Northwich Amateur Swimming Club is ready to start new era while not forgetting its past

The group will celebrate its 100th birthday in new surroundings at Memorial Court, leaving their current home at Moss Farm.

And Philip Balcombe, appointed head coach in November, plans to make the most of it.

“There is a feel-good factor surrounding the move,” he said.

“That will increase the closer we get to going in there.

“It’s difficult to tell just how much of an impact it will have, particularly as the club is also thinking about how best to mark its centenary.

“The timing is perfect though.

“Northwich needs it after a tough few months. I think the committee felt a bit down on their luck, and that they had maybe taken a step backwards.

“Everybody is now keen to get the club back to where it was.”

He succeeds Mick Hodges, who wasn’t replaced straightaway.

Instead of waiting for his replacement, some of the older swimmers left to continue their development elsewhere.

Balcombe, who watched the club’s annual championships before accepting an offer to take on the role, knew the size of the challenge that awaited him.

But the long term nature of the project was appealing.

He said: “I think it might take five years to get Northwich the type of recognition they deserve.

“But they should be ambitious enough to hold their own against Warrington or Winsford, who are both among the top five clubs in the county.

“I know that will take time, and will be hard work.

“I’m not here to coach for glory, to only produce national champions and forget about everything else.

“There will always be a place for swimmers who only want to swim for fitness, but those who want to compete will be taught the skills to help them to do that.

“Winning races at galas is good for morale, both for individuals and also the club as a whole.”

From a reduced entry at last month’s Cheshire Championships, Northwich did not win a medal.

Nor did they expect to.

Balcombe said his immediate priority is for the club’s younger swimmers to get used to competition at meetings for novices.

He said: “I want swimmers to have fun, to enjoy the sport.

“If they’re not happy, they won’t swim quickly. 

“There is some work to be done on starts and finishes as well as turns and general racing technique.

“It’s a change of philosophy from what they’ve been used to in the months before I arrived.

“There will be children who don’t want to race this year, but decide differently later. If they prepare for that now, they’ll be ready.”

For him, mood is important.

It can help foster a sense of identity that can only be strengthened by moving to a new home.

Looking back over decades of history, as Northwich will in the run-up to centenary celebrations in September, has the same effect.

“In a club with lots of young swimmers, it’s important they develop together and push each other,” added Balcombe.

“If they progress as a group, then it’s easier to make them feel part of something social as well as sporting.

“That way they’re also more likely to continue swimming as they get older and begin to be presented with other distractions.

“What I’ve seen already at Northwich is impressive.

“The swimmers, their parents and our volunteers have the right attitude.

“There is potential, it’s my job to help them realise it.”