Anaconda Swimming Club   Annual Report 2007

Anaconda is a small swimming club, affiliated to the Amateur Swimming Association, whose swimmers have achieved some exceptional successes during 2007, both as individuals and with team performances. Based in the London Borough of Islington (LBI) and serving the surrounding area, Anaconda works in collaboration with Aquaterra Leisure. In July, the Club was re-validated as a Swim21 Teaching Club by the ASA, with support from the Regional Development Officer.

Anaconda hired pool time from Aquaterra Leisure, the Corporation of London and Highbury Grove School. Four pools were in use, Cally Pool, Ironmonger Row Baths, Golden Lane Pool and Highbury Grove School Pool. Anaconda continued to benefit from the support/advice of IVAC (Islington Voluntary Action Council) training programme to support small voluntary organisations. Cally Masters swimmers continued to be associated with Anaconda, enhancing Anaconda’s extensive role. Tri London Triathletes continued to train as part of Anaconda until June when they took up an offer from Aquaterra.

The Club’s success is due to the commitment of coaches, swimmers and the many volunteer helpers.

Constitution: Under its constitution Anaconda Swimming Club has the following aims

-       to promote competitive swimming and the teaching of swimming in Islington and the surrounding London Boroughs

-       to develop the social education of the young people who attend the club, through outings and events

-       to promote the opportunity for employment through training in lifeguarding and lifesaving

Membership: At the end of the year a total of 557 swimming members had registered with the club, 495 of whom were aged 9 or over. This compares with a total of 577 for 2006 and 531 for 2005.

Galas: Anaconda entered teams for 20 Club galas, with excellent results, including

In 2007 Anaconda came 20^th in the National Speedo League (Division 1, London) compared with 19^th in 2006. In the Junior Speedo League Competition M11 Division, Anaconda came 5th compared with 8th the previous year. In the North London Graded League, Anaconda came 3rd out of the 8 competing clubs. Ray Haggan continued in his role as Competitions Secretary on a voluntary basis.

Middlesex County:. Anaconda entered swimmers for the Middlesex County Age Group 50m Sprints, the Middlesex County Championships and Age Group events in the spring, the Middlesex County Spring Development gala, the Middlesex County Autumn Development Gala and the Middlesex County Short Course Championships in December. A total of 53 swimmers entered the various events.

London Youth Games: Anaconda provided most of the swimmers in the teams representing Islington at the Mini Youth Games and at the London Youth Games held at Crystal Palace in July.

Disability swimming: Anaconda continues to offer training opportunities for swimmers with disabilities.

Staff: Anaconda employed 12 coaches and teachers on a part-time basis during the year:

Matt Lambert, Sean Duff, Lesley French, Michele Davies, Alan French, Noel Sullivan, Wayne

Lock, Carolyn McNab, Marie Rolf, George Georgiou, Jean Early, Harriet French and Miriam Power. 6 lifeguards were employed: Jan Sitek, Joe Roberts, Nicola Jackson, Suzanne Shale, Ben

Perry-Hulme and Cal McLean.

Ray Haggan was employed part-time as Club Administrator.

Summer Sprints and Club Championships: In July in the Summer Sprints Morgan Mockler and Freddy Cornwell won the trophies for Top Girl and Top Boy with Hannah Tyndal and Freddy Cornwell  commended as the most improved girl and boy. In December in the Club Championships Morgan Mockler and Freddy Cornwell again won the trophies for Girl Club Champion and Boy Club Champion with Valentia Costa and Freddy Cornwell commended as the most improved girl and boy.  Councillor Ruth Polling congratulated the winners of the Club Championships at the end of the year.

Club Records: 37 new club records were set during the year, some being repeatedly improved

by the same swimmer. 

Local Publicity: The Islington Gazette and the Islington Tribune provided valuable coverage of the Club’s achievements.

Anaconda Committee: At the end of the year, membership of the Anaconda Committee was as shown below. (Committee members work for the Club voluntarily in their spare time and are not paid by the Club.)

Report Ends