Swimmers were gutted at Griffith City Council's decision to put an end to Friday's squad sessions, which were canceled on the grounds of low attendance rates.
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Griffith Swimming Club committee member Tammy Mingay said she was "devastated" at the news, but not as devastated as her 8-year-old son Nate who attends squad sessions every week.
"I've always supported this aquatic centre, so it's a bit of a kick in the teeth for me and Nate," Mrs Mingay said.
"It shouldn't matter if 10 are showing up, it shouldn't matter if one is showing up. They should still be putting this squad session on."
Mrs Mingay said the news had been a serious blow to the serious young swimmers within the squad classes, especially with NSW Country Championships coming up in late February.
"These kids are keen, these kids are showing up every week, these kids are putting in the hard work," Mrs Mingay said.
"They should be supporting these young swimmers, not pulling them back."
Mrs Mingay said the swimming club was looking at hiring their own part-time swimming coach, but until that time comes she said she'd be going down to the pool and coach Nate personally.
She said she wanted to support Nate's serious swimming ambitions; at his last competition at the Southern Inland Swimming Association Long Course Championship he broke seven records for the eight years and under category.
Mrs Mingay said there were many other promising young swimmers in Griffith competing at a state and national level, and that they needed all the training they could get to stay competitive.
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Mayor John Dal Broi said it was a regrettable decision, but one that was necessary in light of the large deficit racked up by the squad sessions.
"It wasn't an easy decision," Councillor Dal Broi said.
"But we've got to be responsible with our finances, because the pool runs at a pretty substantial deficit year on year."
Councillor Mike Neville said the squad sessions had become untenable due to the low attendance rates.
"It probably sends a signal to people generally within the community who have access to community facilities," Cr Neville said.
"At the end of the day it's use it or lose it."
Council's report found that the annual wage saving by removing the Friday sessions is about $3840.
Kenji Sato
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
