October 2019.pdf

Swim England, Hertfordshire's Synchronised Swimming Discipline Committee met on October 1, 2019. Attendees included Tom Brennan, Amy Bryant, Caroline Pickering, and Kerri Brennan. Apologies were received from Shelia Mackenzie. The meeting covered various topics, including a review of the previous meeting's minutes, matters arising, and a review of the committee's terms of reference.

The committee discussed discipline-specific areas, such as coaching, officials, competition, skills, pathway, and funding. Key points included:
- A Level 1 coaches course scheduled for October 13th, 19th, 20th, and 26th at Potters Bar pool.
- A Land Training upgrade session to be held on November 30th and December 1st near East Midlands Airport.
- No need to run officials courses at county level due to sufficient provision at regional level.
- No separate county competition to be held, but county medals to be awarded in parallel with regional competitions.
- Skills days scheduled at regional level, with some clubs sending swimmers to Walsall to achieve qualifying grade levels.
- A possible Routine Grades day to be organized at county level, with Aqualina and Potters Bar expressing interest.
- Development of a Beacon squad at regional level, expected to be in place by 2021, with selection criteria to be clarified.
- No county funding available for courses, but other funding options to be explored.

The committee also discussed development days within Hertfordshire County, including feedback on the second development day, which was considered an improvement on the first. The next development day was scheduled for March 15th, with Sisy to be booked as the coach.

Actions agreed upon by the committee included:
- AB to remind interested swimmers to sign up for the Level 1 coaches course.
- All to book onto the Land Training upgrade session.
- TB to ensure county clubs are aware of when county medals are to be awarded.
- TB to check the criteria for running Routine Grading days and share with interested clubs.
- AB to clarify the Beacon Squad selection criteria and feedback on the setup of an East Region Squad.
- All to feedback comments on the development day to TB.
- TB to book the next development day with Goff Academy and Sisy.
- TB to ask IM to book a room at the Civic Centre for the next meeting, scheduled for January 14th, 2020.