Christmas Message 2024
Over the last 12 months the club has continued to be competitive in all it does, Our swimmers have travelled over the length and breadth of the country competing at all levels from local galas to National and regional events. Each time showing great competitiveness and commitment and being great ambassadors for the club.
We held our first standalone Gala as a club since before the pandemic – The Wigan Summer Sizzler. This was a huge success, and we had some great feedback from other clubs saying how much their swimmers had enjoyed it. This was a really good event for the club as it not only raised the profile of the club but also brought in some funding which due to the pandemic, had been lost in previous years. I am happy to announce that the sizzler is here to stay and we will be holding this years event 1st June 2025.
We also held our annual joint Gala with Tyldesley SC. The date on this one was moved from its usual place in May to a start of season meet in September. This gala was maybe not as successful as the Summer Sizzler, but it did produce a great weekend of swimming. With a few tweaks I believe we could make this into a really successful gala in the years to come. Again we received great feedback from the other clubs who attended and, as with the sizzler, there seems to be a fun element to our galas which isn’t necessarily seen at other pools. This is a real positive and unique element of our galas and something that will hopefully continue for all future meets here at wigan.
We held our annual swim camp weekend back in August, which was a really great event, 32 of our swimmers attended and again we have had great feedback from swimmers and parents on this. A massive thank you for all involved with this, especially coaches and Team Managers who gave up their weekend to make sure this could take place.
A special mention to Skyla Baybutt who was awarded the ‘Overcoming Adversity through sport’ award at the Believe 2024 Sports Awards. Everyone at the club knows Skyla’s story and the adversity she has gone through over the last few years. It is great to see her hard work and determination being recognised. It is always great to see Skyla at training and even better to see her back swimming in Galas. I’m sure everyone involved with the club is thrilled for Skyla receiving this award.
I would like to say as always, a massive thankyou to all our wonderful coaches, we really could not do it without them! Also, without the commitment and dedication of everyone else involved over the last 12 months, we would not have a club, so I would like to say an enormous thanks to you all as well. The club is run by volunteers who give up their own valuable time to make sure that, not only the day to day running of the club is in hand but are also sorting out events such as Galas, League meetings, swim camp, Presentations, and fundraising. We are always looking for people to get involved. There are lots of ways you can do this, we always need help and I urge anybody who can spare some time to get involved either poolside or behind the scenes to please get in touch.
HEAD COACH UPDATE
I am delighted to announce that Zac Collins will be taking on the role of Head Coach, Zac is currently a Level 2 Teacher and some of you and your children will be familiar with him as he has been teaching at Wigan for some time now. Zac brings with him a great deal of technical knowledge due to his time spent teaching swimming and will be a great addition to the coaching team.
Zac will be taking on the role in a development capacity for the next few months, under the watchful eye of Michelle he will gradually take on more responsibilities until up to full speed. Zac is used to being poolside due to him teaching and has already started to build up a good rapport with our swimmers and coaching team.
On behalf of everyone I would like to welcome Zac into the club and to wish him all the very best.
Dates for the Diary
Wigan Development Distance Meet Sunday 5th Jan (AM)
Wigan Development Gala Sunday 5th Jan (PM)
First Session back after Xmas Monday 6th Jan 2025
Time Trials Sunday 19th Jan (13:00)
Wigan Summer Sizzler Sunday 1st June
And Finally…
on behalf of the club and the coaches, I would like to wish you all a Happy Christmas and a great new year!
Graeme Wilson
Chair of Wigan Swimming Club
