October 2024
Dear Parents and Swimmers,
Welcome back to all our members and hope that you all had a lovely summer! Also, welcome to any new swimmers who have joined the CMSS team. We are looking forward to fun-filled swimming year, with some great training and exciting club galas coming up.
We will be hosting our CMSS Club Championships on Thursday 28 November 2024. Please keep the date free so we can have as many swimmers as possible competing, and ALL CMSS swimmers are invited to compete. This year, we will be introducing medals for the top 3 girls and boys in each age group! As usual, we will be needing many parent volunteers on the night for time keeping and point scoring, so please keep the date free if you might be able to help.
We are considering another CMSS HOODIE order in time for Christmas. You may have seen some of our swimmers wearing these. The quality is fantastic, and they are also personalised with a name of your choice. If you are interested, please email Nicky on ‘kitofficer@swimsquad.org’ before the half term break 21 October 2024
Our Senior Squad session run on a Tuesday and Thursday from 7.30pm-9.00pm. We have had MANY seniors leaving the session at 8.30pm this term, and while this is allowed for the odd occasion during exams etc, it is highly recommended that all swimmers stay for the FULL 1h30min. The club are paying very high pool hire fees, and coaching fees on top of that, and if we don’t have enough swimmers staying for the last 30minutes, it may not be cost effective to keep that time. There may also be cases of parents being unaware that your child is leaving the pool area at 8.30pm. This poses a great risk as the swimmers are left to their own devices in the changerooms for 30-45minutes while coaches are still busy on poolside. Obviously this will not be tolerated, so please talk to your child about taking advantage of the full session offered, and only leaving the pool area at 9pm.
A suggestion for all swimmers is to please arrive for training ‘pool-ready’ meaning that you are already in your swimming costume and only need to drop off your bag before entering the pool. We have had many late arrivals for training in all the squads, and it is disruptive and difficult to manage. Also, if you are the first CMSS squad to swim in the pool, there may be other clubs using the changeroom as they are leaving. For privacy and safety reasons it would be best for our CMSS kids to only arrive 5 minutes before their session, pool-ready and able to be on poolside quickly.
A reminder to not keep any valuables in the change rooms. We are not the only clubs who use the change rooms, as there are many sports running simultaneously at Bromley High, and we can’t guarantee the safety of any valuables.
In September 2024, Bromley High School raised their pool hire fees considerably. The Club is currently managing to absorb the cost of that, but we may need to consider a monthly fee increase for swimmers going forward in 2025. Obviously we will keep this to the minimum amount possible.
Swimming is CANCELLED on Wednesday 25 December 2024 and Wednesday 1 January 2025 at the Walnuts, however sessions will continue as usual for all swimmers (from all squads) on Wednesdays during the holiday periods
Please see the code of conduct forms (attached to homepage) that you & your swimmers have agreed to when joining the club. Please read through it with your kids and remind them of our CMSS expectations and values.
If you are considering leaving the club, we do ask for a 1 month’s notice period. We have many swimmers on the waiting list desperate for a place, but it takes time to arrange this and fill the spot.
A reminder that NO PARENTS/SPECTATORS are allowed on poolside, however you are welcome to stand in the viewing area behind the railing anytime.
Please remind your kids that NO SHOES are permitted on poolside. If there is the smallest amount of mud on them, it gets carried all the way down the length of the pool due to the wet floor, as well as into the changerooms.
If anyone has any flippers that are too small, do pass them onto me, and I can try find them a new home. We always have new swimmers trialling for the club, and it’s helpful to pass on fins to those who need them. Likewise, if your child needs new flippers, please come and have a look through my bag for a pair that fits before you buy a new pair😊
We do have some great kit available for purchase, as pictured below:
Prices:
- Jammers (smaller sizes) £18
- Jammers (larger sizes) £20
- Girls’ swimsuits (smaller sizes) £18
- Girls’ swimsuits (larger sizes) £20
- T-Shirts £15
- Caps £7
Contact Nicky on kitofficer@swimsquad.org to confirm sizes and arrange collection from the pool.
We would like to thank all parents for their continued support at CMSS, not only to those who volunteer their time, or who help on the committee, but also to all parents /grandparents/ aunts/uncles/siblings who help with lifting and carrying etc. We realise that it is a team and family commitment and do appreciate your enthusiasm and encouragement for your kids’ swimming.
Yours in swimming,
Kim, Coaches and Committee members