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Broxbourne Swimming Club
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History Of The Club
In 1956, The Southern Counties
Amateur Swimming Association (S.C.A.S.A.) received an application for the formation of a new swimming club to be called
BROXBOURNE SWIMMING CLUB
Several members of the existing Hoddesdon Swimming Club were unhappy at the
way the funds were being applied within that club. Since the re-formation
of Hoddesdon SC in 1949, the standard of swimming had risen over the
years. The parents of the swimmers were the ones raising club funds
and all the money was being siphoned off by the water polo players
for their team travelling expenses. This left no money available to
assist 7 or 8 swimmers to attend the Nationals at Blackpool.
Birth of a new club
Mr Philip S Gale was asked to represent the swimmers parents and following
discussions within the club the result was that both sides could not
agree. Mr Gale, along with his wife Constance, daughter Brenda and
Messrs Ballard & Widdicombe (and a few others) took the decision
that they would form a “new club”. The necessary procedures
were followed and the new Broxbourne Swimming Club was formed in 1957.
Club provides swimming teaching and coaching to all
The clubs aim was primarily to provide Swimming teaching/coaching
to all abilities of children and this aim is still carried out in
the present time. Original lessons were held at the Spinney Wheel
open-air pool, and with the opening of new pools over the years, these
lessons gradually moved indoors culminating in all training at the
Broxbourne School pool with summer training at the open-air pool.
Club with no swimming pool
When in July 1999, without any warning, the headmaster informed the
club that the pool was closing permanently in 2 days time the club
found itself without a pool!
2 other clubs and 3 local junior schools, who also had received no
notice, also shared this problem. However, the club was able to continue
temporarily, although on a lesser scale, with lessons at Turnford
School & Simon Balle School before managing to organise regular
times and lessons at Sheredes School.
New pool built
With the opening of the new pool at the John Warner Sports Centre
additional coaching continues.
All teachers, helpers etc within the club give their time voluntarily
and are happy to assist and further the aims of the club, which continues
to be the friendly club that has been going now for 50 years. |
