Alison was wandering through the library in Henderson, Auckland on Sunday. The picture here is what she discovered. There on display as a “new book” was a copy of “Shaping Successful Junior Swimmers”. That’s the book I completed recently. The Auckland City library website tells me copies are available in the Glenfield, Manukau and Henderson libraries.

The book discusses the errors that can cause damage to junior participation in sport. Certainly the problems discussed in the book are a current hot topic. North Harbour rugby is debating the issue of junior rugby and trialling a possible solution. Elite pathways for under 14 players have been abandoned. Participation in rugby is taking precedence over elite performance. Swimming New Zealand (SNZ) has long recognised the problem swimming has with junior dropout (estimated at 90% before 18 years of age) but continues to pursue policies that make it worse.

But the good news for SNZ is that they can now get a copy of a solution for free from their local library. And if the local library hasn’t got the book in stock, I’m told that Gary Francis can order it “on request” and in three days it will be available for him to collect for free from his local branch. If Steve Johns likes I’m happy to pop into his office and sign the title page to personalise his borrowed copy.

Just goes to show you the benefits being bestowed upon Auckland City from having Phil Goff as a Labour mayor. I told the Chairman of SNZ, Bruce Cotterill, that the weight of South Auckland voters in the election of the city’s mayor was a good thing. Just look at the books Phil is buying for his libraries. Perhaps it’s time for Cotterill to change his vote. Consider the positives. A good read about New Zealand swimming is available in the libraries of the country’s largest city. When was the last time that happened? Well-written, informative and local – what a bonus. (LOL) All it takes is a little effort to get over the fact it was written by that ignoramus David Wright.

But seriously the book does discuss an important issue. The centralised training policy followed by SNZ for ten years created a whole series of problems for junior swimming in New Zealand. The new SNZ policy initiated by Gary Francis is only making matters worse. “Shaping Successful Junior Swimmers” is an effort to suggest an alternative policy to reverse SNZ’s current suicidal program. And it is available to SNZ for free from all good Auckland City libraries.

Also on the home front this weekend Eyad swam in the Auckland Level One competition. He was entered in the 100 freestyle and the 100 IM. I was pleased with the results. He won them both in times of 52.64 and 1:00.64. There is still improvement required but with two weeks to go before Eyad swims in his main event for the summer season, the ASA Age Group Championships, he is in a good position to swim well. Entries have not closed but he is currently ranked third in the 50m freestyle and first in the 100m freestyle.

It will be interesting to see how Eyad performs in the championships. SNZ and the NZ Olympic Committee have recently refused to submit Eyad’s application for inclusion in the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) refugee program. In the Rio Olympic Games the IOC refugee program’s fastest swimmer, Ramis Anis, swam the 100 freestyle in 54.25. Eyad’s current PB is 53.41. It is interesting therefore to note that even though Eyad is faster than any refugee swimmer currently on the IOC refugee program, according to SNZ and the NZ Olympic Committee, in a letter received last week, Eyad “does not meet the criteria that has been set by Olympic Solidarity as determined by the NZOC”.

I believe that is a disgusting response founded on nothing but prejudice against the swimmer and/or his coach. Independent judicial authorities can look at the facts and decide. In the meantime Eyad and his coach will continue to improve and, in the process, make life more difficult for the prejudiced and discriminating face of New Zealand Olympic sport.