Satellite Swimming Club
Introduction
Satellite swimming club was founded in 1972. Our aim is to encourage and develop swimmers who wish to compete against other swimmers and Clubs. Competition for swimmers now exists in varying age groups at Club, North Midlands local association, County, North West Region, National and International level.
Satellite Swimming Club has produced swimmers to represent District, County and EnglishSchools; had swimmers selected for English Talent Development groups, Olympic Development Squads, the EnglishSchools, Junior, Youth and Senior National Teams and produced GB Olympians in both 1992 and 1996.
A copy of the Club rules may be found on the Club notice board which is situated opposite the Family Changing Room. This, together with the Club website (address given above) is our main form of communication to all swimmers and parents, so please take time to browse it regularly.
The Committee
Supporting both swimmers and coaches is a Club committee. The committee consists of 10 official members and other supporters and meets once a month usually on a Wednesday evening. If you would like to be involved in the running of the Club there are always ‘jobs’ available from a small one-off commitment to regular involvement, please speak to one of the committee members if you are interested in helping. The Club’s annual general meeting is held in December and the Club membership year runs from 1st January to 31st December as does membership of the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA). Both Club and ASA membership fees must be paid before 1st March each year, otherwise the member will be suspended from all swimming activities. Training fees are by Standing Order and payable over a 12 month period. Families with a second swimmer are given a 20% discount on that swimmer.
Training Schedule
Development Group (tranisition between teaching classes and Club)
Monday 7:30 – 8:30pm, usually in training pool
Wednesday 7:30 – 8:00pm, usually in training pool
Junior Squad
Monday 7:30 – 8:30pm
Wednesday 7:30 – 9:30pm
Friday 7:30 – 9:30pm (top juniors), lane 8 main pool
Friday 8:30 – 9.30pm
Saturday 8:00 – 10:00am
Sunday 8:00 – 10:00am
Senior Squad
Monday 7:30 – 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:30 – 9:30pm
Thursday 6:30 – 8:00pm
Friday 7:30 – 9:30pm
Saturday 8:00 – 10:00am
Sunday 8:00 – 10:00am
Long course training (50 meter pool) is also available for senior squad members, together with additional training for National swimmers.
Land training is also available to both junior and senior squad members; this occurs Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening prior to swimming from 6:45 – 7:15pm.
Speaking to Coaches
Members of the committee/senior squad parents are available in the viewing balcony on a Wednesday evening from 7:30 – 8:30pm if any parent needs to speak to someone about swimming. Coaches are available to discuss any matter that affects swimmers after training sessions. They can be located by the Satellite notice boardfor about 15 minutes following all training sessions. Please do not approach coaches whilst they are coaching.
Finance
Unlike most of our main rivals, Satellites are totally self supporting. We get no assistance from the Borough or County Councils and spend an enormous amount of money annually on pool hire (with no discount). Our main source of funds are training fees, teaching class fees, membership subscription and our annually run open swimming gala profits. You can help by always paying your training fees and subscription on time and when your child/children change training times or squads by quickly changing your standing order so that months do not elapse before payments are amended. Also please pay any outstanding balances promptly.
Sponsorship
As mentioned earlier, our annually run open swimming gala is a major source of income and it is one area where, as a club, we have had some success in obtaining sponsorship and advertising. Since 1996 R.H.Stevens Group of Macclesfield has been a major sponsor of the Open Meet. However we cannot depend on their support alone, more sponsorship and indeed a ‘Club’ sponsor is needed. If you know of any company or person who might be willing to act as sponsor please let us know. This can take many forms and we have had small to large sponsors in the past, and we would be willing to discuss all possibilities.
Competitions
Arena League, Deva League and Peaks and Plains Galas: These are all team galas with which Satellites are involved. The Arena League takes place in October, November and December each year. The Deva League galas are also swum towards the end of the year starting in September. Satellites use Peaks and Plains galas primarily to give inexperienced swimmers an introduction to competition. These galas run in Spring/Summer. Please watch the notice board for team selection sheets and tick your name to indicate you are available to swim.
Club Championships
This gala is held annually and every club swimmer is expected to enter and compete. Watch the notice board/website for entry forms and information.
Sputnik Galas
These are small galas organised within the club which give swimmers their first taste of competition. These are run under competition rules but every effort is made to encourage and teach the swimmers what happens at a competitive swimming gala.
Throughout the year we train for the purpose of competing at galas and trying to improve our times and progress within the sport. Your Coach will recommend a number of galas for you to attend and they will normally hand the relevant entry and gala details direct to swimmers, alternatively information is available via the website, just follow the fixtures link on the home page.
Thank you for becoming a Satellite swimming member and we look forward to many years of success together.