Issue 25, 2025/2026 by Matthew Vicic - 27th March, 2026

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Summer Season Concludes

Here we are after 25 weeks of club races. It has been a great season, with record numbers attending weekly and it has been a highlight to see multiple heats of races throughout the season. We have seen great results (and new records) at club races, as well as so many outstanding swims at meets at all levels.

Thankyou to everyone who has contributed and volunteered throughout the season. It takes a big effort across the whole club to run the season. We look forward to celebrating all of the achievements at the club’s Annual Presentation in May.

A big thankyou to our club families and sponsors who have supported our club throughout the season, this support (financial, baking, donations of prizes, in-kind etc) allows the club to provide a range of events and activities throughout the season.

Last week we held the 3^rd and final Swim for your School event. We had a total of 20 schools represented, showing the great diversity of our club community. Congratulations to Sacred Heart Primary School who made it a clean sweep of these events this season.

Easter Fun

Please join us after club races today as we celebrate the end of season with a club breakfast BBQ and Easter festivities.

This morning is the last chance to participate in:

Easter Egg Jar Guessing Competition:

🍫 1 guess = $2

🍫 3 guesses = $5

Easter Raffle Tickets:

🎟 1 ticket = $2

🎟 3 tickets = $5

If you have an Easter parade hat lying around at home, bring it along to wear. Some of our swim kids have already made some fantastic hats that their parents will be proudly wearing!

Let’s make it a fun morning both in and out of the pool!

Last chance – 8 Years & Under Membership Reimbursement

A reminder that forms for the 8 Years & Under Membership Reimbursement must be submitted by this Saturday, as our financial year concludes at the end of March. Don’t miss out. Eligibility criteria and the form can be accessed here: https://merrylandsasc.asn.au/membership/freemembership.aspx

Autumn Racing Carnival

Don’t fret that club races have concluded. As the swimming centre remains open until the end of April we will be holding our Autumn Racing Carnival. This will be run over two Saturdays, 11^th April and 18^th April.

The swimming centre opens at 7.00am, so we ask that you arrive at that time to help set up, with races starting at 7:15am. These are a short program of events and races will conclude by approx. 8:15am.

Enter your races as normal through Swim Central.

Swimmer Spotlight – Gabriella Assi

Tell us about your swimming journey

As a baby, I started Learn to Swim at Guildford Pools before moving to Learn to Swim at Merrylands Pools, where Graham was mainly my swim instructor and then Peter for a bit. I remember doing 15m races and then joining the beginner squads when I was about 8 years old.

My first big meet was Speedo Sprints in 2023. My mum entered me in some races, but I remember crying and climbing on top of the car refusing to swim! My sister Darla told me to get back inside and go swim. Eventually I did the races and actually felt much better about it – after all that, I realised I really liked racing!

Favourite stroke

Breaststroke! I’m good at it and it feels like a smooth, slower stroke for me. Sometimes I also enjoy butterfly because of the fast movements. My least favourite stroke is backstroke – I just don’t like it.

Proudest swimming achievement

Getting sub-40 seconds for butterfly at our SwimFest this year. Also, becoming Point Score Champion three years in a row! I’m not sure if I’ll get it again this year as I missed a few weeks of racing due to holidays.

Swimming goal for this year

I want to get sub-40 seconds for breaststroke. Now I’m swimming around 41 seconds. One thing I need to work on is not looking at the swimmers in the other lanes!

What do you enjoy about our Club?

My friends here. Even though swimming isn’t really a team sport, we all share our achievements and support each other.

Something interesting about you

I love Acrobatics. I used to do classes at Step in Time in Greystanes and loved it even more than swimming! Unfortunately, I had to stop after I broke my arm when I was 7 years old (I fell off a swing). Otherwise, I would have kept going. My favourite acrobatics trick is the back walkover (see photo). Don’t worry though – my arm injury doesn’t affect my swimming anymore!

Club AGM & Annual Presentation

A reminder that we have the club’s AGM and Annual Presentation coming up in May.

Club members are welcome to attend the Club AGM, pre-registration is required to attend online. All financial members aged 18 & over, as well as all Life Members, are entitled to vote at the AGM. For more information please see the club website at https://www.merrylandsasc.asn.au/about/agm

More information about the Annual Presentation will be available on the club website and also communicated to all members who are eligible for awards on the night.

Coaching Reminders

Attendance Reminder

If you know you will be away from training, please remember to mark your attendance online prior to the session/s. This helps our super-duper coaches plan sessions appropriately and make sure everyone gets the most out of training.

Training Session update

Training and Club Races continue through April, including the school holidays; however, there is no training or races on the following dates:

Saturday 4th April - Easter Saturday

Monday 6th April - Easter Monday

Tuesday 7th April (no morning training - afternoon sessions on as usual)

Saturday 25th April - Anzac Day

Monday 27th April - Anzac Day Public Holiday

Tuesday 28th to 30th April - Australian Masters Championships

If you are going to miss a small number of sessions, you can submit your absences through the Swim School System up to one month in advance.

Club Promotional Video

Starr Partners undertook videoing at the recent Cumberland Inter-Club Cup and we are pleased to provide you with the final product. The video can be viewed on the club website and here is a direct link to the video:  https://youtu.be/w0gPEGKgZHM

ANZAC Day Commemoration

Our club will again be participating in the Cumberland Anzac Day Dawn Service.

Date: Saturday 25^th April 2026

Venue: Merrylands RSL Club

Times:

5.00am - March formation at Merrylands RSL entrance in Miller Street

5.15am - March commences

5.30am - Dawn Service commences

6.30am – Complimentary breakfast at Merrylands RSL Club

Club representatives will be laying a wreath on behalf of our club and members. Please wear your club polo shirt and hoodie (if it is cold) to this event. If you would like more information, please see Denise Assi.

Lions Club Award

As the season wraps up please take the time to nominate someone (you can also make multiple nominations) who you think is deserving of recognition for their help around the club.

The Lions Club award will be presented at the club’s Annual Presentation.

Nominate a volunteer

P-Plate Award

Today is the last chance to make a play for the coveted P-Plate award. If you recognise something silly someone has done please click on the link below to nominate them.

Nominate a silly mistake

Club Uniforms

Items can be purchased through the club’s online shop club shop.

Make a Donation

Did you know you can make a tax-deductible donation to the club at any time? Whilst the club’s financial year ends on 31^st March, you may wish to make a donation to help out with you personal or business tax obligations.

Thank you to everyone who has made a donation already during the season, your kind help is greatly appreciated and helps us purchase equipment for our member’s benefit.

If you would like to make a donation, or know someone who would like to then click on the link below.

Make a donation

Equipment Donations

Thank you to Kylee Murray who has arranged for some companies to donate items, including umbrellas to replace our existing stock and drink bottles (will be used as prizes).

A big thank you to Dicker Data (https://www.dickerdata.com.au) for the umbrellas and HPE Networking (https://www.hpe.com) for the drink bottles😊

If you know a business who would like to donate equipment/items please let Graham know.

Club Merrylands Easter & School Holiday Activities

Club Merrylands have a range of Easter & School holiday activities available. See the website for details about the events and activities.

Upcoming Meet Calendar

Check the website for the full list of upcoming meets, closing dates, programs and qualifying times.