Masters Development Plans

There are many people who spend a considerable amount of their personal time contributing to Masters swimming in one form or another, not just for competitive Masters but for fitness swimmers as well. It is appropriate that their efforts are recognised by the Masters community through the annual Vivienne Cherriman award.

If you know someone who has given outstanding services to British Masters swimming in teaching, coaching or organisation you can get their contribution recognised by nominating them for this award.

A swimmer who encourages those in the South to continue to swim has been recognised for her achievements with an award from her sport.

Jenny Ball, who has spent the last 14 years dedicating her time to promoting swimming on the Isle of Wight, has been rewarded for her devotion and commitment to the sport by receiving the Vivienne and Leonard Cherriman Award.

The award is made annually by the British Swimming Board on the recommendation of the British Masters Committee to ‘the person or organization who or which has done the most to promote and foster the cause of Masters swimming in Great Britain.’

Masters swimming is aimed at anyone over 25 years of age who wants to swim, whether that is for casual fitness or wanting highly organised competitive swimming.

Nuala Muir-Cochrane, Lifelong Participation Officer for the asa, will soon be swimming the English Channel in order to raise money for Mind - The Mental Health Charity.

Dublin-born Nuala has worked for the asa for the last two years. When asked why she was doing the swim she said, “I obviously need my head testing! Swimming the channel has been an ambition of mine for a very long time and I thought I would do it now before I got too old!”

In her youth, Nuala was a senior GB international distance swimmer and sees swimming the channel as the ultimate challenge. “I want to push my limits,” she said, “and swimming the channel is obviously very different from pool swimming. I’m venturing into the unknown!”

Sat. 29 Nov to 06 Dec 2008 - Slovakia

Littledown Masters have opened up their training camp at Aquacity Poprad to masters swimmers of all ages who are able to swim 25m on all 4 strokes. The camp focus will be on developing stroke technique, with differentiated sets depending on strengths and ability.

The group booking package has a maximum of 30 places and includes flights and stay at the Seasons (3***) hotel and pool training sessions .Partners and non swimming family members are welcome.

For more information please contact Michele Cousins on michelecousins@hotmail.com

Total Swimming led by Steve Parry (Olympic Medallist) is launching a new event - The Master Class. These two day events are specifically designed for Masters Swimmers, presenting the opportunity to swim with Olympic and Commonwealth swimming stars under the eye of GB coaches.

Following the success of the All Star Days catering for age group swimmers there was a great demand to take a Total Swimming event to the Masters market providing Masters Swimmers with the opportunities to swim with and learn from the best in the business. Dorset County ASA has already budgeted for a number of its Masters swimmers to attend as part of its Masters development programme.

Parry explained why Total Swimming was keen to develop and deliver these events, “As you get older the desire to learn and improve skills grows and who better to learn from than swimmers and coaches who have been to the highest levels in the sport – plus it’s always a pleasure to swim in Olympic size pools like Ponds Forge”