Fun gala, AGM & Awards

The AGM and Awards evening commenced with a “Fun” Gala to replace the normal training session at Putney. Conceived by Steve to be just as challenging  as training, 5 teams battled in a selection of unique relays. Referee and scorer Agne Petrike determined that the winning team was the creatively named “Lane 5” team in Lane 5. Well done team, you know who you are!

We then moved to the Putney Tennis Club for the official proceedings including Officers’ reports, election of the new committee for 2019/20, pizza and the Awards Ceremony.

Link to 2019/2020 committee.

Special votes of thanks were given to Hoda Elridi, our hardworking Membership Secretary based in Egypt, as well as coaches Steve and Annabel.

Spencer Swim Team Awards 2019.

Dave Mace Award, 2019. For Outstanding Contribution to the Club: Godfrey Admans

 Godfrey was one of the very first members of the club in 1978, soon after the club’s formation by Dave and others.  Godfrey embodies all that Dave would have wanted for the club.  He is a regular attendee and trainer.  He attends County, Regional, Nationals and International events, winning medals at all levels.  However, Godfrey will be the first to say that the motivation is enjoyment.

Irving Dixon Award – Best Freestyle Award.

Irving a long-time coach and stalwart of Spencer very sadly died this year, and, in his memory, a new trophy donated by his daughter, Karen, has been commissioned.

Irving was a sprint freestyler in his youth, and it was appropriate that the commemorative trophy was for sprint freestyle swimming.

This was actually quite easy to decide upon.  It is not often that a Masters swimmer manages a sub 2minute swim for a 200 Freestyle, but one of our swimmers did.  Nephew of a long-time member, Judy Slater, the winner for his 1.57 200 free in the Surreys: Tristan Slater – 1.57 200 in Surreys and 2.14 breast in London.

Karen sent the following message: “Firstly please accept my sincere apologies for not being able to attend this evening. I am devastated I cannot attend. We moved to Gran Canaria last week for a year with my husbands job and he was due to return today but now isn’t and I have been unable to find a dog sitter at such short notice. 

This award means such a lot to myself my brother and all of our family.

Dad’s life as you know was swimming and  when returning to Masters swimming with Spencer it was a period in his life which made him very happy. Making such wonderful friends which, of course, became his second family. Dad was never one for fuss about himself so he would be very surprised and honoured to have this award in his memory. Keeping in touch on Facebook with your movements /successes has certainly made me feel close to him and his Spencer Teeshirt gets an airing with myself even if a little on the larger size. Thank you again for remembering Irving in such a lovely way which is him -Swimming and Spencer ! 

If you are training in Club La Santa next year I would love to join you for the day and I would like to attend next years AGM to present the award then if acceptable with yourselves.

Thank you again Karen ,Steven and Family.”

Top Performer.

A second new trophy for 2019 is the Dan Cotton award.  Awarded to Dan Cotton for just being Dan Cotton!!!!!

In reality, there was a discussion about having a top swimmer award in the year for Spencer. Actually, easy to decide upon as we have the Decathlon points system to rely on.  Dan is currently and likely to finish in 4th place nationally in this and head and shoulders ahead of any Spencer swimmer.

Dan Cotton –  What else is there to say.  Top Decathlon Swimmer for Spencer. 8 British and English titles, 8 British records, sub 60 on free and back.

Best Out of Towner.

Esther Iseppi – 2 Golds in the World Championships and in the US National Masters.

Best In Towner.

Jack Marriot – Gold in the World Championships.

Best overseas Member.

Suzanne Maidment for her performance in a top 10 finish in the 200 in the worlds in Korea, as well as regular attendance at regional and national meets.

Most improved Swimmer.

In 2018 I was told by a swimmer that my job was to take 10 seconds off that swimmers 100m time.  No pressure there then.  My response was, “do the programme, take on the technique, don’t complain and it will happen”.

A year down the line that swimmer has 2 gold national and one silver individual medals in the collection.   Without a shadow of a doubt the most improved Spencer swimmer year on year –Barbara Halls.

Best Newcomer.

Hajna Racz. Tries hard, attends regularly and has improved out of all recognition.  A 2mins in training converted into a 1.30 100 free at the regionals.

Most consistent trainer.

What is there to say.  Attends every session.  Tries hard every session. Huge improvements every year.  Now ranked 7th in the country for 200IM.  And he gets everyone to sign the sheet!!! Luca Milana

Best attitude towards training.

This is always difficult as many try hard.   However, one swimmer managed to make themselves sick in a fun event – takes some doing.  He also managed to come second in the inaugural river mile for the club to Tristan who was wearing a suit but without a tie. An outstanding trainer and performer – Rob Tate

Open Water Swimmer of the Year.

National Finals qualifier, 3rd in the Masters national 800m and Regional 5000m champion. Georgina Quayle

Hat winners – All age group winners of the club mile.

Gold

Sue Swaine – First woman skin and third woman overall.

Mel Thomas/Jane Turner/Sara Luder/Lisa Hibberd

Silver

Nicola Malin

Gold

Tristan Slater – first overall man and swimmer

Rob Tate – first male skin/second overall

James Draper/Luke Schuberth/Willem Heskes/Stephen Baker

Silver

Ed Hill/Michael Barnett

Luca would have won something but pulled the coach back!!!!!

One comment

  1. Congrats to all the Winners. Thanks to all 26 swimmers who turned out for the fun gala (was a tough swim set) and to almost all of you who turned up to the AGM and Olegas for sorting Pizzas!. Thanks also to Steve and Annabel our fab coaches, especially Steve for single-handedly sorting out the fun gala. As well as Amanda and Steve for organising and awarding all the Club Trophies. And also well done to all the swimmers who helped us land the Cupar Cup at long course Nationals, and 3rd at short-course Nationals. Every swim counts. Phew – what a year!!

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