News Archive 2004
Buxton Advertiser July 2004
UPBEAT MOOD AT THE POOL
Buxton Swimming Club has recently augmented its equipment with the addition of a ‘Treffene' Coaches Heart Rate Monitor.
The monitor is seen by head coach Gary McCaffrey (pictured here being presented with the monitor by Debbie Delight - Club Fund Raiser and demonstrating it with Jessica Higgins - Girls' Team Captain) ..see photo..as an essential part of the club's training programme. Its ability to measure instantly the heart beat of any number of swimmers, simultaneously, will enable the coaches to check and control the work rate of each individual and so tune, more finely, their training schedule.
However, this latest acquisition would not have been possible without the generous donations of not only the parents of swimmers at the club but also the following local businesses:-
PEAKMIX CONCRETE LTD. (Mr. Stuart Fletcher)
HADFIELD ROAD HAULAGE (Mr. N. Hadfield) &
PERKINS ROAD HAULAGE (Mr C. Perkins)
The club would like to convey to them all, a great many thanks for their contributions.
In order to fund further purchases of equipment the club has organised a ‘bag-pack', courtesy of the Somerfield Supermarket in Buxton, on Saturday 3rd. July. Both swimmers and parents look forward to being of assistance to all Somerfield customers and staff on the day. Like to know more about the club? Contact 07890 499 576 or log on to www.buxtonswimmingclub.co.uk .
Swimmers from outside the club who, for any reason, are experiencing difficulties in maintaining their training programmes are most welcome to attend any of the coaching sessions. R.M.
Buxton Advertiser June 2004
GARY'S GANG'S NAP HAPPY To say Buxton Swimming Club is undergoing a bit of a resurgence would be to describe Ian Thorpe as an okay swimmer. Five straight victories in galas against clubs that a short while ago would have left the team floundering, are proof that the change is indeed profound. The reason for the renaissance is no flash in the pan. It is down to the radical restructuring of training and a greater emphasis on the improvement of technique by the newly appointed Head Coach, Gary McCaffery and his dedicated coaching staff.
Gary, (pictured above), a former Great Britain international swimmer, qualified Advanced Personal Trainer and Martial Arts instructor, has instilled not only the ‘work ethic' but also enthusiasm and confidence into his squad. His aim is to take Buxton swimmers to the dizzy heights of national level qualification and to that end he is in the process of building up the amount of pool time, including morning sessions and has introduced land work into the program. Even at this early stage the transformation has been remarkable. Here was a club in the doldrums, merely going through the motions with no sense of purpose or worth. Now it is being led out of the backwaters towards the challenging flow of the mainstream. Membership is up. There is great spirit throughout the club and the spring is back in the kick of the swimmers.
But, in keeping with its tradition, the club still adheres to the policy of catering for learners and improvers, as well as competitive swimmers, of all ages and levels of competence - as they are its future. So, if you're interested, come on in - the water's fine! Contact the club on 07890499576 or log on to the web site at www.buxtonswimmingclub.co.uk for further details and become part of the team that's going places. R.M.
Buxton Advertiser June 2004
Buxton Swimming Club has recently extended its run of gala wins to six, with victory in the fourth and final meet of their division of the Crusader League.
Up against teams from Biddulph, Newport, Winsford and the mighty Cosaccs of Stoke-on-Trent, who were on home territory, Buxton showed relentless determination - to come out on top, once again. Although there were many excellent individual swims, this was inherently an all-team performance of spirit and tenacity. Due to fixture congestion earlier in the year the team was unable to take part in the first of the galas and as a consequence was unable to gain sufficient points, despite victories in the next three, to overhaul the eventual champions Cosaccs.
This, however, was something of a Pyrrhic victory for the Cosaccs, as they must be considered as champions only by default, having never defeated second-placed Buxton. Head coach Gary McCaffery feels that had his squad competed in the initial gala they would have taken the championship with ease and he is certain that next year this will definitely be the case. He is already planning additional coaching sessions for implementation prior to the start of the winter season in September, as this extra training is seen as crucial to the future success of the team. Since January, every one of his squad has achieved personal best times in one or more of their events; a fact borne out by the ease with which the team is now winning galas. He is, however, concerned that this may lead to complacency and that it will become necessary for members of the squad to compete in ‘open' meets in order to stretch their abilities further.
The club's next competitive venture is on 2nd. October with the commencement of the Nestle League against squads representing Ashbourne, Cheadle and Etwall. Such is the confidence within the camp that further victories are now expected rather than hoped for. In the interim there is to be an in-house ‘Record Attempt' Gala on 10th. July which will serve as a vehicle to maintain the swimmers' competitiveness.
A ‘bag-pack' and raffle, courtesy of the Somerfield supermarket in Buxton, on 3rd. July raised over £500 which will be invested in much needed equipment.
The club would like to thank the management and staff of Somerfield and in particular its customers for their considerable generosity.
Anyone interested in becoming part of the club may wish to log onto the web site at www.buxtonswimmingclub.co.uk for further details.
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(Pictured are some of the squad that gave the club its latest victory at Stoke-on Trent) ...see photo...
