focusinterview.
PORT MACQUARIE
CLUB
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i Warren. How long have you been President of the Port Macquarie Swimming Cub? I became involved in the Port Macquarie Swimming Club when I moved to the area in 2005. I have been a committee member since 2006, Treasurer from 2009 - ‘12 and President since May 2012. At this year's AGM, you were also voted in as President of Swimming North Coast congratulations! What's involved with this role? Swimming North Coast covers an area from Stroud in the south to Tweed Heads in the north. My role, along with the other members of the management committee, is to promote the participation and the sport of swimming on the North Coast and also to be responsible for the leadership and administration of Swimming North Coast. What's your personal background with swimming? I grew up in Warialda in Northwest NSW, where swimming was the major summer sport. One of the local businessmen built a small pool, which was used by the community until the olympic pool was opened in 1968. Even though the season only ran from October to the end of March, we had weekly club nights and attended carnivals, much the same as we do now, without the technology.
It’s dry, the weather is heating up, but there’s a way to stay cool this summer … and what’s more, it comes with social benefits! Warren Phillips is not only President of the Port Macquarie Swimming Club, but also the President of Swimming North Coast, so he has a great understanding of what’s involved with being a member of your local swimming club. Warren explains that it’s easy to become a member! Our club had 10 training sessions a week, coached by Bill Kennedy, a keen parent, and squad fees were $1 per week. What were some of the highlights for the Port Macquarie Swimming Cub over the past year? Last season we had near record numbers of swimmers compete at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre the Country and State Championships run by Swimming NSW, with some excellent results being achieved. We also had a strong team attend Swimming Australia National Age Championships in Adelaide, which was very pleasing, as these are our future leaders within in club. We have also been successful with our expression of interest to host Division 1 of the Swimming North Coast Area Championships on the 23rd and 24th November; this is the only meet where all area clubs meet at the same carnival throughout the season. Swimming season is about to kick off! What are some upcoming events for the club? We start the season off with a two-day qualifying carnival on the 5th and 6th October, which is very well attended by local and visiting clubs, as it is the first carnival of the season and a great opportunity to gauge how their preparation for the upcoming season is progressing. Swimming club then starts on Wednesday 16th October. After that, the club will be able
help at club nights, carnivals and also with to attend swim meets every week up to the getting their swimmers to and from daily end of March 2020, with the highlights being training sessions. Swimming North Coast Area Championships, In this day and age, our club is also very Swimming NSW Country Regional, Country and grateful to our major sponsors. They are State Meets and Swimming Australia National McDonald’s Port Macquarie, Age Meet. Integer IT Pty Ltd, Laing Why would you and Simmons, BJ Crowley encourage people to Plumbing, Men@Work, become involved with THE PORT Caltex, Ipco Cleaners, their local swimming MACQUARIE Cascade Pools and Spas, clubs? SWIMMING CLUB Spanline Picton Bros, and The Port Macquarie CATERS FOR Hanks Optometrists. Swimming Club caters SWIMMERS OF ALL Where can we find out for swimmers of all ABILITIES AND AGES, more info? abilities and ages, as AS LONG AS THEY For further information long as they are able to ARE ABLE TO SWIM regarding the swimming swim 15 m or further. 15 M OR FURTHER. club, you can contact Swimming club is a fun me, Warren Phillips, on environment where the 0414 781 565; our race swimmers are competing secretary Naomi Rankine against their own times at pmscracesecretary@gmail.com or our club each week. registrar Chris Howe, pmscregistrar@gmail.com The times are recorded throughout the year. The Port Macquarie Swimming Club Facebook Competitive swimmers also swim at club nights, site is https://www.facebook.com/PMQSC2444/ as well as the many weekly swim meets, with Alternatively, the Port Macquarie Swimming the aim of gaining qualifying times for Area, Club meets Wednesdays from 5:45pm at the Country, State and National Championships. olympic pool in Gordon Street from the 16th Whom would you like to thank for supportOctober 2019. Any interested swimmer is more ing swimming at a local level? than welcome to come along and try. As with many sporting clubs, we would not Thanks Warren. be able to able to operate without the help Interview: Jo Robinson. of all our volunteers. Our qualified Technical Thanks also to Judith Rumbel, for assistance Officials are required at all qualifying carnivals with compiling the interview material. - and importantly, our many parent volunteers Greater Port Macquarie focus 59