Membership Report

Firstly, the facts and figures...our current membership stands at 203, including 12 masters swimmers and 14 session swimmers (those members who can no longer swim regularly, but come along when they can – such as university students). This figure has remained relatively constant during 2006, with those leaving us being replaced by swimmers from our waiting list. We are currently operating just below our theoretical maximum capacity, although with a waiting list of over 100 people, we are trying to bring as many new people into the club as possible.

We are in an enviable position of having a full club, with more wanting to join all the time. This tells us that the young people in our area believe that swimming is a very worthwhile activity, both for general fitness and for the opportunity to compete against other people and clubs on a regular basis, and in a well-organised manner – and we couldn’t agree more! We are maximising our pool time wherever we can, and organising our sessions to provide the best possible environment for our swimmers. BASC has reached a stage where we are attracting very talented swimmers who feel that the club has something to offer them, and indeed, they have something to offer the club. This is no accident. There have been some major changes in the way in which the club operates over the last year, in all areas. We have re-organised our membership records and are now obtaining very useful information about how we organise our swimming sessions, and where we need to provide additional focus. The teachers have provided a first-class service to the members in and around the pool, resulting in many members being selected for our gala squads, and the ‘back-room’ officials have tirelessly undertaken all those duties that are rarely seen, but are absolutely essential to keep the club running and moving forward.

On the social side of the club, once again we had a very successful barbeque in the summer for our members and their friends and family (it seems so long ago now!), and more recently, a fantastic quiz night and pantomime visit. We believe that the social side of the club must not be underestimated as it can really make a difference between enjoying your BASC membership and really having a great time. Again, these events take organising, so please do think if there is anything you could do to assist in this or any other area of the club’s activities.

We would like to remind all parents and swimmers that all annual subscriptions and termly swim fees must be paid immediately they become due. This is both an insurance requirement, and a club necessity to allow us to continue providing all our activities. Also, we would ask that you keep us informed of any change of personal details, so that we always know how to contact you. This is especially true of any medical conditions that may affect swimming ability. We find that email is a very effective method of communicating, without being intrusive, so please let us know whenever there is a change of email address. Could we also bring to your attention that any swimmer selected for a swimming gala must complete a Gala Consent form and hand it to a club official prior to taking part in any organised event. In the event of an accident, we need to know how to contact you, and to be able to provide authority for qualified medical attention. Copies of this form can be downloaded from our website.

Finally, it has been a fantastic year for the club. We have seen standards improve, interest in the club increase, and the general pace of the club’s swimming and social activities increase. We have a thriving and vibrant club. Let’s keep up the momentum into 2007!

Jon and Janet Wood

Membership Secretary