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Press Releases
Swim Club Celebrates 50 Years of Success
2 July 2010
The Nunawading Swimming Club has celebrated 50 years of success with an Anniversary Gala Dinner Celebration at Karralyka Centre in Ringwood last Saturday night.
Throughout the evening, the Club honoured its leaders including Foundation members, Life members, Presidents and Club Captains.
In attendance were many Foundation members who provided memories of the Council’s decision to form the Nunawading Amateur Swimming & Life Saving Club in July 1960 and the Nunawading Memorial Pool’s official opening in December 1960.
The Celebration recognised the major stepping stones in the Club’s history including the establishment of a quality swim school business and the transition from a District level club to now include squad programs at all levels of the sport including Club, State, National and International. In 2009 and again in 2010 the Club was recognised by Swimming Australia as the Australian Premier Club, a wonderful achievement.
Those interviewed on the night included Commonwealth Games and World Championship Gold Medallist Adrian Radley who spoke about his journey from learning to swim at Nunawading; up through the squad program and going on to represent Australia. “The Club provided me with the basic skills and pathways that allowed me to learn swimming in the swim school and remain in the program through my teenage and young adult years.”
Olympic Gold & Silver Medallist Brooke Hanson thanked the Club for their support since her arrival to live in Mitcham in 1996 and 1992 Olympian Rod Lawson spoke of his memories of support provided to him during his time at the Club.
The Celebration focussed on two key areas. The first was a trip down memory lane with plenty of photos and interviews of members from each of the 5 decades from 1960 to 2010. The major change for the Club and local community came when the new Nunawading indoor heated pool complex was opened in December 1976, enabling swimming all year round. Club Life Member Laurie Meyer was one of many recognised in driving the enclosure of the pool.
The second focus was on celebrating the core ingredients of a successful club. The night recognised all the persons who have worked or volunteered for the club over the 50 years including swim coaches, swimming teachers, volunteers, technical officials, Presidents, Club Captains and swimmers.
Former Head Coach from 1980 to 2000, Life Member, Club Patron and current Swimming Australia Head Coach Leigh Nugent spoke about his early days as a foundation member and swimmer through the 1960’s and then his experiences as a coach at the Club for 20 years.
The Club recognised the contributions made by Water Polo between 1960 and 1996, Synchronised Swimming from 1978 to 2000 and Life Saving over many years with special interviews and photos.
The final interview of the night was with former swimmer, coach and Life Member Megan Ryan with the focus on how the Club has acknowledged and retained its history through the awarding of a number of performance and major trophies in honour of past and present members.
Club President Malcolm Moore said “The night was an outstanding success and was a true celebration of the contribution and participation by families and individuals over 50 years. The relationship that the Nunawading Swimming Club and Just Swimming Swim Schools have developed with the City of Whitehorse and its resident has been nothing short of outstanding and the Club looks forward to many more celebrations in the future.”
Olympian Ashley Delaney returns home, December 2009
30 December 2009
Nunawading Swimming Club Olympic finalist Ashley Delaney is coming back to Nunawading to train for a week in the lead-up to the 2010 Victorian Championships. The Championships will be held at the Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre from 15th to 17th January 2010. Ashley will join fellow Nunawading swimmers including Olympic Gold Medallists Leisel Jones and Shayne Reese as the Nunawading team prepares to defend their number one ranking in Victoria.
The Championships are part of the swimmers preparation for the 2010 Telstra Australian Championships to be held in Sydney in mid March. The Club will be defending its National number one ranking at this meet while individual swimmers will be aiming to make the Australian teams for the Pan Pacific Championships and Commonwealth Games to be held later in the year.
Delaney will visit Melbourne in the week leading up to the Championships to train with team mates and will make a special appearance at the ‘Just Swimming’ School Holiday Swim Intensive Program on Wednesday 13th January 2010.
For all children who are enrolled in the week long swim intensive program at Aqualink Nunawading in the week beginning Monday 11th January, Delaney will meet them, sign autographs and be available for photos.
“I am really looking forward to racing again in Victoria and training with my team at Nunawading” said Delaney. “I am also looking forward to meeting all the children from the Whitehorse region on 13th January. I am keen to put back into assisting a swimming club that gave me an opportunity with my swimming and supported me when I came to Melbourne to train as a 17 year old”.
Parents of children aged up to 10 years are invited to phone Nunawading Swimming Club on 9878 7055 after Monday 4th January 2010 to book into the Intensive Program and meet Olympian Ashley Delaney.
Nunawading Swimmers Selected in Victorian Team, September 2009
12 September 2009
Six Nunawading Swimming Club swimmers have been selected in the Victorian Team to compete at the Australian Age Short Course State Teams Championships to be held this weekend at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.
Swimming Victoria has announced the team following the Victorian Age Short Course Championships held two weeks ago.
The successful swimmers selected on the Victorian Team are James Argiro, Jessica Batton, Michael Forno, Llewellyn Little, Stephanie Moore and Roxanne Perring.
The Club’s Head Age Coach Nick Veliades was also selected as one of the Victorian coaches.
“These swimmers have done a great job with both their training and competition performances over the winter season” said Head Age Coach Nick Veliades. “They have trained consistently through the cold months and are being rewarded for their commitment to the sport”.
“It will be a great challenge for all of our swimmers” said the Club’s Head Coach Amanda Isaac. “They will have the opportunity to compete against the best swimmers in Australia this weekend and we look forward to watching their progress at the Championships”.
Club President Malcolm Moore congratulated the swimmers and coaches at the Club Championships held on Saturday. He also thanked Swimming Australia and Swimming Victoria for their continued support of swimmers and for offering this new innovative State Teams Championship.
For a majority of swimmers, the Club Championships were their final opportunity to race for the winter season and many club members swam personal best times.
Medals were presented throughout the day by a variety of members including 2009 World Championship silver and bronze medallist Sarah Katsoulis and Olympic Gold medallist and triple Olympian Leisel Jones.
The highlight for all the 10 year and under swimmers was the opportunity to meet and have their photo taken with Leisel.
Record Number of Swimmers in Victorian Squad, July 2009
22 July 2009
Swimming Victoria has announced the State Development Squads for the 2009/10 season and the Nunawading Swimming Club has a record 28 swimmers selected in the squads.
With the squads just announced these swimmers join 17 swimmers who are supported by the Victorian Institute of Sport as they prepare for the major events in the second half of 2009 and first half of 2010.
Head Coach Amanda Isaac said that “The performances of Nunawading swimmers over the past 6 months have been excellent and their selection in these squads is a testament to the work they have done in training and the direction provided by their coaches.”
The Club congratulated Swimming Victoria on their continued support of swimmers in the region and for providing swimmers with the opportunities to gain competition experience and to train with the best swimmers in the State.
“Swimming Victoria continues to provide opportunities to develop talented swimmers within the State” said Nunawading President Malcolm Moore. “There is no doubt that the experiences provided to swimmers in the club have assisted in their continual development”.
The Victorian Development Squads provide the underpinning pathways to becoming a Victorian Institute of Sport athlete.
The following swimmers were recognised for their performances.
Open Development Squad – Amy White, Adam Parslow, Katie Bird
Target 2012 Gold Squad – Belinda Bennett, James Argiro, Llewellyn Little, Ellese Zalewski
Target 2012 Silver Squad – Samantha Bennett, Jack Currie, Travis Mahoney, Roxanne Perring, Sam Sheppard
Target 2012 Bronze Squad – Mark Bustard, Dylan Cossari, Liam Fisk, Michael Forno, Jessica Forster, Tyran Groves, Nikaylah Hanlen, Ben Haralambakis, Scott Huang, Kimberly McDonald, Nerice Smith, Alex Venning
Junior Talent Squad – Nicholas Groenewald, Joel Watson
Open Water Touring Team – Jessica Batton, Belinda Bennett, Kimberley McDonald, Sam Sheppard
Swimmers with a Disability Squad – Julia Algie
Swimmer selected for World Dwarf Games, July 2009
25 June 2009
Nunawading Swimming Club’s Samantha Lilly has been selected to represent Australia in this year’s World Dwarf Games in Belfast, Northern Ireland in July. This is the first time Australia has sent a team to the Games.
The team consists of 15 athletes, including 2 swimmers. Samantha will be presented with her Games uniform at the Short Statured People of Australia (SSPA) gala dinner on Saturday 4th July, with a Nunawading cheer squad in attendance.
The Games open on 26th July with Sam competing in the 50 free, 50 back, 50 fly, 100 free and the freestyle relay on the 28th July.
The World Dwarf Games will be Samantha’s first international swim meet.
Samantha’s coach Melissa Klamt is very excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for Samantha. “Sam has made a lot of progress over the past two years. She has committed to the training program that has been implemented for her and as a result has improved her performances across the board”.
“We all wish Sam well and congratulate her on selection for the team which is well deserved. Those who train with Sam know she is a dedicated athlete who always gives 100% at training. Sam is a huge support and great motivator to those around her”.
Yuri selected for Maccabiah Games, July 2009
25 June 2009
Nunawading Swimming Club’s Yuri Burunov has been selected to represent Australia at the 18th Maccabiah Games to be held from 12th – 24th July 2009.
The Maccabiah Games are an International Jewish athletic event, open to all Jewish people and is held in Israel every 4 years. The Maccabiah Games are also recognised as a Regional Games by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Close to 8000 athletes from 60 countries will be competing in 31 sports at the Games, meaning this is set to be the biggest Maccabiah Games since it began in 1957.
The Games are split into 3 categories: Juniors, Masters and Open.
Yuri will be competing in the Open section, racing the 100 fly, 200 fly, 100 free, 200 free, 100 back and 3 relay events over 4 days of competition.
Yuri’s coach Melissa Klamt congratulated Yuri on his selection. “Yuri is training well and is looking forward to representing Australia at these Games.”
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