In 2010 Campbelltown Collegians Masters Swimming Club celebrated their 30 year anniversary. Club President, Owen Sinden gives us an insight into the history of this very successful club…

In typically Australian fashion, it started with a beer... or two... and a bet.  In January 1980, Barry Jarvis sat in the grandstand of Bradbury Pool, Campbelltown, beer in hand, watching his son’s squad training with the Campbelltown Amateur Swimming Club.  Pool attendant John Hunter noticed Barry’s relaxed figure and bet him a bottle of beer that he couldn’t swim 25m.  This was the innocent beginning of Campbelltown Collegians AUSSI Masters Swimming Club.

Of course Barry took up the challenge, promptly diving in and completing 12 metres before sinking and losing the bet.  Determination is a wonderful thing - Barry started swimming with John of a Sunday morning and a few weeks later he completed 50m of freestyle.

Barry was keen to get fit; he was an ex-navy man (1956-62 on HMAS Voyager) and saw swimming as a way to get back to his best.  Barry and John attracted others to their Sunday morning swims.  In October 1980, John talked to Barry about contacting AUSSI and forming a masters swimming club.  John Hunter was elected the inaugural President and Barry Jarvis the Club Captain.

Increasing membership was vital.  Barry and John manned a stall at the Camden Show and regular newspaper articles listed the competition times from the Sunday morning races.  Late in 1981 Russell McLeod read an article... and has been a member ever since.  Russell was a founding member of the Campbelltown Amateur Swimming Club (1962-77) so had always been a keen swimmer.  In early 1982 another two long-term members joined, Helga Duncan and Mavis Corduroy.  Other current long-term members are Steve Clough (1985), Kevin Stirling (1989), and Hans Preiss (1993).  All have held numerous important positions in the club.

The club did its bit for the local community, too.  They raised money for local water polo player Heather Rouen to represent Australia at the Olympic Games - as a result, Heather joined up as a masters swimmer in 1991. 

So... what makes Campbelltown Masters Swimming Club unique?  One thing is the depth of history and records.  Copies of our Sunday morning swimming programs date back to 1982.  Club awards date back to the same time - Barry Jarvis won the club pointscore trophy in 1981-82 and 1983-84; John Hunter won it in 1982-83.  Heather Rouen has won it four times while Russell McLeod has taken it out an unprecedented seven times.

Another factor unique to Campbelltown is aerobic/endurance swimming.  Aerobic records for the club started in 1990 and there has rarely been a year since that the club hasn’t won either a NSW or National aerobics trophy.  Yes, aerobic swims are part of our Sunday morning programs.  Yes, we’ve found a niche where club members are both comfortable and capable.  And yes, we’re very proud of our achievements.  In 2009 we won the trifecta of NSW Aerobics trophies (participation, total pointscore and average pointscore), plus the holy grail... the National Average Pointscore Trophy.

The club hosted the NSW long course championships in 1991 and has been a major supporter of the State Long Distance Championships since its inception.  In 2005 we had a name change, including “Collegians” in recognition of our affiliation with the Campbelltown Catholic Club.

2010 - our 30th year - has been one of constant celebration.  We collected state and national aerobics trophies, Russell McLeod received the state Administration Award for 2009 (with Heather Rouen receiving it for 2008), and we set a new world record for the women’s 400m Medley relay - Annie Cooke, Chris Clough, Heather Rouen and Barbara Briggs setting the world mark at the State Relay meet.  Individually, 22 year old Katie Lewis has set the country alight with her incredible performances... 12 gold medals from 12 events at the National Championships in Launceston; 5 gold from 5 events in the state long course championships and breaking 4 state and 4 national records in the process.  Katie now owns 24 NSW and 21 Australian records!

The club has an active social side besides it's swimming agenda and this all helps to create a very harmonious club. Each member has contributed in some way to the club’s success.

And what about the Masters Swimming slogan of fun, friendship and fitness?  Well, there’s a little fitness... but much, much more fun and friendship; we’re a club that interrupts our Sunday morning chat sessions with the odd handicap race or long distance swim.

Some members have moved away, some only stayed in the club for a year or two.  Some very-much-loved members are no longer with us; they are sadly missed but remembered in the fondest ways, often followed by something like “Yeah, but do you remember when the old bugger did this...?”

It is quite humbling to be such a recent member of such a wonderful club with such a rich history.  I recall thinking when I first joined just five years ago that all masters swimming clubs must be run the same way.  Then, talking to others at carnivals, the realisation that Campbelltown was in fact a very unique club, with a relatively small band of loyal members... competitive - at times;  social - definitely;  supportive - most certainly;  I can’t imagine a better club.    

Many thanks to Barry Jarvis, Russell McLeod, Barbara Briggs and Helga Duncan for their assistance with this article.

Owen Sinden
President Campbelltown Collegians AUSSI Masters Swimming Club