In this short period of time, FS has welcomed back the FINA XIII World Championship team, hosted two Grands Prix, put 64 coaches through

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Lucinda Dickerson
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September 2009 Quarter 3 President: Dennis Miller Vice President (West): Chris Thompson Vice President (East): Terence Erasito Secretary: Peter Howard Treasurer: Carol Watkins Administrator: Sean

1 September 2009 Quarter 3 President: Dennis Miller Vice President (West): Chris Thompson Vice President (East): Terence Erasito Secretary: Peter Howard Treasurer: Carol Watkins Administrator: Sean Jacobs (AYAD) Third Quarter 2009: The Laps Continue Grand Prix #3 3 October, Nadi Coaches Association & Strategic Plan 17 October, Coral Coast Grand Prix #4 31 October, Suva SC National Championships November, Suva The mid-point of a busy swimming year has been surpassed with much gusto and zeal. July to September has seen a flurry of swim activity from the Board room to the pool deck. In this short period of time, FS has welcomed back the FINA XIII World Championship team, hosted two Grands Prix, put 64 through coaching programs, successfully received a grant from the Australian Sports Commission, continued with its strategic plan, conducted a Coaches Summit and formed a Swim Coaches Association. Such activities have worked in tandem with some fantastic swims particularly Lucy Joyce s 18km solo effort in the Fiji Ocean Swims, and Douglas Miller s blitzing of four SC Open Records at the Queensland SC Champs in Brisbane. Not to mention the other records that have tumbled in the past two months. A great effort so far by all in what will be an exciting finish to the year. Competitions: FINA Worlds, Grand Prix 1 and 2 Plantation Island Ocean Swim October Mana Ocean Swim 24 October Awards Night 27 November FINA World Championships The now well-documented success of the Fijian team in Rome elevated the level of awareness of swimming as a competitive sport in Fiji. Daily newspaper coverage across all forms of media tracked the team s success, which obviously would not have been possible without the athletes themselves swimming some fantastic races. Overall, five new national records were set by Paul Elaisa and Adele Rova. Every member of the team also swam some incredible PBs at Rome s Foro Italico. National Coach Maftoa Pene has written an extensive WC report which highlights every aspect of the competition. Please maftoapene@gmail.com for a copy. Grand Prix 1 The Nadi Sports Club turned on some beautiful weather to host the first of four Grand Prix series. Eight new records were recorded by: Gordon Thompson, Makos (U13 50 Back) Meli Malani, Stingrays (U13 50 Breast, 100 Breast, 50 Fly) Paul Elaisa, Tritons (U17 50 Fly) Cheyenne Rova, Barracudas (U15/U17 50 Fly) (cont. next page)

Page 2 of 5 Grand Prix 1 (cont.) Breast) the website.

Vinaka vakalevu to host club Nadi Barracudas. Grand Prix 2 Suva hosted Grand Prix 2, with a surprising eight records being set again.

Chanel Marley, Tritons (U11 200 Fly) Once again, for full results and times, please look under the news feed on Beachcomber Ocean Swim A Fiji All Star Team was formed for the 18km Ocean Swim relay.

2 Page 2 of 5 Grand Prix 1 (cont.) Breast) the website. Grand Prix # 1 at the Nadi Sports Club There are four Fiji Swimming Grands Prix this year Temafa Yalimawai, Tritons (U9 50 Back) For a full list of the times please peruse the Fiji Swimming website. Vinaka vakalevu to host club Nadi Barracudas. Grand Prix 2 Suva hosted Grand Prix 2, with a surprising eight records being set again. Temafa Yalimawai, Tritons (U8 100 Back, 50 Fly, 200 Wilisoni Malani, Stingrays (U Free) Toma Pene, Babale (U Fly) Paul Elaisa, Tritons (U Free) Ritia Pene, Babale (U9 200 Fly) Chanel Marley, Tritons (U Fly) Once again, for full results and times, please look under the news feed on Beachcomber Ocean Swim A Fiji All Star Team was formed for the 18km Ocean Swim relay. The team consisted of Nadibased swimmers Courtney Pene, Matia Taito, Ethan Gough, Daniel Fong & Cheyenne Rova. Makos Lucy Joyce joined a select club of Fijian swimmers by completing the swim solo in a time of 5 hrs, 4 minutes and 18 seconds. High Performance and Development Clive Power during the FMF 12 & Under IM Squad Camp September th saw the return of New Zealandbased Coach and Programmes Manager Clive Power to Fiji. After attending Grand Prix # 2 in Suva, Power held the Coaches Summit over two days before hosting on-deck pool sessions and video analysis seminars with Suva and Nadi. Coaches Summit The Coaches Summit [pictured right], allowed senior from the six swim clubs across Fiji to discuss the formation of a new squads program to streamline the development of competitive swimming. A key outcome of this meeting was the formation of a Coaches Association (CA). This informal body away from the governance structure of is aimed at boosting camaraderie between, allowing them to have input on their own development pathway. The CA will form input on issues such as the competition calendar for 2010, key overseas tours, accreditation programs and of course, the national squads program. FMF National IM Camp Fiji s top 12 & Under swimmers which form the IM Squad descended upon Nadi during the 18 th 20 th September.. Working solely with the IM Squad this visit, Power was on deck to deliver a more concentrated style of camp for Fiji s next generation of top swimmers. The IM athletes were also assisted by some of their senior counterparts from the Development Squad, who were on hand to provide demos. Vinaka to the Mako and Barracuda club members who provided catering and support throughout the weekend.

Latest efforts have seen four participants from the town attend the Green Level Course, followed by a meeting of community leaders with Thompson and Jacobs in early July.

3 Page 3 of 5 Community Development: Ba Project s efforts in the Western town of Ba continue to steadily roll on. The region renowned for its high rate of drowning deaths is an area where s Chris Thompson and Sean Jacobs have been heavily engaged. Latest efforts have seen four participants from the town attend the Green Level Course, followed by a meeting of community leaders with Thompson and Jacobs in early July. The aim of this meeting [pictured] was to discuss the inclusion of swimming into the district s school curriculum. Community reps pictured right included school teachers, principals, the Red Cross, the pool developer and even the town s head of police, who is avidly keen on a starting a swimming program in the town. According to police statistics obtained by FS, there were a total of 16 drowning deaths in the Western region from January to June this year. A swimming program in this area has obvious benefit in helping to mitigate such a high rate of drowning deaths. The town s four representatives are currently becoming CPR qualified, building practical hours before going onto assessment from regional assessor, Alison Browne. Squads IM Squad 12 & U Thompson, Gordon P Pene, Lui Malani, Wilisoni Ratuyada, Akuila Low, Jayden Samisoni, Viasi Panuve, Tongli Vesikula, Divavesi Pene, Iris Dickinson, Lavinia Naivalu, Misi Samisoni, Sementafa McGowan, Amy Samisoni, Zinxania Development Squad Fastest Swimmers Sixty Four Attend Coaching Courses July saw the return of former full-time Fiji Swimming employee Cindy Adiar-Bolakoso to conduct a number of coaching courses. Adiar-Bolakoso, in conjunction with Fiji Swimming, offered Green, Bronze and Silver level courses for both current and aspiring. A phenomenal 64 persons attended the courses, which were offered in both Suva and Nadi. 54 attended the Green Level which is the most basic Learn to Swim Course, whilst 5 attended both the Bronze and 5 for the Silver. Participants were from a wide perspective of the community teachers, students, current, parents and even swimmers. Over the next few months, participants will be building their practice hours and gaining CPR accreditation, before being assessed and certified by the TRAC Committee. To monitor their progress, FS has appointed two regional trackers for Nadi and Suva. Nadi will be headed up by Alison Browne, whilst Paula Cokanasiga will administer progress in Suva. Domonitani, William Elaisa, Paul S Erasito, Elaijie T Fiu, Blayde J Gough, Ethan Hughes, Keil Malani, Meli Marr, Josh Maybin, Samuel Miller, Douglas Sa'Id, Suma Taito, Matia Buadromo, Matelita Eden, Skye E Elaisa, Susau L Erasito, Tieri Joyce, Elly S Joyce, Lucy R Maybin, Emily M Nagatalevu, Sereana Panuve, Charissa Pene, Courtney Rova, Adele Rova, Cheyenne Thompson, James Vesikula, Akanisi Squad lists as of 6 July 2009

Page 4 of 5 Historical Snapshot The iconic Suva Sea Baths now featured twice in s historical snapshot was the birthplace of competitive swimming in Fiji.

The series was held as a build-up or a precompetition meet to the 1971 South Pacific Games, which were held in Tahiti in August later that year.

4 Page 4 of 5 Historical Snapshot The iconic Suva Sea Baths now featured twice in s historical snapshot was the birthplace of competitive swimming in Fiji. Pictured left is a February 1971 test series between Fiji and Tahiti. The series was held as a build-up or a precompetition meet to the 1971 South Pacific Games, which were held in Tahiti in August later that year. Fiji lost the series 93 66; a result that still defines the landscape of the competitive swimming rivalry in the Pacific. Athletics and swimming were the only sports which held test series that year, a tradition which has ceased in recent years. The return of such series, with regard to economic considerations, is something worth considering to develop swimming not only in Fiji but also the wider Pacific. Australian Sports Outreach Program Grant Picture courtesy of fijivillage.com is proud to announce the confirmation of an Australian Sports Outreach Program (ASOP) development grant. The grant administered by the Australian High Commission in Suva will allow FS to improve coach education and development in four key areas: Increase the number of accredited swim in Fiji Development of existing Provide a source of income for newlycertified Improve youth access to properly qualified swim was one of only three national federations in Fiji to be awarded the grant. Pictured is Fiji Swimming s Sean Jacobs (far right), accepting the ASOP grant of $ 5,342 AUD off Australian High Commissioner to Fiji James Batley. is tremendously thankful to the Australian Sports Commission and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for their financial assistance. is now on Facebook Become a Fan! Quick Notices WEBSITE is becoming an e-hub for swimming information, results, pictures and articles. We are pleased to report the average number of people accessing the site since February this year has increased by over 1200 each month. CONSUMER SURVEY Results of the consumer survey have been released and are published on the website. COMPS The Technical, Registration, Accreditation and Competition Management Committee have shortened their name to TRAC. NEW SECRETARIES Three clubs have confirmed new Club Secretaries: Sharifa Suma (Babale), James Panuve (Tritons) and Sereima Ratuyada (Barracudas). Welcome aboard!

Page 5 of 5 PO Box 2285 Government Buildings Suva, Fiji PHONE: (679) 3312 177 (679) 8697 352 E-MAIL: Peter Howard Secretary peterhowardfiji@yahoo.com Sean Jacobs Sports Administrator fiji.

5 Page 5 of 5 PO Box 2285 Government Buildings Suva, Fiji PHONE: (679) (679) Peter Howard Secretary peterhowardfiji@yahoo.com Sean Jacobs Sports Administrator fiji.swimming@gmail.com We re on the Web! See us at: Club Secretaries Babales Sharifa Suma [NEW] sharifa.suma@gmail.com Barracudas Sereima Ratuyada [NEW] ratuyadas@yahoo.com Makos Alison Browne Go.Mako.Go@gmail.com Seals Nina Naivalu ninan@afl.com.fj Stingrays Bulou Rabua bulou.r_rabua@dominioninsurance.com.fj Tritons James Panuve [NEW] james@panuve.com Committees that make High Performance Committee Maftoa Pene (Chair), Andrew Pene, Willie Elaisa, Caroline Pickering Registration, Accreditation, Technical and Competition Management Committee (TRAC) Lucy Erasito (Chair), Angela Probert, Trisa Cheer, Paula Cokanasiga, Michelle McGowan Development Committee Willie Elaisa (Chair), Alison Browne, Paula Cokanasiga, Eugene Panuve, Jennifer Liew Selection Committee Dennis Miller, Sam Tupou, Ben Rova, David Eyre [NEW] Sponsorship, Marketing and Communication Committee Sikeli Tuinamuana (Chair), Carol Watkins, Ben Rova, Sally Cooper, Fernando Lobendahn (coopted) About Our Organisation (formerly the Amateur Swimming Association of Fiji) is the national governing body for aquatic sports in Fiji. We were formally constituted in 1963, after 30 years of established competitive swimming in the then-colony. Since this time, we have gone on to help form the Oceania Swimming Association in 1991 and become members of the International Swimming Federation FINA in FIJI SWIMMING PO Box 2285 Government Buildings Suva, Fiji FS NEWSLETTER CREATED BY SEAN JACOBS

2009: A busy year, more to come

2009: A busy year, more to come July 2009 Quarter 1 & 2 (comb) President: Dennis Miller Vice President (West): Chris Thompson Vice President (East): Terence Erasito Secretary: Peter Howard Treasurer: Carol Watkins Administrator: Sean