Background Information

The Sault Ste Marie Aquatic Club (SSMAC) came into existence at the time the Queen Elizabeth Pool was built in 1975. It was formed by parents of competitive swimmers who wished to take advantage of the six lane, twenty-five meter pool for training. Originally the club was affiliated with the Soo "Y" Dolphins but for fundraising reasons became a separate unit, officially incorporating in 1978. SSMAC is recognized nationally as developing some of the best swimmers in the province.

Structural Hierarchy

FINA
Amateur swimming at the international level is governed and controlled by FINA (Fédération Internationale de Natation Amateur).

Swimming/Natation Canada
Founded in 1909 as the sport governing body of competitive swimming in Canada, their mandate is to actively direct and develop world class swimmers and represent Canada in FINA and The International Olympic Committee.

Swim Ontario
Founded in 1922 as the Ontario section of SNC, they are responsible for the organization and regulation of swimming in Ontario. In 2000 Swim Ontario had 129 affiliated clubs with over 9,700 registered swimmers, 400 coaches and 20,000 officials and volunteers. Swim Ontario is further broken down into six regions.

NEOR
The North Eastern Ontario Region is one of the six regions which make up Swim Ontario. SSMAC is one of the 18 swim clubs that comprise NEOR.

Organizational Data

The Sault Ste Marie Aquatic Club is run by the parents for their children. The club operates out of the John Rhodes Community Centre Pool. The facility, which since 2000 has housed an 8 lane, 25 metre pool with wheelchair accessibility, is owned and operated by the City of Sault Ste Marie. SSMAC is not affiliated in any way with the Community Services Board and our relationship with the John Rhodes Community Centre Pool is only as a purchaser of pool time. We employ a senior coach, and necessary support staff.

Goals

The goals of the club are to develop a strong team and community spirit, founded upon fellowship and good sportsmanship. We are committed to helping children grow, develop and realize their full potential as athletes and human beings within the context of competitive and recreational swimming, according to their individual abilities, needs and personal objective.

Objectives

• To promote, foster, teach and perpetuate good sportsmanship and the art and sport of swimming in the community of Sault Ste Marie
• To encourage training for competition, self-development, leadership, sportsmanship and recreation in the field of amateur swimming in Sault Ste Marie
• To make amateur swimming and other amateur aquatic sports available to all members of the community of Sault Ste Marie, whether their interest or ambition is to participate
• In aquatic sports for fun, self-competition or in competition with others; or
• In the teaching, organization, promotion, development and advancement of aquatic sports in Sault Ste Marie
• To make amateur swimming and other amateur aquatic sports available to all members of the community of Sault Ste Marie, whether their interest or ambition is to participate
• To promote swimming and other aquatic sports as a means of healthful exercise and to improve the physical fitness, health and well-being of the members of the community of Sault Ste Marie
• To develop and enlarge the aquatic recreational activities available to the members of the community of Sault Ste Marie
• To solicit, accept and receive by way of personal gifts, donations, grants, subscriptions, bequests, legacies and devise or otherwise any money or property of value for the purpose of achieving the objects of the corporation.

General Statement of Policy

There are three types of swimming to be stressed in our Club:

See further descriptions under "Swimming Programs"

Club Office

SAULT STE MARIE AQUATIC CLUB 2010-2011