SwimmingSA is pleased to announce Barossa Swimming Club as the Club of the Year for the 2018/19 season. This is a great achievement by Barossa since the club formed in 2017.
Barossa Swimming Club strives to achieve its stated aim of establishing swimming as a sport of choice in the Barossa region.
During the 2018/19 season and since the club’s incorporation, Barossa has been “making waves” as a club as well as building its profile within the local Barossa and swimming community. In just its second year of existence the club has:
- Established a membership of over 50 members with growing interest
- Recognised performances of athletes at SwimmingSA & National Competitions
- Developed a base of accredited Coaches and Technical Officials (also seen a Coach & Technical Official being selected to participate in various local and state development opportunities)
- Proactively built its brand through various media streams
Awarded annually the Club of the Year Award is judged by the Chairman of SwimmingSA and recognises the most successful club in the areas of membership, corporate governance, officiating, athletic performance, coaching and community.
In its two years of existence, the club has become well connected with local businesses resulting in accumulating 10 major sponsors over a range of levels supporting the clubs growth. One such supporter of the club is Patron and Local State Member of Parliament, Stephen Knoll, who has recognised the efforts of the club in a parliamentary address.
“When we first proposed the re-launch of a swimming club in the Barossa we had a very clear vision of the culture and purpose we wanted to found”, said Club President Stephen Cook. “We were in the fortunate position of being able to set this from the outset”.
“Our aim was to not only provide excellence in the swimming program but develop great young people, add value to our local community and also to contribute to the wider South Australian swimming community”, Cook said. “It is very gratifying that SwimmingSA have recognised this in presenting the award and the award recognises that through the dedication of its members the smaller and newer clubs can still make an impact“.
“Winning Club of the Year means so much to me and to the club, as even though we only started in 2017, the club is like a family to me”, said Senior Girls Club Captain, Kyrene O'Neill. “Being able to be a part of the leadership team in the year we have been awarded Club of the Year is a huge honour and privilege”.
In addition to the club volunteering as medal presenters and basket handlers at National Meets held in Adelaide, Barossa Swimming Club regularly supports swimmers and Coaches from other clubs throughout the swimming season as well as when other clubs don’t have access to pools during winter.
Jonte Reimann, Boys Club Captain, said “It’s not just about our success in the pool it’s about the culture that we have created”.
Junior Girls Club Captain Charlotte Ashmead said “Winning the Club of the Year feels amazing especially since we are such a small club. I have always said that the Barossa Swimming Club is just like a family”.
SwimmingSA congratulates Barossa Swimming Club on a successful year and wish all our clubs a successful 2019/20 season.
Each year all SwimmingSA affiliated member clubs are eligible for the Club of the Year Award and each club is encouraged to submit a nomination to capture the successes and initiatives of the club during each season.
The recipient of the Club of the Year Award is presented with the Perpetual Trophy, Pennant and E-Logo.
