Phil Simpson
We have all heard and read of the prowess of the SaddleBrooke Swim Club’s Masters Swim Team within the ranks of U.S. Masters Swimming (USMS), with multiple team state and individual national championships to its credit. It should come as no surprise then, that even outside their accustomed watery environs, SaddleBrooke’s natators can rise as a unified force to meet a competitive challenge. Proof positive of this competitive zeal was demonstrated just recently. Over November and December of last year, USMS conducted a membership campaign contest to encourage USMS members to renew by December 31, offering those clubs with the highest member renewal percentages, gift certificates from USMS swim gear sponsors. When word of the challenge reached our club membership, their “can do” attitude was sparked and the renewals began to flow. When the online activity finally cooled, USMS announced that our own SaddleBrooke Swim Club has been awarded the grand prize of a $500 certificate as the club with the highest re-up rate, recording a remarkable 97 percent in membership renewals!
Once again, the spirit and camaraderie of our club members has been demonstrated in coming together to win the contest and to further establish the reputation of our club as one to be envied for its true team commitment and focus. Especially noteworthy is the fact that a good number of our swimmers renewed their memberships purely to support the club, while knowing that they will not be able to join us this year. Their generous gestures define loyalty! The campaign was such a success in generating renewals and also in attracting new members that USMS decided to make awards as well to those top three clubs with the highest percentages of growth in members. Largely owing to last summer’s Let’s Swim Program, spearheaded by Vice President Lyn Moreno, the SaddleBrooke Swim Club, with USMS membership growth of 115 percent, distinguished itself with a third place podium finish and another $200 gift certificate!
The fun will be in determining how to redeem our gifts to best support our entire club membership. But while it’s terrific to win the contest and the awards, the real reward is the satisfaction that we club members can take in the pride and dedication that we continue to exhibit in competing to be the best, both within and outside of our pool lanes.
Congratulations, SaddleBrooke Swim Club!