The Collegiate Swimming Club was formed in 1929 in Invercargill, New Zealand.

Throughout the years Collegiate has helped countless young people learn to swim and supported many to compete to the best of their ability.


COLLEGIATE SWIMMING CLUB

1929 to date

1929 Inaugural Annual General Meeting held 27th September 1929.

Club Patron Mr C.A Stewart.

1931 First Club Carnival held 11 February

1931. Opened by the Mayor and music provided by the Civic Band. Profit £ 4-0-0.

1934 Club Subscriptions: Men 2/6, Ladies 1/-, Students 9d.

1940  Primary Schools Relay Trophy presented by Mr George Rask.

NZ titleholders at this time were Keith Shaw, Viv Vial and Dorrie Symon.

1944 Mr Claude Kirkland arranged for best swimmers to join a massage class.

1948  Club sent food parcels to Miss Preece, British Olympic Games representative & correspondent with Collegiate Club.

Club Instructors were – H Baker, Max Jones, W Hewett, Brian Newey, Colin Martin, Colin Lea, Miss Hart and Miss Withers.

1952-57 Collegiate swimmers created history by winning 25 New Zealand titles largely due to coaching of Max Jones.

Medals won: John Flynn (7), Neil Hamilton (6), Ron Knight (5), Jack Hamilton (5), Mary Rae (1), Eileen North (1).

1953 Club brought famous American divers, Pat McCormack and Sammy Lee to Invercargill

1958 In 5 years prior to July 1958, 114 Southland Records were broken, 77 by Collegiate Club Members.
Mary Rae (Walker) -25  Judith Scott (Flynn) -6       Madeleine Herbison (McGillivray) -2
John Flynn -12   Ron Knight -5    Dave Foster -1
Eileen North (Wockner) -11   Neil Hamilton -5  Don Hamilton -1   Jack Hamilton -6   Owen Thwaites -2  Rosemary Beange (Lowe) -1

1960  Eileen North chosen to swim in Australia. The first club overseas representative.

1963 Jill Kennedy won NZ titles and broke several NZ backstroke records. Also became the first Southlander to win an overseas title – 220 yards Junior Backstroke, Victoria, Australia.

1972   Mrs Joyce Foster retired from administrative duties to the club after 20 years service.

Club Life Members at this time were Mrs Joyce Foster, Mr George Rask and Mr R.G (Dick) Webb.

Other notable club administrators having been: George Withers, Snowy Knight, Colin Martin, Jack Flynn, Stan Hillis, Ngaire Hands, Jean Laurie, Stan Donnelly, and John Flynn.

1975  Jeanette Fry, Pauline Collier, Kathryn Smith, Darryl Donnelly, and Tane Poharama (a NZ titleholder) were selected to tour Tasmania with the Southland Swimming Team.

1976  Bob Duthie Memorial Club – this cup was presented to Bob from Collegiate Club in 1936. Bob lost his life in World War 2 and the cup was given back to the club by his cousin in 1976. As Bob was a breaststroke specialist the committee decided to present it to the most improved breaststroke swimmer each year.

1978-1980  Seen carnivals at both the Conon St pool and the Coldstream Pool – Conon St carnivals were yds – pool length 33 1/3 yds, whereas Coldstream was metres – pool length 50 metres

Did you know
33 1/3 yds    = 30.5 metres

66 2/3 yds   = 61 metres    
100 yds        = 91.4 metres

1980 Gradings – times for different grades have been set by the selectors, with one grade being swum at each carnival.

Grade 1    aimed to give keen competition to the cream of Southland swimmers
100yds freestyle 1.07.0, 100yds backstroke 1.20.0, 100yds breaststroke 1.31.0, 100yds butterfly 1.22.0, 133 1/3 yds Medley 1.52.0.

Grade 2    above average swimmer – young swimmers on their way up, or club swimmers who enjoy swimming competitively without hard training.
100 yds freestyle between 1.07.0 and 1.25.0, 100 yds backstroke between 1.20 and 1.36.0, 100 yds breaststroke between 1.31.0 and 1.48.0, 100 yds butterfly between 1.22.0 and 1.42.0, 100yds medley between 1.52.0 and 2.12.0.

Grade 3    open to all swimmers, with shorter distances, including width races, being held, with plenty of encouragement for the newer swimmers.
66 2/3 yds freestyle slower that 54.0, 66 2/3 yds backstroke slower than 1.0.0, 66 2/3 yds breaststroke slower than 1.08.0, 66 2/3 yds butterfly slower than 1.04, 133 1/3 yds medley slower than 2..12.0.

1985  
11-1-1985 Minutes show is it time for a change. Club was not really affiliated to Tech anymore. Also possible change of club colours. Suggestion of red/white and blue. Uniform committee to look into colours and report back.

25-11-85 Letter sent to the centre asking permission to change colours. 17-2-86 It was decided to stay with the maroon and gold and also add white. Letter sent to centre advising.

1985-86 Swimmers had an impressive year with 30 Southland records
Toni Biddle 23 records, Steven Burgess 3, Sharleen Rae 1, Justin Burgess 1, Kirsten McIntosh 1 and Glenn Hamilton 1.

Sonia Payne - Service Award in 1986

1987-88 Toni Biddle 2 Southland Records and 5 Age Group records, Melanie Hapuku, Lauren Pearson, Toni Biddle, and Rebecca Pope broke the U12 Girls relay team Southland Record.

213 affiliated members.

Scott Flynn selected for NZ Colts Water Polo team, which competed in Hawaii.

Southland Service Award and Honours to Jack Hamilton

1988/89      217 affiliated members.

Collegiate Swimming Club celebrates 60th Anniversary.

Rebecca Pope, 11yr girls freestyle age group record

Laura Pope 8yr old backstroke record and most points in carnivals for 8 year old girls.

Kylie Biddle Sthld champs 10 and under girls championship

Flying Squadron Relay trophy at Sthld Champs – Glenn Hamilton, Justin Burgess, Paul Horo and Scott Flynn – last held by Collegiate in 1967.

Life Membership to John Flynn and Judith Flynn (nee Scott) at AGM May 1989

1989/90      Highlight of year - Laura Pope won National Backstroke Title for under 10 years at the Canon Fax Carnival and was named Southland Swimmer of the Year.

207 affiliated members

Hamiltons furniture sponsored 120 towels for the club and these were presented at the Anniversary Swim Carnival in November 89.

1990-91      Judith Flynn received Honours Award and Wayne Pope received the trophy from the Southland Centre for the Official of the Year.

Swimmers -  Michael Payne’s main achievement was qualifying for the NZ Age Group finals and also winning the Southland under 16yrs boys championship. Donna McCluthie – NZ age group Division 2 and Bronze Medal Southland Champs; Laura Pope – Bronze Medal Southland Champs, most points at carnivals for Collegiate swimmers, Southland Age Group Record; Abbey Wilson – 3 bronze medals Southland Champs; Bekki Pope – NZ Age Group Division 2, silver medal Southland Champs, Southland Age Group Record; Richard Payne – competed at Southland Champs with merit.

198 affiliated members.

1991-92      173 affiliated members

1992-93      192 affiliated members

Michael Payne – qualifying for winter nationals, Division 1 champs, Southland Champs winner of open mens section. Richard Payne – qualifying for Division 2.

Jack Hamilton had a fine haul of medals from the NZ Masters Games

1993-94      Rachel Holder – 7 medals at Otago Champs; Sthld Champs 6 golds for under 10 years.

Bekki Pope 2 bronze Otago Champs, Sthld Champs open womens champion – 3golds, 5 silvers and 4 bronze medals

Michael Pope a bronze Otago Champs, Southland Champs open mens championship – 11 golds and 1 silver from 12 swims, swimmer of the meet

Katrina Murchland – Southland Champs 2 silvers and a bronze

Richard Payne - a silver and a bronze at Division 2, selected for NZ under 16yr boys team

Jack Hamilton another haul of medals from the NZ Masters Games.

Special presentation to Jack Hamilton, this being Jacks 25th year of involvement with the club. Jack also received the Bill Davidson Memorial Trophy for his contribution to Junior Coaching.

1994/95 Swimmers won 32 medals at the Southland Champs

1995 Club donated $15,000 towards Aquatic Trust for new Aquatic Centre.

Nov 1996  Club have a design of black, maroon and white togs

Swimming caps white with maroon writing

1996/97      Jordan Edwards – NZ Open Nationals – 3 placings in b finals and breaking 2 southland records

1997 Jack Hamilton ceased coaching

1997 Collegiate moved from Conon Street Pool to new complex at Splash Palace, Southland Aquatic Centre.

1998/99      Lisa Pankhurst competed in her first nation swim meet

Rachel Holder and Cameron Murphy received bronze medals at the South Islands and Div2’s.

1999  Collegiate 70th Anniversary. Club conducts Age Group Open Carnival.

1999-2000  174 membership

Rachel Holder South Islands 1 gold 1 bronze

Bryn Murphy South Islands 1 gold, 1 silver and 3 bronze; National Age Group Open bronze 1500m free

Cameron Murphy South Islands 1 silver, 1 bronze

Lisa Pankhurst NZ Juniors – gold in 50m fly

Tim Holden Div 2 – 2 bronze

Service Award to Alister Murchland and Noel Shand

2000-2001 170 membership

Bryn Murphy south Islands 3 gold and 5 silver; National age groups – 2nd, National Opens – Sthld Record for 400 IM.

Cameron Murphy South Islands 3 silver and 1 bronze

Lisa Pankhurst NZ Juniors bronze medal, Southland record for 50 fly

2001-2002  Bryn Murphy – Division1 bronze in 200m fly, South Islands – bronze 400IM, champion in his age group in Southland Champs, broke a number of Sthld records and selected for NZ Tri Series team

Cameron Murphy – Southland Champs, runner up champion

Lisa Pankhurst – broke a number of Sthld records

2003           NZ Age group Championships attended by Tim Holden, Bryn Murphy, Cameron Murphy and Lisa Pankhurst

2002-2003  Adrienne Pope – Bill Davidson Memorial trophy for services to junior swimming.

Stan Donnelly – 35 years of service to the club acknowledged

Tim Holden National Age Groups – 1 silver and 1bronze; South Islands 2 bronzes

Bryn Murphy – National Age Groups – 2 bronzes; South Islands 2 silvers and 1 bronze; Southland
Champs – Open Mens Champion; numerous Southland Records during the season including Mark Treffers Open Mens 1500m freestyle record which had stood since 1972.

Daniel Flynn – NZ Juniors – 1 silver and 1 bronze

Lisa Pankhurst – Southland Champs – Champion 12-13 yrs

Collegiate gained the distinction of being 4th placed club overall at the South Islands

2003-2004 Sonia Payne & Adrienne Pope - Honors Awards from Swimming NZ for her involvement with swimming. Sonia also received in 2004 the Bill Davidson Memorial Trophy for her contribution to junior swimming in Southland

Bryn Murphy – NZ Opens – 1 bronze; national age groups – 1 silver and 1 bronze; South Islands 3 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze; 25 Southland Mens open records; mens open champion at Sthld champs; selected for NZ team to travel to Fiji for the Oceania Champs – silver medal in mens 4 x 200m freestyle relay team

Tim Holden – South Islands – 2 golds 1 silver

Lisa Pankhurst – 7 southland age group records

Feb 2004    Adam McDonald attended his first NZ Juniors Champions

Oct 2004     Bryn Murphy selected for the Commonwealth Youth Games in Bendigo, Melbourne Australia in Nov 2004 and Junior Pan Pacific Champs in Hawaii

Criteria for service awards changed to 8 years (does not have to be continuous service)

March 2005 Stan Donnelly patron (1990 to 2005) passed away

May 2005    Jack Hamilton – Patron

2004-2005  Adam McDonald – sole Sthld representative at NZ Junior Champs to get a medal - bronze 12yr old boys 50m fly

Samuel Morris – Sthld record under 14yr old boys 50m free

Bryn Murphy – transferred to Otago in late 2004 – 3 southland mens open records

Youth Commonwealth champs in ‘Australia – 2 bronze medals

July 2006    Criteria for service awards changed to 8 years (does not have to be continuous service)

2005-2006  Swimming NZ Service Awards for recognition of their longstanding service – Adrienne Pope and Sonia Payne.

Adam McDonald NZ Age Group – 2 golds, 2 silvers, 3 Southland records

Daniel Flynn – NZ Division 2- bronze and silver in relay team

Lisa Pankhurst – signalled an end to her competitive swimming career after selection in the NZ school girls and NZ junior womens squad for water polo.

Bryn Murphy – NZ Open Champs – first national title, Oceania Champs in Cairns – gold medal in the 1500m freestyle and Pan Pacific Champs in Canada- personal best – 10th overall placing.

2006-2007  119 swimmers        

Adam McDonald qualified for NZ Age Groups – due to health reasons unable to attend.

Welcomed back Lisa Pankhurst after a short time out to pursue water polo. Lisa qualified and attend NZ Youth and Opens.

Ellice Soper attended the South Island town and Country and was part of the relay team that won the 10-years and under relay

Swimming NZ Service Awards for recognition of their longstanding service – Reece and Allison Murphy and Charlie Pankhurst.

2007-2008  138 swimmers

Ellice Soper - 9 medals from 10 swims at the Southland Champs to win the 9 & under Female Winner; 1st 100 fly, 2nd 100 free at South Island Town and Country.

Robert McDonald qualified for NZ Juniors and NZ Age Group Div2

Adam McDonald obtained 8 national medals and broke 28 records in total including at NAGS the 100m freestyle final in a time of 54.54 seconds, This broke one of the longest standing male Southland Age Group records belonging to Richard Tapper set on the 1/7/84 (54.84) and the NZ long and short course 15 and under 50 fly and titleholder of the 100 fly, narrowly missing Danyon Loaders longstanding record. Some other records broken were the South Island Secondary Schools 50 and 100 fly – previously held by Bryn Murphy.

2008-2009  158 swimmers

Adam McDonald NAGS 4 medals, selected for NZ Youth Olympic team to compete in Sydney – 5th in 100 fly, Selected NZ U18 Trans Tasman Tri Series.

Lisa Pankhurst – Springs – member of the winning women’s relay team

Robert McDonald – NAGS the 200 fly, 5th 100 fly and 6th 50 fly in his age group

Nov 08 Open Water Series 2008

Gore- Men 13-14 1500m – 1st Robert McDonald 29:09

Felicity Soper – South Island Town and Country – gold and 2 bronzes.

Ellice Soper – NZ Juniors – 6 swims – of which 2 swims placed in the top 10.

Molly Butt – Southland Champs – 3 golds, 1 silver, 1 bronze

Emily Joyce – Silver in Southland Winter League Meets for overall 8yr old girl; Southland Champs – 3 silvers; Ribbon Day 1st Girls 9 years

Adrienne Pope was a Regional finalist for the SPARC volunteer coach of the year award for 2009.

2009-2010
Emily Joyce - South Island Country and Town meet record 10 yrs and under - 50mt free

Ellice Soper - Southland Champs - 1st in all her 13 events entered for 10-11yr old girls.

Lisa Pankhurst - Southland Record April 2010 NZ Opens 100 and 200 free

Richard Harris - Southland Record Opens Sept 2009 & 200 back and NAGS April 2010 - 100 back

Aila TeHua - Southland Record NAGS April 2010 - 50 back. Four medals - 1 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze

Adam McDonald - Southland Record 100 free and 100 fly.  Four medals at NAGS April 2010 - 1 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze.  Represented NZ at Trans Tasman series in Juoly 2009.

Robert McDonald - NAGS April 2010 - Gold medal 200 fly and bronze medal 100 fly.

Flying Squadron Relay team - Richard Harris, Lisa Pankhurst, Adam McDonald and Aila TeHua won the shield at the Southland Champs - first time Collegiate has won it since 1989.

November 2009 celebrated 80th Anniversary.  Jack Hamilton, Adrienne Pope and Sonya Payne awarded Life Membership.

Sonya Payne was a Regional finalist for the SPARC volunteer coach of the year award for 2009.

2010-2011
Lisa Pankhurst represented NZ at the Oceania meet in Samoa in July 2010.

Adam McDonald transferred to Roskill Club to swim under sprint coach Paul Kent.