BCC’S HAMMERHEADS SWIM TEAM

2013-2014 Handbook

TABLE OF CONTENTS I.

Introduction

Page 3

YMCA Philosophy for Competitive Sports

Page 4

III.

Registration and Fees

Page 5

IV.

Practice Schedule

Page 6

Weather Policy

Page 6

VI.

Parent Club

Page 7

VII.

Fundraising

Page 7

Meet Entry Procedure

Page 8

Coaches Rules

Page 9

Profanity & Representing the Y

Page 10

Duties and Responsibilities of the Coach

Page 11

II.

V.

VIII. IX. X. XI. XII.

Duties and Responsibilities of Parent Club

Page 11-12

XIII.

Duties and Responsibilities of the Swimmer

Page 12-13

XIV.

Duties and Responsibilities of Parents

Page 13-14

XV. XVI. XVII. XVIII.

Duties and Responsibilities of YMCA Directors

Page 14

Participation at Swim Meets

Page 15

Championship Rules

Page 16

Conclusion

Page 17

2

INTRODUCTION Welcome to YMCA Bethesda-Chevy Chase’s (BCC) Hammerheads Swim Team! We are thrilled that your child has chosen to be a member of our team. While winning, setting a record or making a qualifying time feels good, our young athletes learn more than how to swim fast. Swimming promotes fitness, coordination, high self-esteem, sportsmanship and extensive skill development. Our program incorporates the Y’s core values (Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility), equal participation and family involvement to help each swimmer grow. This handbook will provide you with basic information to help you and your child enjoy this year’s swim season. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our Aquatics Director, Heidi Applebaum at 301-530-3725. COACHING STAFF Head Coach:

Cindi Dixon

Assistant Coach:

Joe Redmon

Aquatic Director:

Heidi Applebaum

3

THE Y’S PHILOSOPHY ON COMPETITIVE SPORTS The Y’s involvement in competitive sports is a means of putting Christian principles into practice through programs that promote good health, strong families, leadership, community development, and international understanding. Valuable education is an integral part of YMCA BethesdaChevy Chase’s youth programs. YMCA sports emphasize broad participation rather than specialization. Our motto is “Everyone plays, everyone wins!” More important than winning are the lessons to be learned from competitive sports:        

Respect for oneself Respect for others Self-discipline Responsibility as a team member Development of leadership Self-confidence Concern for physical fitness Lifetime involvement in sports and wellness

Competitive sports participants learn by example. Coaches, parents, and officials should strive to model the best possible behavior, and create a positive environment to help youth reach their full potential.

4

REGISTRATION AND FEES A.

Membership All swim team participants must join the YMCA as a full privilege member prior to participating in any practice and/or competition.

B. Swim Team Program Fees $96.00/ Month (Charge will be auto deducted each month) or $865.00/Annually Season runs September 15, 2013- May 18, 2013 Swimming cap and team t-shirt are included C. Invitational/Meet Fees Swim Meet fees will be handled by a designated member of the Parent Club and the YMCA BCC Aquatics Director. Swim meet fees are to be paid the Monday prior to the scheduled swim meet. Relay fees will be billed following the swim meet and are to be paid no later than the Friday following the swim meet. Parents are responsible for any invitational fees that are assessed due to your child’s participation in any and all invitational swim meets.

5

PRACTICE SCHEDULE

Practice schedules will be posted and available in August; prior to the start of each season.

WEATHER POLICY

A.

Snow Coaches and swimmers are not expected to report to practice if YMCA programs are cancelled. All closings will be announced on local news channels. Program cancellation is determined by the YMCA Executive Director.

B. Thunder/Lightning YMCA Bethesda-Chevy Chase will not clear indoor pools for thunder or lightning.

6

PARENT CLUB The Parents Club supports the swim team program and the swimmers participating. This is accomplished in many ways, including (but not limited to) volunteering at home meets, contributing baked goods and food to the concession stand (home meets), assisting the coaches, participating in fundraisers, etc. In past years, the Parents Club has also contributed financially to swim team supplies, gifts and awards for the swimmers, and the annual awards banquet. The Parents Club also serves as an advisory group to the YMCA. Each parent is automatically a member of the Parents Club and is highly encouraged to participate in its activities.

FUNDRAISING We will have several fundraisers throughout the season to raise money for swim team supplies, gifts and awards for the swimmers, and the annual awards banquet. We encourage all swimmers to participate to the best of their ability. Only through these efforts are we able to maintain a high level of service and instruction at a reasonable cost.

7

MEET ENTRY PROCEDURE Each swimmer is responsible for the payment of invitational fees the Monday prior to the swim meet date. The coaches retain the right to make up the entries in the events they feel are in the best interest of the swimmer. Swimmer’s entry fees will be billed according to the number of events entered. After entries have been submitted to the host team, charges to the swimmers account cannot be reversed because the team is held financially responsible for all entries. If you are unable to attend an invitational, please notify the coach or Aquatics Director, in writing, before the deadline of entry sheets. If swimmer is entered in a relay, he/she will only be charged for hi/her proportionate amount of the entry fee. If you do not wish to swim in a relay, please notify the coach or Aquatics Director, in writing, before deadline of entry sheets. If a relay is forced to scratch FOR ANY REASON, after the deadline because of the absence of one or more members of the relay team, the entire relay entry fee will be charged to the absent swimmer(s). Substitutions will be made whenever possible.

8

COACHES RULES A.

Attendance

Recommended attendance at practice shall be as follows: Beginners 2 days /week Intermediate 2 days/ week Advanced 2 days/ week If a swimmer is ill, he/she should not practice until he/she is well again. It is possible to stay conditioned and practice with some injuries. Therefore, in the event of an injury, please discuss the situation with the coach. B.

Tardiness

All swimmers should be on the pool deck ten (10) minutes before the start of practice for stretching. Swimmers who arrive late miss important instructions and information. The tardiness of one swimmer distracts others by having to disrupt practice so they can begin their workout. A swimmer will also miss out on the full potential of a practice not being able to reap the benefits of a complete training session.

9

PROFANITY All swimmers, parents and coaches are expected to act and speak in a manner that reflects the Y’s mission and values. Profanity and/or other unpleasant language will not be tolerated at any time during practice, meets, or travel to and from meets. This also includes any other times when an individual is associated with the YMCA Hammerheads Swim Team (hotels, restaurants, etc).

APPROPRIATE REPRESENTATION As a member of YMCA Bethesda-Chevy Chase’s Swim Team, swimmers should be aware that they represent the Y and the Hammerheads Swim Team. For that reason, their behavior reflects upon the rest of the team, the YMCA, members of the Y, and their families. Inappropriate behavior, either as hosts or guest of other teams, will not be tolerated.

RELAY SELECTION Relay teams are chosen solely at the discretion of the coaches.

10

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COACH Coaches are expected to fulfill the following responsibilities:  Classify swimmers and assign them to competitive events  Attend, in a coaching capacity, all YMCA BethesdaChevy Chase practice sessions and meets  Teach and support the philosophy of the YMCA  Set an example of good behavior and sportsmanship for all swimmers at all times  Give swimmers an opportunity to develop skills and to promote their involvement as part of a team rather than an individual participant  Instruct, supervise, and conduct all workouts for the team, so athletes might reach their potential in accordance with the principles and philosophy of the competition  Communicate directly with the YMCA BCC Aquatics Director

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PARENT CLUB An effective Parent Club is the backbone of any competitive team. Any parent whose child participates on the YMCA Bethesda-Chevy Chase Swim Team is automatically considered a Parent Club member.

11

The purpose of the Club is to support the Swim Team program and the swimmers who participate. The Club expected to fulfill the following responsibilities:  Cooperate with the YMCA Director and coaches in making the competitive team meaningful for the team members  Assist with scoring, officiating, selling concessions and fundraising  Always display good sportsmanship and be supportive of the YMCA BCC competitive sports program and its philosophy  Elect an Executive Board to implement and administer the activities of the Parent Club. The Executive Board consists of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Immediate Past President, Fundraising Chair, Meet Director, Statistician, and Activities Chair. This Board shall perform its duties in a manner consistent with the Constitution and by-laws of the YMCA BethesdaChevy Chase.  The Parent Club and Executive Board are an advisory board and a volunteer support team for the swimmers. Policy and procedural changes, finances, staffing, and other organizational procedures are the responsibility of the YMCA staff.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SWIMMER Failure to assume the following responsibilities will be brought to the attention of YMCA staff and disciplinary action will be taken. 12

Responsibilities include:  Attend practices and meets regularly.  Notify the coach when unable to attend a meet.  Always strive to reach their greatest potential through hard work and effort.  Always strive to achieve their greatest potential in academic excellence, as well as, swimming.  Cheer for teammates and congratulate them after their events.  Treat the coaches, parents, and teammates with respect.  Treat officials with respect.  Treat other swimmers with respect.  Treat the facilities with respect.  Be responsible for any personal items brought to the pool.  Obey the rules and guidelines of the coaches.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PARENTS Parents, as well as, children should participate in the program as individuals and members of the Parent Club. As individuals, parents should fulfill the following responsibilities:  Provide general encouragement and positive reinforcement to the swimmer.  Provide support for the coach.  Deliver the swimmer to practices and meets on time and ready for warm-up. 13

 Assure that the swimmer receives proper rest and nourishment.  Assure that the swimmer maintains appropriate level of academic achievement.  Attend meeting of the Parent Club.  Provide assistance for meets, concessions, fundraising, and other activities of the Parents Club when asked.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF YMCA DIRECTORS & STAFF The Aquatics Director and support staff is expected to fulfill the following responsibilities:  Ensure the communication line is open between the YMCA staff, coaches, and the Parents Club.  Responsible for the hiring and acquiring of all swim team staff.  Collect membership and program fees.  Ensure that all swimmers meet the membership requirements for participation in the YMCA competitive sports program.  Advertise and promote the Huber Heights YMCA swim team.  Ensure that YMCA facilities are safe and operational for swim team related activities.

14

PARTICIPATION AT SWIM MEETS Team members are required to sit together during a meet and not wander around the building. ALL SWIMMERS are expected to remain together as a team until the completion of a meet. Members will not be permitted to leave early unless excused by the coach. Swimmers should report directly to their coach after each event in which they participate. We strive to provide each team member an opportunity to compete. However, in dual meets, there is a limitation to the positions available. It is impossible for every swimmer to swim their favorite events; some swimmers may swim only once. The coach will always attempt to provide the best possible competitive opportunities. Team members must be willing to swim any event in which they are placed. The decision as to line-ups and relay personnel is the responsibility of the coach. The ability of the swimmer is just one of the many factors that influence the decision. If, at the end of an event and the end of the season, the swimmer can honestly say, “I have done my best,” then we, as coaches, parents, and staff, can be proud to have been a part of his/her success.

15

CHAMPIONSHIP RULES Parents from all teams must work. Each team receives a list of workers they must supply. If we do not provide these workers, our swimmers are disqualified. Finals (Ages 9-18) Finals are held each evening for the day events. The top 16 swimmers will compete in the final 2 heats. These heats are arranged by times. Every swimmer who finished in the top 20 must expect to swim the final event unless they choose to scratch (see scratch rules) Scratch Rules In the event your swimmer finishes in the top 20 qualifiers of an event, he/she is eligible for finals. The announcement of the top 20 will be made 20 minutes before the end of the event. If your swimmer makes the final 20, he/she has the option of scratching the final event. Check with the coach and swimmer to decide.

16

CONCLUSION To be successful, each swimmer requires personal dedication, parental support, invested and enthusiastic coaches, and a lot of hard work. Gold medals do not measure success on this team. If swimming times have improved, the interest in swimming has increased, and/or the swimmer has enjoyed the season, this is the measure of success. Swimming has a long season with many hours of work providing memories that will last a lifetime. If, at the end of the season, the swimmer can say, “I have done my best,” then we, as coaches, parents, and staff can be proud to have been a part of his/her success. We wish you well in the coming months. May you accomplish your goals and benefit from your experience as a Hammerhead on the YMCA Bethesda-Chevy Chase Swim Team.

17