On behalf of the McHenry Marlins Parent Organization, welcome to the 2011-12 winter swim season. The Parents Meeting will be held on Wednesday October 12, 2011 at 6:00 pm in the West Campus High School cafeteria.

All parents of swimmers on the team are a part of this organization. The organization provides a focal point for organizing team needs. If you have any questions or suggestions, you can contact a board member.

Emails will be sent to parents about important information on an as needed basis. Please add Pattie Lunkenheimer (plunkenheimer@ci.mchenry.il.us) to your contacts so you can receive these emails. Do not respond to these emails. Please direct any questions to coaches.

Once again, we look forward to a fun swim season. Thanks for your help. Go Marlins!

Purpose of McHenry Marlins Swim Team

The purpose of the McHenry Marlins Swim Team is to promote and support a supervised competitive age group swimming program. Our primary focus is to assist in building a feeder team for the high school swim team. Also of importance is the development of the individual’s swimming skills.

Expectation of Marlins Swim Team Members

1. Be proud to be a member of the McHenry Marlins.

2. Put out 100% physically and mentally.

3. Challenge yourself and teammates to improve and work harder.

4. Behavior at its best, 100% of the time, home and away

Schedule and Maps

The meet schedule is attached. Maps to the various pools in the area can be found on the Marlins website. A van will be provided for away meets. Please let the coaches know by the Wednesday before the meet if your child will be taking the van.

McHenry Marlins Swim Team Eligibility

At the coach’s discretion, a child must be able to perform strokes in order to be eligible to become a member of the McHenry Marlins swim team. Swimmers who do not meet the criteria below may be referred to swim lessons or stroke clinic in order to prepare for the next McHenry Marlins season. Children ages 6 – 18 are eligible for McHenry Marlins swim team if they can:

Ages 8 and Under

1. Swim 25 yd freestyle exhibiting proficiency in breathing patterns and stroke.

2. Swim 25 yd backstroke exhibiting proficiency in kick and body position.

3. Swim 25 yd breaststroke exhibiting proficiency in kick and body position.

Ages 9 - 18

1. Swim 50 yd freestyle exhibiting proficiency in breathing patterns and stroke.

2. Swim 50 yd backstroke exhibiting proficiency in kick and body position.

3. Swim 50 yd breaststroke exhibiting proficiency in kick and body position.

McHenry Marlins Swim Team Practices

In an effort to afford each swimmer the attention that he or she deserves, practice groups will be established by speed and stamina with consideration to age (rather than by age only). During the first week of practice, coaches will test and assess swimmers in order to determine appropriate groupings. Most returning swimmers will probably train at or close to the same level as last winter.

“A” practice is for elite swimmers. Swimmers must be efficient in the four competitive strokes and be willing and able to handle the workload. This group includes high school students and 11 - 14 year olds who can maintain the same level. Emphasis is 100% training with a goal of 3,500 - 4,000 meters per day.

“B” practice is for swimmers who will work on strokes, starts and turns. This group will work up to 2,000 – 2,500 meters per day. Emphasis will be 50% instruction and 50% training.

It is recommended that swimmers attend 3 practices and are required to attend at least 1 practice each week, unless prior arrangements have been made with the head coach.

Practice Schedule

Practice is Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at the following times:

Monday/Wednesday Friday Saturday

A – 5:50 – 7:00 pm A – 4:50 – 6:00 pm A & B – 12:00 – 2:00 pm

B – 5:00 – 5:50 pm B – 4:00 – 4:50 pm (100% conditioning)

Swim Suits

Swimmers must have the team swim suit or a navy suit, plus the team swim cap.

Team Pictures

Individual and team pictures will be taken at West Campus Pool during practice. Look on the bulletin board or web site for more information once the season begins.

Fundraising

If you have any suggestions for a fundraiser, please see one of the officers.

Tent Rental

The Marlins Swim Team tent is available for rental. This is for team member families only and the fee is $60.00. The tent is approximately 20' X 30' and would be great to use for parties, graduations, etc. If you are interested in renting the tent, please contact Coach BJ or the president.

McHenry Marlins Swim Team Code of Conduct

A Note to Parents – Please take a few moments to read over the swim team rules and review them with your swimmer. They are designed to help swimmers get the most out of the swim team program. It is parent’s responsibility to get his or her swimmer to the pool or locker room.

A Note to Swimmers – To become an outstanding swimmer, you should believe in your coach, concentrate on techniques, develop strength and endurance, set realistic goals for yourself and above all, maintain a good positive attitude.

Swim Team Practice Rules

1. Attend only your designated practice time unless instructed by the coaches.

2. Be on deck at least 5 minutes early and be ready to get in the water.

3. While waiting for your practice time, please show courtesy to the group that is still in the water.

4. Please stay behind the “fence” in the pool while the High School practice is in session.

5. Do not roam the halls before, during or after practice.

6. Bring any equipment (fins and goggles) to every practice. Have goggles adjusted and ready to go prior to practice. Label all your equipment.

7. Team suits last longer if you wear a training suit to practice.

8. Listen carefully for any information that needs to go home, and be certain to get any handouts to a parent.

9. Be sure to wear your smile at all times!

Swim Team Meet Rules

1. Display good sportsmanship at all times – congratulate teammates and opponents on races, win or lose.

2. Show respect to coaches, judges, officials, and chaperones at all times.

3. Know you swimming events and keep track of event numbers so you do not miss events.

4. Treat guests courteously at home, and be a polite guest when away.

5. Behave properly in all areas at all locations – club houses, locker rooms, shower rooms, pool areas, parks, schools, and buses. Respect all facilities and pool equipment, and keep all areas clean.

6. Fighting and bodily harm to others will not be tolerated. Running, pushing, and horseplay in any area will not be tolerated.

7. Refrain from communicating threats, inappropriate comments or obscene language or actions by gesture, words or actions that can be considered as any type of harassment.

8. Exhibit tolerance and courtesies towards our diverse swimming community.

9. Swimmers (and family members) will refrain from using tobacco, alcohol or drugs during any McHenry Marlins activity.

10. CHEER! Encouragement is very important. Cheer for your swimmers and teammates.

McHenry Marlins Swim Team Discipline

Any swimmer who presents a disciplinary problem at a practice or a meet will be given a verbal warning. If the swimmer’s behavior does not improve, the swimmer will then be asked to leave the practice or meet. He/she will not be allowed back at practice until the parent(s) have spoken with the Head Coach. If the swimmer does not remove himself/herself from the pool area immediately after being told to do so by any of the coaches, he/she will not be allowed to participate in the next meet that he/she has signed up to swim.

Severe misbehavior will result in immediate removal from the pool. The swimmer will not be allowed to return to practice until a meeting between the coaches, parents and the swimmer has resolved the issue. Severe misbehavior may cause a swimmer who has qualified for Conference to lose his/her Conference position to the next qualifying swimmer.

The McHenry Marlins reserves the right to dismiss without refund any participant who violates the Code of Conduct.

McHenry Marlins Swim Meets

How To Find Your Way Around a Swim Meet – A list of the swim strokes and information pertaining to a swim meet is listed on the McHenry Marlins website.

Competitions

1. A swimmer must attend one practice per week to compete in that week’s meet. If a swimmer will not be in attendance at one practice during a given week, notify the head coach so relays can be planned appropriately. At the head coach’s discretion the swimmers can swim in the meet.

2. If you know ahead of time (during the week) that you have a conflict and must arrive late or may not be able to stay for the entire meet, please inform the head coach in writing at least three days before the meet so relays can be planned appropriately. Swimmers who are not able to attend the meet should notify the head coach in writing at least three days before the meet.

3. If a swimmer does not notify a coach and does not show up at a meet, the swimmer may be taken off the roster for the next meet.

4. Swimmers can expect to be timed for specific strokes, distances during training and swim meet sessions. This not only helps them practice for competitions but it is useful to the coaches, as a guideline for seeding swimmers in meet events. Team members are encouraged to request a time on any event they would like to swim in an upcoming meet.

Ribbons and Awards

Ribbons are given for individual events for first, second, third and fourth place. Relay teams earn a ribbon for first, second and third place. Ribbons are available for pick up the first practice after the meet. At the end of the season, one swimmer is chosen as the recipient of the Curtis Cardamone Award. The recipient is chosen by the coaching staff and identifies that swimmer who the coach’s feel shows the most “team spirit,” helpfulness, enthusiasm, and is a good role model for other swimmers. The award is given at the final splash party of the year.

What is Needed from Parents

Parent assistance is needed at meets. Help is needed setting up, selling concessions, timing, scoring, announcing, cleaning up, organizing swimmers and making phone calls, etc.

At least twenty-five parents are required for each home meet. Several of the responsibilities include: bull pen, ribbon writing, lane timing, scoring, stroke official and computer operation. We require that each family work a minimum of four swim meets throughout the season. The swim team MUST have parent involvement to survive, so please:

1. Support the coaches. Please notify them when your swimmer cannot make a meet or must leave early or be late.

2. Help your swimmer follow the team rules.

3. Get your swimmer to the pool or locker room safely.

What to Bring to a Meet

1. Team swimsuit, goggles, team T-shirt, and team cap (boys or girls with long hair will be required to wear a swim cap or cut their hair – long hair may slow down a swimmer’s time and have an effect on stroke)

2. Plenty of towels (2 to 4 depending on number of events)

3. Warm clothing (sweats)

4. Chairs or blankets for sitting

5. Fruit, juice, water, snacks, etc – a snack bar will be available at most meets

When to Arrive to a Meet

1. Arrive early – at least 15 minutes prior to Marlins warm-up time.

2. Warm-up times will be posted on the web site prior to each meet. As a general guideline, warm-up times are earlier for home meets.

3. All home dual meets start promptly at 1:30 pm. Warm-up is at 12:15 pm.

4. Times for the Conference Meet will be posted toward the end of the season.

What to Do at a Meet

1. If you can, arrive at the meet early to stake out a “team area”!

2. Check in with the coach assigned to take attendance.

3. Swimmers should stay in or close to the team area. Listen for your event and be ready to go to the “ready area.” (Parents – please know where your swimmer is at all times. If you are working the meet please assign another parent who is willing to watch your child.)

4. It is ultimately the swimmer’s responsibility to get to the ready area and the blocks on time.

5. Make sure that you talk with the coach assigned to talking with swimmers after you compete each of your events to get feedback on how you swam.

6. Make sure you check with the coach before you leave the meet. You may be on a relay!

7. If a swimmer takes the bus to an away meet but does not plan to take the bus home, a note from a parent/guardian is required.

8. Please use trash cans for your garbage and clean up the Marlins area after all meets

9. You MUST have FUN!