Issue 23, 2024/2025 by Graham Edwards - 21st March, 2025

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Whales Challenge #3

Last week we saw the completion of the Whales Challenge for the season. The White team were triumphant in securing a 3-0 whitewash by taking an 18 point win (1,417 to 1,399).

Congratulations to everyone in the White team on a dominant season result. The 2025/2026 season gives the Maroon team the opportunity of redemption.

The 50m Freestyle Skins event was also held as part of the Whales Challenge. Congratulations to the 8 swimmers who qualified for the event. The final saw Joseph Assi (White) take the points over Jaden Morera (Maroon)

Free Membership – 8yrs & Under

There are 2 weeks left to claim the free membership for swimmers 8yrs & Under, who regularly swim in our club races, as our season and financial year conclude at the end of March.

To check if you are eligible to claim a refund for this membership head to the club website here.

Return Championship Trophies

As we prepare for the Annual Presentation we ask that you return any Championship Perpetual trophies you have at home.

Extended Opening of Merrylands Pool

We are pleased to advise that Council will be keeping Merrylands Swimming Centre open during April, May & June due to works closing the 50m pool at Granville Swimming Centre.

This means our squad training will remain at Merrylands during April, May & June.

The centre opening hours for April, May & June are:

In April we will be holding club races on Saturday mornings (5^th, 12^th & 26^th). Stay tuned for the Autumn racing program. We ask that those attending races arrive at 7.00am for setup and races will commence at 7.15am. Races will be done in around an hour so.

During May & June only the 50m pool will be open and operational during the above times, with the program pool and baby/toddler pool closed to ensure sufficient heating for the 50m pool.

We are also working on a race program for May & June and we will provide more information in the near future.

NSW State Open Championships

Congratulations to Leo Zhu who has qualified for and will represent our club at the 2025 NSW State Open Championships being held at SOPAC this weekend.

Leo will compete in the Mens 100m Breaststroke (Event 27) on Saturday. Good luck Leo and may the whale be with you

Anzac Day 2025

Our club has participated in the Cumberland Anzac Day Dawn Service over the past and we have arranged to participate again this year.

Date: 25^th April 2025

Venue: Merrylands RSL Club and then to Charles Mance Reserve, 6 Newman St, Merrylands

Times:

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

5.15am - March will commence

5.30am - Dawn Service will commence

5.57am - Wreath Laying will commence

6.30am - Dawn Service Concludes

Club representatives will be laying a wreath on behalf of our club and members. Our Female Club Captain will be engaged on behalf of another group on the day, so we are seeking a Female club member (preferably a Junior member) to represent the club in the wreath laying service. If you are interested or would like more information please see Denise Assi.

Annual Presentation & Club AGM

Some shady characters from the 2011-2012 Presentation

Club Uniforms

Order your Club Uniforms now via the club’s online shop.

See Margaret if you would like to order a Hoodie, as she is preparing to place an order for these before the season ends.

Download Whales Tales

When you receive the email on a Friday night with the Whales Tales and Events list for the morning you also have the option to download a Word copy of Whales Tales.

Downloading a Word copy allows you to see any photos & other images that are included in Whales Tales, as these do not appear in the online version.

How do you do this? Click on the Issue link and then click on the Download button at the top of the page

End of Season BBQ

Next week sees the end of our 2024-2025 summer season. Why not stay after club races and novelty events for our end of season bbq 😊

Hungry swimmers at the start of season BBQ

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.

P-Plate Award

Only two more weeks to go to find a worthy recipient of the P-Plate award. So keep an eye out for someone making a silly mistake during the season. The P-Plate award is the perfect way to do this for something funny that happens at club.

Nominate a silly mistake

Make a Donation

Did you know you can make a tax-deductible donation to the club? The club’s financial year ends on 31^st March, so there is still time to help out this season.

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

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.

Make a donation

Lions Club Award

As our season comes to a close we ask that you continue nominating members (young & old) who deserve recognition for their efforts in helping out. The Lions Club Award is a great way for the club to recognise the efforts of those members who exceed & excel.

Nominate a volunteer

Club Merrylands Holiday Activities

With the Easter school holidays coming Club Merrylands have some activities that may be of interest to keep your kids entertained. See here for the various activities and dates.

Upcoming Meet Calendar

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

Set Up & Pack Up on Saturday Mornings

There is a lot to do in set up and pack up on Saturday mornings – thank you to the members who have been arriving early and/or staying back to help. These are some of the things that need to be done, with an emphasis commencing on time:-

Priority Items

• Shelter and side shade for the recorders on the lane 1 start side of the pool – lives in the clubroom near the side door.
• Plastic table and 4 (grey) chairs for the recorders. Table lives in the shed. Grey chairs from the club room.
• Wireless Router to be fitted to the time clock pole at the start end, plugged in and switched on.
• Starter podium and witches’ hats (to remind people not to walk in front of the Starter and Referee) – lives in the shed, front left corner.
• Power cables for computers to be connected to same power point as Router on pole.
• Speaker etc for starting device – lives in plastic box on Starter's podium. Place speaker on lane 8 side securely next to pole of backstroke flags and roll cable along pool deck coping to lane 1 side. Cover exposed cable with cable guards (see below).
• Starting device tripod – lives in the clubroom near the side door (same place as shelter and side shade)
• Starting device – will be on charge in the clubroom on kitchen bench
• Cable guards (6 yellow) for the Recorders & speaker for the Starter – these live in the shed.

Important Items

• Stopwatches and clipboards – black case lives in the locker in the clubroom and needs to be set up on a folding table from the shed. Turn them on.
• 15m (false start) rope (in box with Starter’s podium) and poles (in ‘old club room’). You will need someone to show you how this works and you will be so proud of yourself when you master it!
• 25m rope (for 25m, 33m & 15m races). Lives in the shed in a wire trolley and needs to be rolled out along the end (preferably 50m end) of the pool.

Final items

• Block covers removed and put out of the way under the blue shelter.
• Chairs setup for Timekeepers at both ends of the pool. Chairs live in the shed and there is a trolley to move them.
• Presentation dais (only for Championship days) – lives in the clubroom under the trophy cabinet right side as you enter.
• Umbrellas if it is raining – found in a black plastic drum trolly in the Shed – good luck wheeling this one 😊 Including the beach umbrella for the Starter.

Pack up; return everything to the location it is stored and please be careful in handling cables and ropes so as not to tangle. Sometimes the blocks get a wash if we can find a working hose.

On rainy days, placement of the recording table and all associated equipment including router will be on the veranda of the Clubhouse. No need for shelter and tables.

Remember that timekeeper watches should not be turned on until after the Router is switched on