In short, the MLC Marlins were touched out of third and beaten by three better teams. The final day saw the MLC Marlins glide to the finish with a fast finishing NU Swim overtaking us in the last two strokes. The MLC Marlins threw the last stroke over quickly (winning the 13 & 14 years Free relay) but, unlike Ian Sarno’s 200m Individual medley finish, did not manage to out touch NU Swim.

As any MLC Marlin swimmer will tell you, we do not normally allow or appreciate being swam down in the last few strokes. Competition this year was tough. As Head Coach I am not too concerned about the point scores, but as they are a reflection of the swimmers' performances I am pleased when we do well.

I wish to congratulate all the swimmers, parents and coaches involved in this result. To finish 4th in our first Summer State Championship is fantastic (3rd would have been better!). The point score includes 9 – 12 State, 5Km Open Water & 13-19& over State Age. I am very proud of the team’s achievements this summer.

We won 4 gold and placed Hannah Luck on the NSW Team which will compete in Wellington, New Zealand in February. Hannah also made three open finals the 400m Individual Medley, 200m Individual Medley & 200m Breaststroke.

Open State

Includes all Open State points. The club finished 19th, with 106 points.

As head coach I thought that the team had a below par (slow start) at the State Distance Meet (November). The Team had a great Open Water 5 km competition scoring the most age championship points. The 9 – 12 age win was fantastic.

The 13 – 19& over competition was going to be tough. In the 19 & over age group we only have one boy, in the 17 & 18 age group we only have one girl, and we don't have any 13 year old girls. Therefore in the 12 age groups (6 male, 6 female) we only have two swimmers in 5 of the age groups. We are a young club and we will produce older swimmers as the team matures.

I believe the team swam very well; a number of swimmers swam their hearts out for the team.

Hannah Luck swam a big program, swimming herself into the ground for the team and into onto the New Zealand Touring Team. Tammy Schafer and Laura Mooney also did a fine job, swimming personal bests and climbing up the rankings to establish themselves among their age group's top swimmers. Naomi Witt, Vanessa-Jayne Bowden and Dani Selig also made finals.

John Took also swam a big program. He did not win individual gold this time but won medals, swam personal best times and made a number of finals. Jordan Kelly, Graham Purcell, Andrew Reis, a sick William Messervy and an injured Ian Sarno also made finals and swam very well.

The relays produced 2 gold medals, our depth in our strong age groups apparent with the excellent performances of the second team.

The percentage of personal best times was distorted by short course converted times being entered, however a quick calculation indicates that approximately 70% of all swims were personal best times. This is outstanding considering the number of swims and length of the competition. A number of these personal best swims qualified swimmers for National Age and Olympic Trials.

As a team we have some weaknesses. The 100m Backstroke, 100m & 200m Freestyle are events we need to strengthen. Our strengths are the Butterfly, Breaststroke and Individual Medley events. I also feel that the team will need to improve in event selection and distance State next year.

As a point of reference for the team last year (when I was head coach of the SAC Seals Swim Team) we scored the following points (This year's Marlins point score is shown in brackets):

The reduction in Open Water points was due to the improved strength of this year’s competition. The 9 – 12 years did very well and the 13 – 19 years improved by 50%. Next year, as the swimmers become older, the team will be more competitive in the Open competition.

During the State competition I was appointed as the State’s Head Silver Squad Coach. I am very pleased to be moved from Bronze to Silver. The early appointments are so that the State squads programs can be organised and structured better. I will enjoy assisting NSW Swimming in providing the best possible support and education to the State's high achievers.

The next few months will see a step up in training as we move towards National Open and Age. These are the big meets of the year. The program will focus on swimmers' main events so they will qualify for or perform at the upcoming National meets. I am looking forward to this challenge for the next 3 months.

Congratulations, John Bladon Head Coach & Chairman of the MLC Marlins Swimming Team.

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