The Chico AquaJets Swim Team is a program run by the Chico Area Swim Association, a non-profit organization under the sanction of USA Swimming, Inc.    

The team’s mission is dedicated to the following objective:

Continuing a tradition of excellence

in the sport of swimming

… learn, compete,  and  enjoy!

The club vision is designed to accomplish our mission relative to nine essential core content areas:

Instruction must include:

•        A stable coaching staff

•        A variety of professional, quality, consistent instruction at all levels

•        Provide a technique-based program

•        Challenging swimmers to realize their full potential

•        Technique time to those swimmers seeking 1-1 assistance

•        Scaled instruction that focuses on fundamentals and matches individual skill levels

Competition must include:

• Opportunities for all swimmers to be successful

• Progress monitoring for swimmers as requested

• Encouragement to participate in competition to validate instruction and effort in practice

• Emphasis on individual as well as team aspects of competition

Environment/Team Identity must include:

• Swimmers feel safe

• Swimmers and families have fun

• Every swimmer counts and contributes

• We are a community-based organization

• An inclusive, strong team identity/presence in the community and at meets through association with CAJ logo, colors, and team area

• An environment that fosters team camaraderie

• Opportunities are provided for swimmers and families to connect outside of practice and meets

Partnerships must include:

• Community partners to further CAJ efforts (corporate, chico chamber, service groups, small business)

• Alumni connection (CAJ Alumni Guild)

• Giving back to our community by engaging in service projects

Facilities provided that have the following characteristics:

• Safe and very well maintained (lighting, shade, handicap accessible, depth, etc).

• Sanctioned to host invitational/championship meets (50 meter/25 yd)

• Parking to host large events

• Warm up pool

• Built-in concession

• Locker room facilities

• Office on site

• Adequate seating capacity and other equipment available for large meets

• Ability to do technique time

• Maintenance outsourced

Evaluation must include:

• Evaluation of efforts relative to accomplishing our mission and vision

• Adherence to fiscal responsibility (evaluating against our budget/financial planning)

• A variety of data, not just a single source, to quantify the effectiveness of our efforts (demographic data over time, outcome of competition, parent questionnaire feedback, etc.)

Professional Learning must include:

• Coaches and board members seeking out continued learning (information relative to best practices in instruction and operation)

• Sponsor opportunities solicited for coaches to attend the professional growth opportunities that they see as essential to quality instruction

• Opportunities for parent education (officials, timing, new parent orientation, etc)

Leadership defined by the following characteristics:

• Shared board leadership with clearly defined roles, responsibilities

• Encourage all who are interested to be involved

• Adherence to fiscal responsibility

• Roles and responsibilities linked to strategic planning and core operations

• Clear policies and procedures provided for all aspects of organization

• Detailed administrative and operational calendars

• Solicit thought leaders for best practices (USA Swimming)

Communication includes:

• Regular and comprehensive communication from coaches and board

• New swimmer/family orientation to team, meets, etc.

• Communicate the mission and vision, strategic areas of emphasis for planning, the plan, and leadership structure to all members

• Using the website to communicate key information

• Team policies that are clearly communicated to members

• Communicate a clear calendar of events