A Message from the Chairman !
I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome all new members to the Knutsford Vikings Swimming Club and I’d also like to congratulate our Club Coach – Petronella – on her wedding in Ireland in the summer!
It has been a busy term with the Deva League, Pointscore and the Club Championships. These were held over the weekend of 6th and 7th November. Everything ran incredibly smoothly - thank you to Alan Allcock and Mike Phillipson for setting up all the entries and to everyone who helped on the day. Thank you also to all the swimmers who took part and well done to everyone, as a number of Personal Best times were well and truly beaten !
The recent AGM was attended by a record number of people. It was wonderful to see so many parents taking an active interest in the Club. However, the role of Secretary remains unfilled and we desperately need someone to volunteer. I’m sure you are all aware that the Club relies on volunteers for its survival – not only for coaching and teaching but also for setting up galas and helping with timekeeping etc at galas. Many people give up their time on a regular basis for the club and without them the Knutsford Vikings would cease to exist. You will see that much of this section is a plea for more parents to come forward and get involved with the running of your club.
One area we need more help in (apart from Club Secretary - please contact me if you would like more information about the Secretary’s role) is in league galas (for example, Peak and Plain/Deva Leagues). We often need help in recruiting swimmers for these galas and we then need a certain number of parents on the coach and timekeepers, team managers etc when we get there. Please don’t just watch at galas – come forward and offer to help on Poolside. Its more fun being on poolside as you are closer to the action !
Please don’t just drop your children off at the coach and run – please ask if any help is needed (and then run!).
Whilst on the subject of dropping children off – it seems timely to remind all parents that children should NOT be dropped off at the door of the Leisure Centre. The pool was shut a few months ago and many children were left at the Leisure Centre on their own. All young children should be accompanied to the reception desk and you should ensure that they arrive on poolside safely. This will also give you an opportunity to read the notice boards as we advise of cancelled sessions and provide information on any future events/galas/social activities.
Knutsford Vikings’ responsibility begins and ends when children enter and leave poolside. Parents should also ensure that they are around at the beginning and end of sessions as the Club do not provide a delegated person to monitor safety once they have left the poolside area. The recent Club Championships finished early and a number of children were hanging about the Leisure Centre waiting to be picked up. The Club is obviously mindful at all times for children’s safety, but can only minimise risk when around the Leisure Centre reception area. The Borough of Macclesfield also have processes in place to minimise risk, but we all have to accept that the reception is an open area and as such would strongly advise parents to ensure maximum safety by accompanying swimmers until satisfied they have reported to their teacher/coach.
Talking about changing rooms – concerns have been raised about mothers in the boys’ changing rooms. (A problem only arises when older boys are also in the changing rooms). We have raised this with the Leisure Centre Management and it has been agreed that mothers can enter the boys’ changing rooms if there is an absolute necessity. However, they should check first if there are any older boys changing and ask someone to pass the message that they should move round the corner, by the lockers, in private. If older boys have a problem with the request the Leisure Centre have agreed that, in exceptional circumstances, they can change in the squash changing rooms.
I mentioned earlier that Alan Allcock and Mike Phillipson set up all entries for the Club Championship. Alan has maintained Personal Best times spreadsheets, ranking list databases and gala systems, for the past 7 years but now wishes to stand down from overall responsibility. Alan would make himself available to offer support whilst new people increase their knowledge of the Club systems. Ideally we would like to recruit a couple of IT literate Mums/Dads to help input the data for galas and continue to maintain club records. A laptop PC comes with the job. Please contact me if you can help.
Finally, a word about the door rota. All parents are given the opportunity to volunteer to help on the desk and all help is gratefully received. If you have volunteered, please can I ask that if you can’t make your allocated time/date, then you try and swap with someone else so that we are not left without cover.
Thank you again to all our staff and volunteers. Can I take this opportunity of wishing you all a Happy Christmas and Best Wishes for 2005. If I can be of any help, please contact me.
Lynn Allatt
Last Updated on 28/01/05
By Ann Robinson