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Annual Report 2019-20

@sussexasa County ASA Annual Report 2019-20

Sussex celebrates 125 years of swimming

In 1752 Dr Richard Russell (1687-1759), a doctor officially constituted, making it the first swimming practicing in Lewes wrote published his essay; club to be formed in . This makes them Glandular Diseases, or a Dissertation on the Use older than Swim England (formerly Amateur of Sea Water in the Affections of the Glands. Swimming Association) that was formed in 1869. This was the first time that a scientific connection Other clubs quickly followed in , between drinking and bathing in seawater and Worthing and Hastings. Clubs were also being improvements in health had been identified. formed inland with one of the first at .

The publication of the book led to a boom in Brighton was also the site of one of the first visitors to spa towns like Bath for their supposed swimming pools – Brills Baths were built on the healing properties. Dr Russell saw an opportunity site of what is now the Pool Valley Bus Station. and relocated his practice to Brighton, on the site of what is now the Royal Albion Hotel, where In 1895, at a meeting of the Southern Counties he made it his mission to convince people of Association in Brighton, it was unanimously agreed seawater’s similar healing properties. ‘to form district and county local centres’ – Sussex County ASA was born. To meet the demand for ‘taking the waters’ a small industry soon grew including the development of You can find a lot more information about the bathing machine – a changing room on wheels the history of swimming in Sussex at that was dragged out to sea and allowed woman www.sussexswimming.org bathers to get into and out of the sea without being seen. Arguably the most famous ‘dipper’ being Martha Gunn from Brighton.

These health benefits and the fact that Brighton was becoming a fashionable place to be were the reasons that the Prince of Wales (later King George IV) built the Royal Pavilion in Brighton.

At a meeting on 4th May 1860 at the Jolly Fisherman Inn, Brighton Swimming Club was

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Victorious Sussex Masters

Our team performed exceptionally well in Shefield

Swimmers on the first day of 2020 Championships (bendavidsonphotography.com)

Sussex President Kerrin Cruttenden presenting medals at our synchro competition

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Presidents L-R Kerrin Cruttenden (Sussex ASA), Ian Mackenzie & (Swim England) Terry Norris (Swim England South East Region) (bendavidsonphotography.com)

Medal winners from our first mixed relay competition (bendavidsonphotography.com)

Sussex girls retain U16 South East Region Inter County title

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Contents

Sussex celebrates 125 years of swimming . . . . 2

Chairman’s Report ...... 6

President’s Report ...... 7

Swimming ...... 8

Para Swimming ...... 10

Synchro ...... 11

Diving ...... 11

Masters ...... 12

Welfare and Workforce ...... 14

Development ...... 15

Continuing Professional Development ...... 16

Finance ...... 17

Your Management Committee has pleasure in presenting the report for the year 1st April 2019 to 31st March 2020.

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Chairman’s Report Volunteering and Achievement Award Winners 2019 This is my fifth report as Chairman of Sussex County ASA. As I write this report at the start of April, I inevitably look back over the year and I am Young Participant (aged 9yrs – 12yrs) left wondering at how much every aspect of our Lucas Maule (Hastings Seagull SC) lives has changed in just a few weeks. We are now in a midst of global pandemic that none of us know Youth Participants (aged 13yrs – 16yrs) how it will end or how our sport will be affected. The Worthing SC under 15 boy’s water polo We have seen the closure of all pools, cancellation team. of competitions and loss of routines. At the time of Senior Participants (17+yrs) writing most of us are isolating and trying to stay Mid Sussex Marlins ladies 280yrs+ 4x200m safe and virus free. freestyle team.

Before everything changed in March the swimming Disabled Participant year had followed a predictable path of training Fabienne Andre (Mid Sussex Marlins) and competition. Young Volunteer of the Year aged under In June 2019 we held our Award Presentation 25yrs Ceremony and Annual Council Meeting. Henry Russell Ross (Beacon Swimming Club) Presenting our trophies is always a cause for celebration and the presentations for the 2019 Volunteer of the Year County Championships were no exception Brian Smith (Brighton SC) because we were joined by around 140 swimmers and their families for the ceremony and lunch. Club Teacher or Coach of the Year Stephen Murphy (Mid Sussex Marlins) We were also able to present awards to the recipients of our Volunteering and Achievement Awards. These recognise the people who give so President’s Spirit of Sport Award much to our sport in Sussex. One of our recipients, Alessio Mandia ( SC) Henry Russel Ross (Beacon SC), was recognised for his services as a young volunteer. Henry went We were not able to recruit a Secretary so we on to receive a similar award from Swim England widened the role of our finance administrator South East Region and also received national to include aspects of the secretary’s work. We recognition as Swim England Youth Volunteer of received a late nomination for Simon Taylor the Year. (Brighton SC) to be Vice President for the year. At the Annual Council Meeting we installed our Unfortunately, Robert Harvey had to stand down new President Kerrin Cruttenden ( for health reasons. The Management Committee Cormorants SC) and also welcomed new faces co-opted Simon Taylor as Development Manager. to the Management Committee, Swimming Committee and Finance Committee: Hilary Brown, the outgoing President, made the Management Committee presentation of the Presidents’ Plate to William Long (Beacon SC). Mike Hedley (Hastings Seagull SC) Robert Harvey ( SC) At the Winter Competition we thanked the Swimming Committee stewards of our Awards Table; Alison Stride and Janet Charter for the many years of commitment Andy Lobley (Atlantis SC) to running the table and presenting medals to Tracey Hedley (Hastings Seagull SC) all the swimmers who had worked so hard for Finance Committee their reward. Together they made sure that every swimmer was made to feel special and given a Gordan Dudman (Crawley SC) moment to remember.

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As 2020 approached we focussed our attention It is such a shame that the year has been on celebrating our 125th Anniversary. Plans disrupted so dramatically by Covid-19 stopping included adding a short history of Swimming us from training and cancelling so many events. in Sussex available on our website that was My heart goes out to those athletes who have put together by William Long. We also added a worked so hard to get to where they are today. It is congratulatory video from Jane Nickerson, CEO hard to stay positive and motivated but remember of Swim England. Other activities included special everyone is in the same situation. When this is all events across all our competition programmes over and we dive back into the pool, it will be hard, and presenting unique commemorative medals for it will hurt, but it will be worth it. The first personal each of these events. best you achieve after this pandemic will be the greatest achievement you will have ever made. We were delighted to welcome the Swim England President and his wife to our Championships in During these uncertain times we have seen the February; Ian and Sheila Mackenzie were joined start of a revival within the county of synchronized by the Swim England South East Region President swimming, with a competition held in Brighton for Terry Norris as they presented Championship the first time in 20 years. Even though it was a medals to our swimmers. small event the quality of the competitors was truly amazing. As is with diving, synchronised swimming We also welcomed Helen Matthews (Hastings requires pools with specific depths which limits Seagull SC) as Awards Manager. She was joined how many clubs can offer the sport. by Gemma McNish and Kate Lafferty (both from Atlantis SC) who together made sure that our Since the success of the Olympics in 2012 the swimmers all got the medals they deserved. attitude towards sports has changed, better facilities are being built all the time. These things Virtually nothing in swimming would happen take time and a lot of money, but, with every new without the support of an army of volunteers who pool being built with more than a just a flume, work tirelessly behind the scenes as technical more specialised sports can make a resurgence. officials, club volunteers, committee members, team managers and club organisers. Our sport Water polo is one of the sports I feel has suffered would not be as successful as it is, and our due to the national funding being withdrawn in swimmers would not have the opportunities they 2014. The continuing success of Worthing SC have, without the time and commitment given so teams at National and Regional competitions is freely by each and every one of them. really positive. I think it is important that all clubs and teams work together to support and develop Our swimming family is now virtual and we have a the sport in Sussex. Unfortunately, for another new normal. A lot is going to have changed by the year, we do not have a report from the Sussex time we return to the water. water polo community.

Brian DeVal In October we took a team of Swimmers to Chairman Sheffield to compete in the National [email protected] Team Championship Gala, a truly amazing event that was made even more brilliant by the performance of the swimmers. Although we President’s Report missed out on promotion by 1 point, the final relay was incredible. Throughout the race we swam Looking back to the start of my time as President I through the field and it was only in the last leg couldn’t have imagined meeting so many positive, that we hit the front coming through to win our friendly and inspirational people as I have done. heat. It summed up the whole weekend, the team As a county we are truly lucky to be surrounded spirit the swimmers showed was truly inspirational. by so many motivated athletes, parents and volunteers. Throughout the year I have visited The last event I went to before the Covid-19 many clubs and have got to know the fantastic lock down was the Long Course County coaching teams. It is great to witness so many Championships held at K2 in February. We were clubs working together and developing positive lucky enough to be joined by Ian Mackenzie (the relationships with one another.

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President of Swim England) and Terry Norris (President of the South East Region) who were Swimming both very impressed by the event and standard of swimmers. Another busy year for swimming in Sussex has passed. I think sometimes we all take the events put on by the county for granted, but, without so many In October the County team travelled to Sheffield fantastic volunteers contributing to the organisation via a training session in Loughborough, for National and smooth running of these event they would County Team Championships (Inter Counties). Out not happen. of 24 individual events there were 12 PB’s and many more near the entry times. Sussex missed One swim stood out for me which summed up the out on promotion to the top division by 1 point. attitude of so many swimmers. As I stood to watch It was a great team effort and the team was well the final of the Girls 200m FC her coach told me supported by coaches James Nock (Eastbourne that she had a plan. Although she had qualified in SC) and Andy Lobley (Atlantis SC) and team Lane 1 she still believed she could win, the plan managers Tracy Hedley (Hastings Seagull SC) was to take everyone by surprise and take the and Yvonne Weeden (Atlantis SC). Our President, lead in the first 100m. She knew that by doing this Kerrin Cruttenden, also travelled with the team. would mean that the second 100m would hurt, a lot, but she believed she could do it. It was a Later in October we held the Winter Competition great honour to know the plan and then watch (incorporating 100mt IM Championships) at the race and to watch her win. I think we can all K2. This was a well attended gala with many take something from this attitude during these outstanding swims. Mid Sussex Marlins came out hard times. I know that I will always remember the on top in the club points competition with Atlantis determination and commitment she showed. SC 2nd and Crawley SC 3rd.

I feel immensely proud to have been the Sussex We started the 2020 Championships gala in County ASA President this year knowing who has January with the mixed boys and girls 800m long stood done the job before me. I will always look distance event. This was followed by the mixed back on this year with fond memories. boys and girls 1,500m event and two weekends of Championship racing, all at Crawley. They were Thank you. a great success despite some niggling problems with equipment at the pool. Kerrin Cruttenden President, Sussex County ASA The standard of swimming across all age groups during the Championships was very high with eight County Records being set:

Swimmer Club Event Time

Rania Khallouqi Shiverers SC 50m free girls u14yrs record 28.11

Emma Allatt-File Crawley SC 200m breast girls u14yrs & u16yrs record 2.42.05 Hastings Seagull Evie Stockdale 200m back girls u14yrs record 2.26.67 SC Masie Thornton Crawley SC 200m butterfly ladies open record 2.15.05

Oliver Richardson Mid Sussex Marlins 100m free boys u16yrs record 53.88

Matthew Hind Brighton SC 50m back boys u16yrs record 28.11

Harry Stacey Shiverers SC 100m free mens open record 50.80

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The Age Group Club Points Competition was The Championships in numbers won by Mid Sussex Marlins with Atlantis SC in 2nd place and Crawley SC in 3rd. Mid Sussex 56 Event Maker volunteers Marlins also won the Championship Club Points Competition with Shiverers SC 2nd and Crawley 201 Technical Officials SC in 3rd place.

We introduced a new Points Competition for 18 Clubs Para Swimmers. This was won by Joe Greaves (Littlehampton SC) ahead of Callum Pearson 577 Athletes (Hastings Seagull SC) and Georgie Howell (Littlehampton SC). 3,336 Entries Our president, Kerrin Cruttenden, came to most of our sessions and presented medals and our 1,860 PBs (54%) special 125th Anniversary pins badges to all coaches and volunteers. 8 County records

On the final day of competition, we welcomed the National President Ian McKenzie and his wife Congratulations go to Sophie Maquire (Mid Sheila who were joined by the Swim England Sussex Marlins), Abbey Jackson (Crawley SC) South East President Terry Norris. Kerrin escorted and Louis Choron (Hastings Seagull SC) who them around the pool to meet swimmers, coaches, were all selected for the Swim England Talent volunteers and officials and present medals to Team training camp in February in Dubai and our champions. then competed in the Middle East Championships. They were accompanied on the trip by Sacha Between the two weekend galas we held the Djerfi (Hastings Seagull SC). Relay Gala at Horsham. As part of our Sussex 125 Anniversary we included a new event into None of these events would have been possible the programme; 4x50 mixed medley relay. This without the help and support of a large team of event was very well received by clubs and officials and other volunteers who freely give up swimmers. Special medals were presented to their time to help make these competitions winners Mid Sussex Marlins with silver going to a success. Crawley SC and Shiverers taking bronze. The Top Club Trophy for the Relay Gala were won My thanks to all of you. by Mid Sussex Marlins ahead of Atlantis SC and Hastings Seagull SC. Deedee Pickering Swimming Manager Two County records were set during the Rely [email protected] Gala:

Relay records Mid Girls 4 x 50m medley Sussex 2.01.86 relay junior record Marlins Mid Boys 4 x 50m medley Sussex 1.48.91 relay junior record Marlins

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Paralympic Futures Academy by British Athletics, Para-Swimming followed soon after by being told she had been put on the long list of potential athletes for selection to Sussex Para-Swimmers have once again had the European Para Athletics Championships. a very busy and successful year. Although Fabienne no longer competes in Alfie Penfold [SB12] and Louis Moyes (S7) swimming, it was the foundation of her being able (Mid Sussex Marlins) had excellent achievements. to compete at the level she is at and continues to They swam at our County Championships, Para form an integral part of her training program. Nationals, and WPS World Series, and Alfie went on to compete at the British Blind Sport Youth Congratulations to Callum Pearson (Hastings Gala. Both picked up lots of medals and PBs Seagulls SC) who was awarded ‘Disabled on the way. Participant of the Year’ at the Annual Council of Swim England South East meeting in September. Alfie was invited by Swim England to join their Foundation Camp in preparation for the IPC World Zoe Cain [S5] (Crawley SC) has made steady Series Competition which was due to be held in progress back to her PB’s at several competitions April 2020. Sadly both events had to be cancelled, this year and was delighted to be back on form at due to the Covid-19 situation. the Sussex County Championships in February.

Louis joined five other MSM swimmers at The Len All the para-swimmers who took part in these Badcock Memorial Level 3 Disability Gala in June. Sussex County Championships appreciated that This was a great opportunity for new, classified it was a fully integrated multi-disability competition swimmers to get Licensed times. this year.

Joe Greaves and Marcus Harvey [both S14], The Sussex Squids gala, held at Felpham Leisure and Lewis Jones [S9] (Littlehampton SC) have Centre in April and the Mid Sussex Marlins gala all swum in County, Regional and National in November went very well and gave many competitions with great success, achieving great swimmers without classifications the chance to points throughout the year. compete.

Georgie Howell, (Littlehampton SC) was re- Several Sussex swimmers attended the Swim classified to S7 in 2019 and although she found England South East Disability Competition in the change quite challenging, she continued to Southampton in September 2019. Unfortunately, swim at all levels of competition and was still just the competition in March was cancelled. as determined to succeed. She is on the Swim England Para Swimming Talent Development Mid Sussex Marlins is currently the only Sussex Programme and has received great support club to have signed up to the new START Para- from them throughout the year. Georgie has Swimming programme that is designed to enable been involved in a number of collaborations with more disabled swimmers to progress from the SportsAid (video, talk etc), and is one of the Case Learn to Swim stage to club swimming. Studies for the Swim England website. Georgie must also be congratulated on being elected LSC So far in 2020 there has been one Swim England Club Captain for this year. South East Regional Training Day for swimmers and coaches. Fabienne Andre [S8] (Mid Sussex Marlins) has had a slightly different year which is definitely worth a Pauline Draper mention. Following on from her swimming success Disability Adviser to the at the Cerebral Palsy World Games in 2018, she Swimming Committee was looking for a new challenge and skill to learn and has now moved into wheelchair racing whilst Pauline Draper is the Sussex representative on the Swim retaining her swimming to help fitness. Her only England South East Regional Disability Group. swim meet in the year was the Cerebral Palsy National Swimming Championships. At the end of the athletics season she was selected to join the

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Tomblin was selected for the Youth Squad, one Synchro of two boys in the team. Nine swimmers qualified for the National Age Groups including an under 12 We are at the end of our three-year development duet and a 13-15 routine. Two swimmers qualified plan. Here is a review against our high level for the British Championships later in 2020. objectives: In December we held our first county competition More qualified Three coaches qualified in for at least a decade. This was, for most junior coaches and Brighton Dolphin SC with synchro swimmers in Sussex, their first formal officials support from the County event (competition or grading day). The aim of the bursary scheme. Overall the competition was to introduce junior swimmers to numbers of qualified coaches these more formal environments in a friendly and and officials across the county relaxed atmosphere. has increased by 30%. There were 40 individual entries plus a solo, duet Hold We have at least one and three teams. The youngest swimmer was development development day for Masters 7 and the oldest 18. Medals were awarded for days to or juniors each year. These seven events. improve days have focussed on skills across improving coaching skills In May all of the synchro sections in the county synchro in across the Sussex and on collaborated to produce our 11th annual show in Sussex improving routine skills to generate better scores at the Brighton Fringe Festival. competitions. There have been many medals won As ever, I am happy to hear from any club thinking synchro swimmers from of starting a junior or masters synchro section. Sussex. Liz Fitzsimons Increase A very successful new junior Sussex Synchro Manager numbers of section has been set up in swimmers Brighton Dolphin SC helping taking part in to boost swimmer numbers Diving synchro in the county. Overall the county has 50% more juniors Diving is still struggling for water time and remains and 10% more masters. More a minority activity when compared with the other clubs offering synchro has not aquatic disciplines. There are three clubs in been achieved – there are still Sussex that offer diving to their members; these three clubs that offer synchro: are Crawley DC, Eastbourne SC and Worthing SC. Brighton SC, Brighton Dolphin SC and Atlantis SC. The first event of the year, our Novice Competition in May, was held in Worthing. Entries were low Percentages calculated against audit carried out in 2016. with only seven divers representing Eastbourne SC and Worthing SC taking part. There is still a wide ranging skill set in Sussex. Looking at juniors for instance, one club has In September we held the first of our two half day not taken any swimmers to grading days, one is training camps. Again, the numbers taking part working towards this and one has many graded were low. The camp was arranged around a mini swimmers. One club takes junior swimmers to competition but with only Eastbourne SC and regional and national competitions, one is working Worthing SC represented it was decided to cancel towards this and one has only taken swimmers to that element of the programme. The camp was still our county competition. considered a success because some of the divers were able to learn new dives that they used in There is a strong Masters section in Brighton other competitions. Dolphin SC and every swimmer went to the Nationals in 2019 and came away with a medal. Later in the month we held our 1m Age Group Atlantis Flamingos have had a great year. Ranjuo and Championship competitions. These events

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had more entries with 10 divers entering the 1m Age Group competition and nine taking part in the Masters 1m Championships. The event was again hosted by Worthing SC. Again only Eastbourne SC and Sussex Masters enjoyed a very successful 2019 Worthing SC participated. with continued growth and interest in Masters swimming at a great many Sussex clubs. We held our second half day training camp at K2 in early November to help divers prepare for The 2019 Sussex Masters and Senior Age the 3m and Synchronised diving events later in Group Championships took place in September the month. We were not able to get our preferred at Pavilions in the Park, Horsham. The 2019 dates so had to take a day in half term that again Championships proved to be another record year affected the number of divers able to attend. with highest ever number of swimmers at 175 (93 However, 16 divers did attend from Eastbourne women and 82 men) and nearly 1,000 entries SC and Worthing SC and enjoyed sessions on the consisting of 928 individual entries and 66 relay trampoline. They were joined by three Crawley DC entries. This is nearly a 15% increase on the 2018 divers for the pool session. Sussex Masters Championships. Mid-Sussex Marlins entered a record team with 39 swimmers, We returned to Worthing in November for the Hastings Seagull SC had 24 swimmers and 3m Age Group and Championships and 1m Brighton Dolphins SC 23 swimmers. Synchronised Diving events. Unfortunately, Crawley DC divers did not enter this event so only Mid-Sussex Marlins were the overall winners with eight divers from Eastbourne SC and Worthing SC 1,429 points, second was Hastings Seagull SC with took part in the 3m Age Groups and three divers 1,180 points and third Brighton Dolphins SC with took part in the 3m Championship events. This 842 points. was followed by the 1m Synchronised Competition with six pairs competing. It is interesting to note the considerable increase in the number of entries in the Sussex Masters and During the training camps, Hilary Knott spent time Senior Age Championships over the last 4 years: talking to parents and found sufficient interest to This represents a growth, between 2016 and 2019, become officials that we will hopeful be running of nearly 70% and an annual growth rate of over Judges and Recorder courses in 2020. We 15% each year. are also hopeful of being able to secure more appropriate training dates at K2 so that more It is also interesting to see that Sussex is ranked divers can take advantage of the half day camps. first in terms of number of swimmers competing when compared with other County Masters Our county President, Kerrin Cruttenden attended Championships. all our competitions and presented awards to the successful divers. At the British Masters Long Course Championships in Swansea in June, Mike Read David Rosen/Hilary Knott (Brighton SC) achieved a gold in the men’s Diving Managers 75-79yrs 800m Freestyle, Dave Cummings

Individual Year Swimmers Relay Entries Total Entries Entries

2016 110 572 31 605

2017 127 697 38 735

2018 147 826 47 873

2019 175 928 66 998

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2019 County Masters No. Championships Entries Swimmers as at September 20191 1 Sussex 9022 171 (Mid Sussex Marlins 39 swimmers) 2 Surrey 829 134 (Guildford SC 39 swimmers) 3 Hampshire 637 134 (Basingstoke SC 30 swimmers) 4 Kent3 549 129 (Erith SC 42 swimmers) 5 Devon 344 96 6 Cheshire 322 135 (Trafford Metro SC 32) 7 Gloucester and Somerset 289 86 8 Hertfordshire 257 70 9 Cornwall 241 61 10 Middlesex 237 72

1 This table does not include those Masters County Championships which are effectively open meets and have clubs outside the county competing, for example, the Yorkshire County Championships which has over 60 clubs from all over the UK.

2 Although there were 994 entries submitted for 2019 Sussex Masters Championships there were 92 no shows or scratched swims on the day of the Championships making 902 actual swims.

3 Does not include entries to the 800m/1,500m events held at Erith Masters Open Meet.

(Eastbourne SC) achieved 4 golds (from 4 events 69yrs achieved a Silver in the 50m Butterfly swum) in the 80-84yrs, Lee Curtis (Brighton and Bronzes in the 100 Free and 100 Butterfly Dolphins SC) achieved a gold in the 70-74yrs • Sally Mills (Mid Sussex Marlins) in the 60- men’s 50m Backstroke, while from Mid-Sussex 64yrs achieved a Bronze in the 100m Butterfly, Marlins, Alison Gwynn claimed 4 golds from 4 4th place in the 50m Butterfly and 200m events swum in the 70-74yrs, Rose Dudeney Butterfly and 6th in the 400m Free. achieved 3 golds in the 70-74yrs and Sally Mills a gold in the Women’s 60-64yrs 100m Butterfly. At the Swim England Masters Short Course Mid Sussex Marlins swimmers Alison Gwynn, Championships in Sheffield in October Sussex Jennifer Dean, Mary Johnson and Sally Mills also swimmers again put in excellent performances set a new British Masters long course record in with Hannah Keen (Hastings Seagull SC) achieving the 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay in the 280-320yrs a new British Masters Record in the Women’s in a time of 12.44.57. 30-34yrs 50m Freestyle in a time of 25.66.

At the 18th FINA World Masters Championships In November, Sussex hosted the South East took place in Gwangju, South Korea from 12 to Region round of the Swim England National 18 August, Sussex was well represented with Masters Inter Counties Competition at Horsham. a number of swimmers competing and some Competing against Kent, Hampshire and Berkshire outstanding performances including: & South Bucks Sussex was the overall winner with 214 points and Hampshire second with 184 • Dave Cummings (Eastbourne SC) who in the points. This was an excellent result that put us 80-84yrs achieved World Championship Golds 3rd nationally out of 27 competing counties with in the 100 and 200m Butterfly and Silvers in 1501.5 points, Warwickshire came 2nd with 1548 the 200m and 400m Individual Medley with the points and Yorkshire 1st with 1554 points. This 200m Butterfly and 200m IM also being British was one of the best results for Sussex since Masters long course records winning the competition nationally in 2006. • Steve Braine (Mid Sussex Marlins) in the 65- The South East Region Masters Long Course

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competition held at K2 in January opened the new year with a record number of nearly 500 Welfare competitors. Among many excellent performances by Sussex swimmers, Mid Sussex Marlins It is desirable that all Club Welfare Officers attend swimmers, Alison Gwynn, Rose Dudeney, Mary both “Safeguarding Children” and “Time to Listen” Johnson and Sally Mills set a new European courses so they are able to understand what best Masters Record in the 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay practice is and how to manage any child welfare in the 280-320yrs in a time of 5.38.02 and a new concerns they identify or are informed of. Both of British Record in the 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay these courses were included in the Volunteer CPD in a time of 2.31.59. Sally Mills also achieved a day in March and both were well supported. new British record in the 65-69yrs 100m Butterfly with a time of 1.31.90. Well done to them and all During the year I have been asked for advice from Sussex Masters for such great performances and Clubs on Welfare issues and in some situations in continuing to set new standards...! Swim England has had to become involved for further advice and support.

Sussex is ranked first in terms To ensure that I have always got up to date of number of swimmers contacts information for Clubs Welfare Officers I would be very grateful if I can be notified of any competing at Masters changes as soon as possible. Championships Chris Hobbs The Third Kent v Sussex Masters Challenge Welfare Co-ordinator Cup was due to be held on Saturday 21 March at the Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre but had to be postponed due the COVID-19 Pandemic. It is Development hoped that it may be possible to re-organise the event later in 2020. Every year we put together a range of activities that form a whole sport development plan. This is The growth and success could not be achieved one of most important areas of work for the county without the support of so many officials and other and also our biggest financial commitments. volunteers and particular thanks should go to Trixie Nisbet (Lewes SC), who has acted as the Sussex County Development Pathway Squad Team Manager, Dave Chan (Worthing SC), who Our 2019 cohort of 72 swimmers in the squad has run the IT at Sussex Masters events and Mike benefitted from three, one day, camps during the Hedley (Hastings Seagull SC), who as acted as year. These included two camps at Eastbourne Referee at Sussex Masters events in 2019. College and, for the first time, a camp at Windelsham School near Worthing. While 2020 has proved very challenging for all, including Masters, due to the COVID-19 These schools provide wonderful facilities for Pandemic, which has meant that there has been the camps with high quality pools and spaces for no training since mid-March, Sussex clubs have land training. Hopefully we will be able to arrange continued to support their Masters with many similar camps in 2020. online activities. I want to take this opportunity to thank Stephen Sussex County ASA, and its clubs, look forward Murphy who has been head coach for the Pathway to welcoming all Masters and officials back to the Camps for two years. He has now stood down and pool and competitions in due course and hopefully we have recruited Matt Naunton to the role for the in time for the 125th Anniversary Sussex Masters next two years. and Senior Age Group Championships planned for Sunday 13 September. Nutrition Seminars During the county Championships in February we William Long, Masters Manager held three vwell attended nutrition seminars for [email protected] parents. These sessions were presented by Tiffany Afflick who works with many Team GB swimmers

14 Sussex County ASA Annual Report 2019-20 and travels as part of the support team to British Swimming and Swim England Talent Team camps. Workforce

Feedback from these sessions was very positive Since my last report the county has delivered a and we intend to include similar session in the number of officials training courses and been able development programme for club teachers and to qualify more officials to help deliver competitions coaches later in 2020. in clubs both in and outside of the county. The numbers who have passed in the last year are: Continuing Professional Development In March we held our annual Continuing Timekeepers: 81 (plus 6 U19 and 1 from Professional Development (CPD) day in Brighton outside of Sussex) that was organised by Deedee Pickering. The Judge 1: 32 (plus 2 U19 and 5 from outside influence of the COVID-19 pandemic was just of Sussex) beginning to be recognised and this meant a number of people chose to stay away. Judge 2: 7 (plus2 from outside of Sussex) Judge 2S: 9 (plus 3 from outside of Sussex) On the day 73 volunteers including technical officials, team managers and volunteers attended Beginner's Guide to being a Referee: 7 five workshops in the morning and around 63 Referee's from outside of Sussex: 2 attended the afternoon session with another five workshops. Most popular of all our workshops We also have had a lot of people going through were the four Safeguarding & Protecting Children training or looking for courses. courses workshops. We also included a new workshop for Club Volunteer Co-ordinators that was presented by Claire Coleman; Swim Timekeepers: 80 (plus 8 U19) England’s Head of Volunteering. Judge 1: 37 (plus 1 U19 ) Club Bursaries Judge 2: 10 A couple of years ago the Management Committee Judge 2S: 4 recognised that not all clubs have the resources to invest in the development of their own teachers, Referee: 2 re-sits and 4 new Referee trainees coaches and equipment. To provide clubs with some assistance we launched a Club Bursary programme A number of the qualified Timekeepers and other that could go some way to helping clubs. levels of judges have attended further training and are now accessing suitable galas so that they can So far, the scheme has provided funding to 10 be mentored. clubs for blocks, training kit for coaches and development opportunities for coaches and Sometimes we all take the teachers. The scheme will continue to run with its current funding stream, but we are looking at how events put on by the county it might be more focussed to help clubs when we for granted emerge from this current lockdown. We are still seeing a number of parents As I said at the beginning of this report, our withdrawing from the officials training programme development plan covers all areas of the sport and because their children are leaving our sport and reports of development programmes for technical we are also noticing that a number of officials officials, diving and synchro are included in the don’t want to continue the training process manager’s reports elsewhere in this annual report. because it seems to take a long time to complete. Unfortunately, we have not had any engagement Unfortunately, the training process can become from the water polo community, so we are not able quite extended if the trainees are unable or to provide any news of what they are doing. prepared to travel and attend events when their children are not competing. Brian DeVal [email protected]

15 Sussex County ASA Annual Report 2019-20

Volunteering at our 2020 Championships (bendavidsonphotography.com)

This of course means that we are sometimes On behalf of the County I would like to express short of officials at galas so we always need more my thanks and appreciation to all Course Tutors people to become officials. We welcome everyone, for the time, effort and dedication they give in the whether you have a swimming background or not, organisation and running of these Swim England to join our training programme and ensure that Officials Courses. Also, to the mentors who have swimmers can have competitions to swim in with helped in the training and undertaken the final well trained officials to run them – without officials practical assessments at the relevant galas to the county cannot run competitions. ensure that we have now more qualified officials to help out at our events. It is now necessary for trainees to include all levels of events from Level 4 to Level 1 in their training Chris Hobbs programme. This is to ensure that they experience Workforce Co-ordinator different levels of swimming abilities. In Sussex we are fortunate that our clubs run a number of events throughout the year which can provide training opportunities so hopefully trainees can get their competencies signed off by a qualified Licensed Referee, especially at events at Level 3 and above. It would be appreciated if anybody wanting to be mentored at any gala could let me know beforehand so that I can allocate a properly trained official to help you.

Since January 2020 the J1 training is now online, however, Time Keeper only training can still be accessible as a face to face course with a practical Time Keeper’s assessment to be completed within 2 weeks of the course being delivered.

16 Sussex County ASA Annual Report 2019-20

Finance

Income and expenditure was delivered on budget possible experience for our swimmers and to with no surprises. Our tighter scrutiny of financial providing, more convenient facilities for the team. matters means we are achieving budget as We will continue to review these costs going anticipated. forward.

Our income was up slightly at approximately £63k. We continue to invest a substantial amount in our However, expenses also rose in proportion and we development activities to support clubs, coaches ended the year with a small surplus of £2.2k. and volunteers. This is a positive investment for Income from swimming events was up on the the future of our sport and is something that we previous year, particularly meet entry income and are very proud of and would be reluctant to lose. spectator income. We successfully introduced We have also continued the Club Bursary Scheme an electronic payment method for spectators at and approved most applications received during the 2019/20 events. Our Masters Championships the year that fell within the scheme criteria. made a small surplus and continues to expand. Diving events continue to be supported by the The financial impact of Covid-19 does not affect County even though they run at a loss. the 2019/20 accounts, however, obviously events during 2020/21 may be adversely affected. The cost of sending our team to Sheffield for the National County Team Championships continues Brian DeVal / Kerry Escott to rise. In part, this was due to creating the best

Sussex County Amateur Swimming Association

Income and Expenditure Account for the 12 months ended 31st March 2020 2019/20 2018/19 £ £ £ £ £ £ Income Expenditure Income Expenditure Swimming Income Galas Entries 38,928.00 35,582.00 Door 9,524.07 8,348.25 Other gala income 1,345.00 3,065.00 Sheffield ASA Grant 1,000.00 1,000.00 50,797.07 47,995.25

Expenditure Galas Pool Hire 16,502.20 16,476.05 Engraving & Refurbishment. 3,786.25 3,934.95 Medals and Awards 4,292.07 3,771.07 Gala Refreshments 4,089.65 4,041.10 Other expenses 4,451.15 4,821.82 Sheffield Costs 6,028.02 5,086.13 (39,149.34) (38,131.12)

Other Sections Masters 3,471.00 (3,235.98) 3,164.00 (2,479.40) Diving 245.50 (1,158.61) 162.00 (508.19) Synchro 0.00 0.00 0.00 Open Water 0.00 0.00 0.00 Water Polo 925.00 (992.89) 925.00 (1,334.40) Water Polo Network 0.00 0.00 Development 3,430.00 (8,252.10) 3,357.52 (8,016.08) 8,071.50 (13,639.58) 7,608.52 (12,338.07) Other Income Bank Interest 177.54 Other income 0.00 Affiliation Fees 4,209.85 4,387.39 4,597.40 Other Expenditure Administration General (435.55) (898.62) Finance (1,883.64) (1,103.66) Promotion/Development (2,569.92) (1,310.29) Gratutities & Donations 0.00 (50.00) Dinner ACM & Mid Term Meetings (2,770.56) (2,427.00) Travel Expenses (526.59) (313.93) Depreciation 0.00 0.00 Audit Fee (50.00) (50.00) (8,236.26) (6,153.50)

63,255.96 (61,025.18) 60,201.17 (56,622.69)

Surplus/(Deficit) in Period £2,230.78 £3,578.48 Sussex County ASA Annual Report 2019-20

Sussex County Amateur Swimming Association

Statement of Affairs as at 31st March 2020

2019/20 2018/19 £ £ £ £

Balances B/Fwd Previous Profit and Loss Surpluses 67,148 63,570 Reserve Club Development Officer 0 0

Plus Surplus for Year as above 2,231 3,578

£69,379 £67,148

Represented By: Cash in Hand and at Bank (Sussex) 63,482 64,511 Cash in Hand and at Bank (WP Network) 410 410 Sundry Debtors 0 (1,672) Items Paid Inadvance 1,046 0 64,938 63,249 Less Sundry Creditors (2,326) 0 Items Received Inadvance (1,158) (2,651) (3,484) (2,651) Assets Trophies 0 0 Medals & Clothing 7,925 6,550 7,925 6,550

£69,379 £67,148

Mr B Deval Chairman

Report of the Examiner to the Members of Sussex County ASA..

I certify that the above Accounts have been prepared from the books and records of the Association and are in accordance therewith. I have not examined the physical holdings in stocks.

S Rose ACA Honorary Examiner

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