Revised Southern Zone Policy

(approved at the 2008 Fall Meeting of WVS, Inc.)

 

I.        The Southern Zone (SZ) is a geographical area consisting of the southeastern United States with West Virginia and Kentucky on the north and extending southward to Florida and west Texas. The SZ Age Group Championship is a "no time standard - all-star format" meet for the 11-12, 13-14 and 15-18 age groups. ALL West Virginia Swimming (WVS) LSC swimmers are eligible to participate if they have not made a US Open or higher time standard.

 

The team size is restricted by SZ rules to seven boy and girl swimmers in the 11-12 and 13-14 age groups and ten boy and girl swimmers in the 15-18 age group.

 

A.     WVS Commitment

1.      WVS is committed to supporting team participation at the SZ Championships.

2.      WVS will provide one coach for ten (10) or fewer swimmers; two coaches for eleven (11) to twenty (20) swimmers, and three coaches for twenty-one (21) or more swimmers.

3.      WVS will provide a uniform for each WVS participant as determined by the LSC on an annual basis. The uniform will include a team bag for first-time participants.

4.      WVS will cover the cost of entries for all participants.

5.      WVS will provide meet information to all selected swimmers.

B.     Selection Criteria

1.      Swimmers will be selected from the WVS Short Course Championships based on high point rankings.

2.      The top six (6) high point swimmers in each SZ age group will be invited to participate on the team by the Age Group Chair.

3.      Swimmers that age up between the WVS Championship Meet and the Zone Championship Meet will be integrated into the high point ranking at the Short Course Championships. If they make the top six (6) in the new age group, they will be invited.

4.      Invited swimmers must participate in a SZ Camp to be held in April or May. Exceptions will be made for extreme reasons with approval from the Age Group Chair prior to the camp.

5.      The meet packet consists of a short course best times form, a signed code of conduct form, a release form, and a uniform size form must be handed in at the SZ Camp.

6.      Should an age group not have at least four (4) swimmers accepting a position on the SZ Team, attempts will be made to fill the needed number of swimmers by continuing through the high point list.

7.      If this selection process occurs after the SZ Camp, these swimmers are automatically excused from SZ Camp requirement.

C.     Participant Requirements and Responsibilities

1.      SZ Team swimmers will be responsible for travel to the SZ Age Group Championship location.

2.      SZ Team swimmers will stay as a team at a hotel determined by the Age Group Chair and SZ Team coach(es).

3.      SZ Team swimmers will be notified as to room assignments and their share of the cost for housing. This charge must be paid to the Age Group Chair at least two (2) weeks prior to the meet.

4.      SZ Team swimmers are expected to attend all preliminary and finals sessions unless specifically released by the SZ Team coach(es).

5.      SZ Team swimmers are expected to participate in both pool and open water events.

6.      Any selected swimmer dropping from the team after the team uniform has been placed will be responsible for the entire cost of the uniform.

D.     Reimbursement Criteria

1.      Swimmers will be reimbursed $300 if they meet the criteria below. The reimbursement request must be made by the swimmers home team head coach. The latter must specify whether the reimbursement is to be made to the team or the swimmer/parent.

2.      Swimmers must achieve at least one SC or LC USA-S "AA" time standard.

3.      Swimmers must participate in four (4) WVS-sanctioned non-championship meets and successfully complete thirty (30) individual events.

4.      Swimmers must participate in both the WVS SC and LC Championship meets and successfully complete six (6) individual prelim and final events.

a)      Note 1: Swimmers are excused to participate in a higher USA-S meet if a conflict exists

b)      Note 2: Swimmers may petition a waiver of the above for medical reasons. The General Chair, the Age Group Chair, and an Athlete Rep will be the Review Committee.

c)      Note 3: New swimmers or swimmers transferring from other LSC's who are not able to fulfill the criteria above may petition to receive partial reimbursement.  The Review Committee will consist of the Age Group Chair, the Treasurer, and an Athlete Rep.

5.      Swimmers must participate in 75% of their teams practices between the LSC SC Championships and the SZ Team departure.

6.      Swimmers must train long course if available to the swimmer's team.