Joan Wheeler

When our sons joined the teaching scheme at Modernians in the early 1990’s I was keen to get involved with the club.  As a former competitive swimmer I was aware that clubs relied on the active support of parents and consequently joined the committee and shortly after qualified as an ASA Timekeeper and Judge.  I was Chair of Modernians for ten years and during this time oversaw substantial changes and modernisation of the club.

Although my sons have now hung up their goggles I continue to be actively involved in the sport and swim regularly for fitness.  I have been County Secretary of Bedfordshire ASA for the past ten years and have been honoured to be County President in 2002 and again in 2011. I qualified as an ASA Referee in 2010 and have recently been elected to the Regional Management Board.

I am passionate about swimming and the opportunities it presents to swimmers of all ages, but particularly young people.  I am always thrilled when the swimmers from Modernians do well at the county, regional and national championships and am equally delighted to hear that former Modernians have put the range of life skills they have developed as competitive swimmers to use in their adult life.

Chairperson

Joanne Stalley

I used to swim for my school many years ago but got involved in swimming again when my two children were born, as I believe it is a life skill that every child should be given an opportunity to learn. They both went through lessons and both decided that they quite liked it and might like to compete which is when they joined the Modernians.

I was approached by Ian (then our Junior Squad coach) in 2006 asking if I had time to help out with some of the admin for the Junior Squad and a few months later was asked to join the committee by the then chair Joan Wheeler.

I started just by doing gala entries for him for the Junior Squad, then it was setting up a communication system for the Junior squad which then became the Senior squad communication system as Jessica moved in the Seniors. At the same time Nicholas moved from Bridging Squad into the Junior Squad so I became the administrator 'without portfolio' for both!

I was invited to take over from Joan in 2007 as chair and my role within the club as a volunteer has grown since. I am totally committed to giving something back to the club and swimming in general as both of my children are keen competitive swimmers. Without volunteers, the club could not exist and without volunteers, competitive swimming would not exist. I try to be very visible and available on training nights but if you don't see me at a pool, do not hesitate to contact me by email or phone.

Recently I have completed the YMCA L2 Fitness Instructor course and have now completed and qualified as  L3 Personal Trainer.

Chris Felce

I followed a path known by many swimming parents, when Charlotte joined Modernians, I was the taxi driver, taking her training and then to galas. As with many who have trodden that well worn path,  I rapidly became fed up with just sitting in the gods at various pools reading the paper, and wondered what it entailed becoming an official in white, as they seemed to be always keeping busy. So I took a timekeeping course and for a couple of years thoroughly enjoyed doing something more helpful at galas. I then moved on and took the Judge Level 1 course and shortly afterwards the JL2 course, and recently I have qualified as a starter.

I have officiated at many galas of all levels my personal highlights so far, having been the Special Olympics GB,  the largest gathering of athletes anywhere in the world in 2009, and the British Grand Prix, a head to head match between the Great Britain and Canadian teams just after the Rome world championships.

Somewhere in the midst of this, I was asked if I would be interested in helping on the committee as  the secretary, I thought it would be a great way to put something back into the club that had helped Charlotte so much, so agreed. The role is very challenging but thoroughly involving and I love every moment of it, recently I have also taken over as website administrator. I am also on the Bedfordshire County ASA Executive, as Competition Swimming Secretary, where I pick and organise the teams for the Inter County competitions that Bedfordshire enter, and am also on the Regional Technical Swimming Committee helping to organise regional level galas.

Treasurer

Doug Alcock

My career as a swimming official started from humble beginnings. Having found it difficult to stay awake between by children’s races in the humid warm environment of swimming galas, I adopted the tactic of timing any swimmer from the club using my stopwatch! I feel as though I was talent spotted! Because the club then invited me to attend a timekeeping course to learn how to do it properly. This was swiftly followed by Judge Level 1 and 2 courses, and before I knew it I was qualified to wear white clothes at galas, hold a clip board and have one of the best seats in the house! This has most definitely added to my enjoyment and appreciation of swimming and seeing Ben, and more recently Hayley, racing for club.

I have always been a keen sportsman and enjoy a challenge. In recent years I helped set up ‘Bedford Park Challenges’ to satisfy my (slightly) competitive nature with a group of friends, and train for an annual challenge each year. Although I have never had a talent for swimming; I do appreciate the necessity for hard work and dedication from swimmers and coaches. To me, this club tries hard to provide the best possible facilities for its swimmers at all levels. Therefore, over the past couple of years I have willingly organised the club swim camps to Italy, as well as the 2011 junior swim camp to Harrogate. This has brought me in to much closer contact with the club committee and coaches , and I was invited to take over the role as club treasurer.

Su Felce

When Charlotte joined Modernian Swimming Club I knew it would not be long before I would be helping out,  Many years ago I swam for MSC but at the age of 12 I stopped as I was also a keen Synchronised swimmer which I did at County, Regional and National Level.  From my days in the sport I know that all clubs revolve around volunteers and I was more than happy to join the committee when I was approached.

For the last 20+ years I have worked as a swimming teacher and I currently manage 2 swim schools so I am experienced in many areas of aquatic work both from a teaching side and from a management side of things too, I therefore felt that I had lots of experience to bring to the club and help with various aspects within the Club.

Pretty much as soon as Charlotte started at MSC I became a Team Manager, like many other parents I would far rather take an active role at galas rather than sit twiddling my thumbs in the spectator area!

I took over as Welfare Officer in 2009 and have been on numerous courses as a volunteer for the Club.  I have also travelled with the Club on training camps to Hungary and Italy although these trips involve a lot of work they are great fun.

I am at many of the clubs training sessions, but if I am not there I am more than happy to be contacted by email Su.felce@ntlworld.com or by phone 0797 1055 892 anytime

Officials Secretary

Barbara Pasquire

My daughter Nicola joined Modernians as a 9 year old in 2007. Shortly afterwards I began to train as an official and have recently passed Judge level 2. I was then asked by Jo to become the officials secretary for the club which led to a position on the committee. Swimming is my daughter’s love and she thoroughly enjoys Modernians. My support and involvement is my way of giving something back to the club and what it offers Nicola.

Membership Secretary

Tina Delaney

As membership secretary I deal with new memberships/annual renewals and I am the clubs contact for the ASA.
 
I have been involved in the club for 5 years now since Connor joined as an 11 year old.  Since then he has been joined by his two sisters and we spend most evenings and weekends at training, swimming galas, triathlons and track meets.  Watching the children train and compete has given me much enjoyment and pride over the years and we have made many friends along the way.  I feel privileged to be part of such a hard working committee and hope that we go from strength to strength as new swimmers and parents join us.  Being part of the committee has been both an enjoyable and rewarding experience and would recommend to everyone to help out in any way they can.

 

Schools Liaison

Julie Langford

Awaiting profile Information.

Club Kit Co-Ordinator

Mick Case

Awaiting profile Information.

Social Secretary

Judy Summerfield

Rob McCaffray

My Daughter Rhiannon joined Modernian in 2007 and was followed by her siblings Erin and Jamie in 2010. Since that time I have watched them develop into dedicated swimmers and enjoyed the opportunities this club has provided in leading them towards their maximum potential in competitive swimming .

Rhiannon is now an accomplished swimming competitor having achieved at County and Regional level and is a member of the Scottish Youth Squad. Erin and Jamie are pushing for their County Qualifying times. The journey of course hasn’t been easy with the highs, also come some lows, however Modernian Swimming Club has created an environment in which the swimmers are given every opportunity in achieving  their maximum potential, the dedication, commitment, and work ethic of the Swimmers, Coaches and the Committee has always impressed me.