Club History
In 1976 a Mermaid swimmer, Sue Jenner who made an Olympic final in the Medley Relay and semi-final of the 100m Butterfly, achieved another landmark. In 1977 she won European bronze in 200m Butterfly and in 1978 Commonwealth Games a Bronze for 200m Butterfly plus two finals. During this period, Tamsin Jaggs (nee Forward) Peter Ostacchini and Kim Perrotton became Junior Internationals. The need for co-operation and merger of local clubs was given fresh impetus by the opening of new pools in our own catchment area (Harrow, Barnet and Ealing) with strong Borough supported clubs developing. Harry Oppenheim, chair of Camden-Hampstead SC, with the support of Camden Sports Council, sought to persuade all the Camden clubs to form a new association and the Camden Swimming Association was founded in 1977, with Harry as the first Chair. A democratic constitution was adopted to foster swimming and other sports for recreation and safety, as well as providing a centre of excellence in competitive swimming; the latter being emphasised by a photo of Sue Jenner on its brochure. In 1978, Nigel Forward and Harry Travis brought Mermaid-Marlin and Camden-Hampstead into a new merger to form Swiss Cottage SC and the existing Mermaid-Marlin coach, Al Richards, took the helm. In 1979 the club took over the aims and responsibilities of the Association and became Camden Swiss Cottage SC, with Neville Cross from Nova Centurian SC (in Nottingham) appointed as our first full-time Chief Coach.
(Continued.....)
|
Home
