Colin Brown (RD) - This week: Saw a real step forward in terms of facility planning with the first presentation of the density maps showing different pool stocks across London. The first Borough to see this was Kingston who found it really useful as they plan their pool strategy. If you want to see the Density maps then you can view them as part of the soon to be released strategy - an updated version of which can now be downloaded from the home page of the website http://www.londonswimming.org/UserFiles/46/File/Strategy/FINAL_London_Swimming_Strategy.pdf.

 

Next week: Sees the formal presentations for the Beacon programme from the two applicants http://www.londonswimming.org/UserFiles/46/File/Swimming/Beacon%20Programme%20LS%20Position%2021_01_08.pdf as well as meetings with Richmond Council and the London University Swimming Team. At the end of the week Colin will be speaking at the Club and County Conference in Leicestershire on 'Human Resources for Beginners' and finally participating in the Cold Water Swimming Championships at Tooting Bec Lido http://www.slsc.org.uk/wwsc2008/index.php?page_id=1&lang=1 as a member of the BBC relay team. Unfortunately an expected water temperature of between 3-7 degrees isn't the only challenge that Colin will have to contend with as Will Collins (Chairman of London Swimming) is due to officiate.

Mark Griggs (REO) would like to remind everyone that the 66% skills active coaching bursaries are only available until the end of March, and the criteria has changed to include those working in leisure centres. Details can be found at ; http://londonswimming.org/page/:Funding_Opportunities or www.skillsactive.com/coachingbursary

 

Last Week Markwith the Pro-active East Workforce Development Group, to discuss what can be done for the workforce in East London. He has also been catching up on a number of admin tasks, including registering CPDs and Courses, so check out http://www.londonswimming.org/page/:Teacher_/_Coach_Training for the updates

 

The following training opportunities still have spaces please book now as a 10 day cut off date is now in force.

 

Mon 4 Feb 08                         6.30 - 9.30pm                         Safeguarding & Protecting Children - Edmonton Leisure Centre                                                      Enfield

Wed 6 Feb 08                         5.00 - 9.00pm                         Flip N Fun -Bancroft's School, Redbridge

Sat 9 Feb 08                         3.00 - 7.00pm                         Aqua Fun - Gurnell Leisure Centre, Ealing

11 - 15 Feb Level 1 Teaching Aquatics - Sylvestrian Leisure Centre, Waltham Forest

11 - 23 Feb Level 2 Teaching Aquatics -Feltham Airparcs Leisure Centre, Hounslow

18-22 Feb   Level 1 Teaching Aquatics - Whitgift School, Croydon

18 - 22 Feb Level 1 Teaching Aquatics - Finsbury Leisure Centre, Islington

 

For more information, to download booking forms, or funding opportunities for any IOS course or seminar, please visit www.londonswimming.org

 

Last weeks breaking news from Ben Campion (RDO), was that the position of Director of Swimming for Southwark was announced, an exciting collaborative position between Fusion (Leisure operator), London Swimming, Southwark local authority and Seven Islands Swimming Club. Also an exciting part time water polo coach in the West has also been created. For further details log onto www.londonswimming.org The remainder of the week has been split between looking at swimming pool capacity and various staff development days. Next week, Ben will be working on Swim 21 and will be spending some time with Cathy Carr to collate club audit information around Borough pathways and continuing his work around researching the state of swimming in London. . 

 

Last week Janna Callan (RDO), (with Colin) presented the host borough report to the ODA and Newham council, the feedback was positive and the report will now be presented to the five host boroughs on the 20th of February.

Next week Janna will be attending the CP Sport event, in Newham.

 

Last week Cathy Carr (RDO), attended a productive meeting with Barnet Copthall Swimming Club on Swim 21 and looked at the North and West Boroughs Community Sport and Physical Activity Network (CSPAN) projects. Next week Cathy will be attending the Masters and Senior Age Group competition at K2, Crawley and will be attending the Regional Swim 21 panel and RDO and team meeting. Cathy will be also meeting with the captain of the London University Swimming Team (LUST) to discuss improving links with higher education establishments and meeting with Ben Campion to collate club audit information around Borough pathways.

 

Last week Annabel Kehoe (EDS-Islington), worked alongside staff at Ironmonger Row Baths preparing for the ASA Level 1 teaching aquatics course which will be held from the 18th-22nd February. If you wish to enrol on this course please refer to the London Swimming website - www.londonswimming.org. She has also made arrangements for the Liquid Swim Programme to continue at Cally Pool. Next week Annabel will begin preparations to bring the Liquid Swim Programme to Ironmonger Row Swim Baths and will be meeting with Kate Sargant (Swimming Activity Manager) later in the week.

 

This week sees Jo Melchior (EDS-Lewisham), recovering from the excitement of the Swim Gospel launch at Wavelengths. Those of you who did not get to Deptford missed a spectacular event. The Choir were amazing as was the response of the young people who were swimming at the pool on Saturday. I will be posting photographs on my EDS website as soon as possible and when the "blog" is edited I will provide a link. This week has been mainly taken up with internal ASA matters, however next week sees work on developing several projects and some monitoring of the Refugee Swim Scheme, along with a meeting with the steering group for Looked After Children to discuss up scaling the project to teach their client group to swim.

 

This week Jo Calvino (RDDO), has been finalizing reports and working on the

business/development plans for a couple of regions. Jo met with the London

Diving manager and has arranged meetings regarding potentially new

facilities in London; and has been setting dates for development days in SW,SE &

London. Jo spent a day on appraisal training and attended the staff day.

 

The maps are in the final stages and next week will be Rita’s last week with London Swimming.