Summer Season Wrap-up
We hope everyone enjoyed a very Happy Easter and nice long weekend break. For those still at school, we hope you are having a great time and helping your parents with all the chores around home 😊
Our Easter Breakfast BBQ was a great hit, as well as all of the great raffle prizes. Thankyou to everyone who organised and helped with the breakfast bbq and donated to the raffle prizes.
Congratulations to Daniel Brancatisano, now known as GGG (the Guessing Game Guru). Daniel correctly guessed there were 184 eggs, I hope there are still some left to eat. All this after Daniel correctly guessed the number in the Christmas lolly jar. Grace & Ruth might need to consider dentistry as professions if Daniel keeps up this winning streak. We had 5 members guess within 180 range, so congratulations to you all as well.
Saturday Autumn Club Races
Due to the awesome number of requests, we are BACK! Today is the first of two more Club Race mornings. Time to get your swimmers and jammers back on, ready to dive into the pool this weekend.
These club races are a sprint series and will be over in around 1 hour. So, to all those soccer people, come get warmed up before your games with a quick swim in the pool.
The swimming centre opens at 7.00am and races start at 7:15 (with all hands on deck to help with setup from 7.00am). We expect races to finish around 8:15. So make sure you get your entries in for next week now!
Pool Entry
A reminder that spectators accompanying swimmers to club races (and squad training) are entitled to free entry as per Council’s Fees & Charges schedule. For those who purchase multiple entry passes for club swimmers we suggest you consider purchasing the Council’s Blue (Swim Only) Membership rather than the limited visit Concession Pass as this is a cheaper way to purchase your pool entry over the timeframe.
Note Council’s Fees and Charges increase from 1st July, so consider what you may be able to purchase prior to the increase in these costs.
State Masters Swimmers
This weekend we have 3 of our Masters swimming at the Masters Swimming NSW Long Course Championships at SOPAC. Good luck to Kylee Murray, Alison Johnston and Leanne Tovkach! They are competing in a total of 15 combined events. If you see them today make sure you wish them luck! May the whale be with you all 🐳
Coaching Reminder
Training moves to Wentworthville Swimming Centre from Monday, 4th May 2026.
Sessions will be held in the 50m pool and are scheduled to return to Merrylands in September.
There will be no training from 27th to 30th April due to the Australian Masters Championships.
Swimmers will need to have collected their training equipment from Merrylands Swimming Centre after their last training session as we will not have access to the storeroom once the swimming centre closes for winter.
Club AGM & Annual Presentation
🐳 Get Involved – Be Part of Our Club’s Future
Our club is built on the incredible efforts of our volunteers, and we’d love to see more families getting involved in shaping what we do next.
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is coming up, and it’s your chance to have a say, share ideas, and be part of the decisions that guide our club forward. Whether you’ve been around for years or are new to the club, your voice matters.
Joining the Committee might sound like a big step, but it doesn’t have to be! There are a range of roles, big and small, and plenty of support along the way. Even putting your hand up to help in small ways can make a huge difference.
Being involved is a great way to:
- Have a say in how the club runs
- Help create opportunities for our swimmers
- Meet other families and be part of the community
- Give back to a club that supports our kids
Our club continues to grow, and with that comes new ideas, new energy, and new opportunities. We encourage anyone who’s interested, even just a little bit, to come along to the AGM and see what it’s all about. Members aged 18 & over are entitled to vote at the AGM.
Together, we can keep building a strong, supportive, and fun club for everyone.
The dates for these major events are (please put these in your calendar):
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Club AGM
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Monday 25th May
Virtual meeting
7.30pm
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Annual Presentation
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Saturday 30th May
Club Merrylands
6.00pm
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To login to the club AGM virtual meeting you will need to pre-register and access to pre-register will be available on the club website.
All members should have received an email this week about the Annual Presentation. This email included information about your eligibility for an award and award selection (for Senior & Championship swimmers). Please ensure you check your eligibility and select an award if this applies to you.
The Social Committee are looking into some ideas for the night, so if you have any ideas you would like to share, please contact any one of them (Denise Assi, Sylvia Chan & Kylee Murray).
Swimmer Spotlight – Elijah Harb
Tell us about your swimming journey
I learnt to swim at Shelly Swim School in North Parramatta. I didn't enjoy it as much as I preferred to go to the beach and practice swimming there with the big waves. Then my brother wanted to join the Merrylands Swimming Club since our friends are here. So, I moved here too and found doing squads so much better. For example, the coaches have taught me other strokes such as butterfly and breaststroke, and how to dive!
At my first school swimming carnival, I came 1st in freestyle and 2nd in backstroke. My relay team came 2nd against a year 6 team!
What do you like about this Club?
For Squads, I like that I don't need to wait as long for my turn to swim since everyone's constantly swimming and we are spread out across lanes. I love interacting with so many swimmers and trying to overtake people in my lane. It's very motivating here with more swimmers and I have made so many friends. I learn a lot more with the coaches here.
What is your favourite stroke?
It used to be freestyle, but now I like backstroke more because I don't get as tired. My least favourite is butterfly because I'm still learning how to do it. I'm keen to get better at it.
What are some of your swimming goals?
This year I want to beat my backstroke PB. Currently I'm swimming 54secs - I want to get down to 47 secs.
At next year's school swimming carnival, I want to be the fastest male swimmer boy in my school.
What is your most proud swimming achievement?
Beating a lot of people at my school swimming carnival and here at Club. I love getting certificates and ribbons for my swimming achievements.
What’s something interesting about you?
I love soccer. I currently play for Wenty Waratah FC and aim to get into an academy soccer team like my brothers.
ANZAC Day Commemoration
Members are invited to attend the local ANZAC Day service. This is a wonderful opportunity for our members to come together to represent our club and pay our respects.
Date: Saturday 25th 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.
Upcoming Meet Calendar
Check the website for the full list of upcoming meets, closing dates, programs and qualifying times.
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MEET NAME
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MEET DATE
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ENTRY CLOSING
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Masters Swimming NSW Long Course Championships
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Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th April 2026
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Closed
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Swimwest Short Course Qualifying Meet
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Sunday, 26th April 2026
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Friday, 17th April @ 10:00 PM
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MSA National Championships
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Tuesday 28th April to Sunday 3rd May 2026
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Closed
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