ANNUAL REPORT

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

SEASON 2016/2017

WARRNAMBOOL SWIMMING CLUB HALL

TUESDAY 30th MAY 2017 @ 7:30pm

Club of choice for a safe swimming environment catering for swimmers of all levels, ages and abilities

for performance, fitness and fun.

Warrnambool Swimming Club Clubrooms, Jamieson Street, Warrnambool, 3280

www.warrnamboolswimmingclub.com.au

Total membership for Season 2016/2017 - 149

(Life Member-11, Non-Swimmer-20, Official-3, Recreational Swimmer-3, Competitive Swimmer-112)

2016/2017 Committee members:

President Kellie Windahl

Vice President Jens Flaherty

Secretary

Linda McPhee

Treasurer Ann Van Zyl

Ordinary Committee Members

Paul Aberline Juli Bartlett

Joanne Daffy Anthea Good

Michelle Gristede Brett Johnston

Craig Kelson

2016-2017 Awards

2016/17 CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS

9yrs & Under Girls 9yrs & Under Boys 1st Place Evie McCosh 1st Place Charles Gleeson

2nd Place Ebony Wilson 2nd Place Beau Turner

10/11 yrs Girls 10/11 yrs Boys 1st Place Johanna McKenzie 1st Place Riley Ontronen

2nd Place Olive Andrew 2nd Place Eben White

3rd Place Georgia Turner

12/13 yrs Girls 12/13 yrs Boys 1st Place Chloe Windahl 1st Place Jas Lang

2nd Place Victoria McPhee 2nd Place Alexander Johnston

3rd Place Amy Johnston 3rd Place Fergus Kelson

14/15 yrs Girls 14/15 yrs Boys 1st Place Tori Parsons 1st Place Robert Gleeson

2nd Place Emily Bartlett 2nd Place Seamus Kelson

3rd Place Shelby Gristede 3rd Place Sebastian Good

16yrs & Over Girls 16yrs & Over Boys 1st Place Sophie Thomas 1st Place Blake Turner

2nd Place Holly Windahl 2nd Place Jason Pritchard

3rd Place Caitlyn Mackay 3rd Place Mitchell Gristede

2016/17 CLUB AWARDS

2016/17 MOST CONSISTENT AWARD

Blake Turner

2016/17 MOST IMPROVED AWARD

Chloe Windahl

2016/17 ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD

Ingrid Cavarsan

2016/17 COACHES (Pete) AWARD

Riley Ontronen

2016/17 COACHES (Josh) AWARD

Alex Johnston

2016/17 COACHES (Jayson) AWARD

Seamus Kelson

2016/17 PERFORMANCE AWARD

Jason Pritchard

2015/16 COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS CLUB AWARD

In Memory of LEE VALLENCE

Glenice Justin

2016-2017 President’s Report

The 2016/2017 year has seen the Warrnambool Swimming Club continue to adopt its vision statement to be the club of choice for competitive swimming for all levels, ages and abilities for performance, fitness and fun.

We have been well represented at Country and State levels, our membership has remained stable and financially we are in a sound position.

It is the dedication, support and enormous contribution from our coaches, committee and parents that ensures we provide a positive environment for our kids to not only enjoy their swimming but to perform at their best.

Thank you to all the swimmers and their families for your commitment and for being part of our club.

We express our gratitude to our coaches and their families.

Jayson Lamb, Josh Sobey, Peter Finnigan, Paul Aberline and Jordan Logan spend a lot of time with our kids, not only coaching but away at swim meets and club camps, we are very fortunate to have such a supportive coaching team.

At the end of last season we launched our “Race for the Blocks” and the result has been extraordinary! Thank you to the diverse range of people that have contributed to make this project a reality. We got our blocks and backstroke ledges.

An enormous thank you to the generosity of the foundations that turned this dream into a reality.

The grants received from The Ray & Joyce Uebergang Foundation, The Gwen and Edna Jones Foundation and The AL Jones Foundation made an incredible difference in our ability to purchase this equipment and hence will enable our swimmers to reach their full potential.

We thank all our sponsors who generously donated both financially and with their time. All this input has helped make the Club work so well over the past season.

Jens Flaherty, Linda McPhee and Anthea Good have decided not to seek re- appointment for the 2017/2018 season and we thank them for their contribution whilst on the committee and we look forward to their involvement with the swimming club in the future. We look forward to the 2017/2018 season as we continue to create a positive and supportive environment for swimmers and their families. Thank you for everyone’s support and efforts this past year. Kellie Windahl President, Warrnambool Swimming Club

2016-2017 Coaches Report

The 2016-2017 season was a step forward for our Club in many ways, in particular, the improvement in our racing skills.

We can break Swimming skills up into the following categories”

1. Individual stroke skills (kick, connection with pull, balance and body control) 2. Fitness level. 3. Dryland strength. 4. Racing Skills. Starts (biomechanics of start plus underwater kick to the 15m mark), Turns (mechanics of turn,

approach and exit out of turn. Measured from 5m before and 10m out of turn).

While improvements were made across all the above areas it was in our “racing skills” we thought the biggest steps were taken.

Throughout the coming season coaches from each squad will test each of the above skills regularly, giving swimmers feedback

on their progress during different training phases.

The 2016-17 saw the introduction of a new, strength and conditioning program with Dilan Abey across Josh and Jayson’s squad,

while Peter’s squad were introduced to the “Swimming Australia” dryland activation program. These programs will be continued

throughout the next season and once again be tested throughout to give feedback to the swimmers on their progress.

As with each season, swimmers embraced the opportunities to participate in our club camps and bus trips, a great opportunity

to socialise with their team mates.

Club Camps:

12 and under: Bus trip to Timboon Swim meet.

13 yrs and above: Mystery bus tour (Queenscliffe).

15 years and above: Tasmanian State Age Championships.

18 year and over: Sydney trip (Bondi – Bronte ocean swim). New age group at Nationals 19-21yrs

WSC attended swim meets in the following cities.

Cobden, Terang, Timboon, Hamilton, Ballarat, Geelong, Mildura, Melbourne, Hobart, Darwin and Brisbane.

Congratulations to Jason Pritchard

Jason Pritchard qualified for age Nationals for the 200m breastroke.

Jason’s FINA point score was 546 points finishing 34th in the 17-18yrs age group.

Jason has now represented Warrnambool Swimming Club at three National Age Championships in three separate strokes, being Freestyle, backstroke and breastroke.

Thankyou’s

Outgoing committee members:

Anthea Good, Linda McPhee and Jens Flaherty (6yrs).

Kellie Windahl and committee for continued support.

Toby Pettigrew, (team physiotherapist)

Glenice Justin (national acc and flights),

Dilan Abbey, strength and conditioning program.

Lesli Ann Elbourne (Child psych, talk on dealing with tough times).

Coaching staff. Josh, Peter, Paul and Jordan.

Regards,

Jayson

INDEPENDENT AUDIT REPORT TO

WARRNAMBOOL SWIMMING CLUB INC.

We have audited the attached statement of receipts and payments for the year ended 31st

March 2017.

Warrnambool Swimming Club Inc. is responsible for the financial report and have determined that the

accounting policies used are consistent with the financial reporting requirements of the Warrnambool

Swimming Club Inc. constitution and are appropriate to meet the needs of the members. We have conducted an

independent audit of the financial report in order to express an opinion on it to the members for the

Warrnambool Swimming Club Inc. No opinion is expressed as to whether the accounting policies used are

appropriate to the needs of the members.

The financial report has been prepared for distribution to members for the purpose of fulfilling the members'

financial reporting requirements under the constitution. We disclaim any assumption of responsibility for any

reliance on this report or on the financial report to which it relates to any person other than the members, or for

any purpose other than that for which it was prepared.

Our audit has been conducted in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. Our procedures included

examination, on a test basis, of evidence supporting the amounts and other disclosures in the financial report.

These procedures have been undertaken to form an opinion whether, in all material respects, the financial report

is presented fairly in accordance with the accrual basis of accounting whereby revenue is recorded if it is

reasonably expected to be received, expenses are recorded as they fall due, and assets or liabilities such as

receivables and payab1es, are recorded. Accounting Standards and other professional reporting requirements

(UIG Consensus Views) are applicable to the accrual basis of accounting adopted by the Warrnambool

Swimming Club Inc. have been duly considered.

The audit opinion expressed in this report has been formed on the above basis.

Qualification

As is common for organisations of this type, it is not practical for the Warrnambool Swimming Club Inc. to

maintain an effective system of internal control over receipts until entry in the accounting records.

Accordingly, our audit in relation to income was limited to amounts recorded.

Qualified Audit Opinion

In our opinion, except for the effects of such adjustments, if any, as might have been determined to be

necessary had the limitation discussed in the qualification paragraph not existed, the financial report presents a

true and fair view in accordance with the cash basis of accounting, as described above, the payments and

receipts of the Warrnambool Swimming Club Inc. for the year ended 31 March 2017, and its cash and bank

balances as at that date.

McLaren Buzolich O'Keeffe Pty Ltd

Certified Practising Accountants

67 Kepler Street

WARRNAMBOOL VIC 3280

Partner

18 May 2017

MBO FINANCIAL GROUP

YOUR BUSINESS, YOUR WEALTH, OUR FOCUS

Warrnambool Swimming Club

Balance Sheet at 31 March, 2017

Cash and Bank

2017 2016

Cash - 68.75

Westpac Cheque Account 11,041.55 4,097.96

Westpac Card Account 735.92 1,603.95

Westpac On-Line Saver 30,555.59 20,262.15

Banksia - 8,607.73

42,333.06 34,640.54

Other Assets

Prepaid Expense 9,265.50 3,521.00

Stock on Hand 14,037.54 16,475.13

Sundry Debtors 2,556.55 321.60

25,859.59 20,317.73

Total Assets 68,192.65 54,958.27

Less : Liabilities

Accounts Payable 3,905.63 2,118.20

Members Income in Advance 3,565.00 652.00

Grant Income in Advance 12,555.00 -

Total Liabilities 20,025.63 2,770.20

Net Equity 48,167.02 52,188.07

Reserves

Prior Year

52,188.07

47,500.39

Net trading Surplus ( 4,021.05) 4,687.68

Closing Balance 48,167.02 52,188.07

Warrnambool Swimming Club

Statement of Profit & Loss for the year ending 31 March, 2017

2017 2016

Income

Accommodation & Travel 49,523.14 63,782.50

Banksia Distribution 860.77

Breakfast Receipts 998.70 919.65

Fundraising 9,571.44 14,451.55

Grants 42,200.00 3,300.00

Hall Hire 4,190.00 4,439.00

Interest Received 318.86 236.88

Memberships 9,719.00 10,262.60

Other Income 133.00 514.65

Uniform Sales 7,332.00 7,615.00

Warrnambool Swim Meets:

- Meet Entries 30,337.00 28,112.82

- Raffle & Fundraising 3,884.45 1,772.90

- Lane Sponsorship 722.00 1,450.00

Total Income 159,790.36 136,857.55

Expenditure

Accommodation & Travel 50,423.76 64,269.95

Advertising 68.45 119.90

Affiliation, Mship – SV, WDSA 200.00 200.00

Bank Charges - 6.50

Breakfast Payments 633.91 996.21

Christmas - 28.17

Coaching Fees 14,786.67 14,968.99

Consultants 260.00 852.40

Equipment Purchased 45,806.20 6,661.65

Fundraising Costs 2,365.62 4,212.01

Hall Costs 9,922.35 8,978.26

Incorporation Fees 54.40 54.40

Insurance 487.00 660.00

Lane Hire 6,393.05 5,994.65

Life Membership 969.75 242.95

Meet Entries 2,171.00 2,010.00

Membership Levy 176.50 1,398.97

Membership Refunds - 2,843.68

Miscellaneous 770.27 397.45

Other Expense 2,215.89 2,768.84

Postage 190.00 219.60

Stationary 22.98 167.90

Trophies 1,155.90 772.40

Uniform Costs - 363.50

Uniform Trading - COGS 5,401.99 1,969.07

Warrnambool Swim Meets:

- Facility & Lane Hire 4,272.50 4,883.78

- Food Costs 672.89 372.56

- Meet Entry Refund - 100.65

- Meet Levy 3,159.00 2,980.00

- Officials Accommodation 312.00 470.50

- Officials Costs 460.00 430.26

- Postage - 21.84

- Printing & Stationary 167.60 172.48

- Prize Money 500.00 600.00

- Trophies 1,184.00 980.35

Total Expense 155,203.68 132,169.87

Net trading surplus from ordinary activities 4,586.68 4,687.68

Banksia Investment - Impairment 8,607.73 -

Net trading deficit for the year ( 4,021.05) 4,687.68

The Warrnambool Swimming Club would like to thank the following sponsors for their support during the 2016/2017 Season:

Warrnambool Swimming Club set for bumper field for

annual two-day shortcourse meet Susie Giese

June 8, 2016, 5 p.m.

DIVING IN: Warrnambool swimmers Tessa Lane, 14, and Tori Parsons, 14, will be looking to perform at their best in the 100m breaststroke and 100m

individual medley respectively this weekend. Picture: Rob Gunstone

WARRNAMBOOL Swimming Club is “at capacity” for this weekend’s two-day shortcourse swim meet, with nearly 270

competitors set to take part.

Club president Kellie Windahl said the annual meet has drawn swimmers from 23 clubs across Victoria and South Australia.

“It’s just grown and developed a great reputation,” she said.

“It’s a very popular swim meet for metro clubs.”

The busy program will see swimmers hit the water a total of 2020 times across Saturday and Sunday.

For Warrnambool club members Evie McCosh and Mimi Jenkins, it will be their first competition.

Windahl said the event was an ideal way for Warrnambool swimmers to kick off their shortcourse season.

“For the majority of our swimmers, it’s the first meet back after a short break from the longcourse,” she said.

Warm-ups will be from 1.30pm on Saturday with races from 3pm until about 9.30pm, resuming on Sunday from 9am until

3pm.

Swimmers shine in pool

Anthony Brady and Susie Giese

June 12, 2016, 4:04 p.m.

IN THE SWIM: Chloe Windahl, 13, and Isaac Jones, 21, competed at the Warrnambool Swimming Club's shortcourse meet. Picture: Vicky Hughson

WARRNAMBOOL swimmers have made the most of their home-pool advantage to match it with the best from across

Victoria and South Australia.

Warrnambool Swimming Club hosted its two-day short course swim meet with 270 competitors taking part.

The meet provided the perfect platform for swimmers at different levels to show their wares.

Champion Warrnambool swimmer Isaac Jones was one of the stars, competing in numerous events.

Jones missed out on selection for the Rio Olympic Games but now enters a window of opportunity to aim for the 2020

Olympic Games in Tokyo

Warrnambool Swimming Club coach Josh Sobey said Jones’ presence provided a real thrill for junior swimmers.

“It was a really good hit-out for Isaac,” Sobey said.

“The young kids got a lot of out of seeing him at the meet, he is a good example of the level they could reach if they work

hard.

“There was a good mix of younger and older swimmers, there was a good feeling throughout the weekend.”

Warrnambool Swimming Club had three squads at the meet.

Sobey was joined by fellow coaches Jayson Lamb and Peter Finnigan in guiding the fortunes of the Warrnambool swimmers.

Sobey said it was a strong performance from Warrnambool with Tessa Lane, Tori Parsons, Emma Ragg and Chloe Windahl

among the swimmers to produce exceptional results.

“We will sit down during the week and assess how the whole weekend went,” Sobey said.

“We had a lot of swimmers getting personal bests and get country and state times.

“It was the first big hit-out of the season for our team so the results were really encouraging.”

The meet began on Saturday morning with representatives from 23 clubs taking part. Racing finished on Sunday afternoon

with the organisation of the event receiving a big tick.

“It was a terrific weekend, the club did a great job, it was very well run,” Sobey said.

“There was a lot of feedback from other clubs about how smoothly it all went.

“It finished ahead of time and when you get an event that is organised it encourages people who have to travel to come back

again.

“It is getting bigger and bigger each year and I can’t see why that growth wouldn’t continue.”

Warrnambool Swimming Club president Kellie Windahl said the club was happy with how the weekend went.

"It was a highly successful weekend for all the swimmers,” she said.

Windahl thanked the club’s hard working volunteers for their contribution to the overall success of the weekend.

Warrnambool teenager Denbi Lamb to be part of English

Channel crossing team

Susie Giese

June 22, 2016, 5:30 p.m.

READY: Warrnambool Swimming Club member Denbi Lamb, 15, will join a group to swim a relay across the English Channel twice. Picture: Rob

Gunstone

WHEN her dad swam the English Channel back in 2008, Denbi Lamb knew it was something she wanted to do, too.

Now 15 years old, the Warrnambool College student is part of an 11-person strong group with south-west Victorian ties that

is preparing for a ‘double’ crossing of the channel next month.

The group will split into two teams, with Denbi set to join her dad Jayson, uncle Travis, cousin Maddie and Mark Lourey in

one.

Bob Collins, Lachie Collins, Lisa Logan, Jon Watson, Leigh McCarthy and Ida Torneus make up the other team.

The swimmers will complete the crossing as a relay, with each person tackling the water for an hour, before returning to the

boat for a rest.

“I’m very excited,” Denbi said.

“I’ve been doing seven sessions in the pool and then two sessions on a Saturday and Sunday morning down at the Pavillion,

at the Breakwater beach (to prepare).

“In 2008, when Dad did his other crossing with two teams, I kind of looked up to that.

“I said to dad in 2008, ‘Can I do that?’, and he said, ‘Maybe when you’re older’.

“This is going to be the year.”

Denbi said she is looking forward to what she expects will be a tough challenge, both physically and mentally.

She thanked all her teammates whom she will be completing the crossing with for their support, as well as her parents for

their help and organising the crossing and Peter Logan for taking care of water safety.

Warrnambool swimmer Isaac Jones living the American

college dream Justine McCullagh-Beasy

June 24, 2016, 12:30 p.m.

MAKING A SPLASH: American-based swimmer Isaac Jones is enjoying a rare trip home to Warrnambool. Picture: Vicky Hughson

THE more things change, the more they stay the same.

Isaac Jones is still in regular contact with his first swimming coach Jayson Lamb some two years after leaving his

Warrnambool home to embark on a college career in the United States.

Lamb took an eight-year-old Jones under his wing 13 years ago and the butterfly and freestyle specialist was quickly

identified as a potential Australian representative.

Now 21 and halfway through a scholarship at the sports-mad University of Kentucky – a National Collegiate Athletic

Association division one school – Jones still asks his long-time mentor for advice.

Jones, visiting Australia for the first time since jetting off two years ago, is using his break to train under Lamb at the

AquaZone pool where his prodigious talent was first identified.

The former Emmanuel College student, who missed out on a spot on the Australian team for the Rio Olympics, wants to put

his off-season hard work to the test when he swims in the US Open in Minnesota in August.

“I did last year in San Antonio. I got a fourth in the relay and was right on my best times in my butterfly,” he said.

“There probably won’t be as much competition this year because their best swimmers will be at the Olympics but I’d like to

get back to those best times and see how the training with Jayson has gone and try a few different things.

“I swum with him for so long so our relationship is good and he knows what I respond to.”

Jones will reassess his goals after the US Open meet.

He believes his performances at that event will give him a clearer picture of what he should aim for.

Both the 2018 Commonwealth Games and 2020 Olympics are among his long-term ambitions.

Jones competed at the Australian Olympic trials in Adelaide in April.

“In the 400-metre freestyle I won the B final, in the 200m free I missed the semi-finals by .01 of a second,” he said.

“The guy who beat me was right beside me and passed me right at the end and in the 200m butterfly I made the final and

finished seventh.

“It is different (to a regular meet). With the Olympic year you do heats, semis and finals. A lot of the time you just do it once

or twice but having to do the race three times to get through to each stage is hard yakka.”

PET EVENT: Isaac Jones during one of his favourite races - butterfly - in a race at Warrnambool in 2013. He started swimming at AquaZone aged eight.

The testing nature of the Rio trials is emulated on the US college swimming circuit.

Jones trains every day – long course in the morning and shortcourse in the afternoon – with his 50-strong University of

Kentucky teammates.

They travel up to six hours for meetings against other high-calibre schools.

“Everything is bigger and everything is so much more competitive,” Jones said.

“Just being a little bit off your game you can slip 10 places in an event.

“You have always got to be on, which can be mentally draining.

“It’s good to come back to Warrnambool and relax and it’s not too serious all the time.”

Jones now feels comfortable at his home away from home.

The teaching student, who wants to take maths and science classes, is helping in a Kentucky high school and, after two years

on campus, is preparing to move into a house with four swimming teammates.

“They’re all interested in where you’re from and the teachers like it because being an athlete over there you’re a role model,”

he said of working as a teacher’s aide.

“The teachers seem to think they work a bit harder when someone new is in the classroom.”

Jones’ teaching experience extends beyond the classroom.

He is enjoying passing on his knowledge to primary school swimming classes in Warrnambool during his break.

“Sometimes I take the younger (representative) squads and they’re a bit more aware of what I’ve done,” he said.

“They go to the same events and see that I went through the same things.

“A lot of them ask questions like ‘what’s it like?’ and 'how do you go about being seen?’.”

Just being a little bit off your game you can slip 10 places in an event. - Isaac Jones on swimming in the US college system

The University of Kentucky is a school on a whole different scale to what Jones experienced as a student at Our Lady Help

of Christians and Emmanuel College.

The Lexington-based college has 30,000 students or, as Jones says, is “about the size of Warrnambool”.

“The other eye-opening thing is how big they take everything – everything is a show,” Jones said of American lifestyle.

Jones enjoys being part of the university’s strong sporting culture.

The Wildcats also boast high-achieving basketball, football and track and field programs.

One of the school’s current alumni is Australian basketball talent Isaac Humphries – a seven-foot centre considered a long-

term Boomers’ prospect.

“I think they’ve won eight national (basketball) championships which is the second most and every year they’re in the

NCAA tournament and March Madness,” Jones said.

“The NBA draft is Friday and they reckon there might be three or four from my school get drafted and last year they had

seven.”

Kentucky is without a professional sporting franchise which amplifies its colleges’ popularity.

“If it is rivals, if we’re against Louisville or Tennessee, it’s pretty packed,” Jones said of the Wildcats’ swimming crowds.

But basketball and football are the major drawcards.

University of Kentucky students get cheap tickets – a major bonus according to Jones.

“Our stadium holds 23,000 for basketball and for football it’s like 70,000 and that’s filled every game,” he said.

Warrnambool swimmers tackle English Channel challenge

Nick Ansell

6 Jul 2016, 2:23 p.m. BRAVING icy waters and conquering a two-way 35 kilometre course from England to France will head a class of challenges

awaiting a group of Warrnambool swimmers when they tackle English Channel.

Swimmers including Leigh McCarthy, Bob Collins, Lisa Logan, Jon Watson, Denbi Lamb, Jayson Lamb and Mark Lourey

are set to battle strong currents as a relay team in an effort to complete the famous swim.

First-time English Channel swimmer Jon Watson said the group had been training for almost 30 weeks in the lead up to the

event.

He said training had included a combination of both pool and ocean swimming in Warrnambool.

“It includes swimming in the ocean without a wet-suit as a way of us acclimatising for the European waters,” he said.

COLD TEST: Leigh McCarthy, Bob Collins, Lisa Logan, Jon Watson, Denbi Lamb, Jayson Lamb and Mark Lourey are preparing to swim the English Channel. PICTURE: Vicky Hughson.

“Training has been incredibly time consuming but luckily we’ve had a fantastic group and we’ve really spurred each other

onward through the process.

“I know the temperature in the ocean here is sitting at around 11 degrees, so we were pleased to see it’s about 14 degrees

over in the English Channel right now.”

Watson said he was expecting the swim to be a mammoth mental challenge as each participant would spend long periods on

the guiding vessel due to the relay format of the group’s swim.

“We’re pretty much going to try to keep the same order of swimmers, so we will have overcome fatigue and even

hypothermia-like conditions if they come about,” he said.

“We’ll be in the water for about an hour at a time, but sitting on a wonky boat could be very mentally tough.

“We’ll be swimming through the night and will be weaving our way around the vessels that cross the channel.”

The group, affectionately known as ‘FAST’ will take off from Dover and will attempt to land at Cap Gris Nez on the French

coast.

Watson said the day of swim was still unknown, as it depended on weather conditions.

Entries on the rise for Warrnambool Swimming Club July

short course meet

Susie Giese

29 Jul 2016, 11:30 a.m.

ON THE RISE: Numbers have increased for a short course swim meet.

WARRNAMBOOL Swimming Club will welcome 141 swimmers to Aquazone on Saturday for its second running of the

annual July short course meet.

The entries are a 40 per cent increase on last year’s numbers, which club coach Josh Sobey said was a boon for the event.

“It’s huge. We’re getting a range of junior athletes and the older athletes,” he said.

“It gives the juniors something to look up to.”

More than 60 Warrnambool swimmers will take to the pool for the event, including seven members who will be making their

competition debut.

Sobey said the club had welcomed 15 new members since the start of July.

There has also been an increase in the volume of swimmers coming from the Ballarat and Geelong regions to take part, with

many swimmers chasing short course country qualification times.

“The committee do a really good job running our meets,” Sobey said.

Emily Bartlett to represent Team Vic at School Sport

Australia tournament

Susie Giese

10 Aug 2016, 4:30 p.m.

SWIMMING STAR: Koroit's Emily Bartlett is off to Darwin to represent Team Vic in the School Sport Australia championships next month. Picture: Rob

Gunstone

EMILY Bartlett is striving to better her best times when she heads to Darwin for the School Sport Australia swimming

championships.

The 15-year-old will be competing in four individual events – the 50m, 100m and 200m butterfly and the 50m freestyle – and

looks set to take part in at least two relays.

She used to specialise in backstroke, but has excelled since making a transition to butterfly as her main event.

“When I moved up into (coach) Josh Sobey’s squad he said, ‘No, you’re fly’ – I didn’t really get a choice,” Emily joked.

She earned selection on Team Vic after swimming at the state finals, making the qualifying time and applying.

After making the cut, she said she was excited but nervous to head to the Casuarina Pool in the Northern Territory to

compete.

“Not knowing the teammates is a hard thing – I’m going up there with people I’ve only seen maybe once or twice in the

pool,” she said.

The SSA championships run from September 15-21.

Warrnambool Swimming Club to compete in Victoria

Country short course swimming championships

Susie Giese

19 Aug 2016, 5:36 p.m.

Team Vic representative Emily Bartlett is among 41 Warrnambool Swimming Club members heading to the Victoria Country short course swimming

championships this weekend.

WARRNAMBOOL is hoping for another strong showing at the Victorian Country short course swimming championships in

Ballarat this weekend.

After finishing second on points last year, coach Jayson Lamb was looking forward to what the Warrnambool swimmers

could produce this year.

“It’s a good competition for them to learn to perform under pressure, or under perceived pressure,” he said.

“Last year we came second on the points score, and once again they’re all performing really well.

“But at the end of the day, they’re just there to swim their best and try to be the fastest they’ve been.”

Warrnambool Swimming Club has assembled a team of 41 swimmers, with 204 individual entries across the two days of

competition at the Ballarat Aquatic Centre.

Lamb said the club was taking a large age-range to the championships, with competitors aged from 10 through to 26.

The club also boasts a lot of members in great form heading into the competition.

“If you look at the rankings going in, Sophie Thomas is ranking really high in a lot of events, Caitlyn Mackay, Ashleigh

Pettigrew, Alex Johnston, Emily Bartlett, Jordan Logan, Chloe and Holly Windahl (are all in great form),” Lamb said.

“There’s also the four boys in the 16-17 years old age group, they’re right up there: Blake Turner, Jason Pritchard, Mitchell

Gristede and Rhys Kent.”

The club is also taking five debutants to the short course championships, with 11-year-olds Olive Andrew, Jo McKenzie,

Sophie Gleeson, 10-year-old Abbey Titmus and 14-year-old Ella Titmus all set to compete.

Warrnambool swimmers bound for Victorian age short

course championships

Susie Giese

31 Aug 2016, 6:30 p.m.

MORE personal best times are the goal for Brucknell teenager Robbie Gleeson.

Lane Change: Warrnambool swimmer Robbie Gleeson, 14, will be taking to the water in the Victorian Age Short Gourse Championships. Picture: Rob

Gunstone

The 14-year-old swimmer is one of 15 Warrnambool Swimming Club members bound for the Victorian Age Group Short

Course Championships being held at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC) this weekend.

He is hoping to carry on his strong form from the country short course championships, which were held in August.

“I had a good country championships, so I just hope to get a few more PBs,” Robbie said.

“I got a big PB in the 200-metre breaststroke and a small PB in the 100-metre breastroke.”

Robbie bettered his previous best time in the 200-metre event by “three or four” seconds, swimming a time of two minutes

and 39 seconds, while he went 0.8 seconds better in the 100 metres, finishing in one minute and 13 seconds.

This year will mark his second visit to the state championships, after he competed in his two pet events last year.

This time around, he will also swim the 100-metre and 200-metre individual medley.

Robbie said his preparations had been going well, travelling to Warrnambool most days to train.

“I’ve been training hard – I’m in the pool six times a week, two hours at a time,” he said.

Warrnambool Swimming Club coach Jayson Lamb said it was great to see so many club members qualify for the 13-18 year-

old competition, particularly after a strong showing at the country championships where the club finished second on points.

“The qualifying times are tougher than for the country championships,” he said.

“A few (of the Warrnambool swimmers) qualified at the country championships and a few had qualified before then.”

The Warrnambool Swimming Club contingent attending the age group championships is: Chloe Windahl, Rhys Kent, Emily

Bartlett, Jason Pritchard, Emma Ragg, Seamus Kelson, Tori Parsons, Sebastian Good, Sarah Flaherty, Blake Turner, Robert

Gleeson, Mitchell Gristede, Ellie Johnson, Shelby Gristede and Tessa Lane.

I had a good country championships, so I just hope to get a few more PBs (personal bests). - Robbie Gleeson

Warrnambool Swimming Club members salute at state

short course championships

21 Sep 2016, 6 p.m.

Caitlyn Mackay, pictured earlier this year.

A small but talented contingent of Warrnambool Swimming Club members brought five medals home from the state open,

multiclass and 12 and under championships on the weekend. In the muliclass, Caitlyn Mackay won silver in the 50m

butterfly and bronze in the 50m breakstroke and 100m backstroke, while Ashleigh Pettigrew won bronze in the 50m

butterfly. Alex Johnston won silver in the 11-year-old 100m backstroke.

They were among seven Warrnambool club members competing at the state championships triple-header.

Coach Jayson Lamb said it was pleasing to see such a diverse age range from the club doing well and setting personal best

times.

“What was really pleasing was it was such a wide range of age groups within the club,” he said.

“It didn’t matter whether they were 11 years old or 20 years old; they’re still improving and doing their best.”

Sophie Thomas set personal records in the open category, as did Jordan Logan

Young Jason Lang battled through illness to still set personal best times, while fellow youngster Vicky McPhee also bettered

her best.

Warrnambool swimmer Caitlyn Mackay to compete in

Australian Short Course Championships

2 Nov 2016, 4 p.m.

TALENT: Caitlyn Mackay will swim at a national short course event.

CAITLYN Mackay will be striving to emulate her efforts at the 2014 Australian Short Course Championships when she

takes to the pool in Brisbane this week.

The Warrnambool Swimming Club member won a bronze medal in the multi-class 50m breaststroke two years ago, and will

again compete in her favoured event, along with seven other swims across the three-day competition.

Warrnambool Swimming Club coach Jayson Lamb said Mackay had worked hard on other styles to bring them to a similar

level.

She will also compete in the 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 400m freestyle, 100m breaststroke, 50m butterfly, 50m

backstroke and 200m individual medley.

“She’s got a really wide variety of strokes she’s entered into, and distances,” Lamb said.

The Australian Short Course Championships will be held at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre from November 3-5.

Strong numbers take to the pool for Warrnambool

Swimming Club-hosted long course meet

28 Nov 2016, 2:30 p.m.

NUMBERS: Warrnambool had 74 swimmers compete in a long course meet.

TWO Warrnambool Swimming Club members swam country qualifying times at the club’s long course meet on Sunday.

Mayley Cross – who was among a host of new Warrnambool swimmers competing at the meet – and Anna Dickson both

swam qualifying times for the 50m backstroke.

Their efforts came as the club entered 74 swimmers in the event, which also drew competitors from Hamilton, Portland,

Geelong and Melbourne.

“From a club perspective, we have the most we’ve ever had,” coach Jayson Lamb said.

Competitors ranged in age from eight to 26, with 10 new swimmers in the 12 and under age group.

Lamb said the meet – one of two long course gatherings in Warrnambool for the season – was handy in the lead-up to

December’s state championships.

“It was a really good swim meet – it’s great to see that the range of ages,” he said.

Warrnambool Swimming Club members bound for

Victorian Age Championships

8 Dec 2016, 4 p.m.

IN FORM: Robbie Gleeson will be among 20 Warrnambool Swimming Club members competing at the Victorian Age Championships, starting this

weekend.

WARRNAMBOOL Swim Club members have expanded their repertoire heading into the Victorian Age Championships,

which start this weekend.

It will send 20 swimmers to the championships, with many having qualified in multiple strokes and distances.

“I think we’ve probably had roughly 20 (swimmers competing) the past three years, which is good, but in the past, we’ve had

guys do only one event or two events,” Warrnambool swimming coach Josh Sobey said.

“It’s pretty exciting to have two under 12 teams: a boys’ team and a girls’ team.”

Swimmers earn the chance to compete in the age championships if they meet a preset qualifying time at meets during the

year.

Sobey said there were a number of swimmers in particularly good form, including Robbie Gleeson and Alex Johnston.

From the Warrnambool squad, 14 will compete in individual events, while a further six will take part as relay-only

swimmers.

The championships run from December 10-15.

Swimmer Blake Turner says team bond key to

Warrnambool's country championship hopes

28 Dec 2016, 11:40 a.m.

CHASING SUCCESS: Warrnambool swimmer Blake Turner will compete at the country championships in Sale. Picture: Amy Paton

BLAKE Turner believes Warrnambool will ride a wave of confidence and post impressive results at the Swimming Victoria

country championships.

The freestyle specialist, chasing a fifth nationals spot in his pet event, will help spearhead a 50-strong south-west side at the

Sale-based meet in January.

Turner, 17, said the teamsmanship the annual competition evoked made it special to be part of.

“We are all training pretty hard to get good times and do our best and to support each other,” he said.

“It is a pretty big event for most of us. This is an event where times are a little bit easier for kids to get so there is a team base

and a lot more kids there and it is more supportive.”

Turner will enter the Australia Day long weekend meeting with high expectations on an individual level too.

“I am hoping to do my best and try and get a freestyle national time and try and do a few PBs,” he said.

“Country champs are a bit different each year due to age groups but I have collected a few medals and it would be nice to get

one this year but it’s not certain.”

The Warrnambool College student, who will juggle swimming training with year 12 studies next year, is among a core of

experienced teeangers expected to spearhead Warrnambool’s campaign.

Turner, Sophie Thomas, Sebastian Good, Jason Pritchard and Rhys Kent are hoping to achieve top results at the carnival and

in turn collect invaluable points for the team’s tally.

“I am thinking we’ll go pretty good and rank higher than other years,” he said.

Warrnambool coach Josh Sobey said the 10-hour round trip to Sale, the venue for the competition, might impact

Warrnambool’s numbers.

“With the number qualified we could have record numbers,” he said.

“But we just have to wait and see if the whole team is prepared to travel to Sale.

“It’s a long drive and we’ve had a handful qualify for one event."

A Colac-run meeting in Geelong on Tuesday gave swimmers a final chance to post country championships’ qualifying times.

Kiarna Murfett and Taylah Daffy added their names to Warrnambool’s impressive list and earned a spot on the team after

strong swims at the Road to Kardinia event.

Warrnambool, which prides itself on its country championship performances, collected more than 30 medals across

individual and relay events and produced in excess of 100 finals appearances when the competition was held in Bendigo 12

months ago.

Swim spoils for Warrnambool Swimming Club

31 Jan 2017, 3:54 p.m.

MEDALLISTS: Warrnambool Swimming Club members Sebastian Christie-Crane, Mitchell Gristede, Jason Pritchard and Robbie Gleeson. Picture: Amy

Paton

A PLETHORA of personal best times and 27 medals highlighted Warrnambool Swimming Club’s efforts at the 2017

Victorian Country Championships over the weekend.

The club claimed one gold, eight silver and 18 bronze at the event, while Jason Pritchard also swam a qualifying time in the

200m breaststroke for the national age championships to be held in April.

The 16 and under boys team of Rhys Kent, Sebatsian Good, Mitchell Gristede and Sebastian Christie-Crane won gold in the

4x50m freestyle.

Sophie Thomas continues to go from strength to strength, clamiing three medals – a silver in the open 400m individual

medley and bronze in the 200m and 400m freestyle.

Chloe Windahl, who competed in five individual events and four relays, took home a bronze in the 100m breaststroke and

was also presented the award for the most improved female coutnry swimmer for the past 12 months.

“It was fantastic,” Warrnambool Swim Club coach Jayson Lamb said of the championships.

“It was a great team weekend – swimming is an individual sport, but the country championships is a chance to swim together

as a team.

“The kids swam really well – there were heaps and heaps of personal bests, lots of finals and medals.

“Not that it’s all about medals, but it was really pleasing to see everyone’s success.”

Warrnambool Swimming Club medallists: Gold:

16 and under boys’ 4x50m freestyle – Rhys Kent, Sebastian Good, Mitchell Gristede and Sebastian Christie-Crane.

Silver:

12 and under boys 4x50m freestyle – Alex Johnston, Aaron Vickery, Fergus Kelson and Jas Lang

12 and under individual medley – Alex Johnston, Aaron Vickery, Fergus Kelson and Jas Lang

Sophie Thomas – open 400m individual medley

Blake Turner – 100m freestyle

Alex Johnston – 100m butterfly, 100m backstroke

Rhys Kent – 200m individual medley

Open 4x100m freestyle – Mitchell Gristede, Jamin Baulch, Sebastian Christie-Crane, Blake Turner

Bronze:

Jason Pritchard – 200m breaststroke, 100 breaststroke

Blake Turner – 100m butterfly

Sophie Thomas – 400m freestyle, 200m freestyle

Robbie Gleeson – 100m breaststroke

Alex Johnston – 100m freestyle

Caitlyn Mackay – 50m butterfly, 200m individual medley

17 and over boys medley relay – Billy McPhee, Jamin Baulch, Jack Paulka, Blake Turner

Jas Lang – 100m breaststroke

Holly Windahl – 100m backstroke

Chloe Windahl – 100m breaststroke

Mitchell Gristede – 100m freestyle

14 and under boys medley relay – Alex Johnston, Robbie Gleeson, Seamus Kelson, Jas Lang

16 and under boys medley – Mitchell Gristede, Robbie Gleeson, Sebastian Christie-Crane, Rhys Kent

17 and over boys freestyle – Matthew Logan, Jamin Baulch, Jack Paulka, Blake Turner

14 and under freestyle boys relay – Jas Lang, Alex Johnston, Robbie Gleeson, Seamus Kelson

Warrnambool Swimming Club members dive into country

all junior competition

16 Mar 2017, 5:30 p.m.

STRONG SWIMS: Warrnambool Swimming club members (back left-to-right) Chloe Windahl, 13, Archer Wellens, 13, Grace Carter, 10, Tori Parsons, 14,

Amy Johnston, 13, (front) Riley Ontronen, 11, and Evie McCosh, 9. Picture: Amy Paton

A STRONG field of 26 Warrnambool Swimming Club members will make their way to Melbourne this weekend to compete

in the Country All Junior Competition.

The two-day competition, held at the Melbourne Sport and Aquatic Centre outdoor pool on Saturday and Sunday, will be the

club’s last long-course swim for the season.

Junior squad coach Peter Finnigan said it was a great achievement to have so many qualify to make the trip to the under 14

age groups event in Melbourne.

“They’re training very well and putting a lot of hard work in,” he said.

“They’ve been training two nights and one morning a week for the past five months.

“It’s not all about getting to finals. We’re hoping they can get their personal best times and maybe then we might make a few

finals on Sunday.”

Warrnambool Swimming Club also had 14 members participate in the Tasmania State Age Group championships last

weekend.

They’re training very well and putting a lot of hard work in. - Peter Finnigan

Coach Jayson Lamb said the squad performed strongly at the 15-and-over event, which they have attended the past eight

years.

“They went really well – every single simmer, basically, swam a personal best,” he said. “It’s a pretty full-on weekend of

competition. It was one of the last chances to qualify for the national championships in April.”

Strong end for Warrnambool Swimming Club juniors

Susie Giese

22 Mar 2017, 3:30 p.m.

MEDALLIST: Jas Lang.

The Warrnambool Swimming Club is celebrating after its juniors finished their long course season with a successful showing

at the Country All Junior Championships last weekend.

Junior squad coach Peter Finnigan said many club members took swam personal best times at the event, with 11 make finals

on Sunday, qualifying for a total of 22 events.

Jas Lang won a gold medal in the 12-year-old butterfly and bronze in freestyle, while Seamus Kelson won a silver in 14-

year-old breaststroke and bronze in backstroke.

“Everyone who swam finals was quite amazing,” Finnigan said. “They probably swam a second or two faster again.

“(The event as a whole) went very, very well.”

The juniors will now enjoy a break until after Easter, when they will turn their attentions to the short-course season.

Finnigan lauded what was a strong season for the junior swimmers and the Warrnambool Swimming Club as a whole.

“It was very successful as a club,” he said.

“It’s been a very rewarding year for all the swimmers and as a coach; it’s good to see they’re still enjoying it. It’s a nice little

group coming through … they’re a very close group. They’re very enthusiastic and all looking forward to the short course.

Warrnambool teenager Jason Pritchard to represent

Victoria at Swimming Australia age championships.

12 Apr 2017, noon

CHASING TIME: Warrnambool swimmer Jason Pritchard hopes to finish in the top-20 in his age group at the national championships. Picture: Amy Paton

JASON Pritchard is preparing to compete in his prefered stroke at the Swimming Australia age championships for the first

time.

The Bushfield teenager will contest the 17-18 boys’ 200-metre breaststroke in Brisbane on Tuesday.

He swam the 100m backstroke and the 4x100m freestyle relay with Warrnambool Swimming Club mates Blake Turner,

Mitchell Gristede and Rhya Kent in his previous two age championship appearances.

Pritchard, 17, is the only Warrnambool competitor to qualify for the 2017 titles.

He booked his spot after slashing his personal best time at the Victorian country championships in Sale in January, clocking

2.30.96 – almost three seconds under the national qualifying entry time.

“At the time when I swam my PB to get a national time, I took off about eight seconds, which was ridiculous,” Pritchard

said.

“I don’t know how I did it and I haven’t been able to swim to that time since.”

The Emmanuel College student, who plans to take a gap year in 2018 before studying teaching, is ranked 30th

entering the

nationals.

“I’d like to finish top 20 in Australia for my age group but close to my time would be good,” he said.

Pritchard, who plays cricket for Nestles, trains six days a week and has long-term goals in the pool

“I want to qualify for the open nationals next year, for the Commonwealth Games trials and have a crack at the Olympic

trials a few years down the track,” he said.

He credited his teammates, coaches and parents for helping him make the national stage.

Warrnambool swimmer Jason Pritchard takes lessons out

of Swimming Australia age championships

18 Apr 2017, 1:27 p.m.

TOP EFFORT: Warrnambool teenager Jason Pritchard competed at the Swimming Australia age championships in Brisbane. Picture: Amy Paton

JASON Pritchard believes swimming against Australia’s best in his age group will help further his career.

The Warrnambool teenager competed against national open 100-metre breaststroke champion Daniel Cave in a 17-18 boys’

200m breaststroke heat at the Swimming Australia age championships in Brisbane on Tuesday.

He posted 2.35.31 – almost four seconds slower than his qualifying time – after a late program reshuffle.

“I was disappointed to swim slower but it depends on how you feel on the day and how you cope with the nerves,” Pritchard

said.

“I was in the big boys heat with a national medalist and whatnot. It’s always in the back of the mind, what their race plan is

and how they will attack it.”

Pritchard, who swam out of lane nine, said he battled nerves.

“I was supposed to be in lane four in the heat before but was pushed into an outside lane,” he said.

“I found out 10 minutes before the race time so I was a bit hesitant at first, being on the wall, but you can’t do much about

it.”

The Emmanuel College student, who plays cricket for Nestles as an outlet from a busy swimming schedule, said he took

positives out of the competition.

It was the third time he had competed at age national level but first in his preferred stroke.

“It’s about all the little things at training like technique, fitness and mentally,” Pritchard said.

“It was hard on the nerves not knowing anyone up here. There are barely any country swimmers up here.”

Pritchard, whose Coach Jayson Lamb flew to Queensland to watch the race, was the only Warrnambool Swimming Club

member to qualify for the nationals.