Minster Meet 2010

After December's Swim Along a Santa Meet there were many people doubting we could step up another gear and make Minster 2010 even more memorable. You could have been forgiven for thinking we were nearing the limit for how far Swim Meet branding could be taken.

Step up Andrew Trofimowicz ...

Photo Gallery 2010	The Best Branding Yet
A Welcoming Sight   We didn't bring the fencing with us (we never thought of that) but we sure did decorate it nicely. Driving down the drive towards the car park, this was probably your first view of our big Meet banners, oh just you wait.   It's fair to say we took over the Beverley Leisure Complex for the day.
Looking Decidedly Small   It's the original Dartes banner, first unveiled at 2009 Yorkshires. Hanging from the balcony at Ponds Forge it's become a dominant sight at meets throughout the year.   For Minster Sunday it hung outside reception. Another welcoming sight for our guests.
You see college pools in the states decked out like this all the time. Over here in the UK, not even Loughborough University's Pool of Dreams looks this good.   But that's just the boring side of the pool, wait for it ...
... Well, we like to make an effort ;-)   Lunch time entertainment in the form of Head or Tails. We managed to prise the mic out of the hands of the very popular Uncle Jim for a few minutes of prize winning.   We reckon we can now do a decent job of branding a meet at a Long-Course pool. Who knows, it might happen one day.
Joe and Jamie sell some souvenir shirts. Anyone for Banger Sticks?   It's worth noting at this point that our Meets do serve a purpose; we don't just host them for fun. Generating enough income to hire a Full-Time Head Coach is critical to the continued success of Dartes and Performance Swimming in Doncaster.
Katey and Donna can always be found lending a hand at our meets. Here they are presenting trophies and other awards to the successful swimmers.   Without the hard work of our volunteers Dartes would not be able to afford a Full-Time Head Coach. The continued success of Dartes and the opportunities we can offer Doncaster's swimmers is very much dependant on these fund raising efforts.   Please volunteer a little of your time to help out -- it's actually good fun.
Back out on deck and we find our Friends From Thorne Tigers   Mark Harrison and Sarah Green tamed the Tigers for the day. Hope to see you all again next time.
The morning Stingrays   Head Coach Jeff Squires leads his Edlington Stingrays on to the pool side full of early morning smiles and ready for action.
Is it a swimming pool or a menagerie?   Not content with Tigers and Stingrays, over the other side of the pool we had a bunch of Sharks from South Axholme too.   What a terrifying poolside we had.
Just before lunch Asst Coach Dave went wandering around the poolside trying to rustle up interest in the Coach's race.   Little did we know that half way around the poolside he'd bump into Dwane Bushell from City of Sheffield. Stupidly we twisted his arm into competing for the Major Cash Prize and Coach's Briefcase that made up the prize fund for this most prestigious of races.
The moment everyone had been waiting for arrived, and the 5 contestants climbed up on to the blocks.   Could Coach Dave defend Dartes' honour and repeat the victory of Head Coach Wallace at the Santa Meet?   Competition was fierce with Head Tiger Mark H also taking part in lane 6.
At this point we have to say a massive thank you to Rob and the NESS Swim Shop. Had it not been for his generosity in providing discounted swim suits to Dave and Mark specially for the race, and providing one of the prizes, one of them would have had to wear the Borat Thong brought along by Andrew Trof.   What ever you do, never, ever, ask Andrew why he owns a Borat Thong!