“Count every lap, and make every lap count” is a familiar refrain from our awesome coaching team. And if there was a theme for the club year then that would surely qualify.
In the hectic schedule of everyday life and training it can sometimes be difficult to sit back and appreciate the enormity of progress. Our recent annual presentation night provided such an opportunity. And for those disinterested in the significance, there was ample pizza and cake to fuel even the most starving of swimmers.
We were delighted to welcome Mrs Poole, Abbotsleigh School Principal, and Mrs Wheatley, Aquatic Centre Manager, to join the celebrations alongside a room full of coaches, swimmers and parents. The evening started with tables sagging under the weight of certificates, trophies, prizes, medals, named caps and food. Club president Chris skilfully orchestrated proceedings whilst others worked furiously behind the scenes to put on a great show.
Guest speaker Nick Wheatley inspired us with his story of rowing a boat to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympics. His backstory included comments from school peers that he did not have the physique to be a serious rower. There were lessons of commitment, focus and the realities of taking it easy for everyone in the room. His Grandmother’s Olympic medals were on display to underline the legacy of commitment.
Special mention must go to the unseen team that compiled the mass of results, purchased the awards and accurately personalised them in time to delight the excited recipients. This was an evening driven by voluntary effort in all departments. Swimmers turn up before dawn 52 weeks per year because they want to. Coaches and trainers are paid (a little) but this in no way fully compensates for their time and effort. Parents and administrators similarly do it for the love.
During the year Abbotsleigh swimmers swam a distance equivalent to 3 times round the world. That’s 2.3 million laps! We are clearly making those laps count.