2007/2008 Season Review

2007/2008 was a historic year for swimming in NSW and for our club with some major changes to District/Area level competition in NSW, excellent representative results for the club and Merrylands Swimming Centre opening for the new season at the unusual time of the end of June.

The 2007/2008 season again began with some hot October weather and stronger attendance at both the weekly Saturday morning races and weekday training sessions.

The club's Learn to Swim program continued to increase in popularity and numbers, with 95 children enrolled in the program for the summer.

In the club competitions, a number of new champions were crowned. Only the Senior Handicap and Relay Competition were defended successfully. Peter Johnston won the Senior Handicap for a record 7th time, while "The Swimmers" won their third straight Relay Competition.

Anthony Ventra won the Champion of Champions Award for the first time. Anthony set 3 club records and also represented the club at the Cumberland, Metropolitan and State Championships.
From the ranks of our novice swimmers, Jessica Grubba was presented with the Jack Smart Encouragement Award after steadily improving over the season.

In the Graded Pointscore, both trophies were presented to first time winners. Timothy Tunks was awarded the Michael Rossek Trophy for the highest placed Junior Boy in the Graded Races Pointscore while Chantel Teakle-Jones received the Ronald Exley Trophy for the highest placed Junior Girl.

During the season, Swimming NSW continued with their project of District/Area rationalisation. This involved re-organising the 8 Metropolitan Districts into 4 Areas and as part of this, the Cumberland District ceased to exist at the beginning of May. The Metro South West Area was formed in it's place.

During the season we had swimmers competing at all levels up to and including State Open Championships with our teams consisting of a mixture of new and experienced swimmers. Some swimmers returned to teams after not competing in previous years, some were rookies, qualifying for their first representative team while others added new events to their roster or qualified for new teams.
Amber Johnson qualified for the State Age Championships for the first time since 2004 while the club was also represented by a relay team at the State Open Short Course Championships for the first time with Steven Nguyen, Anthony Ventra, David Wang and Peter Johnston competing in the 4x100m Freestyle Relay.
At the Metro South West Short Course Championships, the club had finalists in over 74% of the events we contested with Belinda Sloane and Ethan Burton qualifying for their first Area Championships. The club also won 7 medals with Peter Johnston, David Wang, Brittany Johnson and Rebecca Tuivawa taking home medals. The results made this year's meet the club's best team performance at the championships ever, finishing in 14th place.
Nine of our swimmer's performances over the summer were recognised with selection in the 2008 Metro South West Area Development Squads.

2007/2008 was also the first season that we had swimmers competing in Masters Swimming competitions. Two members registered as Masters Competitors with Peter Johnston winning 4 medals at the NSW State Masters Championships.

Part of the club's winter success can be attributed to the fact that Merrylands Swimming Centre opened at the unusually early date of June 30th, allowing our swimmers to return to training at the centre nearly 3 months earlier than usual. The one off change was due to extended maintenance at both Guildford and Wentworthville swimming centres.

In the Club Championships, 13 Championship records were broken over the season.

Todd Jenkin
Senior Mens 50m Breaststroke (Todd Jenkin, 2005/2006)
Leanne Grubba
Senior Womens 50m Freestyle (Merren Lee, 1975/1976)
Senior Womens 200m Freestyle (Nicole Smith, 1997/1998)
Senior Womens 50m Breaststroke (Meaghan Legge, 2004/2005)
Senior Womens 50m Butterfly (Michelle Hayes, 1992/1993)
Anthony Ventra
14yrs Boys 50m Freestyle (Robert Griffey, 1998/1999)
14yrs Boys 50m Breaststroke (Todd Jenkin, 2002/2003)
14yrs Boys 50m Butterfly (Steven Nguyen, 2004/2005)
Ethan Burton
8yrs Boys 50m Backstroke (Darren Turner, 1974/1975)
Ian Wilson
Veterans Mens 50m Backstroke (Ian Wilson, 2006/2007)
Veterans Mens 50m Breaststroke (Stephen McFarlane, 2004/2005)
Veterans Mens 50m Butterfly (Ronald Griffey, 2001/2002)


2007/2008 saw the running of our annual swimming meet, the Merrylands SwimFest, at Merrylands for the sixth time. The weather was outstanding with the meet held in excellent conditions and a record 1,580 entries. 21 of our swimmers competed at the meet, winning 11 medals. The Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre Swim Team won the club pointscore.

Our Winter Competition was held for the fifth time with increased numbers and those attending enjoying some new events. Peter Johnston won the male competition and Belinda Sloane the female competition.

Four new committee members were appointed at the AGM in May with Janet Sloane (Social Secretary), Peta Tunks, Darren Sloane and Ian Wilson all joining the committee.

See Also
  • 2007/2008 Rankings

  • 2007/2008 Presentation Evening

  • NSW Metropolitan Championships - Team

  • NSW Metropolitan Championships - Results

  • NSW State Age Championships - Team

  • NSW State Age Championships - Results

  • Cumberland Open & Age Championships - Team

  • Cumberland Open & Age Championships - Results

  • NSW State Masters Championships - Results

  • NSW Metropolitan Short Course Championships - Team

  • NSW Metropolitan Short Course Championships - Results

  • NSW State Age Short Course Championships - Team

  • NSW State Age Short Course Championships - Results

  • NSW State Open Short Course Championships - Team

  • NSW State Open Short Course Championships - Results

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

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

  • Metro South West Development Squads

  • Record Number of Entries for 2008 SwimFest

  • The End of Cumberland

  • Swimming Metro South West

  • Merrylands Pool Re-opens June 30
  • Metro South West Development Squads Announced

    The 2008 Metro South West Development Squads have been announced and congratulations to the following 12 swimmers from our club who have been selected:

    Nnovice Squad
    Philo Farid
    Charlotte Neill
    Jacob Killick
     
    NSW Development Meet Team
    Timothy Tunks
    Logan Woodcock
    Belinda Sloane
    Tanya Cleland
    Dylan Baker
     
    C Squad (Achiever Squad)
    Rebecca Tuivawa
     
    B Squad (Target Squad)
    Amber Johnson
    David Wang
    Anthony Ventra

    Congratulations to all the swimmers, in particular Philo, Charlotte, Jacob, Belinda, Tanya and Logan who have been selected for the first time.

    The NSW Development Meet Team will be competing for Metro South West at the Swimming NSW Development Meet on Sunday, 28th September at Sydney Olympic Park.

    The C-Squad (Achiever Squad) will be attending the Woy Woy Swimming Club Meet on 11th October as a team, travelling to and from the meet by bus.

    The B-Squad (Target Squad) will attend a training session at Granville Swimming Centre on Saturday, 25th October, followed by a trip to the finals of the FINA World Cup at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.

    Peter Johnston will also be a coach for the Development Squads, as a coach for both the Development Meet Team and the B-Squad.

    See Also
  • Swimming Metro South West

  • 2007 Squad Members

  • 2006 Squad Members

  • 2005 Squad Members

  • 2004 Squad Members

  • 2003 Squad Members

  • 2002 Squad Members

  • 2001 Squad Members
  • 7 Medals at Metro South West Short Course Championships

    Merrylands' team of 10 swimmers won 7 medals and were finalists in 22 events at the inaugural Metro South West Area Open & Age Short Course Championships on the weekend. The club's results made this year's meet the club's most successful Short Course District/Area Championships ever.

    Besides the medals and finalist ribbons, 21 new personal best times were swum from 42 events with every swimmer in the team swimming at least one new PB at the two day meet.

    David Wang won the club's first medal of the meet when he swam a new personal best time of 1:19.92 on the way to third place in the 15yrs 100m Breaststroke. David took over 1.35 seconds off his old personal best time to win his first medal at the meet since finishing 3rd in the 100m Breaststroke at the 2004 Championships. He went on to win another two bronze medals at the meet after finishing 3rd in the 100m Backstroke in a new PB of 1:13.45 and 3rd in the 100m Freestyle, surpassing his previous best result of two bronze medals at the 2008 Cumberland Open & Age Championships.

    Peter Johnston also won his first medals at the meet since 2004. The meet marked a bit of a return to form for Peter after he had struggled for pace at most of the meets throughout the winter season. However he finished the meet with two silver medals, his best ever championships haul, and 4 new personal best times. Peter's first medal was a bit of a surprise as he finished a close 2nd in the Open 100m Breaststroke in a new personal best time of 1:17.12, breaking his PB by 0.9 seconds and finishing just 0.23 seconds in front of third place. His second medal came in the 17yrs & Over 50m Breaststroke, also in a new personal best time of 33.53, 0.52 seconds inside his previous best.

    Brittany Johnson was our third medallist of the meet, swimming at her first championship meet since 2006. Brittany overcame a shoulder injury to swim a new personal best time of 32.23 on her way to third place in the 17yrs & Over 50m Butterfly. She then backed up to swim a new PB in the Open 100m Individual Medley. Rebecca Tuivawa won our final medal in our last event of the meet, taking home bronze in the Open 100m Butterfly.

    Eight out of ten of our members were a finalist in at least one of their events. Steven Nguyen took over half a second off his PB to finish just outside the medals in 4th place in the 17yrs & Over 50m Butterfly. Ethan Burton's best result was also 4th place in the 9yrs & Under 50m Backstroke.

    Amber Johnson's best result came in the 15yrs 100m Backstroke where she finished in 7th while Timothy Tunks took home his first ever finalist ribbons, his best result being 5th in the 9yrs & 50m Freestyle in a new PB.

    Swimming in her first Championship Meet, Belinda Sloane swam new personal best times in all three of her events while Simon Johnston swam a new PB in the lead off leg of the 10x50m Freestyle Non-Championship Relay.

    Finalist Summary:

    Timothy Tunks
    9yrs & Under 50m Freestyle (5th)
    9yrs & Under 100m Individual Medley (10th)
    Ethan Burton
    9yrs & Under 50m Backstroke (4th)
    9yrs & Under 50m Breaststroke (5th)
    9yrs & Under 50m Butterfly (10th)
    9yrs & Under 100m Individual Medley (7th)
    Rebecca Tuivawa
    13yrs 100m Backstroke (9th)
    13yrs 100m Breaststroke (7th)
    13yrs 100m Butterfly (7th)
    13yrs 200m Individual Medley (8th)
    Open 100m Breaststroke (7th)
    Open 100m Butterfly (3rd)
    David Wang
    15yrs 100m Freestyle (3rd)
    15yrs 100m Backstroke (3rd)
    15yrs 100m Breaststroke (3rd)
    15yrs 200m Individual Medley (4th)
    Open 100m Breaststroke (6th)
    Open 100m Individual Medley (6th)
    Amber Johnson
    15yrs 100m Backstroke (7th)
    Steven Nguyen
    17yrs & Over 50m Butterfly (4th)
    Brittany Johnson
    17yrs & Over 50m Butterfly (3rd)
    Open 100m Individual Medley (6th)
    Peter Johnston
    17yrs & Over 50m Freestyle (5th)
    17yrs & Over 50m Backstroke (6th)
    17yrs & Over 50m Breaststroke (2nd)
    17yrs & Over 50m Butterfly (5th)
    Open 100m Freestyle (4th)
    Open 100m Breaststroke (2nd)
    Open 200m Breaststroke (6th)

    The swimmers who swam PBs were:

    Timothy Tunks
    50m Freestyle
    Ethan Burton
    50m Backstroke
    50m Breaststroke
    100m Freestyle
    Belinda Sloane
    100m Freestyle
    100m Backstroke
    100m Breaststroke
    50m Freestyle (Relay Leg) (Unofficial)
    Rebecca Tuivawa
    200m Individual Medley
    David Wang
    100m Backstroke
    100m Breaststroke
    100m Individual Medley
    200m Individual Medley
    50m Freestyle (Relay Leg) (Unofficial)
    Amber Johnson
    100m Individual Medley
    Steven Nguyen
    50m Butterfly
    50m Freestyle (Relay Leg) (Unofficial)
    Brittany Johnson
    50m Butterfly
    Open 100m Individual Medley
    50m Freestyle (Relay Leg) (Unofficial)
    Simon Johnston
    50m Freestyle (Relay Leg)
    Peter Johnston
    50m Freestyle
    50m Backstroke
    50m Breaststroke
    Open 100m Breaststroke
    50m Freestyle (Relay Leg) (Unofficial)

    Congratulations to all 10 swimmers on their performances. Overall our club finished in 14th position on 543 points, more than double last year's total of 223. Our male team performed exceptionally well, finishing inside the top ten in 8th place, with our female team finishing in 18th.
    The full results with splits are now available here.

    Medal Tally

    Gold 0
    Silver 2
    Bronze 5

    See Also
  • 2008 Metro South West Area Open & Age Short Course Championships - Team

  • 2008 Metro South West Area Open & Age Short Course Championships - Results


  • 2008 Metro South West Short Course Championships Team

    Metro South West Area Short Course Championships

    The inaugural Metro South West Area Open & Age Short Course Championships will be held at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September, 2008.

    Our club will be represented by 10 swimmers at the meet, competing in 40 individual championship events - our biggest team at the District/Area Short Course Championships since 2003.

    This year's team features both new and old swimmers, with some swimmers making the debut and also some swimmers who have not represented the club for a number of years making their return. Belinda Sloane and Ethan Burton have both qualified for their first Area Championships while Simon Johnston will represent the club at a District/Area Championships for the first time in over 8 years. Brittany Johnson and Steven Nguyen also make their return to the team with Brittany last competing at the meet in 2006 and Steven in 2004.

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

    Ethan Burton
    9yrs & Under 50m Freestyle (Day 1 - Session 1 - 10:21am)
    9yrs & Under 100m Individual Medley (Day 1 - Session 2 - 1:13pm)
    9yrs & Under 50m Backstroke (Day 1 - Session 2 - 3:14pm)
    9yrs & Under 50m Breaststroke (Day 2 - Session 3 - 11:05am)
    9yrs & Under 50m Butterfly (Day 2 - Session 4 - 1:28pm)
    Timothy Tunks
    9yrs & Under 50m Freestyle (Day 1 - Session 1 - 10:21am)
    9yrs & Under 100m Individual Medley (Day 1 - Session 2 - 1:13pm)
    9yrs & Under 50m Breaststroke (Day 2 - Session 3 - 11:05am)
    9yrs & Under 50m Butterfly (Day 2 - Session 4 - 1:28pm)
    Belinda Sloane
    12yrs 100m Breaststroke (Day 1 - Session 2 - 1:47pm)
    12yrs 100m Backstroke (Day 2 - Session 3 - 9:56am)
    12yrs 100m Freestyle (Day 2 - Session 4 - 2:13pm)
    Rebecca Tuivawa
    13yrs 100m Breaststroke (Day 1 - Session 1 - 10:38am)
    13yrs 100m Freestyle (Day 1 - Session 2 - 2:41pm)
    Open 100m Breaststroke (Day 1 - Session 2 - 3:25pm)
    13yrs 200m Individual Medley (Day 2 - Session 3 - 10:10am)
    13yrs 100m Butterfly (Day 2 - Session 3 - 11:27am)
    13yrs 100m Backstroke (Day 2 - Session 4 - 2:52pm)
    Open 100m Butterfly (Day 2 - Session 4 - 3:25pm)
    David Wang
    15yrs 100m Breaststroke (Day 1 - Session 2 - 2:47pm)
    Open 100m Breaststroke (Day 1 - Session 2 - 3:23pm)
    15yrs 100m Backstroke (Day 2 - Session 3 - 10:51am)
    Open 100m Individual Medley (Day 2 - Session 3 - 11:13am)
    15yrs 200m Individual Medley (Day 2 - Session 4 - 2:19pm)
    15yrs 100m Freestyle (Day 2 - Session 4 - 3:08pm)
    Amber Johnson
    15yrs 100m Backstroke (Day 2 - Session 3 - 10:53am)
    Open 100m Individual Medley (Day 2 - Session 3 - 11:17am)
    15yrs 200m Individual Medley (Day 2 - Session 4 - 2:23pm)
    15yrs 100m Freestyle (Day 2 - Session 4 - 3:11pm)
    Steven Nguyen
    17yrs & Over 50m Butterfly (Day 2 - Session 3 - 9:34am)
    Brittany Johnson
    17yrs & Over 50m Butterfly (Day 2 - Session 3 - 9:35am)
    Open 100m Individual Medley (Day 2 - Session 3 - 11:17am)
    Peter Johnston
    17yrs & Over 50m Freestyle (Day 1 - Session 1 - 9:33am)
    17yrs & Over 50m Backstroke (Day 1 - Session 2 - 1:32pm)
    Open 100m Breaststroke (Day 1 - Session 2 - 3:23pm)
    17yrs & Over 50m Butterfly (Day 2 - Session 3 - 9:34am)
    Open 200m Breaststroke (Day 2 - Session 3 - 10:32am)
    Open 100m Individual Medley (Day 2 - Session 3 - 11:13am)
    17yrs & Over 50m Breaststroke (Day 2 - Session 4 - 1:46pm)
    Open 100m Freestyle (Day 2 - Session 4 - 2:44pm)

    Times should be used as a guide only.

    This year's meet also includes non-championship events. The following team members will be competing in non-championship events at the meet:

    Open Relays
    Open Mixed 10x50m Freestyle Relay
        Simon Johnston, Steven Nguyen, Ethan Burton, Peter Johnston, Belinda Sloane
        Amber Johnson, Rebecca Tuivawa, Timothy Tunks, David Wang, Brittany Johnson
    (Day 2 - Session 4 - 1:00pm)
    Ethan Burton
    11yrs & Under 100m Freestyle (Day 2 - Session 3 - 9:36am)
    11yrs & Under 100m Backstroke (Day 2 - Session 4 - 1:48pm)

    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.cumberlandswim.com.au/.

    See Also
  • 2008 Metro South West Area Open & Age Short Course Championships - Program of Events
  • 2008 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
  • 2008/2009 Registration

    The club will be running two weeks of time trials leading into the 2008/2009 Swimming Season, starting at 7:00am on Saturday, 20th and Saturday, 27th September.
    On these two mornings you will also be able to register for the new season after the time trials.

    New members are welcome to register on either of these days.

    Swimmers 20yrs & Over have the option of registering as a Masters Competitor which will allow them to participate in Masters Swimming activities.

    If you are unable to register on the time trial mornings you are welcome to register on any Saturday morning during the normal season. The 2008/2009 season will begin on Saturday, 11th October.

    2008/2009 also marks the 40th Anniversary of the Merrylands Amateur Swimming Club. We are looking at planning a celebratory dinner early next year and we would like to invite all present and past members to attend. If you know of anyone who was a past member of the club, let one of the committee know so that we can invite them.

    See Also
  • Merrylands A.S.C. 40th Anniversary

  • Swimming Training
  • State Open Short Course Results

    Merrylands was represented by 4 swimmers at this afternoon's session of the 2008 NSW State Open Short Course Championships at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.

    Swimming in the Open Mens 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay, our team of Anthony Ventra, Steven Nguyen, Peter Johnston and David Wang took almost four seconds off their entry time.

    Anthony led the team out in 59.66. Steven was next in an un-offical PB of 59.93, taking over three seconds off his best time. Next into the water was Peter who also swam a new unoffical PB, taking just under a second off his old time, touching in 1:03.50. David anchored the team, finishing in 1:01.54.

    Congratulations to all 4 swimmers on their swims.

    The full results are now available here.

    See Also
  • 2008 NSW State Age Short Course Championships - Results

  • 2008 NSW State Open Short Course Championships Team
  • Metro South West Short Course Entries

    The first ever Metro South West Area Open & Age Short Course Championships will be held at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre on Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th September, 2008. The Metro South West Championships replace the Cumberland Championships which have been held in the past, following the change of area boundaries earlier this year.

    This year's championship meet also includes Non-Championship events. Non-Championship events don't have qualifying times but do not attract points for individual or club pointscores. Finalist ribbons are also not awarded.

    Entries for the meet close on Monday, 25th August, 2008.

    To compete, you must have achieved the required qualifying time (where applicable) at an approved meet as detailed on the Qualifying Time Information page.

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

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

    No late entries will be accepted.

    See Also
  • 2008 Metro South West Area Open & Age Short Course Championships - Program of Events
  • 2008 Metro South West Area Open & Age Course Championships - Qualifying Times
  • Qualifying Time Information

  • Meet Entry Procedures

  • State, Metropolitan and Country Championship Procedures

  • Competitor Information

  • Schedule of Constants

  • Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre Parking Arrangements

  • Swimming Metro South West

  • The End of Cumberland
  • NSW State Open Short Course Championships

    The 2008 NSW State Open Short Course Championships will be held at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd August, 2008.

    Our club will be represented by a relay team in the Open Mens 4x100m Freestyle Relay on Saturday afternoon. The team will be our first representatives at the meet since 2005 and our first relay team at a state meet since 2006.

    Our team consists of:

    Open Relays
    Open Mens 4x100m Freestyle Relay
        Anthony Ventra, Steven Nguyen
        Peter Johnston, David Wang
    (Day 2 - Session 3 - 3:17pm)

    Times should be used as a guide only.

    Good luck to our swimmers at the meet.

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

    See Also
  • 2008 NSW State Open Short Course Championships - Program of Events
  • 2008 NSW State Open Short Course Championships - Qualifying Times
  • State, Metropolitan and Country Championship Procedures

  • Competitor Information

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

    Three swimmers represented Merrylands at last weekend's 2008 NSW State Age Short Course Championships at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.

    Anthony Ventra swam 2 new personal best times from his 4 events with new PBs in the 50m Freestyle and 200m Breaststroke, while Rebecca Tuivawa and Amber Johnson were just outside their PBs.

    Congratulations to Amber, Rebecca and Anthony on qualifying for the meet and their results.

    The full results are now available here.

    See Also
  • 2008 NSW State Age Short Course Championships - Results

  • 2008 NSW State Age Short Course Championships Team
  • NSW State Age Short Course Championships

    The 2008 NSW State Age Short Course Championships will be held at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre from Friday 8th to Sunday 10th August, 2008.

    Our club will be represented by 3 swimmers at the meet, competing in 7 individual events.

    Amber Johnson will represent the club at the championships for the first time in 5 years after she last competed at the meet in 2003.
    Anthony Ventra has added both the 50m and 100m Freestyle to his events for this year while Rebecca Tuivawa will represent Merrylands at the championships for the first time.

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

    Anthony Ventra
    14yrs 100m Freestyle (Day 1 - Session 1 - 7:38pm)
    14yrs 200m Breaststroke (Day 2 - Session 3 - 5:01pm)
    14yrs 50m Freestyle (Day 3 - Session 4 - 9:57am)
    14yrs 100m Breaststroke (Day 3 - Session 5 - 4:19pm)
    Rebecca Tuivawa
    12yrs 100m Breaststroke (Day 2 - Session 2 - 12:16pm)
    12yrs 100m Butterfly (Day 3 - Session 5 - 3:53pm)
    Amber Johnson
    15yrs 100m Backstroke (Day 3 - Session 4 - 11:53am)

    Times should be used as a guide only.

    Congratulations to the 3 swimmers for qualifying and good luck at the meet.

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

    See Also
  • 2008 NSW State Age Short Course Championships - Program of Events
  • 2008 NSW State Age Short Course Championships - Qualifying Times
  • State, Metropolitan and Country Championship Procedures

  • Competitor Information

  • Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre Parking Arrangements