Issue 21, 2025/2026 by Matthew Vicic - 27th February, 2026

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Saturday Club Races

Welcome back to Saturday morning club races, after a sleep in weekend last week 😊

This morning we are back (Dad joke) into our Championship events, with the 50m, 25m & 200m Backstroke Championships (this is our 2^nd last Championship weekend). Good luck to everyone competing in these races this morning.

Merrylands SwimFest

Wow, what a club we all a part of. The call went out for help for the SwimFest and as always our club family helped out in great numbers.

From all those involved in the planning and preparation for weeks leading up to the meet, to everyone who helped out on the day (with plenty arriving early to help with the setup and stay back to pack up), your participation plays a key role.

SwimFest is a success and a meet visitors enjoy coming to as the Merrylands family go above and beyond every year. A very BIG thankyou to everyone involved, as Mr Grace would say, “You’ve all done very well”.

To our team of 36 swimmers, what a great effort (55 PB’s, 10 Gold, 8 Silver and 12 Bronze personal medals, 1 Gold, 2 Silver and 1 Bronze relay medal). Congratulations everyone on your performances in the pool and support of your fellow team members when they were swimming.

To read a full report from the Coaches please see www.merrylandsasc.asn.au/news

Our Coaches, as always, have put a lot of work into the planning and delivery of coaching sessions aimed at helping our swimmers achieve these results. We are a very lucky club to have the calibre of dedicated Coaches we have.

And a big thankyou also to our sponsors and those who donated gifts for raffles, baked goods etc.

Vale Mavis Wilson

For many of our members you may not have known Mavis, or as we affectionately knew her, Nana May (the mother of Ian Wilson, better known as Mr Wilson). We heard the sad news on the eve of SwimFest that Nana May had passed away.

Whilst Nana May was not a member of the club, she was an avid supporter of our swimmers, in particular our Masters teams. Nana May would regularly attend Masters Championship meets, providing support for every swimmer. She would accurately record every swimmers times in her program and share the results when they returned to the stands.

Some of our best memories are when the team travelled interstate to National Championships, as she would come along as the support crew, with a particular role to look after any troublemakers. Well, guess who she had to supervise 24/7? Yes one Mr Wilson, she kept an eye on him night and day 😊

Our thoughts are with Mr Wilson and family.

🐳 School Carnival Season

We are loving hearing all about your school carnival results, PBs and ribbons galore! It’s fantastic to see so many of our swimmers stepping up and racing with confidence.

This week, we have a strong group of Whales competing at their Zone carnivals, with increased representation across all squad levels. We’re so proud of everyone giving it a go and can’t wait to hear all about your swims and successes! 🏊‍♀️🏊‍♂️💙

Merrylands Parramatta PSSA Zone Carnival

The meet is being held this Wednesday 4^th March at Merrylands Swimming Centre.

If you are able to help with setup (touchpads, shade shelters etc ) or if you are able to assist during the day and pack up it would be greatly appreciated.

As the meet commences at 8.30am we will be at the pool from 7.00am to setup. The meet will conclude to allow children to return to school for their end of day activities, so pack up will be from about 2.00pm onwards.

Club Uniforms

We have a great range of club uniforms in stock available for sale. These can be purchased through the club’s online shop club shop.

P-Plate Award

We like to recognise and reward all efforts during the season, and the P-Plate award is the perfect way to recognise something silly someone has done during the season. Click on the link below to nominate someone.

Nominate a silly mistake

Seen a Problem? Get it Fixed

If you see something that needs fixing you can elevate this directly with Council by logging the issue here. 

Lions Club Award

With so many people helping out with SwimFest, the Lions Club award nomination is a way you can help recognise their efforts. Nominate them for the Lions Club Award, our peak award to recognise our volunteers over the season.

Nominate a volunteer

🎁 SwimFest Raffle Prize Winners

TriToSwim Bundle
Mandy S (MASC)

Vorgee Bundle
Edmund W (Castle Hill RSL Dolphins)

Kyle Chalmers – Small Black Shirt + Cap
Peter M (MASC)

Kyle Chalmers – Large White Shirt + Cap
Andrew G (Doncaster Dolphins Masters)

$80 Jayd Voucher
Gabriel M (MASC)

$50 Bunnings Vouchers
Lucy O (MASC)
Peter M (MASC)

2 x Raging Waters Tickets
Rohan (AquaBlitz)
Jay S (MASC)
Catherine (Other) 

$20 Fat Jaks Vouchers

Damien C (MASC)
Glenn Burt x2 (Official)
Scarlett H (MASC)
Edmund W (Castle Hill)
Alison J (MASC)
Lisa S (MASC)
Melissa M (Prairiewood)
Lan x2 (Other) 

🐳 Swimmer Spotlight: Marcus Chan

Q1: Tell us about your swimming journey

I started Learn to Swim at Fairfield Leisure Centre when I was 2 years old. I finished the final Sharks level and wanted to join my brother, Damien at Merrylands Squads. I did the trial and got accepted into Mini Squads and shortly went to Novice 2 and now in Juniors.

Q2: What I like about the Club

I like the squad people and coaches; they are kind and funny. I like how we are organised with things like timekeepers.

Q3: Favourite stroke

Breaststroke, because it's easy and doesn't tire me out like other strokes. My least favourite is butterfly because it's tiring and I struggle to breathe and it's hard for me.

Q4: Swimming Goal for this year

I have these goals for 50m:

Get below 40secs for freestyle, below 50secs for breaststroke, below 1min for fly, and under 55secs for backstroke.

When I do swim meets I see what other kids my age from other clubs can get and I want to do that too.

Q5: Something interesting about you

I'm very busy. I have lots of things going on like soccer, tutoring, karate, school and I ski. I like swimming the most and to relax I like watching anime cartoons. I'm very fast at go carting!

Upcoming Meet Calendar

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