Masters Swimming Ontario Editorial March 1998

Next years Nationals are scheduled for Nepean, May 15 - 17. We are looking for a host Club for the 1999 Provincials, preferably in April.

The MSO Annual General Meeting was again held after the North York Masters Pentathlon Meet at Douglas Snow on Dec. 6. Thank you North York Masters for setting the meeting up for us. We now have a full Board with, as you will see from the attached list, the best regional representation we have had for some time. We would like to welcome Lesley Mason-Ward from Ottawa as our newest Board member.

Swimming Registration has reached 2027 swimmers, 79 Clubs and 29 unattached. These numbers will increase with future registrations.

As planned last year, the Board met in Ottawa prior to the Nepean Masters Winterlude Meet. Thanks Nepean for that. We also dealt with the "residency issue" and established guidelines on the "two swimmers per lane" issue at a specially called members meeting. It was decided that those swimmers who live outside Ontario but swim with Ontario Clubs may apply in writing to the Board for membership in MSO. There was virtually unanimous agreement on both issues as you will note from the minutes. We really appreciated the input from those who attended and the many clubs who sent in proxy votes.

We hope to have at least one meeting a year outside the Toronto area. Our next Board meeting will be at the Olympium at 4:00 p.m. on March 13, just prior to the Provincials. We shall also hold a special members forum during the officials break on Sunday, March 15. We have completed several of the strategic planning objectives including the establishment of regional representation to better communicate with our Clubs and members about the Province. We attach information on this and encourage you to forward your comments and questions to your regional representatives. We continue to work to build the committee structure which will help carry out the necessary functions required. We would like to thank all of those who have assisted in this work and those who have volunteered to serve. We attach for your information a copy of MSO Strategic Plan which was adopted at the 1997 AGM.

One objective, for several years, has been to recognize those who have contributed greatly to the initiation, growth, strength and health of Masters Swimming in Ontario. To this end we have established the MSO SWIMS award, (Swimmers Who Impacted Masters Swimming), and the first of these shall be presented on Saturday, March 14 at the Provincials.

We would like to draw to your attention changes in swimming rules which are being considered by FINA, SNC and Swim Ontario and which may be adopted prior to March 13, 1998, the start of the Provincials. They are :

1. In the Butterfly, the swimmer's head must break the surface of the water prior to fifteen (15) metres from the start or a turn.
2. In the Breaststroke and Butterfly, the touch, at each turn and at the finish, shall be made with both hands simultaneously. The body shall be kept on the breast with the shoulders in line with the normal water surface during the race, however, as the swimmer reaches for the touch, one should may be lower than the other.

The MSO web page is operational and growing under the direction of our Webmaster, Michael Stroud. There is a great deal of information available - pay us a visit at www.sentex.net/mso.

Our medal return program is in effect with $1.00 contributed to the Heart and Stroke Foundation in your name for every medal returned. Send or give your medals to our Treasurer, Darlene Brown.

We continue to look for new and better ways to serve our members. As you will note our initial work in implementing several good ideas that were developed by last years Board under the leadership of Pat Niblett. Your suggestions or questions are always welcome.

Christopher Smith, President