Objectives
Not every child will become an Olympian, or even a collegiate swimmer; however, we believe that with support and guidance, every child can develop to his or her highest potential both in and out of the pool. Therefore, the objectives of the Tigershark program include:
- To provide appropriate level of training and competition for all swimmers on the team.
- To provide an opportunity to learn sportsmanship and team cooperation - and their importance to performance.
- To provide opportunities to learn good health habits - and its relationship to athletic performance.
- To promote social and emotional development.
- To maintain a worthwhile and wholesome physical and recreational outlet.
Character Development
Character development and values education is an integral part of the National YMCA program. The YMCA has been teaching character development for more than 160 years. YMCA Swimming offers countless challenges, opportunities and teachable moments for the development of each individual's character.
Character development is challenging people to accept and demonstrate positive values. The YMCA focuses on four core values - Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility. These are central to the YMCA's commitment to Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility.
Program Philosophy
The cause of the YMCA is to Strengthen the Foundations of Community through Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility. In support of this cause, we uphold our mission to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. The Tigershark program uses competitive swimming to deliver on our cause and mission. By promoting sportsmanship, commitment, teamwork, self-discipline, goal-setting and a strong work ethic, the PCY Swim Team helps youth reach their potential as individuals and members of our community.
"Winning means doing your best!"
Competitive sports, especially individual performance sports, such as swimming, can be an excellent preparation for life. There is no better field than athletics for a young person to learn that every individual is born with different and unique abilities.
There is no better experience than athletic training for that young person to find that the degree to which they develop their gift is in direct proportion to the quality of time and effort invested into their training.
Finally, there is no better place than competition for the young athlete to learn that very often the hardest worker in the pool does not always win the most races any more than the most studious person in school receives the best grades. Every swimmer will find, however, that the greatest and most meaningful challenge is the training to reach his or her own potential through hard work, discipline and commitment to team.
It is the quest for personal excellence, which is the philosophy of the successful person in any field or endeavor - and hopefully, will be the motivating force of our Tigershark team. It is the willingness of everyone to make the personal commitment to do whatever it takes to become the best we are capable of becoming in our training season, and accepting no less.
This involves:
- An accurate early season assessment of capabilities.
- The setting of appropriate goals.
- An understanding of what it will take, in terms of time and effort, to reach these goals.
- Making the mental commitment and having the day-to-day discipline to meet those training requirements.
This same discipline is adopted, in some form or another, by all goal-oriented successful organizations or individuals.
