On behalf of the McHenry Marlins Parent Organization we would like to welcome you to the 2009-10 winter swim season.

Our primary source of funds this winter will be from our concession sales during home meets. As in the past, we will ask for donations of food items for the concession stand.

As those of you returning to swim team know, we parents staff the home meets. At least 25 parents are required for each home meet. Several of the responsibilities include: bullpen, ribbon writing, lane timing, scoring, computer operation and concession stand operation. We require that each family work in a MINIMUM of three swim meets throughout the season. We are in need of stroke officials also; if anyone is interested please see Coach B.J. for more information on becoming a stroke official.

Please sign up to work on the pool office window or return the attached sign-up sheet, indicating the date and job you would like to volunteer for.

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.

We will be emailing the parents on important information on an as needed basis. Please add Kathy Quick (kquick@ci.mchenry.il.us) to your contacts so you can receive these emails.

FUNDRAISING
Any suggestions for a fundraiser please see one of the officers.

The Parents Meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 14 at 6:00 pm in the cafeteria.

Board Positions:
President
Vice President
Treasurer
Secretary

Committee Chairperson Positions:
Swimsuit
Concession Stand
Volunteer Coordinator
Spirit Wear

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

GO MARLINS ! !

PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Monday and Wednesday
5:00 pm - 5:50 pm “B” Novice
75% stroke work - 25% conditioning

5:50 pm - 7:00 pm “A” Experienced
75% conditioning – 25% stroke work

Friday 4:00 pm - 4:50 pm “B” Novice
4:50 pm - 6:00 pm “A” Experienced

Saturday 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm 100% conditioning
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 be testing and assessing swimmers in order to determine appropriate groupings. Most returning swimmers will probably train at, or close to, the same time as last winter.

We recommend 3 practices and require 1 mandatory practice each week unless you have made prior arrangements with the head coach. Failure to meet this requirement could result in not being in a meet.

Eligibility

Children of members or staff of the McHenry Marlins between the ages of 6 and 18 who 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

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 quite meet the above criteria, may be referred to swim lessons or stroke clinic in order to prepare for the next McHenry Marlins season.

EACH AGE GROUP WILL HAVE A MAXIMUM OF 15 SWIMMERS. Should the team be full, eligible swimmers will be put on a waiting list. Should space open up, waitlisted swimmers will be called.

HOW TO FIND YOUR WAY AROUND A SWIM MEET

A list of the swim strokes and information pertaining to a swim meet will be listed on the marlins website.

PURPOSE OF THE MCHENRY MARLINS 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.

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.

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 our program. It is the parent’s responsibility to get their swimmer to the pool or locker room safely.

COMMON SENSE AT MEETS

1. Good sportsmanship is mandatory at all times.
2. Team rules and bus rules will be followed.
3. Swimmers should know what events they are swimming and keep track of the event numbers as they are going so they do not miss their event.
4. Horseplay is not allowed at pool side or in the locker rooms.
5. CHEER! Encouragement is very important. Cheer for your swimmer and his/her teammates.

RIBBONS AND AWARDS

Ribbons are given for individual events for first through fourth places. Relay teams earn a ribbon for first through third places. 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.

SWIM TEAM RULES (CODE OF CONDUCT)

1. Swimmers must display good sportsmanship at all times:

A. Act like ladies and gentlemen at all times.

B. Respect your elders and respect for officials, judges, coaches and chaperones at all times.

C. Treat guests courteously at home and be a polite guest when away. Whether at home or away, swimmers conduct should be of the highest caliber at all parks, schools, clubhouses, locker rooms, shower rooms, pool areas and on the buses. All areas should be left clean. Fighting will not be tolerated.

D. Exhibit good sportsmanship at both meets and practices. Congratulate opponents on races, win or lose.

E. Refrain from causing bodily harm to other swimmers. Running, pushing, or horseplay in the pool area, locker rooms or hallways is not tolerated.

F. 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.

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

H. Show respect toward pool equipment and school facilities.

I. Refrain from any tobacco, drugs or alcohol use by any participant during any Marlins activity.

2. Swimmers who are not able to attend the meet should notify either Coach BJ or Coach Dave 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. If a swimmer has long hair (boy or girl), he/she will be required to wear a swim cap or to get it cut, as long hair may slow down a swimmer’s time and have an effect on his/her stroke.

5. When traveling to/from an away meet, if you ride the bus to the away meet but not home, a note is also required.

6. Any swimmer who presents a disciplinary problem at practice or at 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.

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF MARLIN SWIMMERS?

Always:

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.

5. Clean-up the Marlins area after all meets.

Guidelines for Swimmers

Practice Hints:

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. Have goggles adjusted and ready to go prior to practice.
4. While waiting to practice please show courtesy to the group that is already in the water.
5. Please stay behind the “fence” in the pool while the High School practice is in session.
6. Do not roam the halls before, during or after practice
7. Bring to each practice any equipment (fins and goggles). Please have your equipment labeled.
8. Team suits last longer if you wear a training suit to practice.
9. Listen carefully for any information that needs to go home, and be certain to get any handouts to a parent.
10. Be sure to wear your smile at all times!

Competition:

1. Swim Team rules state that a swimmer must attend one practice per week to compete in that Saturday’s meet. If a swimmer will not be in attendance at one practice during a given week, please notify the head coach so that meet relays may be planned appropriately. At the head coaches 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 Coach BJ or Coach Dave in writing, so that relays may be planned appropriately.
3. Requests after this time may not be accepted. If there is uncertainty as to whether a swimmer is ready for a certain event please see the coaches. Coaches will give swimmers further instruction on how to request a swim stroke at the appropriate time.
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.
5. Know your race #’s and strokes. Swimmers are responsible for this information.

WHAT IS NEEDED FROM PARENTS

1. Assistance at meets. Help is needed setting up, selling concessions, timing, scoring, announcing, cleaning up, organizing swimmers and making phone calls, etc. The swim team MUST have parent involvement to survive.

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

3. Help your swimmer follow the team rules.

4. It is the parents’ responsibility to get their swimmer to the pool or locker room safely.

At least twenty-five parents are required for each home meet. Several of the responsibilities include: bull pen, ribbon writing, lane timing, scoring and computer operation. We require that each family work a minimum of three swim meets throughout the season. We are in need of stroke officials, and anyone interested should contact Coach BJ for more information.

Meet Guidelines for Swimmers and Parents

What to Bring:

1. Plenty of towels - 2 to 4 depending on number of events.
2. Warm clothing (sweats)
3. Chairs or blankets to sit on.
4. Cooler for fruit, juices, water, snacks, etc. A snack bar and uniform table will also be available during the home meets.
5. Team T-shirt, team cap

When to Arrive:

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 dual meets start promptly at 1:30 pm for home meets. Warm-up is at 12:15 pm.
4. Times for the Conference Meet will be posted toward the end of the season.

At the 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 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 complete 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. Please use trash cans for your garbage. We are a clean team!
8. You MUST have FUN!