Record Number of Competitive Swimmers in Ontario!
Swim Ontario achieves its highest swimmer membership level in history!!!!
Swim Ontario has seen some great improvement in their swimmer membership levels over the past 5 years. However as of December 31st, they have seen their official swimmer membership rise to record levels. At 12,141 registered swimmers, Swim Ontario has exceeded its highest unofficial totals ever (1997 & 1998 saw the previous highest levels at 11,756 however they were suspect in their statistical credibility). Swim Ontario’s Executive Director, John Vadeika, stated, “This is a significant achievement as we have met our strategic goals of membership growth for the province as well as swimming Canada. It is very important to recognize that this is a demonstration of the great efforts of our member clubs the last 5 years and their ability to adapt in the face of facility infrastructure pressures, as well as a challenging economic environment the last 2 years. Our clubs should be very proud of this achievement!”
Many clubs agree and appreciate Swim Ontario’s congratulations. In addition some clubs have indicated that parental motivation based on the recognition of a safe and holistic sport is also responsible for this improvement. Alan Swanston, head coach of the Newmarket Stingrays which has seen its swimmers achieve both International and developmental success stated, “Swim Ontario’s record membership numbers show that more and more Ontarian’s are finding that competitive swimming is a fun, safe and healthy activity for the whole family. This is a great achievement!”
While the clubs in Ontario have been instrumental in creating an environment to achieve these membership levels. Dean Boles the provincial mentor coach for Swim Ontario echoed Vadeika’s comments, however added “…this is a great achievement for the clubs of Swim Ontario. That being said, I hope our clubs recognize that this membership level is in many ways the equivalent of many countries in Europe… Countries in Europe that have in fact won Olympic medals. It is time for us as a province to realize that we can be an international force and are just as capable as many countries, to be able to achieve Olympic medal success. I don’t expect us to win Olympics medals in 2012 or but with this type of critical mass and an emphasis on creating a high performance and winning attitude we can use this momentum to achieve international success in 2016 and beyond. It is time for us realize that the business of swimming in this province must include Olympic medal success in the future. This is critical to our success!”
It is evident that Swim Ontario and its member clubs should be excited at this success however sober in realizing that they have to use this critical mass as a springboard to capitalize on the potential. With the success of improved high performance development programming and service delivery the last 6 years, swim Ontario is poised to continue this momentum and looks forward to more success down the road. The future looks bright for Swim Ontario!
