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Last Updated on 28/01/2008

Droitwich Dolphins Newsletter Spring 2008                Number 7

(Downloadable from www.droitwichdolphins.co.uk – please check web site for regular updates)

The club ended 2007 in buoyant mood following our remarkable success in Division 2 of the Speedo League to reach the final. A very exciting and closely fought final was held at Market Drayton on the 8^th December as 6 teams competed for promotion to Division 1. The squad knew it would be a difficult challenge and consequently went out to win every point.

Although 6th overall, only 12 points separated the positions of the four lower placed teams and only 4 points separated 4^th and 6^th placings. The Squad is to be congratulated on their performance in their first year of competition in Division 2.

The swimmers enjoyed a New Year party at Bowl Xtreme on 3^rd January, which once again was a great success as it catered for all age groups. Many thanks to Jo McConnell for organising this event.

The 2008 swimming season has started well with some impressive swims by some of the Club’s younger swimmers as they competed in the Nuneaton and Bedworth Relay Trophy Gala at Nuneaton on 5^th January. For some swimmers this was their first experience of competitive swimming at this level and it is a credit to the swimmers and coaches that there were no disqualifications. Well Done!

Our success has continued with a second place in the first round of the Worcester Winter League. Although Wyre Forest’s lead became unassailable the Club secured a comfortable second place achieving first or second places in 23 of the 40 events.

Congratulations to Alice O’toole for being selected for the county Squad and for an additional selection for training sessions at City of Birmingham with Anthony Redfern. Anthony recently competed at the Stourbridge Open Meet competing and collecting trophies in 6 events. Well done to both these talented swimmers!

As the club approaches a very busy time with its swimming calendar and commitments the coaches and committee would like to take this opportunity to clarify and redress a number of issues which have been raised:

Club Championship News!

In 2007, at the request of parents of our younger swimmers, we adjusted the way the Championships have run, in order to allow the youngsters to swim first and get home to bed at a reasonable time.  This seems to be working quite well, and thanks to those parents who have given us positive feedback on these changes.

Just a word of warning though!  You will be receiving you calendars for 2008 very soon and, will note that unavoidably, we need to host two of the 50m sprints on Friday nights.  Since these involve Age Group, as well as Championship Finals, we will not be able to retain the new format for these particular events.   We will do our best to accommodate the youngsters, but please bear this in mind when signing up take part – these will be late nights for the top six swimmers in each age-group.

Team Selections

Over recent weeks, we have received a number of queries relating to our policy for team selection.  We are outlining some of the criteria that we use when selecting teams, to help parents and swimmers to understand why some swimmers are selected for galas and others aren’t. We do understand how disappointed both the youngsters and their parents can be, if they are left out of a team.  However, by understanding the basis of selection, we hopefully can minimise this disappointment and encourage the motivation and commitment that is needed to produce successful team swimmers.

• Each league and one-off gala will have a variable age related cut off date.  Don’t ask why!!  Your child may be the right age for one league, but too young for another.
• We try to select different swimmers for different leagues.  However, we WILL NOT enter weak teams with no hope of success. 
• In some age-groups, we have a limited choice of swimmers and you may therefore see the same swimmers cropping up in most galas.
• Sometimes swimmers will be selected to swim, but not to swim their No1 stroke.  Team selection is about team performance.  We use individuals to the best advantage overall.
• If we select a swimmer to compete and they habitually cross off to say they can not attend, eventually we will stop selecting them.
• If we can, we try to give each swimmer an individual event.  This is not always the case.
• Swimmers who train hard and train regularly are more likely to be selected to swim for the club.  They will be faster and fitter and are usually more enthusiastic.
• We select swimmers based on the times that we have on record for them.  If swimmers DO NOT take part in Club Championships and the regular time trials that we run, we WILL NOT have times for them and they WILL NOT be selected.  We do our best to keep times up to date. If your child swims at an Open Gala please ensure times are submitted to Mandy Gerwitz or the Coaches.
• We try to enter a number of friendly galas which increases the availability of competition particularly for the juniors.  These galas are still important and we aim to compete successfully.
• The Speedo League, Nuneaton League and Worcester Winter League are top priority competitions and our BEST team will be entered into this. We will also be competing in the Mercian League later this year and this is for swimmers who have not achieved District Times. Some swimmers may be selected for these Leagues and only swim a single relay race.  They are still very important and valued members of the team.
• If chosen to swim, we expect swimmers to compete in club costume and club hat.  A green or yellow club shirt should be worn on poolside.  All the competition kit is available for sale every Friday and is not expensive.

Finally – swimming takes a lot of time and effort from both swimmers and their parents.  Galas often take up Saturday nights and may involve travelling.  BUT - It is an honour to swim for Droitwich Dolphins and if you do not see it like this then you should take the time to consider why you are a member of a COMPETITIVE swimming club.

Any other queries – please come and chat to one of the coaching staff at anytime during training.

We Need Your Help.

Don’t sit on the side watching – PLEASE get involved in the running of the Club.  Our AGM is in June this year and there will be a number of Committee members standing down at this meeting.  We NEED to find new volunteers to fill these spaces, so why not let us know if you are interested and you can start to get involved now.

We also need poolside helpers for the following:

• Lane minders/coaching assistants – Some knowledge of swimming would be helpful, but Simon will provide some training.

• Timekeepers – training required

• Judges – training required

• Help with administration, gala organisation etc – I’m sure you have a skill that we can use!!

If you are interested in any of the above – please speak to Mark Williams, or any other member of the Committee or coaching staff.

In the near future, we may be able to access some funding to train young people of 14 and above and swimming officials.  If you are interested in being involved in this, please give your name and contact details to Lesley Houlston.

Swim 21 Accreditation – Code of Conduct

The club would like to establish codes of conduct for coaches, parents and spectators, and swimmers.  What do you expect from the coaches? How do we want swimmers to behave? What about parents – what would coaches and swimmers like to see and hear from them?

Here are a few thoughts from Lesley Houlston

Swimmers       Win with modesty

                        Lose with dignity

                        Swim for fun and because you want to, not just to please your parents.

Coaches          Always be prepared for sessions

                        Treat all swimmers equally

                        Actively coach – no swimmer knows everything

Parents           Never force a child to swim

Encourage your child to improve their skills by regular training and practice and by listening to the coaches instructions

Applaud good performance whether by your own child or their closest rival

Please put your thoughts down on paper and pass them on to any of the coaches or to Debbie and Sharon, who run the Friday night shop.  The development of this Code of Conduct is a commitment for our Swim 21 accreditation for 2008, so please take part and let us know what you think!

Worcester County Championships (see dates below)

This is one of the most prestigious events in our Calendar, so if your child has a County Time which allows them to compete at these Championships, please endeavour to let your child participate. Success at these Championships not only brings the swimmers personal recognition but brings benefits to the Club generally.

Please take time to look at the Worcester County web site if you are not already familiar with it – www.worcester-county-swim.org.uk. or follow the links from the Dolphins website. Many swimmers appear to opt for the County sprints in September, but swimmers should be aiming to swim at both events.

A.S.A. Fees now due

As the club now has a record 214 swimmers registered with the ASA, prompt payment of the ASA fees would be appreciated. Please pay either Sharon or Debbie on a Friday night - cheques payable to Droitwich Dolphins. All swimmers excluding under 9‘s have an annual membership fee of £22.50 incorporating an ASA administration cost, whilst under 9’s have a reduced combined fee of £9.25

Squad fees are to be reviewed in April.

Extra Pool time 

All swimmers and Parents should have received an Open Letter from Simon and Mark outlining the increased pool time available on Wednesday evenings at the Droitwich pool. Additionally, Simon, the Director of Coaching is also going to be available on designated Fridays through the year for one to one meetings with parents to discuss any issues or advice they may have. Please see the Notice Board for further details.

Open Meets

The Club will be encouraging swimmers to participate in a number of Open Meets throughout 2008. From time to time you will see details on the Notice Board.

Each meet has a different set of conditions, particularly upper and lower qualifying times. It is important to check you qualify, and that you keep a record of your personal best times from previous competition. Fees are normally per event and the cost is borne by the swimmer. Normally swimmers have to arrange their own transport to these Meets, which may be an all day event, so it is essential to go prepared!

Whilst you are swimming for yourself in an Open Event, you are still representing your Club, and you should wear your Club hat.

Catharine Buck the Open Meet Co-ordinator. Catherine will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding forthcoming Open Meets.

Dates for your Diary

Information Officer: Lesley Rimington. Please contact me if you have a news item which you would like included in a future newsletter.

e-mail: rimington@tinyworld.co.uk