Dan's Christmas Message 2020
I suppose the first words I would like to say are, wow what a year 2020 has been, and I mean wow in a bad way! 2020 has been the most ridiculous year of all our life times. Life has been very different for us all in more ways than one, and has brought many challenges to the whole planet. Literally, this year has been like taking a cricket bat to the head, time and time again.
From the club's perspective we have had 5 months of no pool swimming, plus another month for the second lockdown. This has of course had a disastrous impact for many swimming clubs up and down the land, with clubs struggling financially, and pools not reopening, it really has been a proper bad year, and one we will never forget for as long as we live.
On a massively positive note, Winsford Swim Team has done an absolutely fantastic job of getting our swimmers back in the pool in a safe and happy environment. Being on lockdown for so long, and then being hit by another one is not easy, not easy at all, it takes a lot of energy to come back, and then come back again, but we did come back and we will continue coming back, again, and again.
The attitude, positivity and will power of all our swimmers has been superb and continues to be superb. It really is a wonderful sight, to see our swimmers queuing up outside in the dark and in freezing conditions (whilst I am on a warm poolside) only to come on poolside with a big smile on their faces, saying hello and ready to train. The swimmers stand out at Winsford, they really do, our swimmers are polite, kind, caring and they have so much love in their hearts for each other. It really does make me so proud to coach such wonderful children and young people. It is amazing how resilient the children at our club are, and this is testament to the parenting our swimmers receive.
Looking to the future, is it bright? The answer is a huge “YES”, it is very bright, brighter than the shiniest star in the sky. We have so much to look forward to in the New Year, starting with our Level X meet and training our very best into the spring and summer season where we hope to be racing. Of course the immediate future is looking a bit unpredictable to say the least, but WE WILL GET BACK RACING one day, and with that clearly in my mind I would like our swimmers when we return in 2021 to take their training to another level in preparation. I think I have said this on numerous occasions but “the more you practice, the luckier you get”, it really is that simple! There is no short cuts to success, many hours of hard work is required to achieve our full potential. The coaching team are extremely motivated to help all our swimmers reach their goals, and move Winsford Swim Team onto greater things, so as they say “see you at the pool”!
Thank you to absolutely everyone who is associated with Winsford Swim Team for the last year, as mentioned it has been difficult and challenging, but I think as a club we have come through it with flying colours. I am sure these challenges will make our club even stronger and pull us all even closer together. We can achieve so much in 2021 and beyond, and we look forward with tremendous optimism and excitement to the next roller coaster ride. Being part of a team is so wonderful, and being a part of Winsford Swim Team is even more wonderful, more wonderful than we could ever imagine, in our wildest dreams! So my message is loud a clear we are the most wonderful club, having the most wonderful swimmers, teachers, coaches, lifeguards, committee and parents. I certainly wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but Winsford Swim Team, and I know all our members feel exactly the same.
On behalf of all the coaching team we would like to wish all our members, and the whole swimming community a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Let’s make this Christmas the best there has ever been, spreading love to all who may need it, because love absolutely conquers everything.
Take care everyone and keep smiling!
See you at the pool.
Dan
