Chairman's Report

As we now move into 2004 I am able to look back over 2003 and feel that BASC has had a great year. BASC is now firmly established at the new Bushey Grove swimming pool and I would like to thank my predecessor Allan Macdonald for making the move to Bushey Grove seems so easy. So what have we been up to in 2003? - I have been able to consult the News Letters for a cheat’s way of remembering some of the great moments! In March after a very good start to the Herts League, we finished 2nd at the opening meet and eventually 6th overall. This was followed by an even greater achievement when our younger swimmers gained promotion to Div 1 in the Peanut League. My thanks to Baz Long and Phil Holpin for their guidance and enthusiasm We held a number of internal club events during the year, which were well attended, we saw a number of new club records set during the 3 club championships. We also changed the format, holding 2 of the championships on a Saturday night. The 200mn event was well attended along with the style competition held later in the year. The turnout for the 1500m race was a little disappointing with a number of swimmers dropping out at the last minute, those who did compete - well done. My thank goes to Dave Evans and Howard Willis for their organising and running of these events. For the first time that I can recall BASC was able to send a squad of swimmers to the BAGCAT, a county swimming meet held in March. During that rather hectic month we were able to witness some great races by all our swimmers, Philippa Hardy finishing 2nd and Michael Molly 3rd in the county. Overall the club came away from the BAGCATS with a group of swimmers who had swum with the best in Hertfordshire and as a team finished 11th. On the social side we have had a busy year, at the start we had the annual dinner dance followed by ten-pin bowling, theatre trips, a Quiz night and to round it all off a night at the Christmas Panto. All the events have been well supported, I know in 2004 we have further activities planned. I would like to give a big thanks to all those people who are involved in the running of the club on a weekly basis who unselfishly devote their time. I would first like say thank you to the coaching and teaching staff who we see on poolside with their free issue yellow t-shirts on a Tuesday evening, Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon. These people in yellow give up a large amount of their free time to develop and nurture our swimmers from beginners to highly talented swimmers swimming for the club. The 2nd group I would like to thank is the committee, who work in the background (without yellow T-shirts) to ensure that the clubs finances, membership, social activities and many other unsung activities are carried out to ensure our children can swim. All of the people associated with BASC give their time voluntarily. In the coming months we hope to send 6 new teachers on training courses so they too can start to teach the swimmers. As BASC is a club run by volunteers, we are always looking for people to join the committee or coaching/teaching staff. No offer of help will be turned down! As with any voluntary organisation, we also see people moving on. I would like to thank Gene and Michael Molly - membership, Sue Hardy - finance, Chris Holpin - kit club, Cath Wherle, Barbara Colgan, Sandra Barraclough and Marcus Earnshaw - teaching. Finally I would like to thank Wendy Cook who is stepping down as Poolside Manager and taking a back seat. Wendy has been involved with the club from the age of 5yrs, I leave it you to work out the maths. In 2004 the club is looking at ways of improving, a number of sub committees have been established and we need parents to help in outlining where we wish to take the club over the next 3 years. These initiatives will be published over the coming weeks. We are lucky to be part of a friendly club, whose volunteers are enthusiastic and keen to continue the good work of our predecessors. Collectively, we will continue to promote the sound swimming techniques that underpin BASC’s constitution. Thank you for your continued support for our swimmers and your club over the coming 12 months.

Gary Raw
Chairman BASC

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