Not so very long ago I would have gone nuts at Swimming New Zealand’s decision to refund only 85% of the National Championships’ entry fees. After all Swimming New Zealand only managed one session of heats on the first morning. No one actually got to finish their race. No one got what they had paid for, therefore a full refund should be paid.

But the days when that sort of argument would have filled several Swimwatch pages have gone. You see, even back in those days it wasn’t the lost 15% that was my concern. Not at all. What annoyed me was that Swimming New Zealand turned around and spent my money on their ridiculous centralised training structure. For 25 years Swimming New Zealand not only kept my money, they wasted it as well. Lest we forget – something like $26million was lost by Miskimmin, Cameron and Cotterill’s trip into their centralised training la-la land.  

However, those days are in the past. Steve Johns and Gary Francis turned off the lights and closed the door on the centralised folly. That catastrophic waste has stopped.

As a result, I am far more relaxed that the money paid to Swimming New Zealand is not being wasted. It is, if you like, going to a good home. Today, I am far more prepared to accept the following argument.

Swimming New Zealand committed to the significant upfront costs involved in putting on the National Championships. For example, I have no idea how tough the Institute has been in expecting Swimming New Zealand to pay for the rent of the pool before and during the first session that was swum. What money was already spent on catering? Certainly, unused printing and stationary costs would have been incurred. I imagine some added costs were paid to run an engineering check on the scoreboard and computer systems. TV contracts would have been signed. Perhaps some top brass were flown to Auckland for the event. I’m sure you get the point. Swimming New Zealand was in the gun for significant costs even though the event was cancelled.

At this point then the average Swimming New Zealand member has a choice. Shrug their shoulders and file a complaint with the Small Claims Tribunal asking for a full refund. Tough luck Swimming New Zealand, you accepted the risk of hosting the event. It didn’t work out the way you wanted. Stiff cheese – give me my money back. And remember I paid to fly from Invercargill or Christchurch or Wellington etc to attend your event. No one is helping me with 15% of those costs.

OR – you could take the approach I would recommend. We are all members of this club. We are in this Covid problem together. Steve Johns and Gary Francis have led the organisation well since the welcome disappearance of Bruce Cotterill. They had the courage to take on the challenge of a 25-year centralised training albatross around Swimming New Zealand’s neck. Swimming New Zealand is in a much better place than it was 12 months ago.

And now Covid has delt Swimming New Zealand a bad, bad deal. They need help. $3.45 per entry is not a lot to ask to get our organisation out of a hole. And so sure, in the spirit of the family of 5 million, or in this case 5000 I’ll pay that. I could look on it as a charitable act. I might consider it to be not kicking someone when they are down. But neither of those apply in my case.

I look on the $3.45 as an investment that reflects my thanks for the recent past and confidence in the organisation’s future. Truth is I’d have been happy to pay a bit more.

And finally on this subject, an old friend of our family farmed a huge property out the back of Raetihi. The woolshed was so remote you could only get to it by a jet boat along the Wanganui River. The farmer and I were sitting around a fire in his shearer’s quarters one night. Outside it was as black as coal and freezing cold. Driving sleet lashed the hut’s tin roof.

“You know,” the farmer said, “If you ever want to know whether to have someone as a friend, imagine being lost with them in the bush, on a night like this. Would you want them with you? If the answer is yes, that’s a friend. If the answer is no, leave well alone.” It was bloody good advice.

Well right now, it’s pretty cold and wet outside and Swimming New Zealand need a friend. Are Swimming New Zealand doing a better job than in the past? You bet they are. Has the sport turned a corner? Yes, it has. Is it a safer, happier place to play? Too right. Will swimming make progress in the decentralised future? The signs are positive. And that’s why I’m happy for Swimming New Zealand to have my $3.45.