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