Update from Upper Deeside Amateur Swimming Club

In 2013, the Jo Walters Trust made a grant of £1,250 to the Club.  They have kindly provided this update on their activities.

UDASC is a relatively small but well-established rural swimming club, based in Aberdeenshire. We cater for approximately 70 children aged 7-19, ranging from the upper end of "Learn to Swim", right through to National and International competitive swimmers.

In July 2013, UDASC applied for a grant from the Jo Walters Trust, to 50% fund a part-time professional mentor for our volunteer coaches (the remaining 50% coming from club fund-raising.) We were delighted when our application was successful, and we were able to secure the services of Stewart Haslam, a senior aquatics practitioner with many years' experience of working with age-group swimmers and their coaches.

Stewart has attended our training sessions approximately twice a week during the 13/14 season, working mainly (but not exclusively) with our Silver and Gold squad coaches, who in turn work with swimmers competing at Local, District and National levels. He has also been able to mentor two of our recently qualified UKCC level 2 coaches through the practical part of their course.

Where possible (given constraints relating to the voluntary status of our coaches,) we have aimed, through coach communication, to cascade Stewart's work through the club, in order to secure maximum gain from his input.
Examples of feedback from some of our coaches:

"Stewart has been a real asset to the club...."

"I have learned a great deal from Stewart, especially the finer points of stroke technique which, ultimately, can make all the difference to the swimmers' success...."

"....a real confidence booster...."

"....incredibly useful..... immensely informative...."

"....fantastic support just where we need it most..... huge thanks to the Jo Walters Trust"

There is no doubt that every member of the club has benefited from Stewart's work with our coaches, and that his input will impact the club for many years to come.

UDASC would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the trustees of the JWT for making this possible.

THANK YOU!