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Feb 28, 2008

Registration by swimmers brings many benefits

I THANK Madam Teo Wei Ling for her letter, 'Why impose $30 fee for joining swim meet?' (Feb 25). The Singapore Swimming Association's (SSA) decision to establish a registry for swimmers is in line with that of leading swimming nations.

American and Australian swimmers pay more than $100 annually to register, with their respective state and national bodies.

Registration permits the SSA to:

Establish a database of swimmers to permit better management and development;

Recognise swimmers' achievements and monitor their progress for long-term development;

Establish and enforce a code of conduct and sportsmanship; and

Manage an orderly transition of swimmers from one affiliate to another.

Registration allows swimmers to take part in all SSA-organised or sanctioned meets. Last year, there were 15 such meets. Global insurance company Manulife has agreed to support our age-group programme, and will sponsor at least four age-group meets this year. Registered age-group swimmers should be able to participate in four to six meets a year.

There are also other benefits a registered swimmer enjoys such as basic insurance coverage for swimming-related injuries, discounts at sporting/swimwear retail outlets and a quarterly newsletter.

The registration system is Web-based, which will allow SSA, affiliates and swimmers to track performances easily.

Ultimately, registration allows us to professionalise our management of swimmers, especially for those in the younger age groups. We hope Madam Teo will register her children with SSA and we wish them success.

Jeffrey Leow
President
Singapore Swimming Association