Report on GMPP Regional visit to Greendale Swim Club - Napier
Report on GMPP Regional visit to Greendale Swim Club - Napier
My most recent Regional visit was at the request of Head Coach Noel Hargraves Booth and the Greendale Swim Club in Napier. I visited on behalf of Swimming New Zealand and the club put me up at a wonderful place called Ormlie Lodge which is an historic and beautiful residence – Thank you to John and his staff who all helped make this stay so enjoyable.
Objectives:
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To see first hand the people and the programme at Greendale club
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To observe and comment on the club structure and systems
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To provide mentoring and feedback to Head coach Noel on the programme
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To be available for questions on behalf of SNZ.
Staff: Head Coach Noel Hargraves Booth has been at Greendale over 20 years. His staff of Aussies, Jill Kelly, Mel Macredie are great assets to this team with their enthusiasm and focus on skills and the big picture so that the whole team works towards delivering a great product from the ground floor up (learn to swim through to national level). It was apparent that the skills needed for a swimmer to represent Greendale and NZ were being taught at the grassroots level. Well done Team. This group meets weekly and all buy into the holistic development of each club member on their pathway to success.
Venue: Taradale Primary has a pool which is 4 lanes, covered, heated and run on a shoestring budget with local and regional assistance with grants and the community getting behind the facility. Schools come into the Taradale Primary school for lessons to ensure children in the area all can learn to swim. The school understands the need and the process and are partners in this ongoing project.
The Support Team: What great leadership from Dene Gichard (President of the club) and his “team” the committee. They are a great bunch of people, passionate and committed not just for their own kids but for the club and its future. This club has structures and systems in place for ongoing development. Professional development opportunities are provided by the committee so that their coaching staff “grow”. Dene is a leader of some note (as well as being top of the line “tiler extraordinaire”). What’s great to see is that the parents bind together to help everyone in the team be the best they can be. This ethos lends strength to the programme. The clubroom needs some upgrading and I suggest they obtain some posters from SNZ to help add some colour to the facility. Every club needs role models and swimmers who have achieved can provide this.
Discovery and Comment: My visit included three swim sessions, watching all the squads, copious talks with Head Coach Noel on the programme and pathways and how these could possibly improve and link in with the SNZ pathways, (many thanks for breakfast at your lovely home Noel and JO). It’s all about providing the opportunities and tools for each swimmer to have the best chance to succeed. The club is applying for a grant for a camera to facilitate regular filming of swimmers both over and underwater shots to check both technique and skills. It was obvious that swimmers are independent and involved in the process and WELL PREPARED to be independent and accountable.
This programme at Greendale, once known solely as a hard headed distance programme, now provides for individuals and their various events including distance events. Demonstrated caring and processes for a swimmers long term development within the regional constraints are evident and working. Noel proudly told me that his team is the top nationally ranked team from Hawkes Bay Poverty Bay. I’m sure that this statement will challenge the other clubs in the region. It is apparent that this programme will provide swimmers with the needed skills to progress no matter what their choice long term. My suggestion is that Greendale partner with other coaches who are demonstrating that swimmers are continuing past 20 years of age. Five Hawkes Bay swimmers are doing just that with two recent Olympians - William Benson and Daniel Bell HB Olympians from Sundevils, who moved to Auckland. Emily Thomas and Laura Quilter are based with Daniel at the SNZ High Performance Centre, and Ben Gillies from Aquahawks is with North Shore in Auckland. We are all part of the process and each stage and programme contributing to the long term development of our swimmers. Just as Dean Kent and Moss Burmester came from small towns and great programmes to continue their development in the University cities, so it is possible to all be partners in that journey. The base determines the potential and the environment determines the longevity. Let's all pull together and ensure all our swimmers become the best they can be.
Well done GREENDALE you are doing a great job.
Jan
