The Roll of Honour

The Committee of Woking Swimming Club introduced, in December 2003, a Roll of Honour, to recognise the achievements and contribution to the Club of particularly deserving swimmers.

The idea was born from a proposal by the Chief Coach at the time, Brian Bloor, wanting an acknowledgement of swimmers who have been invaluable members of the Club.

The WSC Honours Board sponsored by Jeff Lloyd of
Jointing Technologies and made by CSR Ltd.

There are many past members who would have qualified, as the Club dates back to 1935, but the Selection Committee (of Committee members and Coaches) could only be objective about selecting current members. There are specific criteria applied and a swimmer must meet at least two or three of them in order to be considered. The honour will not be given lightly, so will not necessarily be awarded every year.

2006 Emma Davis

Emma Davis joined Woking SC as a 6 year old Associate in 1992 and has been a valuable A team swimmer throughout all her years as a Full Member, despite a setback early on when breaking her arm badly on poolside at a gala. She has been the perfect swimmer to coach – doing her best in training and in competition, always being totally reliable and able to compete well in any of the four strokes. Emma has a healthy collection of County medals for both individual and relay events and has held several club records, some of which still stand.

Emma’s swimming prowess has helped her to achieve great success in triathlon events. In 2006 she was winner of the Irish National Championships and recently came 5th in the Women’s Elite race of the first Aquathlon World Championships. This involved a 1,000m swim in Lake Geneva followed by a 5km run which Emma completed in 33.45 minutes.

We are delighted that Emma has continued to swim at galas for WSC whenever her commitments allow. Despite her training at Bath University being geared to the distance swims of triathlons, she still does well whenever she swims for us and broke the Open 100m freestyle club record this year. Modest and unassuming, she certainly deserves her addition to the Roll of Honour.

For her loyalty and length of service Emma Davis has been added to the Roll of Honour in 2006.

It was easy to decide that Nic Smith should be added to the Roll of Honour in 2004.

The 2004 citation for Nic Smith is as follows:

Nicholas Smith (Nic) joined Woking Swimming Club as a six year old in 1994. He proved to be an invaluable and popular member of the A team and has attained remarkable success during his career.

At the age of fourteen Nic held an outstanding 41 Club Records, including a number of Open Records. Nic’s success was far from limited to within the Club. He swam for Surrey County in 2000, 2001 and 2002. He has won dozens of County Age Group Championship medals – in 2002 alone he won a magnificent 11 gold, 5 silver and 2 bronze.

For two years running Nic was Top Boy BAGCAT County swimmer and despite injury the following year in 2003 he equalled the County 50m backstroke record. In 2001 and 2002 Nic won Gold in all backstroke and breaststroke events in the Southern County Championships and Silver in the 200 IM and 50 Fly.

Nic competed for 3 consecutive years at the National Age Group Championships. In 2002 he was 5th in the 50m backstroke, 6th in the 200m IM and in the top 10 in five other events which resulted in his attaining 10th BAGCAT national ranking in the UK. Later that year he was ranked 3rd fastest in the UK in 50m Backstroke.

Nic continues to enjoy competing for WSC despite no longer making a serious commitment to top level competition.

For his outstanding achievements and loyalty, Nicholas Smith has been added to the Roll of Honour in 2004.

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In the introductory year, 2003 there were six swimmers who for their various contributions to the Club were an almost automatic choice -

The 2003 citations for Neil Hayfield, Josh Williamson, Matthew Richardson, Sarah Redrup, Paul Bayfield and Maria Barney were as follows:

Neil Hayfield is the longest continuous-serving member of Woking Swimming Club and at the age of twenty-eight is still an invaluable competitor. Neil joined as a ten year-old in 1985 and has always reliably represented the Club as an A Team member. A County individual and relay medallist, Neil has held many Club records in various strokes and has always been a pleasure to watch in competition. From his distinctive dive to his fighting finish, his competitive spirit is an inspiration to his team mates. Over the years Neil has gained many points in galas for the Club and could be relied upon to swim an assortment of races, whether it be Butterfly, Breaststroke, Freestyle or IM. In 2001 Neil won the National Masters Short Course 100m Butterfly and was part of the Woking Mixed Medley Relay team that gained Bronze in the same Masters competition.

For his outstanding length of service and loyalty, Neil Hayfield has been added to the Roll of Honour in 2003.

Neil retired from swimming in 2004.

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Josh Williamson joined Woking Swimming Club in 1988 as an eight year-old. His lively and entertaining personality has made him a popular member of the team throughout his career. Josh has always been very reliable and swum whatever was asked of him, even in the early years when it meant only swimming in relays. Technically perfect in backstroke and freestyle, Josh is a good role model for younger swimmers. He became a County individual and relay medallist and achieved a Club record in the 1500m freestyle. Josh was part of the Bronze medal winning Woking Mixed Medley Relay team in the 2001 National Masters competition. Now back from university, having often returned for galas, Josh continues to be an invaluable Open team competitor.

For his length of service and loyalty, Josh Williamson has been added to the Roll of Honour in 2003.

Josh now swims elsewhere as a Masters swimmer.

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Sarah Redrup joined Woking Swimming Club as an eight year-old in 1989. Her achievements are simply second to none. During her career Sarah has competed several times in the National Age Groups in the 200 IM, 100m Butterfly, 100m Backstroke and 50m Backstroke, with the highlight of coming fourth in the 17/18 years 50m Backstroke. Sarah came ninth in the 50m Open Backstroke in 2001, just failing to make the final. The following year she came seventh in the final of the 50m Open Backstroke, a tremendous achievement. Sarah gained (and still holds) the British Masters Senior Short Course 50m Backstroke record in November 2002. She has represented Surrey County on many occasions and has won numerous County gold and Southern County medals. An invaluable A team member, Sarah has gained numerous points in galas for the Club, not only in her specialist backstroke but also in all other strokes. Despite attempting to retire on numerous occasions, Sarah continues to swim and compete for Woking Swimming Club. A qualified ASA Assistant Teacher; Sarah can often be seen helping the Coaches on poolside.

For her exceptional achievement and length of service, Sarah Redrup has been added to the Roll of Honour in 2003.

Sarah retired from swimming in 2004.

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Matthew Richardson has been a member of Woking Swimming Club since joining as a seven year-old in 1990. He is a shining example of a swimmer who as a young boy was only considered to be a B team member (good at butterfly sprints as long as he didn’t stop to breathe!) who went on to become one of the Club’s fastest swimmers. His determination and Coaches’ encouragement led to Matthew achieving some Club records in Backstroke and Freestyle and becoming a County medallist. A pleasure to coach and have as a team member, Matthew could always be relied upon to swim when needed. Currently a student member, Matthew has been abroad during much of the past year but has competed for Woking whenever he could.

For his length of service and loyalty, Matthew Richardson has been added to the Roll of Honour in 2003.

Matt has now retired from swimming

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Paul Bayfield joined Woking Swimming Club at six years of age in 1991. He has been incredibly reliable throughout his career, being conscious of the very few 1985 boys in the Club. Galas, whether league or friendly, have always been given priority despite Paul often having to swim his least favourite stroke. A County individual and relay medallist, Paul’s team spirit has always served Woking well and as an Open swimmer he has been an invaluable member of the men’s relay team. Paul was chosen to be Boys Team Captain in 2002/03, a role he carried out with pride, commitment and enjoyment. Never before had a Captain turned out to support the team at all levels at every possible gala and this was much appreciated by the younger swimmers, Coaches and Team Managers. Paul is currently spending a gap year teaching children Maths in Guyana, South America where he swims in the local creek and will return to the Club in September 2004.

For his length of service and loyalty, and exceptional Captaincy, Paul Bayfield has been added to the Roll of Honour in 2003.

Paul retired from swimming in 2008.

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Maria Barney has been a member of Woking Swimming Club since joining as a ten year-old in 1995. She has always enjoyed helping the younger swimmers and was chosen to be Girls Team Captain in 2002/03. Maria proved to be an enthusiastic, committed and popular Captain. Not only did she attend all galas at all levels to support the team but she was also a great help to the Coaches on poolside during training sessions. Her involvement was much appreciated by the swimmers, Coaches and Team Managers.

For her exceptional Captaincy, Maria Barney has been added to the Roll of Honour in 2003.

Maria has now retired from swimming.

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