Welcome to the first edition of the new Menzieshill Swimming and Water Polo Club newsletter. 1999 has been a great year for swimming, water polo and fund raising, as you will read in the following pages.

This newsletter will be produced twice a year and the publication dates are June and December 2000. Its success will depend, in part, on you and the comments and feed back, so get in touch if you have any points you want to raise or submit an article.

Ryan Laird, Editor

The AGM took place in November 1999 and the new office bearers for 1999/2000 were appointed. After 27 years and 8 months, Frank Jordan stepped down as President. On behalf of all club members (past and present), families and friends, Jim Mochan thanked Frank for his commitment and dedication to the Club over the years. Effie Murray, who has been with the Club for over 20 years, was congratulated for her valuable contribution. Frank was appointed as Honorary President of the Club and Effie was appointed a Life Member of the Club.

Chic Mitchell, the Club’s new President said, "It is with great pleasure that I accept the position of President of the Menzieshill Swimming and Water Polo Club. I would like to thank all concerned for appointing me to this position. I’m sure that with the support of all coaches, committee members, parents and swimmers we will take the Club forward. I have a difficult and almost impossible act to follow because our past President is unique. We respect his wish to stand down but Frank will never be far away from the Club. I’ve known him for over 40 years and we all know we can count on him for many years to come. So Frank, don’t change your telephone number!"

We’ve been relegated from the Premier Division to the First Division. Nevertheless, I am sure that Debbie and her coaching team will get us up back to the Premier Division very soon. It is not just the coaching team who will need to put in the effort, we – the swimmers must be willing to put in the effort too. The standards in the Premier Division are very high. As a reminder, here are the swimming training times.

It has been a busy year with many competitions taking place. Most of the swimmers who competed this year achieved personal bests and some excellent swimming standards were achieved throughout all age groups (young and not so young).Training sessions have been going well but lately attendance on Saturday and Sunday has dropped, so please make an effort to attend. All the coaches are working together to develop a training plan and hopefully the fruits of this labour will lead to our promotion. Date for your diary – Monday, 20 December, 7.30 pm, Olympia – Christmas Sprint Gala.

This year has been an excellent year for fundraising. We have held many functions and events including – bingo, barbecue, family fun night, adults disco, quiz night, Web Ivory, Christmas fayre and Avon. Thanks to everyone who contributed towards and participated in the events. By the end of the year, we expect to raise £2000. This extra income will help the Club to function and expand into the new millennium. It is hard work and fun so please continue to support us and let us make the year 2000 an even better one than this. Watch this space for news about fund raising events. If you have, any ideas please contact members of the Fund Raising Committee.

18 December 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm

27 December Christmas Party – An event not to be missed!

And finally, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year