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New Parent Orientation
New parent orientation is an informal evening
where new parents can meet the Swim Team Directors and Coaches, as
well as other Swim Team families. Its purpose is to provide
information and answer questions that new parents may have about
the Springbrook Swim Team, including the various swim meet jobs and
how a swim meet functions.
Time Trials
Time Trials are the first timed events of the
year where all swimmers swim all events to establish base-times for
future time improvements. Time Trials are not try-outs. All
participants are already team members. Time Trials also enable
parents to see how a swim meet runs and have first-hand experience
working a swim meet job. The goal is to have the new families feel
part of the team, and understand what it means to be a part of
Springbrook Swim Team.
Job Assignments
The Springbrook Swim Team would not be
possible if not for the support and help of parent volunteers. Swim
meets are very busy events and there is much to do in setting up,
running and breaking down a meet. Thus, parents are required to
work 9 swim meets, including 6 dual meets (depending upon
the number of families that sign up), 2 jobs at the Lafayette
City Meet and/or the Conference Meet (see Job Descriptions below)
and 1 Social Job. Exceptions are people who have volunteered
for some of the more time-consuming jobs, like Team Directors.
No-Shows
We have a strict NO SHOW policy. If you
cannot work a scheduled meet, you need to make your own trade with
another team member or hire a substitute for $50.00/meet. A list of
substitutes-for-hire will be posted on the bulletin board. Over the
past several years, there has been a growing problem of
no-shows…people who fail to show-up to fulfill their sign-up
responsibilities. This not only creates havoc and can delay the
meet, but is terribly unfair to those individuals called upon to
fill in at the last second or during the meet itself. As a result,
Springbrook has adopted a strict policy of fining no-shows
$100 per meet/per job and not allowing the
family’s swimmers to swim at meets until the fine is
paid. Swimmers will be allowed to swim at practice, while the
fine is outstanding.
Job Descriptions
While most meet jobs are available on a
volunteer basis at sign-ups, some require previous experience and
are pre-assigned, as indicated below. If you are interested in
learning a pre-assigned job or performing a pre-assigned job in the
future, talk to the Team Leader of the particular job your are
interested in (i.e. Head Stroke & Turn, Head Computer or Snack
Shack Director.)
Starter/Referee
– Starts and referees all heats and
keeps the meet running quickly and efficiently. Calls everyone to
attention to begin each heat. Attending a Stroke and Turn clinic is
required before attempting this job. There is one starter and one
referee at each meet. (PRE-ASSIGNED. HOME MEETS ONLY.)
Timers
– Starts stopwatches with the
Starter’s signal, and stops automatic lane timers and
stopwatches just as the swimmer touches the wall in the pool. The
stopwatch times are then given to the Recorder for that lane.
Timers must pay close attention at the start and finish of each
race. Parents should time at one or two dual meets before timing at
one of the major meets. There are three timers per lane. (ALL
MEETS.)
Recorders
– Computer generated sheets will list
the event, heat, names and lane assignments of all swimmers.
Recorders are required to verify that the swimmer is the name
listed on the heat sheets. If not, the Recorder needs to change the
entry to reflect the correct swimmer. If a lane is empty, the
Recorder should scratch the entry and write N/S (No Show). A Runner
will pick up the heat sheets every other heat and take it to the
Desk. In case of disqualification, the Stroke and Turn Judge hands
a Disqualification Slip (DQ) to the Recorder, if applicable. Neat
handwriting helps. (ALL MEETS.)
Runners
– Pick-up the recorder slips from the
Recorders after every other event and deliver them to the Desk.
(HOME MEETS ONLY).
Desk Workers (Verifier, Reader, Sorter, Ribbon
Writer)
– Verifier receives recorder slips from
the Runner, organizes them and verifies the swimmers names and
times. Reader reads off race number, child’s name and lane to
computer person. Sorter sorts labels for Ribbon Writers. Ribbon
Writers stick labels on ribbons and files ribbons. (Desk is
pre-assigned home meets; Ribbon Writers ALL MEETS.)
Stroke/Turn Judges
– Observe and judge all swimmers for
legal stroke and turns. Disqualify any swimmer who does a stroke or
turn incorrectly. Must attend a Stroke and Turn clinic. This is
required before attempting this job. (PRE-ASSIGNED. ALL MEETS.)
Shepherds
– This job is especially good for
families of swimmers 8 years and under. Each shepherd rounds up the
8 and under children for their races and makes sure they are
standing at the right lanes. Shepherds should be able to recognize
the younger children. (Pre-Assigned ALL MEETS.)
Snack Shack Helper
– Raise funds for our team by manning
the Snack Shack. Jobs include food preparation, food serving and
BBQ cook. The Snack Shack is open at home meets. (HOME MEETS
ONLY.)
Set-Up/Break-Down
– Set "crew" that sets-up Desk and
Timer/Recorder tents and chairs, electronics, stands, etc. before
meets. Breaks-down, puts away and cleans-up after meets.
(Pre-Assigned HOME MEETS ONLY.)
Relief/Rover
– Fill in where needed, as requested by
the Meet Directors. If not directed by Meet Director to do
something else, distribute drinks to the meet workers and relieve
meet workers as needed. (ALL MEETS.)
Vacations and Other Absences
Parents should provide the Head Coach with
3-days advance notice of vacations and other absences from all Swim
Meets, Invitationals, Conference and County meets. This will allow
the Head Coach sufficient time to plan the swimmer entries for
meets, and prevent wasted entry fees. A Swim Meet Sign-Out Book
will be kept at the pool near the front entrance for the purpose of
indicating swimmer absences. If less than 3-days advance written
notice is provided, the Head Coach and the Computer Manager in
charge of entries need to be notified verbally.
Swimmer Expenses
Fee Schedule
– The Fee Schedule may change from year
to year. The current year Fee Schedule is furnished on Sign-Up day.
Payment of the Swim Team Fee is due on Sign-up Day. The 2008 fee is
$180 per swimmer.
Swim Suits
– New Team swimsuits are generally
offered every other year. The cost of the swimsuit varies according
to style and quantity. The swimsuit should be treated like a
uniform and worn for swim meets only. Less expensive suits may be
purchased for use during practices and social swimming.
Fins & Goggles
– Every swimmer from age 7 and up should
have a pair of fins (shoe-like, not open back) and goggles to be
used at practice. Swim Team coaches feel this would benefit the
children during practice. We don’t want any child to feel
left out.
Swim Meet Entry Fees
– The Swim Team Fee includes payment of all swimmers’
Swim Meet Entry Fees to Invitationals, City, Conference and County
meets. The Swim Meet Entry Fee is paid for each qualified swimmer.
The parent should ensure that the swimmer either attends the meet
or signs out in the Swim Meet Sign-Out Book. We appreciate your
help to keep our team’s costs down.
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