Sackville Swim Club celebrates 30th anniversary

SACKVILLE, N.B. - The Sackville Swim Club will mark its 30th anniversary this year with a variety of special events and, according to president Ian MacIntyre, is designed to recognize the communitys contribution to the program and the clubs contribution to Sackville and area.

MacIntyre quickly points out that the role of the organization is to promote competition in the region through fun and fitness. He notes that swimming is one of the few sporting activities that folks can carry into old age. Currently there are a number of seniors using the Mount Allison pool, some well into their 80s.

As part of the celebrations, the SSC will stage its annual fundraising swim-a-thon but with a twist. Some of the illustrious graduates of the program will be invited to return and perform in the event. An open house is being planned and such items as T-shirts will be available. MacIntyre says the club is now training second generations of the same families.

Former Sackville senior administrator Barbara Campbell founded the Sackville Swim Club in 1976. Until that point, there had been no club and no head coach. Campbell recalls being asked by then Sackville recreation director Sue Lutes to take over the program, which she ultimately turned over to Ross Drysdale. Campbell had a strong background in all aspects of physical education, having graduated from UNB before becoming director of womens athletics at Mount Allison, working beside director Gus MacFarlane.

Campbell says when she became swim director there were 128 youngsters involved but this was before it developed a full structure and registration fees were initiated. At that time, the only cost was for pool rental and it was understood that was covered by the town recreation department.

This year, the club has 68 boys and girls participating and while the registration fee may seem a little steep, MacIntyre stresses that each person gets his or her moneys worth. For example, members of the more advanced Marshawks are in the water 10 times each week for 10 months of the year, meaning each swim costs roughly 13 cents as the cost is $633 annually.

The fees vary with the beginners or Marlins who pay $295 a year. The Seahawks a slightly more competitive group pay $430 for the privilege.

The swim club, like most organizations, has a none-left-behind policy as bursaries are offered to those unable to cover the costs. But it is noted that gearing up for the year is inexpensive, calling for only a bathing suit and swim cap.

In addition, there is a masters group of adults and these people pay a $20 monthly rate.

SSC treasurer Paul Barry notes that $105 of the registration fee is the cost of belonging to Swim New Brunswick. The remainder is used to cover such costs as $11,000 for pool time.

The club has a $75,000 annual budget each year with the bulk of the revenue coming in the form of registration fees, which total $45,000. Town council contributes $7,000. the sale of citrus fruit accounts for $15,000 and the swim-a-thon brings in $6,000 with some small programs.

In addition to the provincial registration and pool costs, the SSC covers the cost of equipment such as flutter boards, fins and stop watches and, of course, the cost of all officials and younger coaches who work under the direction of John Peters.

Barry, a former varsity swimmer himself, says one of the reasons for the clubs success in competition is because of their exceptional head coach John Peters.

John is a permanent full-time swim coach ensuring continuity and building an important bond between coach and club members. Johns special brand of enthusiasm helps the team to make commitments, set realistic goals and deal with successes and disappointments.

Peters, a NCCP level III coach, has been coaching competitive swimming for 21 years. He has been the SSC coach for 16 years.

Peters is Mount Allison aquatics director and coach of both the Mounties and Tantramar Titans swim teams. It is only because of his other positions that the local organization is likely to have a highly successful professional as leader.

Barry says Peters is no doubt the highest qualified coach dealing with such young people, some who have never learned to swim before becoming a club member. MacIntyre says Peters has been successful in instilling a desire in his students for conditioning and water safety as well as teaching all aspects of the sport.

Many swimmers are also involved in a second sport, which may not be permitted by some organizations.

Christine Wooley, the assistant coach, works with the Seahawks. She is a level II coach with seven years of experience, the last five with the local body.

Berry explains that, as expected, some local swimmers reach the national level in their age group while others simply enjoy the sport and combine it with other sporting activities like soccer, football and hockey.

Some of the top competitive performers coming through the system have been Krista Bowser who was a member of the Mounties, Jessie McFee at UNB, Karen Coates at RMC and Jennie Alexander at McMaster.

Nick Hastie went through the program and is now at the National training Centre as part of the national elite triathlon team. Andrew Snowdon and his family were all prominent in the sport as has Tara Stokes and Asia Bienkowski in addition to members of the Peters family, to name a few.

In addition to all the other programs, Peters supervises all of the Grade 4 students from District 2. The school district has an arrangement whereby the students are bused from Port Elgin and Dorchester as well as from Salem School.

Unlike some sporting groups, the SSC has never faced a parental problem whereby parents become frustrated or angry because their son or daughter has not been moved ahead quickly enough.

Peters says there is a simple answer to this in swimming everything is based on time qualifications and there can be no debate on these issues.

President MacIntyre says there is a tremendous amount of work involved in maintaining such an organization. For instance, an extensive record of performance times is maintained for every swimmer as demanded by the provincial association. Officials must be certified and in this regard parents have become involved especially in working at tournaments.

During the past two summers, many members competed in triathlons, tetrathlons and modern pentathlons. Six members attended national championships and five have been selected to compete in international triathlons, tetrathlon and modern pentathlon competitions in Australia, Germany, Cuba, USA and England and Ireland.

Home swim meets were held in October and January while they travel to the Mary Limpert championships, the N.B. Short Course in Moncton, the N.B. Long Course in Saint John as well as an annual meet in Charlottetown. The top athletes also get to compete in the Maine-Maritime meet as members of the provincial team.

The SSC accepts youngsters who have never been in the water and nurture many of them into competitive swimmers. Each member is permitted to choose his or her favorite stroke butterfly, breast, back or freestyle although advice is offered if the coach feels an individual may be better suited for another stroke.

The local clubs continues to function with 65 to 70 members each year and MacIntyre feels this is an ideal situation, although they are prepared to grow if the demand arises.

Working with MacIntyre and Barry on the executive are Christine Wooley-Barry (past president), Susan Summerby-Murray (secretary), Gay Hansen (fund chair), Karrie Stokes (team manager) and Sheilagh Callaghan (swim-a-thon).

It has just recently been announced that the major fundraiser the swim-a-thon - will be held this year on April 24.