Winchester City Penguins Swimming Club - News Archive

• Ali Swims the Channel
  Many congratulations to Ali on completing her crossing of the English Channel on Tuesday 3rd August. She started at 3.23am and arrived in France 11 hours and 9 minutes later. You can read Ali's account of her Channel Swim by clicking the link at the end of this news item. So far we have raised nearly £900 from the sponsored swim which is fantastic. If there is any money outstanding please leave a cheque in the College post box or send to Alison Fenwick, 29 Gordon Road, Chandlers Ford, SO53 5AQ asap. For more information on how you can donate to Ali's chosen charities, and full details of this fantastic achievement visit www.aliswimsthechannel.com


• Primary Schools Gala report from the Chair of WCPSC
  Hello All,

  There are so many events on the Penguins swimming calendar the year races by. One very special event for the club is our Annual Primary Schools Gala held at River Park last Friday. This is where we as a club offer 300 local children from 20 local schools the opportunity to experience competitive swimming. Each child leaves with a Tshirt and goody bag. The morning is our showcase to the community, and runs entirely for the benefit of the children.

  This year we were fortunate to secure sponsorship from Hendy Ford, The University of Winchester, Sainsburys Winchester and bulthaup kitchens. We invited representatives from these organisations to present prizes alongside Steve Brine MP, The Mayor and WCC. Chris Walker, County Swimming Co-ordinator, came along to support and was impressed at the event, particularly by the large number of volunteers who made the morning a success. Not only does the gala raise the profile of swimming within the Primary Schools but also helps to secure sponsorship for future funding and club events.

  Sometimes it's difficult to believe all of this happens due to the voluntary time our members are prepared to offer. We had over 35 volunteers that morning. This is a tribute to the ethos of the club and the generous nature and good will amongst the members. No club with over 600 swimmers will run smoothly 100% of the time, but thanks to the hard work of so many we have grown to be a very well respected club within the community and swimming circles.

  Sue, Chair

  For the Primary Schools Gala newspaper article, please visit the press page



• Sponsorship and Fundraising
  We are looking for a sponsor for new club tracksuits. If you have a contact or are involved in an organisation who would be interested in the publicity and sponsoring our club please contact chair@wcpsc.org or speak to any Committee member. We would also like to print around 200 copies of our fantastic newsletter. Again if you know of anyone who could print or sponsor the printing of this publication please contact us.


• A few words from our new club Chair, Sue Falconer
  

  "I am delighted and honoured to accept the role of Chair of WCPSC and am very positive about the year ahead. Having been involved in the club for over five years, and a Committee member for the last two, I welcome this opportunity to support our hugely experienced team of coaches and teachers and help to secure the best conditions possible to improve results.

  The club is run by a dedicated and competent team who generously give hours of voluntary time and this year we welcome two new members to Committee, Nick Fosberry and John Duffell. Competitive swimming relies on voluntary support and we have a wide range of voluntary roles, and a super group of parents who support the club. If you have not got the time to volunteer you may be able to support with advice. We would like to establish a 'bank of expertise' from our members so please have a look at the following list ...

  • Club shop (run mobile shop at Winchester College on Tuesdays, possibly on a rota)
  • Timekeepers (training available)
  • Judges (training available)
  • Team managers (training available)
  • Squad reps (to be considered in the future, when position is available)
  • Lifeguarding
  • Cake sale (promote and run cake sale once a month)
  • Fundraising (work with team to raise funds: bag packing, bags2school, etc.)
  
  ...and let me know whether you would be interested in supporting the club in any of these roles. If you are qualified in an area that may be of use to the club we would like to consult you as and when relevant situations arise e.g. marketing, IT, HR, legal, tax. Email me at chair@wcpsc.org

  This year will bring the challenges of pool closures at Kings and River Park, and the Committee are already working to ensure minimum disruption throughout these periods. The refurbishment at River Park from April 2011 will offer an opportunity to adapt the pool to competition standard and with the 2012 Olympics getting ever closer we can all enjoy the benefits of being involved in this popular and successful sport. Do not hesitate to contact me, a Committee member or Squad Rep (visit the Contacts page for email addresses) with any questions or suggestions. Good luck to all swimmers in the year ahead!"

  Sue (Falconer)



• Stretching Exercises Information Leaflet
  For your information - please download and follow these stretching exercises examples during warm up. This information leaflet can also be located on the swimmers page of this website


• Register interest for 2012 Olympic Tickets
  You can now register for tickets for the 2012 olympics by going to www.tickets.london2012.com


• Using the pace clock
  For all new members to the club and a refresher for all existing ones... information on how to use the pace clock can be found on the Swimmers page of this website


• FINA Swimwear Ruling
  From 1st January 2010 all competitions in England, Scotland and Wales will be applying the FINA rules below in relation to Swimsuits for swimming (excluding Masters and Open Water) competitions. Current FINA rules state:-
  • The swimwear (swimsuit, cap and goggles) of all competitors shall be in good moral taste and suitable for the individual sports disciplines and not to carry any symbol which may be considered offensive.
  • All swimsuits shall be non transparent.
  • The referee of a competition has the authority to exclude any competitor whose swimsuit or body symbols do not comply with this Rule.
  • In swimming competitions the competitor must wear only one swimsuit in one or two pieces. No additional items, like arm bands or leg bands shall be regarded as parts of a swimsuit.
  • From January 1, 2010 swimwear for men shall not extend above the navel nor below the knee, and for women, shall not cover the neck, extend past the shoulder, nor shall extend below knee. All swimsuits shall be made from textile materials.
  Continuing with the swimwear theme, please remember that as from 1st January 2010 you will be required to wear a swim hat when training at Winchester College.


• Security Warning
  Would all parents and swimmers please be aware that the changing rooms at the facilities we use are not SECURE. The club nor the pool provider will not accept responsibility for any item lost, stolen or damaged etc. All are advised not to leave belongings in the changing rooms unless locked away in a locker.


• Chris Cook Breaststroke Clinic A Resounding Success!
  The Chris Cook Breaststroke Clinic was a great success and a huge thank you goes to Sue Falconer for organising such a memorable and motivating day. Thanks also to all the helpers throughout the day and to everyone who has supported the club's fundraising efforts to enable days like this to happen.

  The winners of the cookie competition were Freya Rhodes in the morning session and Natasha and Charlotte Bochetta in the afternoon session. Copy of the press article on press page. We hope you all enjoyed the day!

• Fundraising Newsletter
  A Fundraising Newsletter is now available to keep you up to date with all the latest WCPSC fundraising activities and how you can help!


• Squad Reps
  We now have volunteer Squad Reps for Flippers,Otters, Seals, Kings 1, Kings 2 and Dolphins. It is anticipated they will:
  • Act as a link between the parents of swimmers in the squad and coach concerned
  • Assist with information re galas and open meets, (giving out forms and offering any information needed)
  • Encourage participation in social events etc
  • Chasing up gala list swimmers who have not indicated availability
  • Assist with any other relevant information if possible

  The main role of the Squad Representative is to act as a liaison between the Squad Coaches and the members of each squad. They will hopefully answer many of the queries and questions that parents may have or if not get an answer for you:

  • Flippers (Sharon Price) Email: flippers_rep@wcpsc.org
  • Otters (Vicki Harrison) Email: otters_rep@wcpsc.org
  • Seals (Caroline Elliott) Email: seals_rep@wcpsc.org
  • Kings 1 & 2 (Hilary Sharpe) Email: kings_rep@wcpsc.org
  • Dolphins (Kath Laing) Email: dolphins_rep@wcpsc.org


• Farewell Message from Andy Harley
  To All Members of Winchester City Penguins Swimming Club. I wish to thank you all for your kind gifts I received from Jan at our meeting last Friday.

  The texts and messages from individuals sent direct to me have given me great pleasure and I am sure you will all continue to do well with the coaching team left at penguins. The card from the swimmers has so many additional sheets I thought I was reading a novel! It will be kept and reviewed frequently with fond memories of my time with Penguins and the swimmers I had the pleasure to be associated with over the eight years I spent on poolside.

  My thanks also go to the adults, those parents who I have had dealings with whether they were on the merits or demerits of my approach to coaching their children they were always conducted with civility and reason, thank you.

  The gift from the club is very much appreciated and will be used for something I will use with constant reminder of Penguins.

  I wish you all the very best for the future of the club, the success of the swimmers in competitions and the smooth hard working of the committee that keeps the club operational and functioning at its best. I will follow your progress and who knows I may even turn up occasionally at meets in the county area, good luck to you all swim well and swim FAST.

  I am still on the same e mail address so if you want to keep me in the picture as to how you are progressing then flash me a mail and I can join in your celebrations.

  Farewell and Good Luck

  Andy 'Bubble' Harley



• Parliamentary Cadidate Backs Olympic Pool Plea
  Winchester's Tory hopeful is backing a campaign to bring a bigger swimming pool to the city. Steve Brine, prospective Conservative MP, visited the Penguins Swimming Club at a recent training session. The club, despite producing international swimmers such as Julia Beckett, is hampered by the city's small pools.
  

  Steve Brine said "I would like to see a clear signal of intent from an incoming Conservative Government that it is prepared to at least help bring world-class facilities like this to cities such as Winchester for both sporting and long-term health benefit. Read the full article ...

  The club is currently in discussions with interested parties supporting them in their bid for a new competition pool in the local area.

  Any organisations interested in joining the discussions should e-mail Alison Fenwick: secretary@wcpsc.org




• Rory Makes History with Isle Swim
  WCPSC Master Squad swimmer, Rory Fitzgerald, along with three other experienced swimmers, braved rough seas and jelly fish stings to complete the first ever Isle of Man end-to-end open water relay. For complete article visit the In The Press web page.


• Hampshire County Masters Open Meet
  Congratulations to the WCPSC Masters team, winning the top spot at last weekend's Hants County Masters Meet 2009. Results are available from the Hants County website and from our results page.


• WCPSC Annual Primary Schools Gala
  The WCPSC annual Primary Schools' Swimming Gala was a resounding success! Sponsored by the University of Winchester and Winchester Rotary, the event was attended by 22 local primary schools and involved almost 300 children.
  
  Presentations to the winning schools were made by Winchester Mayor Cllr Hiscock, and sponsors John Eade (President Winchester Rotary), Gerry Moss (Winchester Rotary), Diane Messingham and Simon Hankin (Sainsbury's Winchester) and Caroline Mitcheison (University of Winchester).
  
  Swimmers, parents, teachers and guests alike enjoyed the event, which passed off successfully not only due to the enthusiasm of the swimmers but also to event organiser Thelma Hawkings and the numerous volunteers from WCPSC and the kind co-operation and support of River Park Leisure Centre.
  Full press release on press page
  
  


• asa Performance Swimming Badges
  Penguins are now offering the ASA performance badges, for distances 25 metres to 1500 metres on all strokes plus the IM. There are four levels of achievement - bronze, silver, gold and platinum. It's a great way for the swimmers to mark their improvement and to aim for the next level. A badge with certificate will cost £2 and the stroke flash is 75p.


• Penguins at Winchester Sports Festival
  Penguins greeted visitors to the Winchester Sports Festival on Saturday with our own 5' walking penguin! Volunteers manned a stand to promote the club and our increasingly popular lessons during a day of sunshine and fun at Bar End Sports Stadium.
  
  While swimmers enjoyed the taster sessions around the event volunteers handed out flyers and information about the club and attracted the public with photos and trophies from past successes.
  
  Our Lessons Coordinator and swimming teachers Chris Stride and Sarah Standen generously gave their time to greet interested visitors and answer queries.
  
  Visitors were attracted to the stand to guess the number of black and white penguin sweets in the jar. For those who entered the competition you may like to know there were 442 and the winning guess was a very close 450!
  Thank you to all who came down to support, particularly our penguins - Isabella Talbot, Chris Sharpe and Oliver Heath. A special thanks to Alison Fenwick and Tim Elliot who were up early on their bank holiday to transport and set up our gazebo and stand. The club's continuing success is dependent on our volunteers, and we are grateful to all those who offer time both at galas and outside events.
  
  'Volunteers are not paid, not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless' - Anonymous
  
  
• Bag Packing at Sainsbury's
  Bag packing at Sainsburys on Saturday was a great success. Twenty swimmers proved excellent ambassadors for the club as they cheerfully packed shopping for two hours and raised £290! A WCPSC publicity stand was erected and Freya Crompton, Lucie Baines, Charlotte Burville and Alicia Warwick greeted shoppers as they entered the store with club details. Thanks go to the four girls, parents who supported, Chris Sharpe, Ellie Cross, Alexa Dymond, Nina Absolom, Emma Falconer, Adam Crompton, Ashia and Laura Fenwick, Luke Kay, Caitlin Gordon, Katie and Laura Jones, Isabella Talbot, Oliver, Rebekah and Thomas Heath and our guest bag packer Holly Crompton. The Committee and Club are grateful for their willing support. Very well done to our junior fund raisers!


• Uniworld 'talk to give'
  Please read the attached letter to see if you can support the club with our 'talk to give' scheme.


• The Winchester District Sport and Physical Activity Alliance hosted their first annual sports awards last night (9th December 2008) at the Guildhall, Winchester. The aim of the sports awards is to publicly reward and recognise commitment to and excellence in coaching, volunteering, participation and performance in the Winchester District.
  
  Congratulations go to the following members of WCPSC who were presented with awards in the following categories:
  • Senior Sportswoman - Julia Beckett
  • Master Sportsman - Rory Fitzgerald
  • Junior Team - 2008 National Biathlon Champions (Amy Frank, Fenella Langridge and Louisa Warwick)
  
  
• Hampshire Masters and Seniors County Championships 2008. The squad just failed to hold on to the trophy that they won in 2007. However there were some excellent swims with Masters Best Performances being set by Kate Davies (2), Catherine Paget, Catherine Beckett, Rory Fitzgerald (2) and Adrian New. The relay teams also got success by setting best times in the 72 years mixed freestyle relay and the 200 years mixed medley relay more...


• Congratulations to Rory Fitzgerald on an excellent result at the River Lee, Cork over in Ireland. Rory had an excellent result in the 2000m River Lee swim on Saturday 19th July 2008. He took the gold in the 50+ age group. He also won the Dennis Ollivere trophy for the fasted age adjusted time (measured as a % of the work record in each age group for 800m, scaled up to 2k)- a time of 25 minutes, 45.4 seconds which is 87.97% of the WR (22m 39.5s) - a course record.


• South East Regional Age Group Championship 2008 - 2 Golds for Isabella Talbot more...

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