The club is a community based incorporated association made up of people interested in swimming and other aquatic activities. The main aim of the club is to promote the sport of swimming by providing tuition and competition within a framework that also encourages community co-operation.
The club is incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act 1981, and therefore is ultimately responsible to the State Government. The club’s affiliation with the Queensland and Brisbane Swimming Associations also carries certain obligations.
The club’s first season began in the summer of 1981 with immense enthusiasm from the local community keen to make use of the newly opened pool in the grounds of the Bracken Ridge State School. The Pool is named the “Dick Crone Pool” honouring the long service provided to the school by Principal of the time Mr. Dick Crone. Mr. Crone was an avid supporter of school sport and was instrumental, along with the Parents and Citizens Association of the day, in making the pool a reality.
The Club’s first coach was then PE teacher, Mr. Brett Williamson, and the first President was Mr Graham Rutherford. The first Club Champions were Andrew Salmond and Heather McDonald. The early years were very successful for the Bracken Ridge State School Swimming Club with local Brisbane inter-club meet wins occurring on a regular basis.
In 1984 the club first affiliated with the Brisbane and Queensland Swimming Associations providing access for its members to the highest level of competition. In 1988 swimmers Adam Dickson and Steve Turner became the club’s first medal winners at the Queensland Open and Age State Championships.
Perhaps the most significant decision taken by the members of the club was to separate from the Parents and Citizens’s Association and form an incorporated club in 1990. This decision paved the way for the club’s continued success over the years.
In 1991 swimmer Bernadette Tracey won a Gold Medal at the State Championships becoming the club’s first State Age Champion. 1993 saw the club take its first step towards all year round swimming with the installation of the Solar Heating unit. In 1994 Bernadette Tracey became the club’s first Australian Age Champion winning Gold in the 100m Breaststroke in Perth.
The greatest achievement as a club came in 1996 when the club placed 1st in the Brisbane First Division Premiership, a divisional competition, consisting of some eighty clubs.
At the turn of the century the club continued to develop and achieve and was in a position to build a Learn to Swim pool to allow for expansion of the coaching program. The club continued to succeed in the Brisbane competiton and nurtured a number of young swimmers who have gone onto achieve some great results.
The club continues to develop and promotes its programs with a view to providing the best service in the local area.
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