The Telstra Australasian - Oceania Swimming Conference and Trade Expo at Gold Coast Australia ran from 3rd May until 7th May 2003 - a full five day programme of exceptionally well organised and superbly presented lectures and practical sessions.

As o­ne of four coaches sent o­n behalf of British Swimming it was a privilege to visit the Offshore Performance Centre where many of the world’s great swimmers and coaches have been produced and gain valuable experience and knowledge. My initial feelings from the experience are overwhelming. There was so much to see and absorb that for a long time the detail will be coming back in practical terms for my personal benefit and my fellow coaches and our swimmers. 

Most of the time the Conference ran three simultaneous sessions with the longest sessions being between o­ne and o­ne and a half hours in length - impossible to get to everything of interest. Over seven hundred teachers and coaches were in attendance from as far away as America and Europe.

City of Derby has been in discussion with its pool providers and are happy that good practise occurs and the pool water is checked to ensure the levels of chlorine are within the normal safety limits.

However, anybody that has concers or further questions should contact their coach or any member of the committee.