Issue 19, 2025/2026 by Matthew Vicic - 13th February, 2026

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Saturday Club Races

This week, championships take a break as we dive into this week's challenge, SWIM FOR YOUR SCHOOL! Good luck to all those participating! May the strongest school win!

Last week we had a number of helpers come down early to help set up all our equipment, including the touchpads. A big thankyou to all those that volunteered and help set up and also to those who packed up. If we could carry that patriotism into further weeks to help set up that would be greatly appreciated. As a club we cannot operate without our volunteers, so another big thank you to everyone who volunteers. Arriving by 6.30am lends a great hand in having races start on time at 7.00am.

Another reminder that Learn to Swim is on immediately after club races and we need to ensure club races run as quickly and smoothly as possible, so please ensure that everyone is aware of their events and when in the timeline their swim is on.

If your name is called and you are not in the marshalling area, you will miss your swim.

Merrylands SwimFest

SwimFest is only 7 sleeps away! Entries have closed so now is the time of good lucks! Thank you to all that have volunteered to help, and a reminder we have a timeline prepared for the setup jobs we need to complete, so we are asking that parents arrive by 11.30am on the day to help.

• 11:30am: Set up commences
• 12:45pm: Swimmers need to have arrived and changed ready for warm-up
• 1pm: Swimmers warm up commences
• 2pm: Racing commences

Let's make this meet as smooth and successful as possible and show the other clubs how AWESOME our Club is!

New 50m Freestyle Record

Coralie Havea set a record in the 12 yrs 50m Freestyle Championship last Saturday with a fantastic swim.

Coralie set the new record time of 30.46, beating Astrid Howton's record from the 1982/83 season by 0.79 seconds. A record that had stood for 43 years!

Head Coach Alison Johnston said, "Coralie has gone from strength to strength this season, and it has been amazing to watch her consolidate the hard work she has been putting in at training to break her first club record."

Congratulations to Coralie on her swim!

Squad Training Reminder

This is a reminder to swimmers attending squad training:

1. Please ensure that you bring all of your gear to training, this includes your cap and googles and a water bottle. All swimmers are required to have their own equipment including fins and kickboards. The equipment required for each squad is detailed on the website and can be purchased through the club shop.
2. If you will miss a session, please remember to mark your absence in the swim school system via the parent portal before the session.

Swimmer Spotlight – Ayva Whelan

This week we shine the spotlight on one of our newer members who has already shown great confidence and ambition in the pool.

Q1: Tell us about your swimming journey

My mum used to swim, and I did swimming lessons until about 8yrs old. Then I had to take a big break and didn't swim again until school swimming carnivals. In year 7, I made it to Sydney West regionals for Breaststroke and Freestyle Relay with Scarlett and some other girls at Greystanes High. I feel proud of this achievement because I only had the learn to swim skills learnt up to 8yrs old and practicing on my own. This gave me the confidence to take my swimming further and join a club. My friends recommended Merrylands Squad and shortly after, I trialled and I signed up!

Q2: Having joined MASC only four months ago, what do you like about the Club?

People are nice here and very warm and inviting.

Q3: What's your favourite stroke?

Breaststroke. I can breathe easy and I don't get water in my eyes like backstroke. Butterfly is my enemy as it's a lot of physical effort (which I don't mind! Just my least favourite stroke).

Q4: What is your swimming goal for this year?

Make it to State for breaststroke and Freestyle relay!

Q5: Something interesting about you?

I love writing short stories and poems, particularly the symbolism. I've submitted lots and hoping to get something published.

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

Seen someone that deserves recognition for their efforts in helping? Nominate them for the Lions Club Award, our peak award to recognise our volunteers over the season.

Nominate a volunteer

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.

With the cooler month’s approaching (we don’t call it winter) you may need a club hoodie. These require a special order to be placed with our suppliers. If you are interested in ordering a club hoodie, please speak to Margaret (our fantastic Property Officer) today as she will be placing an order to receive them before the season ends.

No Club Races next Saturday morning

With the Merrylands SwimFest being held next Saturday afternoon there are no club races or Learn to Swim lessons next Saturday morning.

Enjoy the sleep in before we get back into club races the following Saturday, 28^th February, with the 25m, 50m & 200m Backstroke Championships 😊

Merrylands Parramatta PSSA Zone Carnival

We will be providing our timing system and services again this year to the Merrylands Parramatta PSSA Zone carnival. This is a fundraising activity for our club.

The meet will be held on Wednesday 4^th March at Merrylands Swimming Centre.

We will need to setup touchpads, shade shelters etc for their use, so if you are able to assist with the setup or longer during the day (we will also need to pack up after the meet), please let Graham know.

Metro South West 5-8 Development Meet

This is a meet we encourage all of our 5 to 8 year swimmers to enter. It is a great introduction to races outside of the club environment and a chance to swim as a team representing our club.

Please note the date of the meet has changed and is now being held on the afternoon of Sunday 29^th March 2026 at The Gordon Fetterplace Aquatic Centre, The Pkwy, Bradbury.

Entries can be submitted via SwimCentral.

School Carnivals

We enter the season of school swimming carnivals and wish all of our club swimmers good luck as they compete and try to make it to the next level of meets.

Make sure you send us stories about your school swimming carnival so that we can share & celebrate your success with your club mates.

Upcoming Meet Calendar

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