Christmas Wishes
And that is halfway through the season already, how quickly does it go by?
On behalf of the Committee, I would like to thank everyone for their help with club activities. We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas, a safe and happy 2024. We look forward to seeing everyone back in the New Year.
This morning’s races are our last swims for 2023 as we take a break next Saturday. Club races will resume on Saturday 6th January 2024.
We have novelty races & a breakfast BBQ following races this morning, as well as the draw for the Christmas raffle. Thank you to everyone who has purchased tickets in the raffle and good luck for the draw. Prizes are limited to one per family so that we can spread the cheer as far as possible.
A special thank you to the Abdelraheem family who have donated a jar full of M&M’s for a guessing competition. Guesses are $1 each and the closest guess to the correct number of M&M’s in the jar will win them.
State Age Championships
The NSW Senior State Age Championships were held last weekend. Congratulations to Leo Zhu who represented the club at these championships. Leo achieved great results, swimming the 100m Breaststroke in his second-fastest time ever and swam a PB in the 50m Breaststroke
Whales Challenge #2
Whales Challenge #2 was held last Saturday. The Maroon team took a 1-0 lead into the event, but a great comeback by the White team sees the series tied 1-1. Whales Challenge #3 will be the deciding event and will be held on Saturday 16th March.
Captain’s Freestyle Skins
The second Skins series was held last Saturday as part of the Whales Challenge event.
Team Captains were represented by the team’s fastest Freestyle swimmers. 8 qualifiers were whittled down to the final 2, with Peter Johnston (Maroon team) just beating Jokubas Urbonas (White team) by 0.29 secs to win the event. Congratulations to both Peter & Jokubas on surviving the heats and making the final
The Merrylands 50s is back!
The Merrylands 50s is back on our first day back, Saturday, 6th January 2024.
The Merrylands 50s is a knockout handicap competition with 3 rounds: Preliminaries and Semi-Finals, all leading to a Final with a winner-takes-all prize at the end. The top swimmers from each round progress to the next round. Each swimmer is given a time handicap, so everyone has a chance of winning.
To get involved, enter Club Races as usual for the 6th January and select the Merrylands 50s Prelims as one of your events.
Merrylands SwimFest
Have you entered yet? Entries for the 2024 Merrylands SwimFest are open and are filling fast. Our members get a 25% discount off their entries, so make sure you click the correct button to get your club member rate. Entries close on 3rd February, 2024.
See the SwimFest section of our website for all the details.
Oh, and as always, we need helpers too! Nominate for a position here.
Speedo Sprint Heats
The Metro South-West Speedo Sprint Heats will be held at SOPAC on Saturday 10th February 2024, commencing at 12.00pm.
This is a great meet for swimmers aged 8 -13 and provides races in each stroke over 50 metres.
We encourage all of our swimmers in these age groups to enter. Entries close Wednesday 31st January 2024.
Swimming Australia National Integrity Framework
Swimming Australia’s new National Integrity Framework comes into force on 1st January 2024.
Further details can be found on the Swimming Australia website.
Helping on Saturday Mornings
Thank you to the people who helped set up and pack up last Saturday. Keep it up!
Please:
- Arrive before 6:50am to help setup
- Pickup a stopwatch to time keep – we need 16 timekeepers to provide accurate timing – please don’t make us come and ask.
- Help pack up before you leave
Don’t know what needs to be done? Ask a member of the Committee and they can point you in the right direction.
Bring a Friend
Do you have a friend who is looking for something to do during the school holidays? Setting a New Year’s resolution? Wants to get ready for School Swimming Carnivals?
Why not invite them to club races during January? They can get a free 4-week trial membership and just have to pay their for race entries and pool entry. All the details are here.
Lions Club Award
Recognise the contribution one of your fellow members has made. Nominate them for the Lions Club Award online here.
P-Plate Award
Nominate someone for the P-Plate Award here.
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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Speedo Sprint Heats
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Saturday 10th February
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Wednesday 31st January
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Merrylands SwimFest
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Saturday 17th February
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Saturday, 3rd February
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NSW Senior Metrop Championships
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Saturday 24th February &
Sunday 25th February
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TBA
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Speedo Sprint Finals
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Saturday 2nd March
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Heat qualification
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NSW State Open Championships
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Friday 15th March to Sunday 17th March
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TBA
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NSW Junior State Age Championships
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Saturday 23rd March to Sunday 24th March
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Tuesday 12th March
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