Welcome to the May edition of The Western Swimmer. Now that the wild winter weather has arrived, I hope that you are keeping your family warm, safe and well.
On behalf of Swimming WA, I would like to thank all of our Members for your support during this crazy COVID-19 pandemic in which we find ourselves. Over the past month, the SWA Board and I have been working closely with Swimming Australia, the Western Australian government, SWA Clubs, ASCTA (WA) and our many volunteers across the State. It has been an uncertain time with developments happening rapidly. This has meant at times Swimming WA has been unable to be as decisive and clear as we’d like to be, but at no stages have I sensed any frustration amongst the Membership which demonstrates that we are united as a sport – something we should be proud of.
This month Swimming WA has re-opened the office and as you have seen, we are working to get our Clubs, Coaches and learn to swim centres operational once more. The 2020 Westpac Swimmer of the Year Awards were a different function form previous years, but no less prestigious. We must thank Allan Maitland and the Westpac team for their support at every level of WA swimming over the year.
It was wonderful to see Brianna Throssell taking out her fourth Lyn McClements Medal. It was also very special to see long term servant of Western Australian swimming Mr. Peter Anderson awarded the SWA President’s Award in recognition of his 37 years of dedicated voluntary service to our sport. Officiating at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, a SWA Life Member and the Chairman of the SWA Honours and Awards Committee, Peter has been wonderful to work with. He continually kept the greater good of swimming foremost in his mind. Peter will now focus a little more time on his grandchildren so we thank him for his service and hope that he maintains his connection with Swimming WA into the future. Congratulations to all award winners and to those named in the 2020 WA Country Swimming Team.
On May 7th, our WAIS Scholarship Holders return to the pool which is a remarkable achievement. Our thanks to Minister Mick Murray and his team, together with Steve Lawrence and Jo Richards from WAIS for the role that they played in assisting SWA to lobby the government and secure the exemption. Our focus continues to be on access for ALL Swimming WA Members, but I cannot understate how important it is that our Membership understand that when the return to swimming training and competition takes place, it is very likely to be highly regulated and a very regimented regime that all will be required to adhere to. COVID-19 is a crisis of our health and as such, Swimming WA Members will be required to play our part in responsibly using aquatic facilities, following the National ‘Return to Sport Guidelines’ and helping to keep our family and our community safe.
So keep up the training and the fitness campaign and stay tuned to the SWA website and social media for news about when this might happen.
Finally, the 2020 Short Course Season remains on hold and whilst it is unlikely that we will get the season underway in May, the staff and various SWA Committees are working on getting a reduced Short Course season underway as soon as possible. We will be working with ACTA (WA) on the format and timelines. More information will follow in the coming weeks
Please stay engaged with Swimming WA and together let’s hope it is not too much longer before we see your smiling faces at the pool!
Warm regards,
Darren Beazley
Chief Executive Officer
