Club History

The Club was founded in 1972 by Derek Bache, who was the assistant manager at Macclesfield Swimming Baths,  a 25 yard traditional ‘baths’ then situated in Davenport Street, Macclesfield.  He was, besides the manager a qualified swimming teacher and coach.  A swimming club already existed in the town and indeed Macclesfield Amateur Swimming Club is still a thriving concern today, concentrating as it did in 1972 on teaching youngsters to swim.  Interest at that time was beginning to grow for a specialist Club, concentrating on swimmers who wished to compete against other swimmers and Clubs.

One of the main reasons for the growth in competitive swimming was the introduction of the age group programme in the late 1960’s.  Competition now exists in varying different age groupings at Club, North Midlands local association, County, Northern District, National and International level.  The aim of the programme is to encourage swimmers to compete against others of similar age and physique.

The pressures of swimming and training can be considerable.  Many promising swimmers drop out of the sport before really getting started, unable to cope with the defeats and hard work that it takes to climb to the top.  Far too many swimmers never really enjoy the competition, being unable to adapt to the tensions created, yet still enjoy the training associated with the sport.  The A.S.A. has put restrictions on what age swimmers may compete at varying levels, in order that swimmers may not be put under too much pressure.  It must be remembered that at all times the aim of the programme is to introduce the young swimmer to competitive swimming in such a way that he/she will find the experience enjoyable and rewarding so that they may consequently be motivated to training for swimming over a number of years.

Thus Satellite Swimming Club was born.  Membership started with about 30 to 35 swimmers, which has risen steadily to a maximum of around 150.  Pool time was a mere 5 hours a week in those early days and over the years has increased to a maximum of 16 hours per week using Macclesfield and Bollington Leisure Centres.  Teaching Classes on Saturday and Sunday mornings were introduced as the Club became established.  These act as feeder groups, help the Club financially and play an important part in the Club.

The ‘new’ Satellite S.C. started to host galas at the Davenport St baths and following the attendance at one of the Junior Open Sprint Meets of Councillor Margaret Duddy a new pool, so desperately needed, was promised.  Macclesfield Leisure Centre already existed in the early 80’s – so the pool as we see it today was added on.  Originally it was to have been a 6 lane 33 1/3 metre pool.  Fortunately a little gentle persuasion by the ASA produced the 8 lane 25m short course competition pool we see today.

The present Chief Coach has been involved with the Club since 1973 – in those days she coached for one hour per week and occasionally covered swimming galas as well!  Val Mellor has been the Chief Coach since 1976 and she is ably assisted by several qualified coaches including Caroline Cackett, who was appointed Deputy Chief Coach in 2002.

The Club which gradually grew from strength to strength, has produced swimmers to represent District, County and English Schools, had swimmers selected for the English Youth Development Squad, Olympic Development Squad, the English Junior, Youth and Senior National Teams and produced Great Britain Olympians in both 1992 and 1996

During the Club’s development, efforts have been made to secure a Sponsor, finance as in many sports these days is at a premium.  In the mid nineties a decision was made to change the name of the Club to see if that had any effect  thus SATELLITES OF MACCLESFIELD S.C. evolved, unfortunately that major sponsor remains elusive  but we are as ever hopeful.

The teaching and coaching management is dealt with by Val Mellor and her team.  In the background, supporting the swimmers and the coaches is a Club Committee.  The committee consists of ten members together with the Chief Coach and Deputy Chief Coach.  They meet on the first Tuesday of each month.  The Club Annual General Meeting is held in December.  Swimmer Membership includes Club membership for the swimmers parents.