Hi Altona Swimming Club Members,

We hope are well and coping with everything going on right now…

Since our last update on 25^th July, we thought it would be good to provide another:

Coach Adrian

No doubt you have received yesterday’s email from Adrian’s…but if you haven’t seen it, here it is:

To the fantastic Altona community

I am writing to inform you that I will be finishing up as the Head Coach of Altona shortly. While I’d have wished to be able to inform everyone in person of this, the crazy times we find ourselves in stands in our way.

The Altona Swimming Club is an awesome club with fantastic people. From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed by the community and its people. I am immensely proud of the growth that Altona made while I was a part of it. The introduction of the Club Champs series as an opportunity to bring everyone together helped to grow the community. We also restructured the squad program to allow our younger swimmer more opportunities to challenge themselves in their training and racing environment.

I encourage everyone to return to the club when the opportunity arrives (and it will), and help Altona continue to grow. It doesn’t matter what your swimming goals are; the more you are able to give to the club and your teammates, the more you will receive in return. Altona will only ever be as strong as its people.

I’m sure I’ll see you on pool deck in the future and look forward to hearing your stories of success when we are finally able to return to doing what we love. In the meantime, take care and good luck with all your endeavours.

--

Regards, 

Adrian Hirsh

Altona Head Coach 

Western Aquatic Academy Pty Ltd 

www.westernaquaticacademy.com.au

We have thanked Adrian on the club’s behalf, and wished him all the best for his future. We have valued his coaching and support. Paul will commence looking for Adrian’s replacement when the pool is confirmed to reopen - by the Vic State Government and Bluefit.

Virtual Dry Land Sessions

Last night my daughter Phoebe joined Adrian’s on-line session, along with 3 other ASC members. The format was in “rounds” of exercise followed by a scavenger hunt (items around the house), one round after the other. It was perfect for Phoebes after a day of bad weather outside and Home Schooling. I can highly recommend these sessions to all members, so please help your child join in for Thursday’s at 4.30pm. See W.A.A. email Sat 1^st Aug at 1.56pm for the link and password, or reply to this email and we will look after you.

Survey:

We have had 6 responses to our survey – thank you so much to those 6 – and your responses certainly help us. It has taken each person less than 5 minutes to complete, and we welcome further feedback from more families to help guide us with our efforts in Season 2020-21. If you could revisit the “Survey Monkey” email it would be greatly appreciated.

COVID19

When the pool is re-opened, the Committee’s focus will be to start running the Squad as quickly as possible. With this in mind, the need for you to renew is even more important. We will need to be able to plan for the amount of members that will want to swim - within any “restricted numbers framework” that may be in place at the time. So, if there is a limit of 3 members per lane, or 20 people in the pool at once, we need to discuss our requirements with Bayfit. We greatly appreciate the members that have already joined the club for Season 2020-21 in the past few weeks. Here is a table of our renewals for 2020-21 thus far:

RENEWALS: As of Wednesday 5^th August, we have had another 8 families or 12 swimming members renew their membership since our last Newsletter on the 25^th July – again, a huge thank you to those now signed up.

Renewal Giveaway: Gifts to the Value of $100.40  are ready to be distributed, however we will wait until the current restrictions are lifted before working out a system to handout. We could mail, however we view this cost is unnecessary.

Swimming Victoria have advised us (last Friday the 31^st July):

While the Early Bird membership offer expired today, SV’s 20/21 annual swimming membership is still discounted from the 19/20 rate! This membership will be available from 1 August and will stay in place for the rest of the season.

Now that we are into the 20/21 Season all memberships from the 19/20 season have expired. This means that any members who have not renewed their membership for the 20/21 Season are no longer covered by insurance in the pool and/or while doing dryland or online programs.

All Clubs are now encouraged to contact members to remind them that their memberships are now due and payable – especially those that are back in training.

Please remember the importance of renewing, here are some important reasons:

• If you are not a member, you cannot swim in our squad at Mason Street
• Knowing how many members we have helps us plan sessions with our Coaches Paul and Adrian, and then liaise with Bayfit for adequate lane space
• Insurance coverage for Dry Land sessions
•  

Financial support available for Hobsons Bay residents and businesses:

 The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted everyone in many different ways.

 If you are experiencing financial hardship and can no longer pay your rates, interest, fees and charges for your home, business, sporting club/association or community group, you can apply for financial assistance. Council has reviewed and refreshed its Financial Hardship Policy and developed a COVID-19 Financial Assistance Policy. For more details and to apply online, please visit www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/financialassistance

 Residents wanting assistance in their first language can call Council’s Language Line on 9932 1212 and ask to speak with an interpreter.

Our AGM as already notified by email on the 17/7/2020 and last week’s Newsletter, will be held by Zoom online, on Tuesday 11^th August at 6.30pm. Please rsvp to Mark @ presascse@gmail.com to receive details and an invite.

Website

Please visit: altona.swimming.org.au to get across everything related to the club. Note: we view the website as “Notice Board” and place to reference information when needed. Our day to day activity is primarily directed via Facebook and Instagram.

That’s it for now, and please - stay well.

Mark Gowans

President Altona Swimming Club