By JULIE BERTRAND
Independent Reporter
Stettler Swim Club has two new coaches: Marla Merkley and Alicia Baharally
It’s their first year of coaching together, with Merkley having coached for a couple of years before while Baharally started coaching only this season, after being a member of the club for a long time.
“We love the sport. I grew up swimming,” said Baharally.
“I grew up swimming here in Stettler, as well. The club had a need for a coach. I also liked the idea of working with Alicia,” said Merkley.
According to the coaches, the swim club is doing very well. The swimmers are currently having provincial qualifiers.
“We have 11 kids that are in the pool swimming, working towards junior meets and to compete with provincial swimmers,” said Merkley.
Last weekend, three swimmers attended a competition at the University of Calgary. This weekend, the team will be going to a junior circuit meet in Three Hills.
Merkley and Baharally have plans for the club. Their number one goal is to get a lot more new members.
“We are looking at different ways to get the swimmers into the water. I know, in the past, maybe fees had been an issue but now we’re looking at lowering fees to allow more swimmers to come in and making the programs more fun and race-oriented so that the kids can get involved,” said Merkley.
The swim club’s season usually starts right in September and ends in June. ‘It’s a long season but you can always join in the middle of the season for the last part of the year if someone is looking for a spring/summer sport,” said Merkley.
The club has daily training. However, swimmers have the choice to attend all trainings or to pick and choose those that would suit their family’s schedule.
Parents interested in getting their kids in the swim club should go to the pool to meet the coaches.
The swim club is practising after school every Monday to Thursday.
Children can try the swim club without having to join right at the beginning.
For more information, please contact Marla Merkley at 742-0161.