April 2008
Herts League Div 3 Winners !!
Having won the first round of the competition back in January, surprising much larger clubs with a greater pool of swimmers, the team managed to hold on to their pole position in the second leg but had to share the honours with Buntingford.
Entering the weekend's final round after being unable to train due to the closure of Astley Cooper pool until last Monday, had caused great concern for the swimmers' fitness.
But Fifolits managed to pull off a memorable victory over their rivals, scoring a fine points total of 103 after some excellent team work.
"I asked the whole team to give 150 per cent and that is what I got!" beamed head coach Bob Wells as he congratulated his team.
Saturdays achievements included 43 Personal best times, 18 First Places, 11 Second Places and 4 Third Places.
Fifolits has grown over the past five years as members have filtered upwards from the highly popular Saturday Swim School at Astley Cooper Shool.
Newspaper article can be viewed
here http://www.hemeltoday.co.uk/sport/Teamwork-is-key-to-Fifolits.4010590.jp
from league chairman Alan Bowell.
(Kris Gruber Photography)
July 2007
We are holding our 2007 AGM on Friday 6th July at 7.30 Pm in the school hall after 1 hours fun swim.
Please come along and see how we have been doing over the last 12 months and let us kniow what you want for the club over the next 12 months.
May 2007 News
A
very belated Happy New Year to you.
Christmas seems a long time ago and already we have swum at 7 galas this year.
We hope that you are enjoying the new coaches and are seeing
improvements in the standards of our swimmers.
Again, we hope you find this newsletter useful, and welcome feedback.
If there is anything you would like to see in it, please email
debbie_brown28@hotmail.com
Coach’s
Corner
Since
the last newsletter much has happened.
Unfortunately MIke Cox has relocated to Berkshire so we have lost him
from club coaching although he is still doing our swimming lessons on
Saturday mornings. Bob has taken on the role of Head Coach and
Anna is sharing some of the burden. We have 2 new coaches
assisting our weekday sessions namely Becky and Aimee. Geoff
is also helping out with our busy Friday sessions till we find a full
time replacement for Mike.
We
have completed the Herts Major League and came 4th out of 11
teams.
In the Chiltern League we came 4th in Div 3.
Both
excellent results when you think of what our results used to be a coupe
of years ago.
This
year we had 4 swimmers competing at the County Championships and one of
our swimmers made it to East region Championships.
Time Trials
There will be time trials held throughout the year. Can you please make sure that as many swimmers as possible make it to at least one of these nights. This gives us an accurate time for each swimmer; they can receive their speed awards (if they qualify) and it also helps Bob and Anna with team selections for galas.
Training
We
have slowly been increasing the volume of training for the top group of
swimmers and have increased their distance from 2000 yds/hour to almost
3000 and we have switched the emphasis to Medleys.
The focus is always technique, but for Groups 3 and 4 we are also
trying to improve fitness levels.
Generally we are pleased with how the swimmers train and most of
you understand that you only get out what you put in!
There are still a few who try to avoid any hard work and swim as
little as possible.
These swimmers need to realise that they will not improve, will
be too slow for galas and will see other swimmers progressing past them.
It would be fantastic if all swimmers could try to do at least
two swims per week.
Nutrition
We get many swimmers coming to training and then not swim well because they have either just eaten or not eaten at all. We also get swimmers at galas saying that they have not eaten and then spend the whole gala eating sweets.
Here
are a few simple pointers:
Do
not eat a meal nearer than 1 ½ hours before training. If you do not have time to eat, just have a small sandwich,
bowl of cereal or a piece of fruit.
Eat as soon as you can after swimming – this is when the body
replaces energy most effectively
Have
a good drink of water before leaving home and then always go to the
toilet before swimming. If
you are swimming for longer than 45 minutes, also bring a bottle of
water or weak squash with you
Always
bring a bottle of water to a gala and sip it slowly throughout the
competition (NEVER fizzy drinks)
For
a normal team gala have a good meal 2 hours before swimming.
If you do than you will not need to bring food.
But if you must, then just nibble a small piece of fruit, a small
sandwich or cereal bar.
NO
sweets at galas!
That’s
all for now – keep up the good work.
If anyone has any concerns, both Anna and I are always pleased to
talk to you.
Time
Trials
Can you please make sure that as many swimmers as possible make
it to at least one of these nights.
This gives us an accurate time for each swimmer; they can receive
their speed awards (if they qualify) and it also helps Mike and Anna
with team selections for galas.
You
will have seen at most galas, that other teams have a strong identity.
We would therefore respectfully ask that if a swimmer wears a
swimming hat, please ensure that it is a Fifolits one.
We appreciate that it can be expensive, but we would also ask if
swimmers could wear a club costume and a club t-shirt.
T-bag versions are on order, and we have a selection of white
polo shirts with the Fifolits logo on for purchase.
Swim Shop
We
now have a supply of goggles, costumes, hats and T Shirts at the Club.
Lynne Moore has taken over running the Swim Shop and is happy to
order anything we don't have in stock. Lynne is looking
at Club Tracksuit tops (similar to those worn by Hemel). If you are interested, please put your child’s name on the
list poolside. Mike has
also asked if, where possible, swimmers replace fins with the shorter
version. This is not a
necessity, but if you are thinking of purchasing fins, it would be
useful if you get the smaller ones.
Lynne will also order these if required.
Please speak with a committee member on poolside.
Swimming
Lessons
There are swimming lesson places available next term for all levels, including 1 – 2 – 1 sessions for Adults and improver sessions for competent swimmers.
The cost for the term
depends on the length of the tern but works out to about £5 per lesson
from Age 5 upwards. We are now booking for September term
and spaces are limited
Contact Debbie on 07761 592532 or Mike on 01442 395632 for more details.
Parent Helpers
If
any parents out there would like to volunteer to help at galas etc,
please speak to a committee member.
We would welcome any help on offer, and would like you all to
feel involved in the club.
There are courses for time-keepers, and judges if anyone is
interested.
Also, if anyone would like to help ‘whipping’ – which means
getting swimmers to the right race and to the right end in relays –
please speak up.
IMPORTANT CLUB RULES
Here
is a quick reminder of the most important club rules, which will ensure
your training is effective and safe:
§
Please don’t run on pool-side
§
Don’t enter the pool unless told to do so
§
NO jumping or diving in the water unless told to do so
§
If you arrive late you must speak to the coach before getting in
the water, it is possible you will n not be
allowed to swim that session
§
Always swim a whole length and don’t stop halfway or walk
§
Only set off once the previous swimmer has gone under the flags
§
Only overtake at the ends. If
you want to overtake touch the person in front once on the toes and then
wait until the end. If you
have your toes touched speed up to the end and then let the swimmer come
past.
§
When you’ve completed a swim, stand quietly at the end and
listen to the next instructions.
§
NO handstands, diving under water, splashing or general mucking
about
§
Please don’t sit on or pull the lane ropes.
§
Swearing at and insolence to the staff or other swimmers will not
be tolerated
§
Please act responsibly and be safe in the changing rooms
§ When the coach is speaking WATCH, LISTEN and BE QUIET. How else will you know what to do?
Be
Safe -
Have fun -
Enjoy your self
Swimmers
who don’t follow these simple rules will not improve but more
importantly are ruining it and making it dangerous for others.
If
anyone messes up the training in any way they will first be warned and
then if they continue to be disruptive they will be asked to leave the
session.
After a written warning their club membership will be terminated.
