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Permalink Reply by Philip Tromans on June 24, 2017 at 22:01

Hi Audrey,

Sorry about this - I guess I'm not sure about the etiquette. I signed up in the morning, when the session was oversubscribed, in the hope that a place might become free. I checked throughout the day, and finally at about 1700, and I was the 21st person (so still not able to have a place), so I cancelled. Should I not have signed up in the first place?

Cheers,

Phil.

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Permalink Reply by Tony on June 25, 2017 at 6:06

Hi Phil

It might help if you have some context. The club is run by volunteers who give up their own time to run its finances, website, social events and training sessions having developed a club "plan".

We don't have our own facilities but rent space at some pretty cool venues such as Brockwell Lido and the Velodrome.

Lucy's somewhat challenging task (I know I did this for six years until last year) is to organise a team of part time qualified coaches to cover almost daily sessions at up to six venues a week.

It is not easy.

One major headache is the limited capacity we have at the pools and in the Lido studio and on static bikes.

The way we allocate space is on a first come first served basis. But you are not boooking an "option" to attend because by booking some other member cannot attend when full. So it is only reasonable that as soon as you realise you cannot make it you take 30 seconds to release your place to someone else.

Last minute things do crop up - it happened to me a couple of months ago but what we don't expect is to hear every week oh I had to work late. You then have a choice don't go block booking our training sessions or change your job ;-)

This time of year when people are training for events it seems to get worse- I imagine as you were a reserve this case might be looked on leniently but in general please only
book if you are certain you can attend and if you are a reserve check back late morning to see if you are now holding a place then either get ready to take part or cancel.

Really the coaches have much better things to do with their time than act like junior bureaucrats in the local council but we have found if we don't draw a line we end up with half empty sessions, members unable to attend and the club wasting money at expensive facilities.

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Permalink Reply by Laura A on June 25, 2017 at 16:39

I think if at 5pm you are 21 on the list you shouldn't be penalised for then not turning up. Maybe the rule needs an amendment to cover this kind of situation where at midday those over 21 are exempt?



Philip Tromans said:

Hi Audrey,

Sorry about this - I guess I'm not sure about the etiquette. I signed up in the morning, when the session was oversubscribed, in the hope that a place might become free. I checked throughout the day, and finally at about 1700, and I was the 21st person (so still not able to have a place), so I cancelled. Should I not have signed up in the first place?

Cheers,

Phil.

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Permalink Reply by David Synott on June 25, 2017 at 16:47

Hi Phillip, 

Thanks for coming down the aquathlon today and giving us 5 hours of your time to make our event work. Much appreciated.

I've asked the committee to look into this for you. You raise a good point. 

David

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Permalink Reply by Lucy Hurn on June 25, 2017 at 19:39

Hi Phillip, 

Unfortunately coaches can't see who's signed up as part of the first 20 and who's dropped into the 20 because people before have dropped out. But if you were 21st then I'm not sure what happened so under the circumstances, the ban is lifted, and it's fine for you to attend swim this week. 

Thanks, 

Lucy (Head Coach)

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Permalink Reply by Philip Tromans on June 26, 2017 at 10:29

Thanks all, and I appreciate you taking the time to reply. I think Laura A's suggestion around amending the rule is a good way to go. Thanks again.

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Permalink Reply by Frank Fonton on June 26, 2017 at 11:23

Coaches could take a screen shot of who is still signed up, and within the number of allowed participants, at the cut off time.... I understand that it is a slight admin task but doesn't take too long and is only required for the few highly popular sessions

Just a thought
 
Lucy Hurn said:

Hi Phillip, 

Unfortunately coaches can't see who's signed up as part of the first 20 and who's dropped into the 20 because people before have dropped out. But if you were 21st then I'm not sure what happened so under the circumstances, the ban is lifted, and it's fine for you to attend swim this week. 

Thanks, 

Lucy (Head Coach)

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Permalink Reply by Lucy Hurn on June 26, 2017 at 11:42

Hi Frank, that's exactly what we do, we just had an admin glitch this time. Patrick navein you're back in from the sin bin as well, sorry for the mistake this time. I will be taking my screen grab in 20 mins so get ready Monday swimmers!

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Permalink Reply by David Synott on June 26, 2017 at 11:50

Thanks coaching team. 

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Permalink Reply by Tony on June 26, 2017 at 12:48

Well just signed up as number 19 as really got to get back into gear

All I would plead is a bit of support for our coaches - there is a lot to think about planning and implementing sessions which can cope with the quite wide range of abilities in the club alone.

Then dealing with a bunch of people who may or may not turn up on time, may or may not have a fiver with them, may or may not remember their name and remember to write it on a list and who may or may not have been signed up on the website ....it really does not make thing easy  ;-)

And for a fiver swimming in a coached session at Brockwell Lido on a sunny day really takes some beating in terms of value for money - but Philip thanks for helping on Sunday and I hope you really enjoy your swim!!

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