| BARRACUDAS
SWIM TEAM INTRODUCTION Coaches:
Head Coach: Kim Peters
Contact information: kpeters@cincinnatiymca.org
Assistant
Coaches: Kevin Huey Purpose: The purpose of
this handbook is to provide information and guidance on the various policies and
procedures related to the Clippard Family YMCA Swim Team. All team members and
their families are encouraged to read it and become familiar with the important
facts and rules of the team.
Participation: The Clippard Barracudas
Swim Team is a year-round program offered by the Clippard Family YMCA that provides
competitive swimming opportunities to athletes 5 to 18 years old.
YMCA
Mission Statement: To put Christian principles into practice through programs
that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.
ELIGIBILITY
At the Clippard Family YMCA we encourage all interested swimmers ages 5-18
years of age to join the swim team. The only requirement is that all swimmers
exhibit competency in swimming 25 yards. This program is open to all Clippard
Family YMCA members. Members - A member of the Clippard Barracudas Swim
Team is considered an active member of the Clippard Family YMCA. A member of the
program will be eligible to swim in any YMCA sanctioned swim meets. In order to
swim in a YMCA sanctioned meet you must be a member of the YMCA you are representing
for 30 days prior to the start of the meet. All swimmers must swim in 3 YMCA sanctioned
meets in order to be eligible for Zones and Championships.
SWIMMER
PRACTICE LEVELS
The Clippard Barracudas Swim Team uses a "progressive"
age group program designed to develop the child physically, mentally and emotionally
in a systematic fashion. A well-defined, long-term approach of gradually increasing
degrees of commitment is essential to reach peak performance levels during a swimmer's
physiological prime. The emphasis in the early stages of participation must be
placed on developing technical skills and a love for the sport. In the later years,
a more demanding physical and psychological challenge must be introduced to the
training program. In addition to emphasizing long-term rather than short-term
results, it is also important that we establish training groups of swimmers who
are compatible in respect to abilities, commitment levels and goals.
At
each level, the goals and objectives are specific and directed toward meeting
the needs of the swimmer. The long-term goal of total excellence is always in
mind. As each child is different, he/she will progress at his/her own rate. The
coaching staff recognizes this fact by making team assignments based on a swimmer's
physical, mental and emotional level of development.
TEAM
FEES
The Clippard Barracudas Swim Team is solely supported
by the collection of dues from its members and various fundraisers. Team expenses
involve staff expenses, equipment, league fees, and various other team related
obligations. Every effort is made to keep costs as low as possible.
Fee
Schedule for 2010-2011
September 14th thru Championships (March)
9
and older: $400.00
8 and under: $350.00
ADDITIONAL
EXPENSES YMCA sanctioned meets and invitationals require a cost
per event per swimmers. This cost usually fluctuates between $2-$4 per event.
All meets have a maximum of 4 events per swimmers. All costs for the Novice League
meets are included in the registration fee.
EQUIPMENT
Swim caps: Team caps must be worn at all YMCA sanctioned meets. For
more information on team caps please contact the Head Coach.
Team
Suit: We do not require that all participants purchase a team suit, however
we do strongly encourage it.
Practice Equipment: Swimmers will
need practice suits, competitive suit, goggles, flippers, caps, and towels. It
is recommended that swimmers have at least two pairs of goggles at all times in
case one pair were to break. The Clippard Family YMCA aquatic department will
provide all other additional practice materials. **When purchasing flippers pout
swimmers name on flipper and bring to all practices.
SWIM
MEETS
Seasons: The Clippard Family Barracudas Swim Team
seasons are broken out into 2 sessions. 1st session (Short Course Season) runs
from September through March. 2nd Session (Summer Session) runs from May through
July.
Scheduling: The Clippard Family YMCA Swim Team typically
participates in 2 meets per month. During scheduled meets, at least one coach
will be available for all swimmers. The competition at these meets range from
dual meets to state/national levels. The Head Coach will inform all participants
of what meets they will be swimming in and what events. There are no refunds for
meets you cannot attend after the meet entry deadline date. This includes relays.
Meet Entries: All meet entries are made through the Head Coach
and the Meet Coordinator. Deadlines for all meets will be posted on the information
board on the website.
COMMUNICATION
Effective communication is essential to a successful team! The Clippard Family
YMCA Swim Team strives to create an open and informative environment for communication
among swimmers, parents, and coaching staff. There are several channels of communication
available:
Team Mailbox: The team mailbox will be located in the
YMCA business office. This will be in effective form of communication in terms
of YMCA management, coaches and parent board members.
Website: The
Clippard Family website is www.myy.org/locations/clippard/barracudas/ Our website
will have timely information on practice schedules, meet schedules, parent information,
important announcements, glossary of terms, nutrition, top times, directions to
meets and links to other important sites.
Coaches:
When contacting the coaches, please be considerate. During practice times the
coaches are focused on running the workout. The best time to speak to a coach
is after practice. All coaches have email addresses posted on the website or you
can send a note with your swimmer(s) or leave one in his/her box. Please note,
parents are not allowed on the pool deck during practice but are welcome to watch
through the windows anytime.
Sometimes parents feel more comfortable discussing
a coaching issue with other parents rather than with the coach. This approach
rarely clarifies the issue and can lead to problems. The following are some guidelines
for communicating with a coach:
- Please
remember that you and the coach have your child's best interest at heart. Trusting
that a coach's goals coincide with yours even though the approach may be different
will lead to a positive dialogue.
- Coaches
must balance your perspective of what is best for your child with the needs of
the whole team and/or training group. On occasion, an individual child's interest
may need to be subordinate to the interests of the group but in the long run the
benefits of membership in the group compensate for occasional short-term inconvenience.
- If
your child swims for an assistant coach always discuss the matter first with that
coach. If necessary, you may then ask the head coach to join in the discussion
as a third party.
- If
another parent uses you as a sounding board, listen but encourage him/her to speak
with a coach.
| 
