Hi Everyone, The COVID-19 pandemic has changed everything over the past four weeks. Swimming Pools have closed and there are stay-at-home and social distancing orders in place across the country. The fabric of our Masters Swimming community seems to be challenged at each stage of this pandemic and as very day passes.
It is understandable the shock and sadness that we may all be experiencing; not being able to swim or to have face to face contact with our Masters Swimming club can be a huge loss in our lives. I don’t think any of us would have contemplated that our freedom to swim could be swept away from us in the space of a couple of weeks. So, it’s a good idea that we recognize that our lives have been extraordinarily disrupted by Covid-19 and then work through how we can maintain our sense of community, fitness, and mental health while dealing with the restrictions. With many places that we used to gather for club training sessions and for after-session coffees closed, where does that leave us? I’ve listed below some ways to stay connected:
If you know a great way to stay active and keep fit, share it with your swimming mates.
Those fun stories you told your friends in the pool in between sets. Why not set up a virtual chat through social media or a video service such as “Zoom” at your usual workout time just to share the things you normally share at the pool.
Challenge others in your group to some activity, regardless of what it is, to keep your connections going. It could be anything, even if it’s silly, such as a food challenge or activity, just to get people to stay in touch.
Visit the MSA website, we have created a resource page, which includes a very long list of dry-land activities that have been approved by our coaches. Also check out the latest COVID-19 information for members.
It’s also important to look after our mental health in these difficult times. This can, at times, be a lot more difficult. Many of us love routine and we crave it and the disruption of this can lead to a heightened level of stress. I am sure many of us have said recently…” I’m over this!” Here are some thoughts about dealing with these times….
Enjoy and limit your use of social media and free-to-air news, but don’t read too much if it’s getting you down. Take what you see and read with caution!
Take time to think about those around you, neighbours, friends, family, and other members who may need a helping hand or friendly chat.
The situation we are now experiencing is unprecedented and at times can be overwhelming. Take time each morning to be kind to yourself and set a plan for each day. Be strong and resilient, get some exercise in and touch base with some family and friends. Hopefully you are achieving greatness already, and will be back in the pool, training and enjoying each other’s company and camaraderieship. I hope and imagine, with even more enthusiasm that we have ever experienced in the past! Gerry Tucker
President Masters Swimming Australia.
From the National Office
AGM and Autumn General Meeting (Zoom meeting) MSA recently held our AGM and Autumn GM in early April via Zoom with the National Board of Management, Branch Presidents and Delegates and whilst this was a new format for MSA meetings it went incredibly well - so well that future NBM Zoom meetings are already in the pipeline. AND it worked so well we have had 3 zoom catchups with the Branch Administrators already. We are pleased to be able to welcome back on the NBM Andrea McNeil as the Finance Director, Wendy Holtom and Jane Noake as Director's. We also welcome Robert Hardie as a new NBM Director and say goodbye to Neal Bertram who has left the NBM after nearly 5 years. They join Gerry Tucker (MSA President) as Officers of the Association and will be leading us through current challenging times and well beyond.
Welcome ROBERT HARDIE MSA would like to welcome Robert Hardie onto the National Board of Management. Robert is President of the Wett Ones Swimming Club in Sydney and during his time on the Wett Ones Committee the Clubs membership has almost doubled and is currently the largest MSA club. Robert brings to the role a unique mix of skills and experience with 15 years’ experience in advocacy, public policy and government relations. He would like to support the development and expansion on clubs. We look forward to working closely with him. WELCOME Robert!
Thank you NEAL BERTRAM MSA would like to say a BIG thank you to Neal Bertram who has been on the National Board of Management since late 2015. Neal has been a member of Masters Swimming since 1995 first with Marion Masters and now with Henley Beach Masters. His legal expertise and vast experience of running organisations has been invaluable to MSA at all levels. Quietly working behind the scenes Neal achieved so much by leading several committees and providing sensible and appropriate advice where necessary, including updating the MSA Constitution and most recently the Life Member Sub-committee. Again THANK YOU Neal.
MSA 2020 Swim Series cancelled At the recent Autumn GM the 2020 Swim Series was discussed in depth and it is with much regret that it was agreed by all the Delegates and the NBM that this years Swim Series would be cancelled. Events that are to be held later in the year and were part of the Swim Series will still go ahead as Branch events as planned. Checkout each Branch for up-to-date Event details.
MSA has been busy looking at ways to engage members and keep us all connected. We have a COVID-19 Resource page on the MSA website that links you to Industry resources, Branch and Club Programs and Government resources as well as other links to keep you informed and active. There are some great Dryland Training tips.
Click on the image above and check out how some MSA members are keeping active during this time. (you might even spot a few familiar faces)
YOUR ADMINISTRATORS are keeping connected! Above is one of the recent Administrators Zoom catch-ups. Every year the Branch Administrators have been coming to Melbourne around August for a face to face catch-up which is such a great chance for us to come together and talk over a range of issues and share ideas. At this stage due to COVID-19 there is a tentative date for a catch-up late in the year but in the meantime we like so many other people are utilizing new ways of keeping connected. And what is great is that we are doing it on a regular basis whilst we work together to help provide our members with ways of keeping active during this time and plan for the future. Watch this space!
Top L-R: Sarah Pisterman (MSA GM), Kath Davis (MSA and MSV) Christina Scholaro (MSQ)
Middle L-R: Sophie Row (MSWA), Leanne Beames (MSSA) Jillian Patemen (MSNSW - ps yes she is virtually swimming :))
Bottom L-F: Tarquin Bateman (MSWA) Tony Forman (MST)
Absent from this picture is John Pollock (MSNT) Make sure you follow MSA and your Branch on social media and keep checking out their websites for the latest news and resources.
Events to look forward to!
Whilst you may not be able to train like you normally do, you may not be able to access water at all or as much as you would like it is always good to have things to aim for! MSA and our incredible Branches are working hard to keep on track with the planning of events later in the year so that once we can get back swimming we are ready to go! At this stage we have not yet been notified of the date change for the 19th Fina World Masters Championships in 2021.
MSA National Championships 30 September - 3 October 2020 Whilst we were sad to postpone the MSA 2020 Nationals we are excited to have a new date for us to aim for when we can get back in the water and have fun together. MSNSW have been busy getting everything ready to go in September.
Did you take part in the MSNSW Virtual Challenge that they held when the Nationals would have been taking place in April. Checkout the story - Swimmers dive into virtual challange
Ocean Swim Fiji 24 - 28 August 2020 Bula! From breathtaking beach and island locations to classic Fijian hospitality, Ocean Swim Fiji is a world-class event and could be your ultimate swimcation for 2020. They are actively monitoring the advice and instructions of the New Zealand Ministry of Health, Fijian authorities and all other relevant stakeholders.
WESTS AUBURN - 5000m POSTAL SWIM Great news - they have extended the closing date to the 30 September 2020
This will give everyone a chance to get back in the water and get involved.
Checkout the other Postal swims HERE
Alice Springs Masters Games 10 -14 October 2020 This is also the MSNT LC Championships and a great chance to visit a wonderful part of Australia.
Pan Pacific Masters Games 11 - 14 November 2020 Another great part of Australia to visit and the Pan Pacs are one of the the world’s biggest and best biennial masters games.
2021 MSA National Championships To be held by MSNT in sunny Darwin
30 April - 3 May 2021
More details to come.
Congratulations
JOHN POLLOCK - MSA Life Membership Award It is with great pleasure to announce that John Pollock has been awarded Life Membership of MSA which is an honour awarded to MSA members who go above and beyond in their duties and responsibilities in the movement of the organisation. John has dedicated himself to our sport of swimming and held multiple executive positions at Club, Branch and National levels for over 20 years. And he is, without doubt, the driving force behind Masters Swimming in the Northern Territory. John has been a member of the Masters Swimming Australia National Board of Management (2010-2011) and (2012-2013), Chairman of the National Swim Meets Committee (2001- 2016) and Northern Territory Branch Delegate. He has also been the Director of two of the National Swim meets in Darwin in 1999 and 2007. Congratulations John on your award of Life Membership of Masters Swimming Australia, a very deserved honour.
CLARY MUNNS - 2019 MSA Swimmer of the Year The swimmer gaining the highest number of points over a calendar year in competition in FINA recognised meets, with the points to be the sum of those for the best five swims, calculated using the current FINA points system. Congratulations to Clary Munns (Blacktown Masters) for an amazing 14 Fina World Records in 2019. Clary is constantly seen on pool deck giving tips to other swimmers and encouraging their swims. She is very much a part of her club team and contributes to the club happy and welcoming environment as well as swimming relays for the club when needed.
GREG GOURLEY - MSA 2019 Coach of the Year Congratulations to Greg Gourley for his outstanding contribution in coaching and towards the development of coaching at all levels of Masters Swimming. Greg has had an outstanding year in coaching. Greg has been a coach at Tuggeranong Masters for over 10 years. As a collaborative leader, he is an integral part of the Tuggeranong Coaching team. Greg is an innovative coach and his swim sessions are always thoroughly planned with a focus, ensuring differentiation for all swimmers’ goals and abilities. One of Greg’s main goals is to foster inclusion and cohesion in the club and to make it fun! Thank you, Greg, for your wonderful contribution to Masters Swimming.
NEIL MITCHELL - MSA 2019 Official of the Year A huge congratulations to Neil Mitchell for an outstanding year of service to MSA. Anyone who knows Neil, is aware of his tremendous attitude to life which makes him a terrific and patient mentor to new officials. He always makes time for questions and provides training and evaluation. Since taking on the role of MSV Technical Director, Neil has been instrumental in the increase of officials available to attend meets especially last year. In 2019, Neil organised the Officials rosters for every swim meet MSV carried out and maintained the electric timing equipment, so it is always ready to use at any MSV event. Neil represented Masters Officials at the Swim Victoria Officials forum and was asked to facilitate a discussion for their Officials, how to best assist and officiate masters, multi class and special Olympic swimmers. Thankyou Neil!
MSA swimmers doing us proud in the Fina World Top 10 for 2019
George Corones, long-time member of QTT Twin Towns Masters Swimming Club, sadly passed away on 22nd March 2020. He left us peacefully and of sound mind, only a few weeks short of his 102nd birthday. George was such an inspiration to us all, and his stories of life and passion for our community will always be remembered.
MSA President Gerry Tucker had a treasured friendship with George and he has written a wonderful tribute to George - My farewell to George Corones
MSQ and Christina Scolaro have also written a wonderful tribute including some fantastic photos and put together a lovely video which you can find on the MSQ website
George’s World Records:
Age group
Event
Time
Date
Location
95-99 yrs
50m Freestyle LC
47.43
19 April 2013
Sydney, Australia
100m Freestyle LC
1:57.88
20 April 2013
Sydney, Australia
50m Breaststroke LC
1:10.05
18 May 2013
Gold Coast, Australia
50m Freestyle SC
47.16
17 March 2013
Gold Coast, Australia
100m Freestyle SC
1:54.60
16 March 2013
Gold Coast, Australia
100-104 yrs
50m Freestyle LC
56.12
28 February 2018
Gold Coast, Australia
100m Freestyle LC
2:24.21
3 March 2018
Gold Coast, Australia
50m Freestyle SC
55.75
23 June 2018
Brisbane, Australia
100m Freestyle SC
2:19.02
23 June 2018
Brisbane, Australia
As George would say:
“Tell it as it is. If you don’t do it, it will not be done. Nobody else can do it for you. Do today at least what you did yesterday. Doing less is a step backwards. Take charge of yourself.”
Branches - keeping connected!
It is great to connect with MSA and your Branch and Clubs especially at the moment. We have taken a recent post from each of the Branches facebook pages as an example of how you can stay connected. Each image will take you to their page. Please share with us at MSA examples of how you and your clubs are keeping connected.
Our mailing address is:
Level 2, Sports House
375 Albert Park Road
Albert Park, Victoria 3206
Contact:
admin@mastersswimming.org.au
(03) 9682 5666
Please note during this time MSA staff are working mostly from home and may not be able to respond to phone calls immediately - please use our email whenever possible.
If you can only call please leave a message and we will get back as soon as possible.
