrylands 50s is back on Saturday, 7th January!

“What is the Merrylands 50s?”, I hear you ask.

The Merrylands 50s is a knockout handicap competition with 3 rounds: Preliminaries and Semi-Finals, all leading to a Final with a winner-takes-all prize at the end. The top swimmers from each round progress to the next round. Each swimmer is given a time handicap, so everyone has a chance of winning.

“Sounds cool! So how do I enter?”

Just enter Club Races as usual for the 7th January (entries will be available in the next few days).

Helping on Saturday Mornings

Thank you to those families that helped out last week.

Please remember:

  • Arrive before 6:50am to help setup
  • Volunteer to time keep – we need 16 timekeepers to provide accurate timing – please don’t make us come and ask.
  • Help pack up before you leave

Don’t know what needs to be done? Ask a member of the Committee and they can point you in the right direction.

This is not the Baby-Sitters Club

Please remember: Parents of swimmers under the age of 18yrs are required to attend club races with their children. It is not a babysitting service.

Are you going on holiday?

Squad Members: Are you going on holiday in December/January? Make sure you complete the form here to let us know as soon as possible.

Lucky Door Prize

Each championship week, we have a Lucky Door prize. You could win your choice of a Speedo kickboard, flipper bag or pair of Opal Mirror goggles. How do you win? You must be in attendance at the Championship presentation when your name is called to win.

Share your photos

Do you have photos from meets or club races you can share for the newsletter or presentation evening? Use the link in the weekly Whales Tales newsletter to upload them.

Lions Club Award

Each month the Committee votes for the Lions Club Award – the club’s Volunteer of the Year.

You can nominate a club member to recognise their service online here.

COVID-19 Conditions

Read the updated conditions for club races here.

Club Uniforms

Order club uniforms online here.

Junior Swimmers Results

We have seen more fantastic swimming and results in the 15m, 25m & 33m races over the last few weeks. Congratulations to the following swimmers on breaking the times for these events:

25m Freestyle

12/11/2022 – Connor Mackie

19/11/2022 – Caleb Mackie

3/12/2022 – Jude Johnston

3/12/2022 – Lily Palise

25m Backstroke

19/11/2022 – Connor Mackie*

33m Breaststroke

12/11/2022 – Patrick Hannan*

* broke the time at their first attempt

Upcoming Meet Calendar

Check the website for the full list of upcoming meets, closing dates, programs and qualifying times.

MEET NAME

MEET DATE

ENTRY CLOSING

MSW Long Course Qualifying Meet

8th January

CLOSED

Speedo Sprint Series Heats

12th February

31st January

Merrylands SwimFest

18th February

4th February

NSW Senior Metropolitan Championships

25th February & 26th February

14th February

Speedo Sprint Series Finals

4th March

Qualify via Heats meet

NSW State Open Championships

10th March to 12th March

28th February

NSW Junior State Age Championships

25th March & 26th March

14th March

Sponsors

Thank you to our major sponsors who provide fantastic support to our club. If you know of a business or organisation that may be interested in providing sponsorship or support to our club please speak to Graham Edwards.

Issue 10, 2022/2023

Whales Challenge #2

The Whales Challenge is back for round 2 this morning in a do-or-die battle for the Maroon team. Can the Maroon team level the score after the White team won round 1? Or will the White team take an unassailable 2-0 lead? Which team will reign supreme?

New members, check your team here and don’t forget your team cap.

Helping on Saturday Mornings

It takes many people to run club races on Saturday mornings, from set-up to officiating, to packing up – we need all families to help.

Please:

  • Arrive before 6:50am to help setup
  • Volunteer to time keep – we need 16 timekeepers to provide accurate timing – please don’t make us come and ask.
  • Help pack up before you leave

At the December Committee Meeting, the committee discussed the option of rostering families for setup each week, which we may have to implement if families aren’t turning up early to help.

Don’t know what needs to be done? Ask a member of the Committee and they can point you in the right direction.

Many hands make light work.

Where is your Parent?

Please remember: Parents of swimmers under the age of 18yrs are required to attend club races with their children. It is not a babysitting service.

Christmas/New Year Break

Our last club morning for 2022 is the 24th December. Races will resume on 7th January, 2023.

NSW Senior State Age Championships

The NSW Senior State Age Championships will be held at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre on 10-16 December. Three of our members have qualified for the championships. Congratulations to Alison Johnston, Matthew Vicic and Leo Zhu on qualifying.

Unfortunately, Matt has been unwell and will be unable to swim at the championships.

Details of the meet, along with access to the live results and live stream are available on the Swimming NSW website.

Relay Competition

Round #5 of the Relay Competition is on today. Has your team completed the weekly form nominating the 4 team members who will swim today? The link for this form is here.

Are you going on holiday?

Squad Members: Are you going on holiday in December/January? Make sure you complete the form here to let us know as soon as possible.

Christmas Party

Our Christmas Party will be held on Saturday, 24th December in conjunction with the Club Races from 7am. Races will be followed by Novelty Events and a BBQ and will be finished by 9:30am.

School Holiday Program

We will be running a free*, School Holiday Program for kids aged 5 to 12 on Thursday, 19th January from 8am to 9:45am.

This program is open to both members and non-members, so invite your friends and book online here.

*Normal pool entry applies.

Lucky Door Prize

Each championship week, we have a Lucky Door prize. You could win your choice of a Speedo kickboard, flipper bag or pair of Opal Mirror goggles. How do you win? You must be in attendance at the Championship presentation when your name is called to win.

Share your photos

Do you have photos from meets or club races you can share for the newsletter or presentation evening? Use the link in the weekly Whales Tales newsletter to upload them.

FINA World Swimming Championships (25m)

The 2022 FINA World Swimming Championships hit the water in Melbourne on 13-18 December. You can watch Australia’s Olympic Champions take on the best in the world in prime time on Channel 9 and 9now. Heats start at 11am each day, with the finals starting at 7:30pm.

Lions Club Award

Each month the Committee votes for the Lions Club Award – the club’s Volunteer of the Year.

Members nominated for November:

Denise Assi

Tricia Johnston

Ian Wilson

Prafulla Shrestha

Ian Johnston

Glenda Wood

Leah Johnston

 

Congratulation to these members on being nominated. Nominations are open for any member to recognise the service of other members. You can nominate a club member online here.

COVID-19 Conditions

Read the updated conditions for club races here.

Club Uniforms

Order club uniforms online here.

Upcoming Meet Calendar

Check the website for the full list of upcoming meets, closing dates, programs and qualifying times.

MEET NAME

MEET DATE

ENTRY CLOSING

SNSW Senior State Age Championships

10th December to 16th December

Closed

NSW State Open Water Championships

18th December & 19th December

6th December

MSW Long Course Qualifying Meet

8th January

28th December

Speedo Sprint Series Heats

12th February

31st January

Merrylands SwimFest

18th February

4th February

NSW Senior Metropolitan Championships

25th February & 26th February

14th February

Speedo Sprint Series Finals

4th March

Qualify via Heats meet

NSW State Open Championships

10th March to 12th March

28th February

NSW Junior State Age Championships

25th March & 26th March

14th March

Sponsors

Thank you to our major sponsors who provide fantastic support to our club. If you know of a business or organisation that may be interested in providing sponsorship or support to our club please speak to Graham Edwards.

Christmas/New Year Club Races & Training

Our last training session for 2022 will be held on Thursday, 22nd December, while our last week of club races will be held on Saturday, 24th December.

Club Races start at 7am as usual, and will include Novelty Events after the regular races.

Training will resume on Tuesday, 3rd January, 2023, with Club Races resuming on Saturday, 7th January.

Our Christmas Party will be held on Saturday, 24th December in conjunction with the Club Races from 7am. All squad members are encouraged to attend the club races and novelty events. We would love to see you there. Enter online here.

Are going to be away at all in December or January?

If you will be away, then please complete the form below to indicate your last day of training and your first day back.

Training Break Form

The Committee and Coaching Staff hope you have enjoyed the first few months back at Merrylands. Have a Merry Christmas and keep training hard as school carnivals and the Merrylands SwimFest approaches.

See Also

Issue 9, 2022/2023

SNSW Junior Metropolitan Championships

Congratulations to Joseph Assi & Leo Zhu who competed at the Junior Metropolitan Championships swum at SOPAC last weekend.

Joseph achieved 2 PB’s in his 3 swims, gaining another Junior State Age qualifying time with his PB in the 100m Breaststroke. Joseph was also a Metropolitan finalist with a top-10 finish in the 200m Breaststroke taking 2 seconds off his time.

Leo contested 7 events at his first Metrops and achieved 100% new personal best times. Leo was just outside the top 10 with 11th place in his 100m Breaststroke, took a massive chunk off his 50m Backstroke to win his heat from lane 0, and achieved 6th place in the 200m Breaststroke, earning himself his first Metropolitan finalist ribbon.

NSW Masters Long Distance Championships

Varant Jambazian competed in the NSW Masters Long Distance Championships last Sunday at Birrong Aquatic Centre. Varant swam the 400m Breaststroke & 400m Freestyle events, both new distances for him in these strokes. Varant came away with some great times and took out 1st place in his age group. Congratulations Varant

Updated conditions for attendees at all club activities

With changes to COVID-19 health & safety protocols we have updated the conditions applicable for attendees wanting to attend any club activity (e.g. club races, squad training, learn to swim & social events).

Read the updated conditions for each activity:

Relay Competition

The relay competition returns this morning, so remember that your relay team needs to complete the weekly form nominating the 4 team members who will swim today. The link for this form is here.

Lions Club Award

Nominations are open for any member to recognise the service of other members.

You can nominate a club member online here.

Club Uniforms

To order club uniform items go to https://shop.merrylandsasc.asn.au/club-uniforms

Membership Cards

Remember to download a copy of your membership card from Swim Central to show to the pool staff if requested when entering the swimming centre. Instructions are here.

Upcoming Meet Calendar

Check the website for the full list of upcoming meets, closing dates, programs and qualifying times.

MEET NAME

MEET DATE

ENTRY CLOSING

SNSW Senior State Age Championships

10th December to 16th December

Closed

NSW State Open Water Championships

18th December & 19th December

6th December

MSW Long Course Qualifying Meet

8th January

28th December

Speedo Sprint Series Heats

11th February

31st January

Merrylands SwimFest

18th February

4th February

NSW Senior Metropolitan Championships

25th February & 26th February

14th February

Speedo Sprint Series Finals

4th March

Qualify via Heats meet

NSW State Open Championships

10th March to 12th March

28th February

NSW Junior State Age Championships

25th March & 26th March

14th March

Sponsors

Thank you to our major sponsors who provide fantastic support to our club. If you know of a business or organisation that may be interested in providing sponsorship or support to our club please speak to Graham Edwards.

School Holiday Activities

Club Merrylands has a number of Christmas and school holiday activities available. These include:

Christmas

School Holidays

SANTA VISIT

Monday 12 December

Snap a pic with Santa, free candy cane for all kids

6pm – 8pm

Bingo

Tuesday 10 January 10.30-12pm

Great prizes to be won

Register at www.clubmerrylands.com.au

CHRISTMAS RAFFLES at Club Merrylands

Toy Raffle

$5,000 toys to be won

Monday 12 December

Tickets on sale at 6pm Drawn 7.30pm

Kids Disco

Tuesday 17 January 11-1pm

Who is ready to party? Dress up in your favourite costume and join in the fun, Kids FREE soft drink, Prizes up for grabs

Register at www.clubmerrylands.com.au

HAM AND PORK RAFFLES

$3,000 of prizes to be won at each raffle

Monday 5 and 19 December

Friday 9, 16, 23 December

Tickets on sale at 6pm Drawn 7.30pm

Kids Barefoot Bowls

Thursday 19 January and Friday 20 January

Roll up for a fun day on the green

10.30-11.30am

Register at www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au

Seafood Voucher Raffle

$3,500 worth of seafood vouchers to be won

Thursday 22 December

Tickets on sale at 6pm Drawn 7.30pm

 

Two Finalists and 9 PBs at Metropolitan Championships

Our team had fantastic results at the New South Wales Junior Metropolitan Championships held at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre this weekend.

Leo Zhu contested 7 events at his first Metrops and achieved 100% new personal best times.  Leo was just outside the top 10 with 11th place in his 100m Breaststroke, took a massive chunk off his 50m Backstroke to win his heat from lane 0, and achieved 6th place in the 200m Breaststroke, earning himself his first Metropolitan finalist ribbon.

Joseph Assi raced 3 events and achieved 2 new personal best times.  Joseph gained another Junior State Age qualifying time with his personal best in the 100m Breaststroke. Joseph also was a Metropolitan finalist with a top-10 finish in the 200m Breaststroke taking 2 seconds off his time in the process.

Well done boys and thank you to Alison for all her hard work with the team.

 

NSW State Masters Distance Championships

Varant Jambazian will represent Merrylands at the NSW State Masters Long Distance Championships at Birrong Leisure & Aquatic Centre today.

Varant is competing in the 400m Breaststroke and 400m Freestyle.

We wish him the best of luck at the meet.