Minutes of the Far North Coast Swimming Association Inc

MINUTES OF FNC MEETING

Minutes of the Far North Coast Swimming Association Inc.

General Meeting

held at the Alstonville Bowling Club

on Sunday 16th December 2001

Meeting opened at 1.19pm

Present

Maree Field (Lennox Head), Trish Barnes (Kingscliff), Margaret Harding (Alstonville), Bernie Thompson (Alstonville), Chris Mills (Lismore), John Smits (Alstonville), Graham Canning (Masterstroke), Narelle Anderton (Mullumbimby), David McLean (Casino)

Apologies

Gail Hunter (Twin Towns).

Minutes from the previous meeting
Moved Trish Barnes - Seconded Graham Canning
That the Minutes be accepted as presented - Carried

State Councillor’s Report:
Margaret Harding informed us that she attended a very interesting State and Country Councillors meeting in Sydney, the report from the meeting will be in the December Swimmer. Margaret told our meeting about the selection criteria for the NSW New Zealand Touring team. Originally it was a touring team for 16 swimmers selected from the NSW Country titles, then it became 8 swimmers from Country and 8 swimmers from Metropolitan, which was picked from swimmers at State Age, but country swimmers also had to attend Country Championships. But there was a move to change it to 16 swimmers who swam at State Age with no restriction on numbers from either Metropolitan or Country. The Country Delegates felt that the country swimmers may miss out on selection in preference to ‘city’ swimmers. The country delegates moved to have the past selection criteria retained. The Executive Committee members of NSW Swimming did not like this move, in fact were pretty upset, and asked those present if they wanted to vote a motion of No Confidence in the present Executive. Those present said no, they did not want to do that. Margaret said the Executive were behaving like spoilt brats, caught trying to push changes through. Most of the Executive are from Metropolitan clubs and still do not seem to have Country swimmers interests at heart.

Chris Fidler has set up a scholarship for talented swimmers. Applications for this program are available through Sport and Rec.

NSW Swimming held a Team Managers course on one day and an Announcers course the next day in Sydney. It was well attended but only from clubs near to Sydney. Margaret suggested holding a similar course in FNC in the off season. Bernie Thompson is to organise.

Single age groups for Country and State Age Winter Short Course Carnivals have been approved in principle, need to be ratified. Julie Gordon is now the Executive Director of NSW Swimming.

Correspondence In:
A list of correspondence was read by Trish Barnes.

Moved Trish Barnes - Seconded Graham Canning
That the Correspondence In be accepted - Carried

Correspondence Out:
A list of Correspondence Out was read by Trish Barnes.

Moved Trish Barnes - Seconded Margaret Harding
That the Correspondence Out be accepted as read - Carried

Business Arising:
Murwillumbah Swimming Club: Two letters were received from Murwillumbah, one was a copy of a letter sent to Byron Bay Swimming Club complaining about an article that was written in the Byron Bay Echo regarding the Murwillumbah Sprint Carnival. Murwillumbah’s letter stated that ‘publicity should be used to support and encourage the swimming clubs of FNC’. FNC Swimming agrees, but as the said article has not been seen by any FNC Executive member, FNC Swimming was unable to take any further action. A second letter was received complaining about the conduct of an Executive member at the Murwillumbah Sprint Carnival. The letter claimed that the Executive member interfered in the running of the Carnival and that the Carnival format was changed to appease this member. The Executive member in question answered this letter. On the day of the Carnival, this member was approached by members of four different FNC Clubs, who all complained that they did not know that they would have to timekeep at this carnival. The Executive then approached the President of Murwillumbah Swimming Club and inquired if clubs had been asked for help on the day, the reply being that on the original letter sent to clubs it had been stated that clubs would be allocated lanes for timekeeping. The Executive pointed out that this was not the correct protocol for ‘Invitational’ carnivals, that all positions should be filled from within the host club, or with the help of the ALEC Convenor. If host clubs find they are then still short of helpers, then individual clubs should be approached and asked for help, PRIOR to the carnival day. At no time did the Executive member ask for any part of the carnival, or the running of it, to be changed. The changes were instigated by the host club. FNC Swimming found that the Executive did not act inappropriately. A letter is to be sent to Murwillumbah Swimming club stating the outcome.

ALL FNC Clubs who are hosting ‘Invitational’ Carnivals are reminded that as these carnivals are not FNC Carnivals, the host club is required to fill all positions needed from within your own club and requested to supply all officials. If clubs are short of officials, they must contact the clubs and ask for assistance, not allocate timekeeping lanes or positions.

At FNC Championship, Non Championship and Relay Carnivals all clubs are asked to assist and clubs will be allocated lanes for timekeeping and will need to fill other official positions. Three stopwatches from each club are also needed.

Business Arising:
One Start rule: All carnivals are now to be conducted with a one start rule. There is now no such thing as a false start. Clubs are asked to conduct their club nights with a one start rule, so that all swimmers, regardless of their age or standard will be able to start with a one start rule.

FNC Shields: FNC Swimming has a number of shields and Trophies that are awarded to clubs at the Carnivals. It is believed that Lower Clarence have the Shield from the FNC Non Championship No 1 Carnival from last season, Lismore has the shield from FNC Non Championship No 2. Lismore won three shields at the recent Relay Carnival with Alstonville winning the fourth, the Senior boys trophy. The trophy from the FNC Championship Carnival has been returned to FNC so that it may be awarded to this years winner. Clubs are asked that all trophies be returned to FNC Swimming before the carnival to which they belong, so that they may be awarded to the next club.

Coaches for Winter Development Squad: Any coaches interested in assisting this year are asked to contact FNC Swimming. Narelle Anderton said that the coach of Mullumbimby, Steve Johnson, is interested in assisting, FNC Swimming thanks Steve for his interest. FNC Swimming will need many more coaches to assist.

Swimming Interstate: All clubs are reminded that if your swimmers wish to swim interstate, permission must be sought from NSW Swimming. Swimmers and clubs are further reminded that when FNC Championship and Non Championship Carnivals are being held, no swimmer is permitted to swim outside of our District, unless they do not qualify for the carnival that is being held. Clubs can not hold Club Championships on a day that clashes with the FNC Carnivals.

1500m and 800m Postal Swims: Chris Mills asked what is the ruling in regard to swimmers who enter the postal swim but do not swim in any other event at the carnival. At present the rules of FNC Swimming state that the postal swims are open to any member of FNC Swimming. There is no rule stating that they must also attend the carnival in order that their postal swim is recognised. Chris also wanted to know, when we combine boys and girls races, why do we have to have a lane separating the boys from the girls? Margaret replied that it was in the rules of NSW Swimming and we must continue to adhere to it. Margaret said if it was a mixed meet, where swimmers enter a mixed race, boys and girls swim together, but this could not be done at a Championship Meet, nor at a carnival with Qualifying times, or at a Qualifying meet.

Pool entry costs at carnivals: It was pointed out that at the Ballina Memorial Carnival, pool entry is normally $1.90, but people entering for the carnival were charged by the pool management $2.50 to enter. It was questioned whether this was allowed. At most carnivals, clubs have to pay for the hire of the pool and then have to charge an appropriate amount to cover the cost. But as it appeared that the pool management was charging the extra amount, FNC Swimming will look into who received the extra income. It was also felt that officials should not be charged to enter, especially those that are rostered on. It was suggested that a list could be left at the entry, and the officials on the list could sign in and not be charged.

Moved Margaret Harding - Seconded Bernie Thompson
That officials who are rostered on to assist at FNC Carnivals will sign a list that will be left at the entry desk and that they will not be charged entry fees. - Carried

Rule changes: There have been a number of rule changes adopted by NSW Swimming. Bernie will send a copy to all clubs.

Restructuring of Carnivals: Margaret feels at present there are too many carnivals offering the same races, and carnivals that are trying to offer all strokes and distances, making the carnivals very long (Lismore had 112 events and Alstonville 110 events). Most carnivals are now running for more than 7 hours and this is very hard on officials, and too long to be standing, especially in the hot sun. At the Lismore carnival, the carnival started at 9am and finished at 5.45pm. There was only one starter and one chief timekeeper. Margaret suggested forming a sub-committee to look at restructuring meets, trying to cover all strokes and distances. Margaret feels that 25m races should only be held in 25m pools. Margaret had many suggestions including changing the Non Championship Carnivals to Development Meets. She also feels that the rules of competing should be used at clubs on club night, correct pool etiquette, including exiting the pool from the side, children not asking for their times etc. A sub-committee has now been formed, and will make suggestions at a future meeting.

Meeting closed at 3.12pm.

The next meeting of the FNC Swimming will be held on Sunday 17th February 2002 at the Alstonville Bowling Club commencing at 1.00pm. All clubs are invited to attend.

Home Contact Clubs Calendar Results Records Information Links What's New