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Spotlite on the 2010/11 Marlins Committee

 

During the 2010 AGM in June at the Bent Arms Lindfield the 12 strong Marlins committee were voted in for the 2010/11 year of operations.  For most, it is an extension but there were 2 new members being installed to the corium.  The group meet up for 12, two and half hour, monthly sessions during the year generally on a Thursday evening at the Triangle.  Session agenda's take in the Chairman's report, treasure's report, welfare officers report, water polo report and off course the all important Head Coach report. The session's end with a round of AOB where everyone is free to raise issues and interesting points.
The sessions are well attended, usually charged with a lot of energy, dynamic, democratic and well documented by the secretary.  Except  when there are serious matters to be discussed it has to be said that the group generate a lighthearted approach sometimes leading to having a bit of fun !
Press officer Bowman, part of the committee, caught up with all the members after the July session and here with an introduction to each person :-
The Committee in Session (July 2010)
From the left Dianne Forman, Tanya Skinner, Neil Harding, Angela Gibson. David Crowhurst, Kevin Wright, Colin Bowman, John Mills, Alan Gardiner, Susan Lodge.
Not in shot   Richard Cooper (out of country) Richard Knox (out of country) Tim Fraser (away with water polo)
John Mills Chairman
John has been involved in the club for many years and has been chairman of Haywards Heath now Marlins for longer than he cares to remember.  A visionary for swimming in Mid Sussex it was his dream to bring Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill swimming clubs together.  That has now been achieved to form Mid Sussex Marlins, the great club that we are all members of.  He is great believer in 'swimming for all' which can be demonstrated by the broad range of products offered here at the Marlins.
John has a keen interest in all the areas that we operate in from the Gold Squad right through to the youngest member of the teaching groups including the Masters and Waterpolo.  He personally deals with many outside organisations such as the local council, ASA and Regional Swimming Association.
He has a lot on his plate and is 'hands on' across a spectrum of activities.
John dedicates a lot of time to the Club during the year including keeping us committee members 'in check' whilst in session !
Alan Gardiner  Treasurer
Alan has been involved in the club for 20 years being Treasurer for 5.  He has the task of balancing the books and producing end of year accounts.  With over 900 members to look after, swimming a huge number of sessions per month it is a pain staking exercise to marry income against outgoings.  He gets it right every year which stands as a testimony to his skill and hard work through out the year.   Whilst us committee members 'feign' yawning  and nodding off during his treasurer's report we know that the club couldn't operate with out him.
On poolside, his favourite and most exciting moment was watching his son Ben win the Sussex 50 meter championship.  In the water he was proud to have once swum the full 33 meters of the 'pre boom' dolphin pool without breathing.
Alan , a keen Chelsea fan and traveller, always has a smile and gives an enormous amount of time and energy to the Marlins.
Susan Lodge Secretary
Susan has been a breath of fresh air since taking over as secretary a year ago.  Her minute taking, report writing and agenda settings are becoming legionary which is a massive help to the group keeping us well informed.  She is also great in keeping up pressure to complete tasks on the table.  Susan ' yes,  I will try to complete that water polo round up this month'
Susan has a son swimming in training group 3 and playing water polo.  Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that she will be making the masters team any time soon as swimming 'is not her thing'
Richard Cooper   Welfare Officer.
Richard has been the club Welfare officer since the merger.  He is responsible the welfare of all members and over the years has had to handle some very delicate situations.  Obviously, most of his work is of a confidential nature. However during the recent 'Dust Cloud Tenerife' issue his skills were very much on public display.  Working in the Aviation industry as a pilot he took control of the situation and after an extra 3 days on site he managed to arrange for the whole group to fly back to the UK on the same flight.
Richard has 2 sons progressing with the club and was once Essex County Champion for 110yds (!?) freestyle.  He is a massive supporter of team Marlins and can often be heard giving vocal support to our Sussex League and National League swimmers during gala's.  He also officiates at home gala's and is very keen on playing water polo.   He has bags of energy in everything he does and is great fun to be around.
Angela Gibson    Coach
Angela looks after the Silver and Bronze squads and in addition is a swimming teacher and is the Open Meeting Secretary.   To her swimmers she is just 'Ang'
Her son Matt is the senior club captain and her daughter Hannah is a national clay pigeon shooter.
Over her 4 years with the club Angela has certainly turned her hand to many tasks for the club and does a brilliant job for us.  She formed part of the team management for the 2008 Australia and  2010 Tenerife tours.
As to her own swimming prowess Ang describes her self as a social swimmer able to do a good Crawl, Fly and head up breast but just don't ask her to prove it !
Tim Fraser    Mr Water Polo
It is safe to say that Tim is probably the most competent and competitive swimmer on the committee.  He has been swimming for 40 years at a high level and swam in the  world Masters in Brisbane, Rio & Sheffield.
All four of his children have followed suit. Gemma and Lucy play national league waterpolo, Toby plays polo for the South under 16s while club stalwart Alex swims in gold squad and is a National Pent athlete.
His current primary role in the club is liasing with the Water Polo section of the Marlins which takes up an enormous amount of time.   We have a strong and important water polo section here at the Marlins which will soon become the focus for investigation by the press officer.  Please watch out for this expansive piece soon.
Tim has played a huge part in our success with water polo and is a important presence on the committee.
Neil Harding   Officials Secretary     (new member)
Neil has recently taken over as Officials Secretary and is going a great job.  His son Joshua has been with the club 5 years and is currently in silver squad.
The Hardings have an elite swimmer in their mist which is interesting.  GB swimmer Hannah Miley is Neil's niece and she took 4th spot in the Beijing 400 IM and is off to Delhi for the Common Wealth Games later in the year.
It seems that Neil is a keen swimmer himself taking part in the Great North Swim on lake Windermere.
Tanya Skinner    Social Sec
Tanya helps out with fund raising and social events for the club and was part of the management team which travelled on the Australian Tour.  Her daughter has given up on swimming to concentrate on hockey development.
Tanya can swim very well and was taught by Sheila Mills nearly 40 years ago.
Richard Knox     Coach
Richard has worked very closely on the coaching side over the past few years.  In addition he is an important part of our officials set up here at the Marlins.   Of late, he has been out of the country for long stints with his job and we have all missed him not being around.
His son Matt is in the squads and is a regular in team Marlins.
We look forward to having him back in the near future.
Dianne Forman    Fund Raiser
As she puts it  ' demanding money with menaces for the benefit of our gorgeous swimmers'
Swimming with the Masters Diane would like to thank Tommy for all the hard work he puts in to coaching her.
Diane also travelled on the Australian Tour.
Her presence on the committee is always a joy with her bubbly and entertaining banter with the group.
David Crowhurst    New Member
David has joined for a 2nd stint on the committee after leaving several years ago.  Also being part of the Australia team as tour treasurer.
David has years of Insurance experience to call upon and his skills in this area will be well used going forward.
Glad to have him back on the team.
Colin  Bowman   Press Officer
I joined the club bang on the time of the merger.  Being competitive in nature I was very excited by the prospect of two important swimming clubs getting together to form a super power of swimming here in Sussex.
Taking on the role of Gala/ Officials secretary for 3 years I had a wonderful time watching our teams securing huge success in both Sussex League and National Swimming league.  Over this time I was privileged to meet and work with a large number of lovely and talented people.
More recently have taken over the role of press officer which has been really enjoyable.
Going forward we have a busy Autumn period and we will be focusing on trying to maintain our position in the prestigious Premier Division.  Please watch out for reports on these important gala's.
I would like to thank John and the committee for the chance of doing all these things. It has been very enjoyable and rewarding.
As for swimming I get cramp after doing 25 meters so there will be no Team Marlin call up for the press officer !!