SWAN - 2009

The next few pages will be dedicated to the 2009 publication of the SWAN i.e. the official newsletter of SASA II. Listed in here will be issues and events such as the recently held Global Games in Liberec, Chezh Republic; as well as the Downs Swimming in Portugal. The local scene will be centred around the 2008 National Championship in Cape Town as well as the 2009 Summer Champs in Bloemfontein.

Also be mindful of the upcoming National Elite Championship in Ermelo, Mpumalanga. A brief overview of this event will also be given.

So herewith are the Preface of this year's publication as well as as special message from madame president.
Preface:
The “Swan” also known as “Ama Swana Swana” is in its 9th year of publication. This dedicated newsletter has gone through a number of changes, but has tried to keep to its primary objective. Its primary objective has always been to highlight the sports achievements of all its affiliate members, albeit it on a provincial and or international level. In short, the idea is to tell the whole of South-Africa how all our athletes have performed in a given year of publication.
However, I always had this niggling question in my mind, does the said newsletter meet its primary objective. Further to this, who else got to know of the sports achievements of our athletes? I can’t help shake this thought that the newsletter are being looked at once, and than being shelved in file 13 or even worse thrown away.
My feeling is that the newsletter has to serve a wider purpose. And maybe it has always, but all the same, I believe its purpose should be much wider than its current circulation.
It should also serve to draw people and or “friends” to the organization. Beyond this the “SWAN” should also serve as a means to get people within the SASA II family to engage with one another. At the same time the said family has to be kept abreast of all current affairs within the organization.
Having said this, how will WE meet these objectives? I believe you the reader can ensure that these very objectives are being met. Importantly, we should be able to harness the digital resources to our avail, particularly because it will expedite circulation, as well as reach a much wider “audience”

So let us take hands and shape this newsletter. Let US build a legacy!


MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT


What can a person say after a wonderful, exciting and successful year?

SASA-II is still going from strength to strength just because we have so many committed officials and coaches and of cause our dedicated athletes, involve.

The Down Syndrome Swimming team did extremely well at the 4th World Down Syndrome Swimming Championships in Portugal, with Jennifer Higgins again collecting the most medals at this event.

In September 2008 athletics, basketball and futsal teams were selected and in March 2009 swimming and table tennis teams were selected to represent South Africa at the 2nd Global Games in Czech Republic. Team South Africa came back with 21 medals, improving in team codes and made plenty of new friends in the International arena.

We know our officials are more motivated for the coming years after a very successful Capacity Building project in September ’09. Working with athletes with an intellectual disability is always a challenge and we have to be on top of all new ideas and methods.

The financial support from National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund makes it possible for these athletes to compete on International level. Sport and Recreation SA help us to develop our athletes and make sure they realized their full potential. The support and guidance from SASCOC and National Federations makes it much easier for SASA-II athletes to perform to their best at world class events.

We always aim to make our Provinces and Country proud when we participate in an event.

SASA-II solutes everybody that makes a difference in our athletes life!

Edited by: Albert Warnick (SASA II - PRO)