Poolside Report

2007 has proved to be another successful year for BASC. Strong performances across all the age groups have been seen in Open meets, Inter club galas, and our own Club Championships and Time Trials. Indeed, several of the longer standing club records have tumbled to current club swimmers so we are obviously getting some things right!

The strength of the squad allowed us to compete for the first time in the Speedo league and some magnificent performances followed. Congratulations must be recorded for all those involved in the Speedo Squad.

Those of us who have been with the club for sometime will observe that we now enjoy an increasing strength in the open age group. Unlike other clubs we do not have a separate Masters section but swim the senior squad together. It is becoming a notable feature of the club that several of the teachers also compete and train.

I am pleased to report that our teaching/coaching team has been joined by Jennie Brown and Philip Lockett both of whom have been supported through level 1 courses during the autumn. They are welcome additions to our team.

The younger swimmers have been able to benefit from the addition to our timetable of Wednesday Booster Classes. These have allowed us to provide some specific stoke and skill training to a number of our junior competitive swimmers. The sessions have proved popular but unfortunately Bushey Grove will not allow us additional pool space at the present time to enable the programme to expand any further at this venue. We are exploring options with other pools to progress this development.

Poolside safety and child protection are a high priority for us. All our poolside team are subject to CRB checks and as a club we expect our members to comply with the Statement of Expectation that is posted on the website.

BASC has applied for Swim 21 status and in support of this initiative a number of our teachers will become fully licensed and we will be attending ASA Child Protection Training. I would like to thank the club lifeguards, teacher’s helpers and club captains who all contribute to the welfare and safety of our swimmers.

Without a doubt the club could not continue without the dedication of its teaching/coaching team who devote many unpaid hours throughout the year to continuing the progress of the club. I extend thanks and gratitude to all of them.

2008 will be another busy year for BASC. We continue to have a significant waiting list and will be implementing a plan to give priority to those whose membership will most benefit the club and themselves.

We are currently exploring the possibility of hosting a swimming festival for primary schools in the club's catchment area to further develop BASC partnerships and raise the profile of the sport.

Finally, I must give mention to all our swimmers and congratulate them for all their swimming successes and achievements, during 2007.

Richard Henson

Poolside Manager