The Regional YMCA of Western CT Mako Swim Club is an operating
program of the Regional YMCA of Western CT, and is led by a
professional coaching staff that is supported by a strong parents
committee. The Mako Swim Team is supervised and structured by a
YMCA Senior Director that implements the educational and training
objectives for the program which are then executed by the YMCA Mako
coaches. The Senior Aquatics Director oversees the
development of all levels and supervises all staff members
associated with the program as well as the members of the Mako
Parent Committee. All team policies, with the exception of
volunteer requirements, are set by the YMCA professional staff
including the Branch Executive Director.
The Mako Swim Team functions as a “YMCA” and
“USA” swimming club, meaning the club participates
within a local YMCA league and United States Swimming sanctioned
events throughout the year.
YMCA Swimming and Diving is part of the YMCA of the USA
organization. United States Swimming is the National governing body
for competitive swimming. They select the teams for all
international meets, including the Olympics. USA Swimming grew out
of AAU swimming when each sport under the AAU umbrella split out to
form its own governing body. It has its headquarters in Colorado
Springs at the Olympic Training Center and is organized into 56
regional Local Swimming Committees (LSCs), which all follow the
same technical rules but are in most ways autonomous. Our LSC is
called Connecticut Swimming Inc. (CSI), and is run by parent and
coach volunteers. If you are interested in becoming active in this
organization, contact your squad Commissioner, the MPC Chair, or go
to the Connecticut Swimming web site which can be accessed through
a link on the Mako web site.
USA Swimming publishes a yearly rule book containing all the
swimming rules, national time standards, and other useful
information. If you would like to obtain a copy, contact USA
Swimming at 719-578-4578. You may also download one for free at
www.usa-swimming.org. Anyone joining USA Swimming as a non-athlete
member receives a rule book as part of the membership fee.
YMCA meets consist of "dual" meets between Y's, the Y league
championship, and Y Nationals in late March/early April. Swimmers
must be current, active members of the Y to compete in the Y
championship meets. YMCA Swimming and Diving governs these
meets.
USA Swimming meets are usually significantly larger with many
teams represented. They can often be multiple day events spanning
2-3 days. At the end of each season championship meets are held.
More information pertaining to USA Swimming meets can be found in
the Competition section of this handbook.
Professional Staff Info:
Executive Director:
Gail Null / Email: gnull@regionalymca.org / Phone: 203-775-4444 ext
119
Senior Aquatics Director/ Head Coach:
Jason Paige/ Email: jpaige@regionalymca.org / Phone:
203-775-4444 ext 122
Assistant Competitive Swimming Director/ Head Age Group
Coach:
Gordon Brown / Phone 203-775-4444 ext 129
Administartive Coordinator:
Peggy Regan / Email: gomakos@regionalymca.org / Phone 203-775-4444
ext 124
