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Bear Tracker Newsletter February 2013. Letter from the Head Coaches Desk.
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Bear Tracker Newsletter February 2013
Letter from the Head Coaches Desk I am excited to say that our team is continuing to excel at all levels. Internationally we saw excellent performances from Lili Margitai and Devon Bibault in Australia who broke several club records and won international medals. This past weekend our own Nadine Williams represented Canada at the first World Cup 10k open water competition in Santos, Brazil, placing 20th in an extremely deep international field. Anytime our swimmers represent Canada at an international event, it is a tremendous honour for them as well as for our team. Recently we also had excellent results at the Blue Bears swim meet. It was enjoyable for me to see all of our new swimmers compete. I certainly saw a lot of happy faces and children excited about swimming fast. Keep it up! (And thank you to our satellite coaches who are doing a tremendous job!) I would like to thank the efforts of our volunteers who made the Blue Bears meet such a successful event. This year is somewhat of a lighter year as we are not hosting any large meets this summer. All the more reason to make sure that we do our best at every meet to create the best possible environment for our swimmers and for all swimmers in the Edmonton region. As we continue to set the standard for swimming in Edmonton, I would like to thank the parents for all of your support. Positive words in the stands make all the difference. We are all on the same team, moving toward a common goal, all supporting each other. As a team, we will continue to be awesome. Sincerely, Derrick Schoof
“ EKI...THE HIBERNATION IS OVER!” MAY 2-5, 2013 This was the catchphrase captured on a vintage button which was distributed to promote Edmonton Keyano’s flagship swim meet back in its earliest days and it is completely appropriate today. It is to the credit of Edmonton Keyano that since 1978 it has built an international reputation as a quality program. EKSC has been well represented across the years in international competitions by swimmers, coaches, management, and officials. EKSC is recognized across the country as one of the leaders in our sport and stands proudly beside other iconic Canadian teams such as Pacific Dolphins, Ponte-Claire Swim Club, and Island Swimming, among others. This does not happen by accident. It requires commitment and dedication from the entire membership, coaches and staff year after year, and is reflected in all aspects of club operations. It is typical for all swim clubs to go through cycles of recession and resurgence. This happens for many reasons, such as membership complacency, internal politics, and technical and coaching deficiencies. Edmonton Keyano is currently riding a wave of resurgence beginning 6 years ago and growing proudly. Membership is growing, volunteerism has increased, and our athletes are increasingly more prominent in all areas of Alberta and Canadian swimming including greater representation on provincial and national tour teams. A second place finish at 2012 Summer Nationals was the best finish for EKSC in many years and represents this resurgence in very bold terms.
It is because of our strong club history that we never lost our prominence in the eyes of the swimming community during our so called “lean period” leading up to 6 years ago, but due to the efforts of so many people in all areas of the club, and our fantastic athletes and coaches, we are once again fully front and center in Canadian swimming. Our club Brand is so strong mostly because of our swimmers’ achievements over time. You can see how many of our swimmers, coaches, and managers have represented EKSC at the Olympics just by looking at the banners proudly hanging in KSC. This is obviously an important part of our history and reputation. EKSC has also been an important part of building swimming in our city and province and is recognized locally as an important institution in the city. Populating Provincial and National Boards, officials delegations, and other building programs has contributed to branding EKSC as the important player in Canadian swimming that we are. But the brand has also been built on the prominence of hosted events like EKI. In its early years EKI was truly international and hosted athletes from all over the world, running the meet in both long course pools at KSC with two separate meets, known then as the Red and the Blue. The meet was attractive to international teams because KSC was such a standout facility for the era and teams could plan for a fast competitive meet every spring. They knew that there would be a gathering of very fast swimmers, a great facility, and hosted by an extremely well organized volunteer group. Swimmers from that era still remember the meet vividly and fondly.
EKI lost some of its special qualities during the club’s lean period. Swimmer participation was down and EKI didn’t feel like EKI. It had the feel of just another meet. Thanks to the efforts of our membership and coaches, EKI is regaining that special feel and growing in numbers, competitiveness, and the participation of swimmers from outside our immediate locale. It is interesting to see how the re-invigorated EKI so closely parallels the club’s overall resurgence. Solid member participation in all aspects of the club combined with the outstanding results our swimmers continue to deliver creates the pride and participation that any organization requires to truly chase and achieve excellence, or to paraphrase Head Coach, Derrick Schoof..........AWESOMENESS. EKI is the flagship event of every season and demands your involvement. EKI represents the best values of our membership – organizational excellence/awsomeness and total member/stakeholder involvement. EKI has earned a positive and strong international reputation. A few lean years has not altered its longstanding reputation. EKI is on the rebound! EKI requires the commitment and participation of all of EKSC. EKI NEEDS YOU AND YOU NEED IT GET INVOLVED! HELP MAKE EKSC AWESOME!
Important Notes from Colleen • Keyano Krossfit Program – Wednesday Nights for BRONZE Group Swimmers looking to develop additional athletic skills. 5-6PM @ the Kinsmen Sports Center Racquetball Court #4. $5 per drop in session. • Regular Keyano Office Hours: Mondays & Fridays 10:30AM-3:00PM, Tuesdays 11:00AM-3:00PM, Wednesdays 1:00PM-6:00PM, Thursdays-CLOSED • SWIM-A-THON coming April 24th, 2013 – Start collecting your pledges NOW! • Keyano Flagship Meet EKI COMING SOON! Mark your calendar for May 2-5th, 2013 • Thank-you to all of our VORGEE #3 Volunteers – The meet ran smoothly and efficiently and we could not have done it without you!
Celebration at Keyano!! Congratulations to our January Swimmers of the Month Bonnie Doon Pool : Gold – Harmony Sather, Silver – Matthew Swinton, Bronze – Darby Haysom Confederation Pool : Gold – George Putkaradze, Silver – Alyssa Young, Bronze – Sierra Hateley Jasper Place Pool : Gold – Tanner Warnock, Silver – Jude Gross, Bronze – Jack Robinson Royal Glenora Pool : Gold – Emma O’Croinin, Silver - Alexis Dodd, Bronze – Shelby Lipinski Terwillegar Pool : Gold – Lauren Dobson, Silver – Alyssa Jerrace, Bronze – Camille Sher Kinsmen Pool : Youth Championship – Jennifer Reeves, Provincial – Vanessa Pinel
Satellite Pools Terwilliger Pool It has been exciting to see the improvements in the swimmers. There has been a lot of work on their strokes and learning the correct turns for each stroke. The signage that has been posted up has increased awareness and prompted more inquiries about the Keyano Swim Club.
