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Dear masters swimmer,
What a year it’s been so far! MSNSW hosted a fabulous 2022 National Championships in April which resulted in many National and World Records. The event registered 567 swimmers from 83 clubs with a team of 40 volunteers. Thank you to the 2022 Nationals committee and meet director Jane Noake for a memorable event across five (5) days as the last National event was held in 2019 due to Covid restrictions.
Masters Swimming Australia has worked very closely with the team at Swimming Australia to learn about the functionality of Swim Central. This month we are proud to offer members two (2) events via Swim Central which will be held by MSSA and MSQ Branches. Thank you to the project team who have been working towards these pilot events for the past 12 months. We look forward to hosting a two (2) day face to face Swim Central training for all Branch administrators and recorders at the end of September.
Welcome to the members of the National Board of Management (NBM); Ryan Harley elected as the Finance Director and Andrea McNeil as Director of the NBM. Robert Hardie was re-elected for a second term as Director of the NBM. Ryan, Andrea, and Robert will all serve two years in their positions. Thank you to Wendy Holtom who is stepping down from the NBM after 6 years of service. The Board and delegates all thanked Wendy for her contribution to Masters Swimming Australia at the recent April AGM. Thankyou also to Andrea McNeil whom served 5 years of service as Finance Director for the NBM and has been elected as a Director.
On Friday 24 June, the NBM met together in the Melbourne office for a planning day. The day was spent prioritising objectives from the 2020 Strategic Plan together with additional priorities for the organisation. It was great to have everyone together in a room to collaborate on masters swimming in Australia in the new office space.
Please read below about all the swimming action from around Australia...and how you could take your swimming group to Fiji!
Regards, Sarah
Images below
Top: MSA 2022 National Championships (MSNSW)
Bottom L-R: Outgoing NBM member Wendy Holtom; NBM Face-to-face meeting
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Swim Central
A small project team was established in 2021 to identify a roadmap to Swim Central. In July 2022, the project team has worked towards loading two (2) events on SC:
Thank you to all members of the project team, in particular the MSQ team, MSSA/SSA team, Mara, Kath and Amy for all your detailed work to get us here!
Images below L-R: Swim Central Introductory Presentation for Branches and the Swim Central team
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Committee nominations
Several circulars have gone out last month for nominations for the following committees:
- National Coaching Committee
- National Technical Committee
- National Swim Meets Committee
- Gender Diverse Policy subcommittee
Please contact your Branch for more information.
Mental Health Awareness Month May 2022
Thank you to all members and Branches who supported MSA Mental Health month again and the Black Dog Institute https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/. Some fabulous initiatives from Branches/Clubs included:
- MSSA donating to the BDI after auctioning a painting from artist Bernadine Johnson.
- Lowood Masters held a fundraiser weekend where they had novelty races including a wet t-shirt relay, Frankenstein stroke races, corkscrew relays, wheelbarrow races and a ducky swim. Winners paid $1, losers paid $2 and DQs cost $3.
- Darwin Stingers hosted the MSNT Relay event on Sunday 15th May and what an enjoyable morning, with so many swimmers teaming up for the range of relay events.
- Seaside Pirates walk for mental health: the Pirates had a great walk on Sunday with wonderful company. They started with coffee and then walked from South Curl Curl to South Steyne, Manly and back 7.7kms)
- But wait there is more - if you want to still donate Mornington Peninsula member Rob Wilson is taking part in a 20km Open Water Swim around Great Keppel Island on Sunday 24th July and you can still donate now. HERE
The NBM has decided to hold the 2023 Mental Health Month in October which gives members plenty of breathing space after the National Championships.
More information will come end of the year.
Images below:
Top L-R:Rose White (President of Henley Beach Masters) with the painting from the auction; Lowood ducky swim
Bottom L-R: Darwin Stingers MH Relay meet; Seaside Pirates walk
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Masters Swimming Australia: Service Awards 2021
We would like to congratulate the following award winners for 2021
2021 Volunteer of the Year – Andrea McNeil OAM
Andrea has been an extraordinary MSA Board member and Finance Director during 2021 providing various financial reports to the monthly NBM meetings. Andrea also provided additional support to the National Office, whether sourcing grant opportunities, sharing news articles or calling for a chat, Andrea was always in contact especially during the difficult times of lockdown in Victoria. Andrea has been a valued liaison between the NCC and NBM since taking on the role as an observer on the NCC to assist with better communication throughout the organisation. Thankyou Andrea, what a very deserved award!!
2021 Coach of The Year – Eleanor Parsons
Eleanor is a dedicated, inquisitive, and knowledgeable coach with a strong desire to share her passion of swimming and coaching with her fellow masters swimmers. Her constant search for new and challenging approaches to swimming is enthusiastically shared with her coaching cohort and at training sessions. She has revolutionised the Annual Training Plan at Claremont Masters formalising the delivery of cohesive, constructive, and challenging programs for all standards of swimmers. Eleanor leads by example with her own swimming by constantly pushing boundaries, learning new skills, and performing at a high level across both pool and open water events. Congratulation Eleanor, keep up the excellent work!
2021 Official of The Year – Lynne Duncan
Lynne collaborates closely with the Executive Officer MSWA to review and propose new business processes and develop strong and sound administrative practices within the organisation as well as working with the Communications & Events Coordinator, the Participation & Club Development Officer and Coach & Swimmer Education Coordinator when required. As a Director on the Board of Management, Lynne continues to contribute to the business of MSWA and provides valuable input to the progress and growth of Masters Swimming in WA and Masters Swimming nationally. Lynne has been active within Masters Swimming for 42 years and currently has been appointed chair of the National Technical Committee and is driving the migration of the online technical education to the Dita platform. Well done Lynne.
Meritorious Service Award
Meritorious Service Awards are awarded to a Club Member in recognition of the completion of five years continuous voluntary service to the Association at the National level. Congratulations to MSWA Wendy Holtom (MSA National Board of Management Director) MSWA Fiona Wilkins (Branch Delegate) and MSNSW Di Partridge (member of the National Technical Committee).
Images below
Top L-R: Andrea McNeil OAM, Eleanor Parsons, Lynne Duncan
Bottom: L-R: Wendy Holtom, Fiona Wilkins, Di Partridge
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MSA Swim Series
The MSA Swim Series boasts a mix of Long and Short Course meets across Australia. The series rewards members’ participation and performance in any of the Meets, with members only needing to swim two meets to be eligible for prizes. The more meets you enter, the better the multiplier for your points. We are 4 events in already with 6 more to come so there is still time to be in it to win it!
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2023 - Your Ultimate Swimcation!
After a three-year COVID-19 hiatus, Ocean Swim Fiji is back!
Simply put, it's 5 days, 3 swims and 0 worries, taking place from 22 - 26 May 2023, and the perfect ‘swimcation’ for Masters swimmers.
This truly unique event is the perfect balance of ocean swims in stunning locations, and flat-out relaxation in one of the most beautiful places in the world, Fiji. Boasting three breath-taking swim locations, itinerary highlights, all-inclusive travel packages and how you can get up close to Olympic legend and Ocean Swim Fiji Ambassador Shane Gould!
Whether you are travelling on your own, or with a second swimmer or supporter, there’s a perfect all-inclusive package for you including return airfares, resort accommodation, event entry, transport & transfers, food and beverage package, exclusive social events and a goodie bag.
There’s an incredible itinerary for Ocean Swim Fiji 2023, with terrific swim challenges, plenty of time for relaxing, social occasions and special events, so you're sure to have the time of your life in paradise. Here's a few highlights from the Ocean Swim Fiji 2023 itinerary...
- 3 swims at Fiji's most stunning beach and island locations
- All transport to and from swim locations
- Sumptuous lunch & drinks after each swim event
- Exclusive Welcome and Awards functions
- Nightly 'Sundowner' drinks
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Swim with a living legend at Ocean Swim Fiji!
As if the stunning scenery, incredible swim courses, unforgettable cultural and social events wasn't enough, Olympic legend Shane Gould is returning to Ocean Swim Fiji 2023 as the official Ambassador.
Shane's list of achievements, in and out of the water, is truly inspiring. From being the only person to hold multiple freestyle records simultaneously, as well as the only person to win medals in five individual events in a single Olympics, Shane continues to enjoy her swimming, is a published author, holds two Masters degrees and even won Australian Survivor!
When you join us at Ocean Swim Fiji 2023 we will be taking your experience to a whole new level with our Ambassador Shane Gould.
- Ocean swimming technique clinic for all swimmers at Swim 1
- Hear about Shane's latest adventures at Sundowner drinks
- Bring along your pre-loved swim gear and some Fijian dollars to donate to Shane's Fijian Swim Safety charity
Keen to attend?
Strictly limited to 200 spots with 100 of those sold already (from their rescheduled 2020 event), this event will sell out again.
Registrations officially open 1 August 2022 with the 100 remaining spots being offered exclusively to Ocean Swim Fiji e-newsletter subscribers for the first month.
CLICK HERE to sign up for the Ocean Swim Fiji newsletter and early access to get one step closer to attending the event in 2023!
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Masters Swimming NSW:
The hard working team at MSNSW have not stopped since holding the 2022 National Championships. They have been running or planning Club meets, Relay Championships, Coaching weekend and a Come away to Forster — another Grape Escape when you will experience local places to go, see & do things such as markets, wineries, parks, museums, beach walks while enjoying breakfast, lunch & dinner —oh, and a swim coach session plus mini meet.
Masters Swimming NT:
MSNT have been busy - they held their Inaugural OWS at the Darwin Waterfront Lagoon on Saturday 4th June. This was their first OWS was a great practice in the lead up to hosting the MSA 2024 National Championships.
Masters Swimming Queensland
MSQ recently held the annual Face to Face meeting over the weekend of 25-26 June at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre. Thank you to the new MSQ Branch Management Board (BMB) for their time, with two full days spent planning and collaborating for the year ahead. This dedicated team were fearless in discussing matters, making decisions, and putting forward motions to implement changes that are for the greater good of our organisation and membership.
Masters Swimming SA
The new MSSA Board for 2022-23 is now in place. Welcome Jo Sutcliffe (Chairperson) Pen O'Shea (Secretary) and new Board members Simon Howe, Craig Zubrinich and Helen Habberfield joining with Administrator Warwick Povey to steer the Association forward. Thankyou to Stuart Colla and Rob Ferguson - their outgoing Board members.
Masters Swimming Tasmania
MST are holding their Short Course Winter Championships at Launceston on 20-21 August, with their LC LD Championships in Hobart, date TBA. Also put in your diary the Inaugural Tasmanian Masters Games are to be held in October 2022 with the Devonport Devils hosting the swimming events.
Masters Swimming Victoria
MSV are heading to Ballarat for their LC Championships 23-24 July (still time to enter - closing date has been extended to Sunday 17 July at 11.59pm) They are holding a Social evening on the Saturday 23 July which will be a great chance to come together. MSV is also looking for an Administrator - if you are located in Victoria or know someone that is this is a great opportunity.
Masters Swimming WA
MSWA bid farewell to Tarquin Bateman (Communications and Events Coordinator) who is moving to Triathlon Western Australia. We wish her well in her career. They are keeping busy over West as always with the Golden Groper Relay Carnival and the Maida Vale 1500m coming up in August and 2 x Couch to 2K clinics and the August Coach Conference.
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