Romford Town Swimming Club
established 1900
Welcome to Romford Town Swimming Club
Proudly developing swimmers from Learner, County, District, National through to Masters level
Saturday 11th February 2012 - RTSC Non-County Qualifier Meet - Southbury LC
We look forward to welcoming you at Southbury Leisure Centre on Saturday and wish all swimmers good swims and an enjoyable evening.
- Warm Up - 5.30pm
- Start - 6.15pm
- Estimated Finish - 9.10pm
- Accepted Entries
If you spot any errors please let us know as soon as possible so we can correct the meet file.
Coach passes will be available for collection from the Admissions Desk.
Southbury Leisure Centre
192 Southbury Road
Enfield
Middlesex
EN1 1YP
map
We thank you for your continued support.
Friday 3rd February - 1st Friday Social - Abbs Cross School Canteen
Our first social of 2012 will start at 8pm. All swimmers welcome.
RTSC Swim Shop - Orders now being taken for Named club hats
RTSC club hats with the swimmer's name can now be ordered from Tracey Thompson who can be contacted by text on 07904 410998. Voice calls on this number should be made in the evenings only. The £10 cost must be paid before any orders will be made.
Medical and Emergency Contact Forms
Every swimmer needs to complete and return the following two forms to their squad reps. This is a requirement of Swim21 .
Maxine Harrison
Membership Secretary
Saturday 28th/Sunday 29th January - SE Region Masters Long Course Champs - K2 Centre,Crawley
Our Masters Section looks set for another good year with all who competed coming home with at least one medal:
- Dawn Palmer came home with 4 golds (400m and 200m IM, 100m Freestyle and 100m Backstroke) and 1 silver in the 200m Breaststroke
- Gary Wraight won 3 golds in the 50m and 200m Freestyle and 200m Breaststroke and silver in the 50m Breaststroke
- Alyson Fordham won three golds in the 50m, 100m and 400m Freestyle
- Kira Neal won gold in the 400m Freestyle
- Barbara Boxall won silver in the 100m Freestyle
- Janos Leigh won 2 golds in the 50m Backstroke and 100m Freestyle
- Tom Enright won silver in the 100m Freestyle and bronze in the 50m Freestyle
Several members of the club are now looking to Riccione where they will be heading in June to compete in the Masters World Championships.
Essex Age Group Championships 2012
Here are our confirmed Essex entries and details of warm up arrangements for each weekend:
Please could you ensure that all outstanding entry fees are paid as soon as possible.
Saturday 4th/Sunday 5th February - Derventio Excel Long Course Open Meet - Ponds Forge, Sheffield
This is a Level 1 meet licensed by the ASA for entry into National Championships:
Saturday 11th February 2012 - RTSC Non-County Qualifier Meet - Southbury LC
If anyone would like to donate raffle prizes for our meet on the 11th February, please give them to Janice Sturley or Karen Patmore (via squad reps if necessary).
20th January 2012 - Parents Night Out - The Archers
Thanks to all parents who attended and to Kevin Wilson (KEW Windows & Doors Ltd) for kindly sponsoring the event.
£215 was raised for the club.
Lost Ipod Touch
If anyone found an Ipod Touch at Central Park on Sunday could they please hand it in. The Ipod belongs to Billy Harrison and his mum, Maxine, is offering a small reward for it's return.
Saturday 14th/Sunday 15th January - Thurrock "Last Chance" County Qualifier - Blackshots Pool
Saturday 14th January - Essex League Division 1 - Waltham Forest
Town's swimmers did their best to raise the temperature at a freezing cold Waltham Forest Pool and despite several absentees continued their quest towards a 12th successive Essex League Title with another emphatic performance.
- Romford Town 243
- Canvey Island 188
- Braintree 177
- Basildon 156
- Runnymede 135
- Rochford 116
Saturday 7th/Sunday 8th January - Redbridge Winter Meet - Fullwell Cross
More outstanding swimming and a host of county qualifying times from Romford Town swimmers.
Saturday 11th February 2012 - RTSC Non-County Qualifier Meet - Southbury LC
Ideal for swimmers that haven't made County Age Group times and/or new inexperienced swimmers needing to develop? Our February Non-County Qualifier meet may just be the perfect event?
This short evening gala is great for those not having made Counties and for those new swimmers and parents needing to be introduced into the sport, but not put off by spending the whole day/weekend at the pool.
The closing date is 12th January 2012.
Saturday 14th/Sunday 15th January - Thurrock "Last Chance" County Qualifier - Blackshots Pool
Please see details of entries and start times below. RTSC has NO rejections.
Thurrock would be very grateful if any officials of any level would be willing to help out at the meet. Please email Lyndsey Motin if you are interested.
Jack Petchey Achievement Award Winners
Congratulations to our latest Jack Petchey Achievement Award Winners:
- September - Ben Davis
- October - Megan Smith
- November - Tommy Beardsell
Achievement Award Winners will receive a boxed medallion and certificate which will be presented at a Jack Petchey Awards Presentation Evening at the Kenneth More Theatre, Ilford on Friday 24th February 2012 at 7.30pm.
Each award is worth £200 to Romford Town Swimming Club. The money will be spent on Land Training equipment for the swimming squads including medicine balls and resistance bands.
Stephen Harris
Jack Petchey Award Co-ordinator
Saturday 17th/Sunday 18th December - Killerwhales Winter Meet - Basildon
Romford Town chose a local venue to round off their 2011 programme and nearly 50 swimmers made the short journey to Basildon’s new Sporting Village for the first Killerwhales Christmas long course meet. Town saw out 2011 in style with some exciting swims.
Christmas Raffle_Winners
- £25 Gogglebox Voucher - Ellie Harris
- Boxed Lanson Rose Champagne - Angie Ayling
- £25 Falltricks Hairdressers - Debbie Allsop
- Bowling Tickets for 4 - Dylan McConnell
- £25 Itunes Voucher - Isabelle Jopson
- Tin of Cadburys luxury Chocolate biscuits/Tin of Cadburys Heroes - Paula Moore
- Cava/Lindt chocolates - Sherri Manning
Thank you to everyone that supported the raffle and also to Number Ten Bowling, Tescos, Falltricks and Gogglebox for donating prizes. Also a big thank you to the Squad reps for giving up their time. £209 was raised for the club.
Lynn Connelly
Sunday 11th December - BWF Winter Meet - Waltham Forest Track and Pool
Romford Town's youngsters produced many outstanding swims in their final competition of 2011.
Saturday 3rd/Sunday 4th December - London Winter Championships - Crystal Palace
Romford Town swimmers followed up their successes at the previous County Championships the previous weekend with some very strong performances at the London Regional Winter Championships at Crystal Palace.
Saturday 14th/Sunday 15th January - Thurrock "Last Chance" County Qualifier Meet 2012 - Blackshots Pool
The last recognised swim meet for RTSC swimmers to gain their County times is at Redbridge on 7th/8th January 2012. Entries for the County Championships will need to be handed in no later than Monday 9th January.
However, for those swimmers that are close to a particular County time and want a final opportunity to achieve it, the Thurrock meet on the 14th/15th January offers very last chance.
Only enter events where a County Time hasn't already been gained and there is a good prospect of the time being achieved. If in any doubt, please speak to your squad coach. Please note that it is unlikely that any of our coaches will be available to attend this gala and it may be necessary for parents to share chaperoning duties between them.
Any additional county times achieved at this meet will need to be handed in separately no later than Monday 16th January 2012.
Forms to be returned to coaches by Monday 5th December 2011 - No Late Entries!
All RTSC entries will be forwarded electronically to Thurrock by Joanne Coles in the normal way. Once we know who is going and once the availability of coaches is confirmed, we will look to organise a rota of poolside helpers.
Saturday 26th/Sunday 27th November - DSE Short Course National Championships - Ponds Forge, Sheffield
This weekend Romford Town’s 13 years old Amy Marren was competing against the senior swimmers at Disability Sports Event short course Nationals at Sheffield’s Ponds Forge Pool.
Friday 25th to Sunday 27th November - Essex Winter Long Course Champs - Basildon
This year’s senior/junior Winter Championships were held for the first time Long Course at Basildon’s 50 metres pool and Romford retained both of the trophies that were up for grabs. The Hugh Joiner cup for the overall Top Club was retained by an impressive margin of more than 300 points though Town were pushed to within two points for the Masters Shield, the Top Club trophy for the ‘distance events’.
Final Points Score:
- Romford Town 553
- Chelmsford 228
- Colchester 220
- Killerwhales 203
- Thurrock 178
- Borough of Redbridge 175
- Borough of Southend 122
- Runnymede 95
London Swimming Championships 2012 - Qualifying Times
Standing Order Changes
Can all parents please ensure that their standing orders have been fully updated by December to reflect the monthly squad fee increases that applied from July?
Can parents also make sure that any payment shortfall created as a consequence is remedied by either making a separate cheque payment (payable to RTSC) to the Treasurer for any missed months of increase or by making a separate BASC/Std Order payment using your existing standing order reference.
Cash refunds for the cancelled 100IM race at the 5th RTSC Open Meet are currently being distributed to all those swimmers who are fully up to date with their fees. Any payments due to swimmers who are in arrears will be used to offset any shortfall prior to issuing a refund. Separate email or written notifications are being issued to each parent whose refund is being used in this way to offset an outstanding balance.
Please contact the Treasurer by email if you have any concerns with the process being adopted or would like to confirm the precise balance on your child’s account.
Romford Town Christmas Party 2011
A big "Thank You" to our Disco Queens, Angie and Clare, for organising the party. £349 was raised to go towards a future activity for the club's swimmers.
5th/6th November - Thurrock SC County Qualifier 2011 - Blackshots Pool
A large contingent of Romford swimmers (Sunday's 400m swimmers below) descended upon the Blackshots Pool at Thurrock this weekend. Some super swimming culminated, once again, in many County Qualification times being achieved with some swimmers achieving QTs for ther first time.
Saturday 26th/Sunday 27th November - Essex Winter Long Course Champs - Basildon
28th to 30th October - British Gas ASA National Masters and Senior Age Group Championships - Ponds Forge, Sheffield
Romford Town swimmers claimed four British Records amongst a plethora of titles and medals.
Alyson Fordham set 3 new British Records in the 55-59 years age group:
- 100m Freestyle: 1:06.63
- 100m Individual Medley: 1:19.70
- 50m Freestyle: 29.92
Martin Lane, Kira Neal, Dawn Palmer and Mark Billyard combined to set a new British Record of 3:54.39 in the 120-years 4x100m Mixed Freestyle.
Saturday 17th/Sunday 18th December - Killerwhales Level 1 Winter (Long Course) Meet - Basildon
This is a Level 1 Meet aimed at higher level swimmers such as National and Regional qualifiers and good County Level swimmers
Entry times used must be Long Course times. You may use the Pullbuoy converter to convert your short course times to long course
Forms to be returned by Monday 7th November 2011 - No Late Entries!
Saturday 22nd October - Essex League Div 1 - Braintree
Town began their quest for a 12th successive Essex League Title with an emphatic performance.
Gala result:
- Romford Town 256
- Canvey Island 183.5
- Runnymede 176
- Rochford 144.5
- Braintree 131
- Basildon 125
A "Thank You" from Valerie and Ron
Valerie and Ron Engstrom would like to thank everyone for their good wishes. We are getting there, but still have aches and pains and high blood pressure. But thank God, we are still here.
Hope to be back to Learn to Swim soon - "Oh dear" some will say!
Thank you
Valerie and Ron
Sunday 11th December - Borough of Waltham Forest Winter Meet - Waltham Forest Track and Pool
This is a Level 3 Event and is Licensed By The ASA for entry into County And District Championships.
Forms to be returned to coaches by Monday 24th October
Saturday 3rd/Sunday 4th December - London Swimming Winter Championships - Crystal Palace
Forms to be returned to coaches by Monday 24th October
Amy Marren sets new British Disability Record
13 year old Amy Marren has smashed the British Record for the 200 metres Backstroke in the S9 category. With a great swim she broke the old record by almost 15 seconds setting a new mark of 2:37.99. The old record had stood since 1994.
Saturday 15th/Sunday 16th October - 5th Level 3 Licensed Meet - Southbury LC
Congratulations and thanks to everyone that played their part in contributing to another successful swim meet,
Claire (Wilson) would like to thank everyone who contributed food and drink for the weekend and everyone who helped her on the day. It certainly made her job as 'Catering Manager' less stressful.
Here are the results:
Saturday 8th October - Essex Mini League - Loughton
Town's youngsters concluded their Mini League season in fine style with another gala win and a host of PBs.
Gala result:
- Romford Town 177
- Braintree 140
- Clacton 131
- Witham 124
- Havering Dolphins 87
Saturday 8th October - National Arena League London, Division 1 - University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield
Romford Town got their 2011 National Arena League campaign off to a solid start in what was seen as the tougher half of this year’s opening round draw. The new 16 team Division 1 format has strengthened the level of competition, but Romford have given themselves every opportunity of making their sixth consecutive Regional final. They will need to up their game further in the next round though to make sure.
Gala result:
- Hatfield 364
- Ealing 319
- Teddington 241
- Romford Town 228
- Watford 226
- Edmonton 204
- Sutton and Cheam 142
- Greenwich BM 71
Romford Town Christmas Party 2011 - Change of Venue
The Christmas party disco is now booked and is fast approaching us. The date of the big event is 19th November from 7pm till 11pm Bring young own drinks and nibbles. It's being held this year at the Age Cornern Hall, Inskip Drive, Hornchurch, RM11 3UR. Tickets can NOW be purchased from Angie/Clare. Prices are £7 adults, £5 children or a family ticket for £20. Any profit made from the party will again go back into the club. Each ticket will have a number on which will automatically be put into a raffle on the night. So come and join the fun!
2nd October - South of England Junior Arena League Final - Birmingham
Having gained their place through winning the M11 region earlier in the year they took their place in Birmingham. With four teams from six going through to the National Final, despite competing against larger clubs with their greater strength in depth, there was a good chance of progressing.
The first few relay events of the program was to demonstrate how tough the challenge was going to prove.
Result:
- Borough of Hillingdon 208
- Boldmere 206
- City of Norwich 197
- City of Derby 150
- Romford 138
- Weston Super Mare 119
Jack Petchey Winners (January to June 2011)
Congratulations to our Jack Petchey Award winners for the first six months of 2011:
- January - Charles Sturley
- February - William Manning
- March - Erin Corney
- April - Ellie Harris
- May - George Foley
- June - Jodi Whitehead
Romford Town Christmas Party 2011 - Change of Venue
The Christmas party disco is now booked and is fast approaching us. The date of the big event is 19th November from 7pm till 11pm Bring young own drinks and nibbles. It's being held this year at the Age Cornern Hall, Inskip Drive, Hornchurch, RM11 3UR. Tickets can NOW be purchased from Angie/Clare. Prices are £7 adults, £5 children or a family ticket for £20. Any profit made from the party will again go back into the club. Each ticket will have a number on which will automatically be put into a raffle on the night. So come and join the fun!
Stubbers DVD
A big thank you to everyone who purchased one of the DVDs. We have managed to raise £75 which will go towards the club. If you have not yet had the chance to buy one, then please see either Angie or Clare who still have some left.
Saturday 17th September - David Jacobs Memorial Gala - Southbury LC
A very big thank you from everyone at RTSC to everyone who contributed to the David Jacobs Memorial Gala on Saturday which was an enormous success.
London Swimming Awards
Ron Engstrom (Lifetime Achievement), Elena Sheridan (Swimmer of the Year) and Gary Rogers (Coach of the Year) with Mark Foster.
5th -10th September - European Masters Championships - Yalta, Ukraine
There was more success for Romford Town swimmers on the international stage as two Masters members returned from the Ukraine with European medals
Kay Hamilton (30 - 34 year age group), swam a 4 event programme, including the 800m Freestyle, 200m Butterfly, 100m Butterfly and a gruelling 3km sea swim. This produced her first ever European Championships medals, a 800 Freestyle silver, in a time of 10.51.90, and a 200 Butterfly bronze, in a time of 3.02.50. The sea swim was tough, navigating large quantities of jellyfish, waves and currents to finish fourth in a time of 47 minutes.
Mark Billyard (25 - 29 year age group) completed the 200m Individual Medley, 800m Freestyle, 200m Butterfly, 100m Butterfly and 50m Butterfly events and the 3km open water. This was his first ever European Championships and he managed respectable placings, ranging between 4th and 6th across each of his events. In the 3km open water sea swim, and came 5th in the age group with a time of 41 minutes.
Tuesday 13th September - B Squad Parents Meeting - Abbs Cross Canteen
Kevin's meeting with B Squad parents will take place at 6.20pm in the school canteen.
10th September - London Disability Championships - Hillingdon Pool
There was a strong turnout for this year’s London Regional Disability Championships, swum short course at the Hillingdon pool on Saturday.
Romford's Amy Marren was in great early season form as she finished the day as the competition's most successful female swimmer. She set PBs in three of her four swims, securing the gold in each of her 50m and 100m Freestyle, 100m Backstroke and 50m Butterfly events.
In the 100 metres Backstroke, Marren sliced nearly 3 seconds off her previous best. Recent work on her Butterfly in the training pool had clearly paid off as she took the 50m butterfly crown beating Chelsea & Westminster’s 17years old Jess Harper for the first time.
7th-13th September - Commonwealth Youth Games 2011 - Isle of Man
15 years old Elena Sheridan made the perfect start to the new season at the Commonwealth Youth Games on the Isle of Man.
Having returned from a well earned holiday only a few days before departing with the England Youth team for the Isle of Man, Sheridan’s break had clearly not taken anything off of her competitive edge. A relatively comfortable heat swim of 2mins 12.43secs, in her main 200 metres Butterfly event gave her pole position for the final. A stunning final performance saw her power her way to gold in a new British Junior Short Course Record time of 2mins 09.85secs, to finish more than two seconds clear of silver medallist, Australia’s Venessa Puhlmann. England's Rachael Kelly was three seconds further back in 3rd place.
Another strong swim, this time over 400 metres, secured her a place in the girls IM final as second fastest. A PB performance in the final gave her the silver medal with a time of 4mins 44.27secs just a couple of strokes behind Northern Ireland's Sycerika McMahon. Sheridan’s second place time of 4mins 44.27secs smashed Essex County’s longest standing Senior and Junior record times, set by Southend’s Olympian Sarah Hardcastle in 1984, by more than 1.5secs.
The 100m Butterfly final immediately followed the 400IM final and a tired swim of 1:02.51 still earned a creditable 6th place.
10th September - Essex Mini League - Braintree
Whilst Elena Sheridan was taking on the best youth swimmers in the Commonwealth, Town's younger swimmers also got their new season off to a perfect start.
- Romford Town 170
- Rochford 152
- Braintree 136
- Basildon 128
- Harwich 101
Stubbers 2011
The sun came out and that is where it stayed for the Romford Towns Stubbers trip 2011, and what a great day it was. Fifty children took part in the four activities that we had lined up for them. From Jacobs Ladder to Raft Building all worked together and made each event a great success which once again shows the team spriit we have at the club.
I would personally like to thank each and every child that attended, for representing Romford Town in such a superb manner, your behaviour was excellent towards the activity leaders and volunteer parents. I hope you all enjoyed yourselves and are looking forwawrd to Stubbers 2012.
A big thank you also to all my helpers Clare and Stephen Harris, Dave Benson, Peter Coles, Bev and Andy Corney, Sue and Simon Witton, Ian Manning and Jo and Kelly Merritt. Also to our resident photographer Paul Cribb who followed us round all day long capturing every fun filled minute.
Many thanks
Angie
Stubbers Photos
To raise funds for the club Paul Cribb has very kindly offered at his own expense to put the day's photos on to disc. These will be priced at £3 each with all monies going straight to the club. These can be purchased from Angie Ayling or Clare Harris.
Thank you again Paul.
ASA Aquaforce London Region Athlete of the Year (Swimming) 2011
RTSC are pleased to announce yet another award. This time Elena Sheridan has been awarded a London Swimming Award in the category Athlete of the Year (Swimming) 2011.
Elena too will be receiving her award at the ASA Annual General Meeting on 15th September. Well done Elena - very well deserved!
Stubbers Success
On behalf of everyone who attended Stubbers on Saturday 3rd September - the Committee would like to a say a big "thank you" to Angie Ayling and all the other helpers who gave up their Saturday to make the day an enjoyable one for everyone who attended.
If anyone else has an idea for another team social day for all the squads or parents, or for a fund raising event and would like to run it by the committee please don't be shy - we'd love to hear from you! If we can bring in more revenue through fundraising it will enable the club to grow and we will be able organise other enrichment opportunities as well as help club fees down. We can't do it without the support of willing parents who are prepared to organise it though.
2011/2012 Calendar
Here is our proposed programme of events covering all squads for the coming season. This is subject to changes and additions as we move through the year.
Gary Rogers Scoops Two Awards
The awards are coming thick and fast following the club's outstanding results last season. It's now a double celebration for RTSC in relation to the ASA Aquaforce London Region awards, as alongside Ron Engstrom winning his award, Gary Rogers has won London Coach of the Year (swimming) 2011.
In addition, Gary has also won an award at this year's British Swimming Coaches Associations (BSCA) Awards Conference on the weekend of the 24th September.
ASA Aquaforce London Region Coaching Award
RTSC are pleased to announce that Ron Engstrom has been awarded the ASA Aquaforce London Region Coaching Award in the category Lifetime Achievement Award 2011. He will be presented with his award at the Annual Meeting of London Swimming on 15th September. Regional Coaching Award winners will be nominated for the relevant National Award (Swimtastic, Aquaforce or BSCA). Let's hope it will be a 'hat trick' for Ron in 2011!
Stubbers Update
Just to confirm arrangements for the upcoming Stubbers Activity Day on Saturday 3rd September.
Please can all the children arrive by 8.30am just so they can be put into their groups and be ready to start promptly. They will all need to bring a packed lunch and we suggest an empty drinks bottle which we can fill up as the day goes on if necessary. Spare clothes,swimming costume and extra trainers will be needed for when they go on the water activities as they will get wet!
After the day's activities there will be a bbq and some team games to finish the day with. The children will then need to be collected for 7.30pm. Fingers crossed for some good British weather and hope they all have a great time.
Any parent who previously volunteered to help on the day could they please contact me or Clare . Many thanks.
Photos will be taken during the day by one of the parents and will be available to buy on disc at a later date. If any parent does not wish their child to be photographed please can u let us know prior to the day.
Angie Ayling
Saturday 17th September - David Jacobs Memorial Gala - Southbury LC
RTSC are hosting a Gala on the 17th September in memory of David Jacobs who tragically lost his life to leukaemia earlier this year.
We are looking to share the proceeds from the gala with David's parents chosen charity. "CLIC Sargent" To increase our donations we are offering any businesses or anyone who would like to place a 1/4 page advert in the programme at a reduced cost of £45.
You may also sponsor a race - individually of collectively at the cost of £35. There are only 5 races still available for sponsorship.
For more information please contact Lynn Connelly before the printers deadline of 19th August.
RTSC Qualified Judges
The Committee would like to congratulate the two RTSC parents who qualified this year as Judge 1 and the three parents as Judge 2.RTSC will be organising a Judge 1 course in September and we would urge as many parents as possible to apply for this. If you are interested in becoming a Judge 1 and attending this course please email romfordtownsc@aol.com
Bowling Tickets
We have four bowling tickets for No10 Bowling in Romford Brewery. Each ticket entitles 4 players to 1 game. We are offering these tickets out at £15.00 each (face value is £32.00). If you are interested in purchasing these tickets please email romfordtownsc@aol.com
Squad Representatives
Parents - would you like to act as a Squad Rep? We are looking for parents from each squad who will act as the link between the coaches and parents to ensure all messages are being relayed accurately. If you are interested please email romfordtownsc@aol.com
Revised dates - Essex County Age Group Championships 2012
- Block A - Basildon
- 17th February (evening 1500m only)
- 18th February
- 19th February
- Block B - Braintree
- 10th March
- 11th March
- Block C - Basildon
- 30th March (evening 800m only)
- 31st March
- 1st April
