2004-05 is a year to Celebrate! Ontario set and reached its goals this past year and we were successful in so many ways … and now its time to celebrate.
As a province, we are fortunate to have so many wonderful and talented athletes, committed coaches, dedicated officials and volunteers and supportive parents. We continue to grow in all areas and more importantly, we continue to succeed in those areas we determine are important to us. Ontario launched many new programs and initiatives last season; all were well received and supported within our community. As we reflect on last season in preparation for this coming season, we must take time to review those programs which were especially successful. Burning Bright for Breast Cancer was enormously successful and this year, we hope to see still greater success … especially if provinces and synchro clubs across Canada embrace the program. The 2004 High Performance Camps were well attended and afforded athletes across Ontario the opportunity to learn from the best. Of course, Summer 2005 sees the camps double in number and size and we look forward to reviewing the revised format in Fall 2005. The training programs offered to athletes, coaches and officials last year enabled the province to build strength and a special thank you must go to our coach and official consultants without whom the programs could not have been offered. The 1st Annual Ontario-Quebec Cup was held and this year will see it hosted in Ontario; it will be a tough act to follow – Quebec did a wonderful job. The National Team Trials (NTT) program helped to prepare elite athletes for the trials following Nationals and for the first time, we have a number of athletes qualify for the Trials. All these programs provided our athletes and coaches with opportunity to see greater success. Four athletes were named to National Teams --- Success! Team Ontario trained and traveled to Spain and came home with silver medals --- Success!
Success is measured in so many ways. We certainly were successful at all levels this year; we offered not only the new programs and initiatives, but also built on what we already knew worked. Synchro Spirit is such a program and it will again be offered in Fall 2005. Competitive opportunities offered to Recreational athletes was so positive and these will continue in 2005. We determined that our sport’s development and growth must be supported at every level and programs continue to be offered that will support this vision.
There are definite challenges ahead … but challenges met successfully are rewards themselves … they are opportunities for personal growth and development and they shape who we are or will become. Success is a journey … take time to enjoy the little steps of success along the journey.
Choose to believe in your success and you will see it! Congratulations on a great year. Take time to think about your own successes this year. Enjoy your summer; be safe. And … in the Fall … let’s continue on with our journey!
President, Synchro Swim Ontario