South Aberdeenshire Swimming (SAS)
SAS History
The initiative evolved from a series of meetings going back as far as 1996, though there was a longer history of inter-club co-operation that extended beyond that. Following these, the South Aberdeenshire Squad was constituted with the aim of providing joint training sessions and competing as a joint composite team at national level. In late 1998, we were joined by Martyn Woodroffe, SASA National Director of Swimming, who helped us work towards a closer relationship with Aberdeenshire Council and to realise our ambition to appoint a full-time professional Swimming Development Officer/Head Coach to lead the programme. Gary Paterson was appointed in January 2000.
Aberdeenshire Council accepted the swimming development plan in November 2000 providing South Aberdeenshire with "a framework for sound foundations in the teaching of swimming and other aquatic disciplines and allow participants to move seamlessly along pathways towards achieving their potential".
The many advantages of SAS include:
-
Professional coaching advice & guidance
-
Improved links with local clubs
-
Informal coach support network
-
Aberdeenshire swimming development plan
-
Joint curriculum and resource manual for all clubs involved
-
Additional training and competitive opportunities for swimmers of various levels
-
Opportunity for committed Top Squad swimmers to train at appropriate level with peers.
As a member of one of the four participating clubs, swimmers are automatically a member of SAS and may be invited to represent South Aberdeenshire at appropriate events.
