Posting the January 2018 MSO Newsletter: Be sure to review!

MSO News in Brief January 9, 2018 Happy New Year! After an adventurous fall and a quiet holiday season, clubs and swimmers are back in the water pursuing their fitness and swimming goals. MSO continues to build programs to serve our membership.  Just a few days ago MSO welcomed its newest club, a small group of triathletes wishing to improve their speed by competing at MSO-sanctioned meets. It highlights the diversity and richness of the masters swimming community and their goals. MSO’s club affiliation requirements allow an easy entry that will ensure renewal and growth for masters swimming in the future.  MSO welcomes individuals willing to join the Board or contribute to a committee as we strengthen our programs and administration.  We are currently seeking people with good technical skills including knowledge of WordPress, SharePoint and Office 365. Please contact the MSO Secretary at A_Smith@MastersSwimmingOntario.ca The MEGAmetre Tracker – now open MSO is pleased to announce the launch of the MEGAmetre Tracker.  Ontario has had a long history with such tracking programs and we promised one in both our August 17, 2017 Notice and in December 20, 2017 News Update.  The MEGAmetre Tracker allows a one-time transfer-in of metres from another system.  Read the rules at http://www.mastersswimmingontario.ca/the-megametre-tracker/ and keep tracking those workouts. Note: Some swimmers have been registered with shared email addresses. The email address is the USER ID for the MSO system that houses the MEGAmetre Tracker. If you have login problems or if you have questions about the MEGAmetre Tracker, send a note to MEGAmetre@MastersSwimmingOntario.ca Competition Season continues The fall competitions and events are now behind us. MSO thanks the clubs that stepped forward to offer the traditional competition opportunities in a climate of uncertainty. Swimmers responded decisively. MSO’s Single‑Event Registration was well used by swimmers not registered with MSO who just wanted to swim in a quality event.  There is a good slate of meets coming up including MSO Provincials in Nepean. Don’t be a “last minute Master”!  Please support the host clubs and volunteers by entering early. More swimming ahead…. 43rd Alderwood meet          January 21st TechnoSport Feb 2018 Time Trial               February 4th Burlington Winter Splash 2018 February 11th Stephen Forsey Invitational February 25th TechnoSport Mar 2018 Time Trial March 4th MSO Ontario Provincials - Nepean March 23-25th REGISTERING for 2018 MSO Ontario Masters Swimming Championship Registration for Provincials in Nepean is now open. The meet package is available from the MSO Meet Schedule at https://ms.mastersswimmingontario.ca/web/schedule.php Provincials 2018 - Nepean is using the MSO Registration system to accept both meet entries and payment. You will need to sign into the system to enter the meet.  What you need to know: All registered MSO members can access the system using their email address as the USER ID. If you have not previously set up a password or have forgotten your password… click the appropriate button on the sign-in page. Non-MSO swimmers should contact the MSO Registrar to gain access. RELAYS are entered by a designated coach.  The club registrar needs to ensure that the designated coach is registered (Recall there is no fee for registering coaches).  Contact the MSO Registrar if you need help. Please do not leave this to the last minute!!!!!!   MSOReg@MastersSwimmingOntario.ca  Officials needed It takes many officials and volunteers to run a swim meet. Senior officials, stroke and turn judges, timers all make it possible for swimmers to reach their goals through competition.  If you can volunteer your time please contact the meet manager.  The Ontario Masters Swimming Championship is a three day double ended meet.  The meet managers (meetmgr@nmsc.org) will need lots of bodies to make the meet run well. Please don’t wait until the last minute.  Organizers don’t need the ulcer! Independent Swimmer Registration – Swim Ontario In the October 8th Open Letter to Dan Thompson, MSO identified the need to provide a pathway for independent Ontario swimmers who wish to compete outside of Ontario or in events within the FINA system. MSO is pleased that in December 2017 SO has provided MSO swimmers that pathway.