Presentations were made by:
- Norman Carter (President – Life Member)
- Donald Wood (Chairman & Life Member)
- Gordon Lees (Life Member)
- Lynda Wroe (Life Member)
- Marc Sharratt (Sponsor)
- Stuart Bentley (Club Supporter)
- John Wroe (Head Coach)
The coaches received a whistle from the Club to show their appreciation of the hard work.
Swimming Awards
Main Club Awards
Congratulations to all!
Do you enjoy swimming? Do you enjoy holidays?
Well if you are between 8 and 12 years old you could take part in the club’s Swim Camp.
The camp is taking place at the beautiful Stonyhurst College, Clitheroe, from Friday 28th to Sunday 30th March ‘08.( Middle weekend of Easter holidays) With five swimming sessions over the 3 days, you’re bound to improve your strokes and water skills.
The accommodation is in rooms of 3 or 4 and of course all meals and drinks will be provided. When you’re not swimming, you'll be able to check out the excellent sports facilities and huge grounds around the college. There are a maximum of 32 places available, so If you’re not already signed up, speak to the head coach for more details.
>> click here for more details about the camp
John Wroe M.Sc (Head Coach)
TEAM WORK
As you may, or may not be aware, the 2008 season starts in earnest in March. I think it’s appropriate for this ‘Coaches Corner’ to discuss teamwork.
I see this year as the start of great things to come for the club – finally the club is buzzing like it used to in the ‘Good Old Days’. Anyone who has been around the club in the past twelve months will have seen a transformation in the enthusiasm of the coaches and committee and now I think that it is now being seen in the swimmers and parents attitudes.
Monday Night is just a hive of activity – membership numbers are on the up and lanes are getting busy. There is a real buzz about the place on Mondays which is being led by the Coaches and Assistant Coaches who are doing such a fine job on poolside. The Coaches are pushing the Seals to new ‘highs’.
Wednesday Night session is great to – loads of swimmers doing better each week. This is the sign that the club is finally going places. Its not always about medals, and times but on the whole its about whether or not the swimmers and coaches are enjoying themselves. I think it’s clear that this is certainly happening!
To carry this momentum forward can only be achieved through TEAMWORK.
Having a great TEAM means creating an identity and I am pleased that I have been able to introduce a club kit that we can now be proud of, T-shirts, Caps, Bags, Club Costume. I know the area of club costume hasn’t been a popular one with some of our ‘older’ swimmers, but just wait until the first gala of the year! I think when you see the ‘Team’ on poolside you will realise what it is that the club is trying to achieve. Wearing a uniform is important – it gives us identity, it gives us unity and it shows to our competitors that we are proud to wear our club colours and that we will work together as a TEAM at all costs.
TEAM support is important. As a team of swimmers, coaches, committee and parents (our biggest supporters) we must make sure that everyone is fully supporting the ‘Seals’, cheering EVERY swimmer, clapping EVERY swim! On the other hand I also want us to be a TEAM in defeat. Be gracious; ensure the opponents are rightfully cheered. Jeering or booing from any Seal is not and never will be accepted. Be a great supporter at every race and gala. I expect Seals swimmers to be the first to shake their opponent’s hands and say ‘Well Done – Great Swim’ with a BIG SMILE weather you win or lose a race it shouldn’t matter!
Parents have an important role to play at competitions! I would like to see our parents as the BEST and most LOYAL supporters. Why not get together as a group and organise ‘fun’ themes at the galas? There is nothing wrong with (Red, White & Black) pom-poms or designing flags that you can wave – imagine that (wow)! Dress up in Tinsel or wear silly hats or design SEAL Rosettes or just all wear the club t-shirt to show your support for our swimmers. The more noticeable, noisy and supportive you are the better our swimming TEAM will be and I bet you’ll have FUN along the way (anyone interested in ‘creating’ this supporters group – please see me!).
Being a team is important, right to the end. That is why, a few weeks ago, I addressed the swimmers on poolside stating that:
NO SWIMMER MAY LEAVE THE POOLSIDE (TO GET CHANGED AND GO HOME) AT A LEAGUE GALA UNTIL:
- The final race has been swum.
- The captains have led and finished the 3 Cheers.
I am expecting the whole team to be there, in full club kit, for these moments! They are important. They are more important sometimes than the swimming. Important moments, in which, we can be a TEAM Together. We can show to the opposition that we cheer every swimmer of every race and that we care about one another and that we work together as a TEAM!
TEAM WORK is important, the team is not just the swimmers it’s the coaches, team managers, committee and parents! Please understand that everyone wants to go home to bed at a ‘late’ finish gala. But we are there as a TEAM and everyone is up late not just your swimmer!
Remember: Be proud to be a part of our special TEAM – I am, and I am proud to be leading you!
John Wroe Head Coach Oldham ASC
February '08 Newsletter (1Mb download)