Now on winter break, the club recently celebrated 14 of its members receiving awards in the 2024 Swimming Australia Junior Excellence Program as well as captain Matthew Vicic (pictured) being awarded the Champion of Champions Award after taking part in the most representative races plus Daniel Vicic, Leo Zhu, Matthew Vicic and Joseph Assi awarded over representing the club at Metropolitan, State and National Championship meets.
Club member Alison Sakurovs (pictured) also won her (and the club’s) first ever medal at the World Aquatics Masters Championships held in Japan, winning a bronze medal for the 200m Butterfly.
Club President Graham Edwards said that although the season was due to get underway again in October, he would be requesting a month’s earlier start and a longer season when he next met with the council, given that Guildford Pool was now closed for renovation.
“We have over 200 members, with swimmers of all ages participating in a range of activities from learn to swim classes, squad training and club races involving children and adults at Merrylands pool,” he said.
“It’s a great environment with family members racing against each other and team relays where the teams swim against their own nominated times.”
He said they were keen to get more participation from local schools given the worrying rise in drownings.
“Learning water safety is vital,” he said.
“If you can swim, you always have the opportunity to enjoy being in a pool or at the beach without any worry.
“It’s an activity you can do for life and a skill everyone should have.”
For more info: merrylandsasc.asn.au
Swimming club celebrates 56th season
CELEBRATING its 56th season this year, Merrylands Amateur Swimming Club boasts members aged from three to 72 and invites more local schools to get involved with their learn-to-swim program.