Administration
Previous Administrations and indeed most other Federations depend on volunteers to implement and administer it’s programs. This has generally meant that many opportunities not capitalized on due to insufficient man-power. To alleviate this, the ASAJ on November 15, 1999 hired Miss. Sharon Evans as an administrative assistant. The Administrative Assistant reports to the ASAJ Secretary and President.

Competitions (National Representation)

The National Swim Team competed in three meets in 1999:
CARIFTA (April 3-5, 1999)

Jamaica had the privilege of hosting CARIFTA 1999 at the National Stadium Pool and by all accounts was a very successful meet. The nine (9) competing teams warmly received the exceptional effort of the Organizing Committee and volunteer group, which included persons from within and outside of the swimming community.

The final standings had Jamaica wining the competition with 839.5 points ahead of a strong Bahamas team (784.5), Barbados (670), Antilles Guyane Francaise (599.5) US Virgin Islands (465.5), Cayman Islands (283) Suriname (119) Grenada (10) an St. Lucia (5). Jamaica’s females showed great depth in winning the high point trophy in all three age groups. Allison Bardowell and Raine Paulson-Andrews dominated the 11-12 age group as Jamaican’s won all but three events.

Our 11-12 girls finished with 183 points ahead of Barbados who scored 102. The 13-14 female age group was much more competitive, however, three outstanding individual gold medal performances by Abiona Redwood, and individual medal performances by Amelia Thompson, Mariana Chuck and Kahlilah Robinson pulled off a 18.5 point victory over the US Virgin Islands. In the 15-17 age group, Janelle Atkinson’s, who won all six (6) of her events in world class times, teamed

While our male swimmers did not win as many medals as their their female teammates did there were a number of outstanding performances. In the 11-12 age group, Dominic Lee shone as he won silver in both Breaststroke events as well as the 200 M Individual Medley. The 13-14 age group belonged to Chris Vythoulkas won the hearts of the girls as well as eight gold medals.

Jamaica was weakest in this grouping as only Shamori Todd was able to win an individual medal. He took the bronze in the 100 M and 200 M Freestyle and then teamed up with Jason James, Adi Atkinson and Timothy Wong the take the silver in the 200 M Freestyle relay and bronze in the 400 M Medley Relay. Jeremy Knowles of the Bahamas, dominated the 15-17 age group as he entered and won thirteen (13) events, breaking four (4) meet events in the process.

Despite this, Ramon James won silver in the 200 M and placed third 100 M Backstroke while Kevin Thompson swam well in both the sprint and distance freestyle events to take four bronze medals (50, 100, 200 and 1,500 M Freestyle).

Jamaican swimmers broke seven (four individual and three relay) of the nineteen meet records broken during the meet.

Special mention must be made of the team management. Team Manager Pat Thompson, Head Coach Jackie Walter, Assistant Coach Michael Wilson and Physiotherapist Janeth Ricketts did an excellent job, congratulations to you all.

CCCAN (July 12 - 21, 1999)

Jamaica’s team of twelve (12) swimmers performed credibly under difficult circumstances at the CCCAN Swimming Championships held in Medillin, Columbia. The team was managed by Locksley Todd and Coached by Nathan Brown and Michael Wilson. The Team Doctor was Dr. Dutris Bourne. The high altitude, security concerns and psychological factors probably due to insufficient preparation prior to leaving Jamaica seemed to affect the team performance. The new Council will have to ensure that Team Managers and Coaches are selected well in advance of the competition so that the best conditions can be ensured for our swimmers.

Abiona Redwood swam 28.20 to take the Silver medal in the 50 M Freestyle while Allison Bardowell won the bronze medal in the 200 M Backstroke in a time of 2:36.86. Most swimmers achieved personal best times in at least one event while seven (7) swimmers made at least one final. There were inspiring performances by Paul Peat and Ramon James, who despite not medalling in their events, showed grit, determination and commitment throughout the entire competition. All teams need such leadership from their senior members.

Pan American Games (July 31 – August 8, 1999)

Jamaica’s team of Janelle Atkinson, Angela Chuck, Tamara Swaby, Jilandre Atkinson and Coach Jackie Walter was the largest Jamaican contingent a meet at this level since the 1984 Olympics. Special mention must be made of Bolles School Assistant Coach Rick Bishop who worked very closely with the Jamaican Team. His experience at major competitions provided a wealth of knowledge and guidance for the team.

Janelle Atkinson’s silver medal performance in the 200 M, 400 M and 800 M Freestyle events was no doubt the highlight of the Games for Jamaica. Her swims, most of which where world ranked in the top ten, attracted a lot of attention and have put Jamaica on the world-swimming map. Janelle was asked to carry the Jamaican flag at the Games closing ceremonies.

Angela Chuck and Tamara Swaby swam best or near best times and the experience gained will no doubt help them as they train to qualify for the 2000 Olympic Games Team. Jilandre Atkinson preformed well below her best due to difficulties in her training program leading up to the Games.

Competitions (Local)
All ASAJ meets on the 1998-1999 Swim Calendar were run on schedule. Three club’s hosted meets; the FFA Invitational Swim Meet in December 1998, the Karl Dalhouse Swim Meet hosted by the Y-Speedos in February 1999 and the Tornadoes Invitational Swim Meet held in July 1999.

Synchronized Swimming

Jamaica’s first Synchronized Swimming Club was registered in 1999. The Club, led by Coach Katherine LimSang is currently the driving force behind the development of Synchronized Swimming in Jamaica. Worldwide, the sport still does not enjoy mass participation and it is anticipated that its development in Jamaica will require dedication and patience. 1999 saw the number of swimmers participating in the Clubs program double to approximately 30 persons. Our first goal for International Competition is CISC 2000 to be held in Aruba where Jamaica’s participation is eagerly awaited by the Caribbean Synchronized Swimming Community.

Until a formal Development Program has been developed Council has adopted the Canadian Star Program as the standard for teaching and awarding swimmers.

In April, Mrs. Sandra Roberts Honorary Secretary of the FINA Technical Synchronized Swimming Committee, conducted a Judges Clinic for twenty five (25) persons. Twenty one (21) completed the course and received participation certificates. To prepare the participants for the clinic, Coach Katherine LimSang and Kathy Morgan conducted a judges workshop prior to Mrs. Roberts arrival. Already, a number of the judges have gained practical experience judging the figures and routines of the Star Program.

Island Aquatics Synchro Club have purchased an Underwater Speaker System which should improve the quality of the performances. The system should be in the island in time for the first Synchronized Swimming Competition to be held December 16 & 18, 1999.

Water Polo

The interest that was being showed in Water Polo early in 1999 did not develop. The new Council will have to develop a new approach for resurrecting a Water Polo program using the FINA Development Programs Coaches Clinic to be held in February 2000 as the starting point.

Development Programmes
National Team
The need to develop a program for the development of our National Team became increasingly obvious as more of our elite swimmers migrated or left the island to attend college. Additionally, the elite swimmers who remain in Jamaica have fewer training partners making motivation for serious training difficult. The ASAJ Council has approved a National Team Program that calls for the appointment of two National Coaches, establishes a baseline for a swimmers training through the National Training Model, a schedule of clinics, swim camps and participation international competition. Our first goal is to qualify and prepare swimmers for the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

Two squads, a National and Junior National Squad will be selected as soon as the Coaches have been appointed. Copies of the National Team Development Program are available at the ASAJ Office.

Coaches Development
Coaches development continues to be a priority with new developments and approaches being implemented in 1999. To foster greater interaction and knowledge transfer amongst local coaches a series of Coaches Workshops were scheduled the first of which was held in October.

The 1999 Coaches Clinic was held in December The clinic is was sponsored by Olympic Solidarity funding and was divided into two (2) sections. The first section, held in Montego Bay was conducted by Mr. Guy Edson, President of ASCA and will cover portions of the ASCA Level 1,2 and 3 Coaches School. The second section, held in Kingston, targeted the more experienced coaches and focus on coaching long distance swimmers. The Instructor was Coach Michael Curley.

After extensive discussions, Council determined that there is a need to develop a coaches certification program. A Committee of three, Mrs. Barbara Briggs, Coach Jackie Walter and Coach Nathan Brown, was commissioned to evaluated a number of existing systems (including establishing our own)and concluded that the American Swim Coaches Association’s (ASCA) System would benefit our coaches the most. Discussions are continuing with ASCA President Mr. Guy Edson and as soon as agreement is reached the program will be implemented. Our target date is early 2000.

Financial Position

The Sports Development Foundation’s (SDF) grant of one JA$1 million for the calendar year 1999 provided the ASAJ with the ability to better plan and introduce it’s development plan. This grant together with careful expenditure control has allowed us to remain solvent. The SDF has also provided significant assistance to Janelle Atkinson and I should not miss this opportunity to thank the SDF for their continued support.

Except for the Junior Championships, the ASAJ managed to recover all meet expenses through sponsorships, gate receipts, entry fees, program advertisements and other sales.

Securing sponsorship continues to be difficult in these challenging economic times. Mayberry Investments and Nestle Ja. Ltd. provided significant sponsorship for school meets while there were a number of other smaller contributors, for all of which the swimming community is grateful.

Elections
The following persons were elected to the ASAJ Council at the Annual General Meeting.

President – John Eyre
1st Vice President – Locksley Todd
2nd Vice President – Allan Marsh
3rd Vice President – Clive Walter
Secretary – Joan Gayle
Treasurer – Nigel Bair
Assistant Secretary/Treasurer - position left open