Lots of new helpers, a joint initiative with SportSpace to help recruitment, regular 50m pool training for invited members of top squads, and no general fee increase (if nothing changes!) were the headlines from last nights AGM.
A very well attended Club AGM last night heard reports from Joan as Club Chair, Alan as Head Coach and Ian as Treasurer. The formal minutes will follow as will details of the changes, but the headlines were as follows:
- A common theme from both Joan and Alan were the number of new volunteers over the past year in both coaching and support roles which reflected very positively on the general health of the Club. The number of senior swimmers involved in coaching roles was particularly commented on. But there can be no resting on our laurels; we still need people to manage health & safety, fund raising and the Club’s 100th Birthday Open in 2013!
- Alan outlined a new joint initiative between the Club and SportSpace called the Aquasplash Academy which will commence in July. Swimmers from existing SportSpace Aquasplash lessons that have the potential to join the Club will be invited into the Academy which will be managed by SportSpace but coached by members of the Club. The goal is to formalise and encourage the progression of good swimmers from Aquasplash lessons into the Club.
- Alan also announced a regular 2 hour training session on Sunday mornings at the new Luton 50m pool from September. Selected swimmers from County and Regional Squads will be invited to attend. The existing Sunday morning session in Hemel will be retained with Seals being allocated regular 25m pool training time.
- Ian reported that income in the current financial year was strong because of better than anticipated membership numbers and that costs had been well controlled. He presented a balanced budget for 2012/13 with approximately half of the additional cost of the new 50m pool time being absorbed by the Club and the balance born by those invited to take advantage of it. With the Club continuing to maintain a prudent cash balance the committee had decided that there was no need for a general fee increase at this time, although the committee does have the authority to introduce an increase during the year if circumstances changed.