Who's Who at PASC , (updated 1st Sept 2018)
Neilson Rutherford - President
Neilson joined PASC over 30 years ago. He has been on the management committee for the past 20 years as a committee member, water polo convenor, assistant president and now as president. He is also captain of the Portobello senior team. Neilson has also been PASC swimming champion at many age groups. He has played water polo for Portobello all his life and has played in the Scotland junior team, under 19's and senior team. In 2014 Neilson captained the Scotland Senior team to a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games Tournament in Aberdeen, In 2012 he captained Portobello to our historic win to become British Champions.
As President he is the big cheese!!! He is responsible for the overall direction of the club and for ensuring that the club is run effectively and efficiently. Much of this is
done by trying to co-ordinate the various convenors and the work that
they do.
John MacDougall - Swimming Convenor
Like so many others, John started as a volunteer after his kids joined the club (Jenny in 2001, Scott the following year). He is a past president of PASC ('05 - '09) and a swimming judge so you're most likely to see him dressed in white as an official at galas-luckily he suits white! His role as swim convenor means liasing with the coaches, managing the competition schedule and running the Hy Tek meet entry system. He is the man to contact with questions about competitions, both internal club events and all of the external events that we attend.
Twenty years ago, he was never near a swimming pool, (in fact we've still never seen him swim?!?). Now, he's never far away from one.
Lesley got involved when her children Anna and Ben joined us and has been a tireless worker for the committee every since. She has managed our main swim event for the past few years-The Mad March Meet, (which is often held in April-how mad is that!!!!). Her main job for us though is to co-ordinate our members and ensure everyone is registered with Scottish Swimming, our governing body. If someone want to join, Lesley is the one to speak to. She will get the appropriate paperwork to you and even help you fill it out if you ask nicely.
Linda Forrester - Club Secretary
Like most other Committee members, Linda started out as a parent helper where she helped out in many capacities during their childhood years. After a long break we are delighted to have Linda back with us helping out yet again-we knew she couldn't stay away! Linda’s main responsibility is to call committee meetings and AGM, prepare agenda, take minutes and provide officers with copies. Deal with the day to day running of the club including correspondence. Our committee meetings are alot more enjoyable now.........Linda likes to bake as well!!
Ed Grundy - Water Polo Convenor
Originally from Bolton, Ed moved to Edinburgh to study at Edinburgh University 10yrs ago and forgot to leave! He has been a member and key part of the Portobello senior team since he moved here. We are delighted that he is now our Water Polo convenor. Working with a great team of coaches and parents Ed is responsible for all things Water Polo at PASC-this encompasses entering competitions, arranging officials, teams etc.
Keith Anderson - Vice President (acting)
Keith is a life member of PASC. He's swam and played polo for Portobello all his life as well as having been on the management committee for 30yrs. At committee level he has been Water Polo Convenor, Social Convenor, Assistant Secretary, Vice President and President-he's done so many jobs that it's only matter of time before we find one he is good at! Only Joking! He's played water polo for Scotland and Great Britain at many top events around the world as well as playing for an Australian state team. Currently acting vice president to aid and assist the PASC executive committee.
Jenny Laing - Treasurer
Our very own resident of 11 Downing Street and Chancellor of the Exchequer-Jenny was a member of Portobello ASC for many years, both swimming and playing water polo with the club. After a break we are delighted she is back with us managing our finances and ensuring we as a club continue to be financially viable as well as providing value for money to our members.
Sharon Turner/Roddy Hardy - Child Protection Officer(s)
Our most important committee members are this pair. They are responsible for ensuring the welfare of our members, dealing with any complaints that may arise, and of course making sure all of our coaches/committee members are properly vetted through the PVG scheme before they are allowed to become involved in our club. Like so many of our committee members Sharon has become involved when her son joined. Roddy is a lifemember of PASC, a recently retired Police Inspector who brings vast amount of expertise and knowledge to this role.
Niki and Doug Bathgate- Pool Convenor
Niki and Doug do a great job for us, infact if nobody took responsibility for hiring swimming pools for us to swim in we wouldn't have much of a swimming club! Our pool convenors book and manage our pooltime. Simple job description-they make sure we have water to dive into when we want to, and they make sure we aren't paying for water when we don't want to dive in.
Morag McCarthy- Coaches Convenor
Morag swam and played polo for Portobello for many years, after a break it's great to see her back involved again since her own children have joined the club. Not an easy job but Morag makes sure that we have enough coaches to cover all our sessions and manages them accordingly.