Dolphins suffer?

[Pandi]

Will bournemouth dolphins rise in the past 12 months or so take a downward spiral now graham is leaving for the ITC in swansea?

[colonelhall]

First I've heard of it, but then again I'm pretty much out of touch these days. However, I wish Graham the best of luck. He produced some outstanding swimmers at Lincoln and continued to do so at Bournemouth. He had to overcome much opposition to his tough regime, but kept going and did a wonderful job for his young swimmers.
I always thought that Bournemouth was too small an area for a coach of his calibre, especially as the rival club has also done well. Who knows? Perhaps now is the time for the two clubs to produce a bigger organisation.

[Pandi]

First I've heard of it, but then again I'm pretty much out of touch these days. However, I wish Graham the best of luck. He produced some outstanding swimmers at Lincoln and continued to do so at Bournemouth. He had to overcome much opposition to his tough regime, but kept going and did a wonderful job for his young swimmers.
I always thought that Bournemouth was too small an area for a coach of his calibre, especially as the rival club has also done well. Who knows? Perhaps now is the time for the two clubs to produce a bigger organisation.

Interesting.Population wise i'd put Lincoln & Bournemouth on the same size scale.Graham "overcame" the problems,which led to some swimmer's &(parents) buggering off to Ferndown.Talk again of Ferndown otters & Bournemouth dolphins joining together.Future looks to be Less than bright now.:settee:

[colonelhall]

I would have thought that the future could be very bright indeed, if the clubs amalgamated.

[Apostle]

From what I undestand Graham is going there as assistant. Who is in charge there?

[colonelhall]

Isn't it Bud McCallister?

Does anyone know how Swansea is shaping up? It would be good to hear more from the ITCs

[Noswimdad]

ITCs, Beacon's, Hub's, mergers
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/4566013.Dolphins_and_Otters_reopen_merger_talks/

Seagulls and Poole look out, you're next:

“We want to work with clubs like Seagulls and Poole but I don’t know what part they would want to play,”

Nick Sellwood supports it and looks like the ASA are pushing hard to phase out the smaller clubs.

[Pandi]

ITCs, Beacon's, Hub's, mergers
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/4566013.Dolphins_and_Otters_reopen_merger_talks/

Seagulls and Poole look out, you're next:



Nick Sellwood supports it and looks like the ASA are pushing hard to phase out the smaller clubs.

Interesting link there.:thumb:

[2.tso]

unless things have changed its bud in swansea as head coach, hes a great guy and a wonderful coach i would suggest he would be a wonderful head coach if i were an assistant!

[Noswimdad]

Looks like Graham isn't the only one "leaving":
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/search/4577643.Amelia_heading_for_Millfield/

[Apostle]

The only surprise there is that it wasn't Plymouth.

[Big Nev]

I would have thought that the future could be very bright indeed, if the clubs amalgamated.

Sorry to come to this debate late but couldn't that apply to a lot of "small" clubs.

In Rochdale there are 2 Clubs, Rochdale and Aquabears. There has been talk of merger for years, but 2 committees with their "power" base will never agree.

It has been the same in English swimming for years, the people who "run" it think they know what's best for swimmers without ever taking the swimmers' needs into consideration.

[colonelhall]

"the people who "run" it think they know what's best for swimmers"

To whom are you referring Nev? The people who run clubs and resist change, or the ASA, who in this case seems to be ready to support a merger?

[Pandi]

I would have thought that the future could be very bright indeed, if the clubs amalgamated.

Looks like we are about to find out.

http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/4657671.Combined_team_set_to_be_a_major_force/

[colonelhall]

It seems that these two clubs are both imaginative and forward thinking. Good luck to them. I told you that it's worth following their exploits in the local rag. Younever know what's going to happen next.

[Highway Star]

Interesting stuff (I swam for Ferndown in the 80s and 90s) - they should have merged years ago, given Bournemouth's better facilities, Ferndown's continual 'punching above their weight' and historical complementary strengths (Ferndown generally in girls, Bournemouth maybe more boys).

I just hope they actually go through with now, rather than the 'B' team get relegated and then revert back to being 'Ferndown'.

[Pandi]

Interesting stuff (I swam for Ferndown in the 80s and 90s) - they should have merged years ago, given Bournemouth's better facilities, Ferndown's continual 'punching above their weight' and historical complementary strengths (Ferndown generally in girls, Bournemouth maybe more boys).

I just hope they actually go through with now, rather than the 'B' team get relegated and then revert back to being 'Ferndown'.


Seems as tho the merger hasnt been such a success out of the pool.

http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/4819235.Swimming__County_sport_in_turmoil_after_Wa tson_quits/

[Highway Star]

Seems as tho the merger hasnt been such a success out of the pool.

http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/4819235.Swimming__County_sport_in_turmoil_after_Wa tson_quits/

That's sad, Tony is a good coach. They'll really miss him at Ferndown. Though the article states it wasn't due to the merger, seems like club politics and infighting yet again :rolleyes:

Did see that the merger isn't final yet, plus the combined team 'only' came third in the Western League (though qualified for the National A final), now both head coaches have left as have the two best swimmers. :(

[colonelhall]

As I have said before. I have followed the Dolphins story, since the arrival of Graham Bassi. It looks to me like the story of modern swimming in a microcosm. There is always going to be a clash between the old and new guards. There will always be a conflict between the needs of swimmers aiming for National rewards and those who want to just enjoy competition. I don't know the root complaints beneath Bassi's threatened departure of a couple of years back and the one that exists now. Two excellent coaches gone. However, they have left a legacy. They have shown that this area is capable of producing at the highest level. I hope that a merger goes ahead and that the committees can get their acts together. Good luck!

[Noswimdad]

Looks like the merger is off, as least for the moment:


Club Merger
08 March 2010 - Adam MCormack & Michelle Wignall
Following months of extensive discussions, at this point in time, it has not been possible to come to an agreement over the Club merger and the route it would take. Therefore, it is with regret that both Clubs have decided to suspend merger talks for the time being.

Great steps were taken during this time and it is hoped that we can continue to build on the much improved relationship between the two Clubs, and that talks could be started again in the not too distant future.

[Pandi]

Looks like the merger is off, as least for the moment:

Thanks for the info.
Normally get the goss via swimmers & bournemouth echo(which seems to be lacking swimming in the sports section at the mo:speechles)

[colonelhall]

Just add "/swimming" to the end of the URL and you will get the results.
The Echo needs an email to prod them into putting the swimming link back up.

[Pandi]

Merger back on again :confused:
One slight problem with this report is the mention of the 50m pool in portsmouth.Does pompey have a 50m pool?
Dunno who is pushing for a merger the most, is it the clubs themselves or the asa?

http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/swimming/8339583.Merger_talks_gather_pace/

[Steve]

Yes, Pompey has a pretty new 50m pool at the Mountbatten centre - opened last year I think.

[Swim-ma]

Quite correct, new pool opened last year & replaced the old 33 yard Victoria pool which has recently been bulldozed to make way for uni housing I think.

[Pandi]

Yes, Pompey has a pretty new 50m pool at the Mountbatten centre - opened last year I think.

Quite correct, new pool opened last year & replaced the old 33 yard Victoria pool which has recently been bulldozed to make way for uni housing I think.

Tar muchley-Only found out about it before reading your posts.Dolphins do LC training there.Speaking to a couple of Parents this morning(both have had swimmers at the nationals) They Just 'think" talks are taking place again so why bother fixing something that is not broken.

[Pandi]

Dunno who is pushing for a merger the most, is it the clubs themselves or the asa?
Strange Roger has not quoted any of the parents/swimmers in this article.Just asa and british swimming saying how good it WILL be.
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/swimming/8379660.Swimming__First_joint_training_for__merger __clubs/

Look forward to hearing from Colonel Hall.Via pm or on this thread.;)