Revised October 2010 WELLESLEY SWIMMING ASSOCIATION MISSION STATEMENT The Wellesley Swimming Association is a non-profit private swimming club started in 1974 to provide an organized program of competitive swim training and team competition for boys and girls, ages 6-18. Members represent a number of area towns. The Wellesley Swimming Association is a family oriented swim team run by a volunteer Board of Directors and its parent volunteers. The Association, as a member of the Winter Suburban Swim League, arranges for quality training facilities, coaching, and swim meets from October through March. The Wellesley Swimming Association offers each member the opportunity for personal growth and development through participation in competitive swimming. Emphasis is placed on the need to develop each athlete’s: knowledge and understanding of the sport of competitive swimming stroke technique and efficiency training procedures and self-discipline individual and team sportsmanship Membership in the Wellesley Swimming Association is limited by team requirements as well as training, coaching and facility resources. Each Fall, new team members are selected based on a number of factors including time trials in all four strokes (backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and freestyle), form, previous swim experience and historic family commitment to WSA. Members and their parents must be willing to assume personal responsibility for a serious program of competitive swimming, training and team competition. Practice sessions concentrate on stroke refinement, elements of competitive swimming techniques, and physical conditioning. Members, once selected, are expected to abide by the rules of the Association, the swim league in which it competes, the Association’s designated coaching staff, and the swimming facilities being used. Any failure to abide by these rules will be cause for dismissal from practice sessions, meets or the Association. Members and their parents should be aware of the following general rules: all swimmers are expected to participate in training sessions and meets and, parents are required to assist with activities at practices and meets such as locker room/hallway monitoring at all facilities, timing, scoring, running, etc.. during competition Additional rules governing the conduct of training sessions and meets are located within the WSA Code of Conduct and the Coaches Code of Conduct. Swimmers and parents are required to read and sign the Code of Conduct before entering the pool for the first practice. WSA 2010-2011 Board President…………………………………. Eric Fichtel 781-239-9784 ekfichtel@yahoo.com Past President/Advisor………………….Deb Rayment 781-444-0693 drayment33@verizon.net Treasurer………………………………… Kristin Lindquist 781-237-3718 lindquists@verizon.net Website Coordinator……………………Kirk Williamson 781-235-0932 ktwilli@aol.com Swim Meet Coordinator……………… Kate Ward 781-400-5504 kateward@comcast.net Locker Room Coordinator…………… Elizabeth Skelly 781-453-4014 ejr4@columbia.edu Registration Coordinator/Secretary… Katherine Warming 617-244-4671 warming@comcast.net Parent Liaison…………………………….... Mary McNamara 781-235-2303 mcnamara_mary@yahoo.com Scorer/Stats………………………………….Maura Guiffre 781-235-2004 guiffrefamily@comcast.net WSA 2010-2011 Coaches Head Coach…………………………………….Chris Anzellotti wsacoaches@yahoo.com Assistant Coach………………………………..Amy Ryan wsacoaches@yahoo.com Assistant Coach………………………………..Jenny Borghesi wsacoaches@yahoo.com Assistant Coach………………………………..Stephen Nolan wsacoaches@yahoo.com Assistant Coach………………………………..Tracey Allen wsacoaches@yahoo.com Parent Volunteer Coach……………………….Fran Tocci wsacoaches@yahoo.com Volunteer Coach………………………………..Pam Kuong wsacoaches@yahoo.com WSA Code of Conduct The WSA program is geared to developing the swimmers’ physical and mental qualities to their utmost. This process demands the dedication of the swimmer and an equal commitment by the parents. WSA is a parent run organization. As such, it is necessary for all parents to volunteer at meets and for administrative activities as well as being supportive of the performance of all swimmers on the team. Of utmost importance is the safety of all swimmers and the respect of the varying abilities of all swimmers. Our pool contracts also prohibit certain behaviors in the pool buildings and our ability to use the Babson, Dana Hall and Wellesley College pools will be jeopardized if the behavior of swimmers or parents violates these contracts. This Code of Conduct must be adhered to by all swimmers and parents to run a successful swimming program for all team members. SWIMMERS With about 190 swimmers on the team, practices and meets cannot run smoothly and effectively without the cooperation of all swimmers. Swimmers are expected to respect one another as well as the coaching staff. Swimmers are expected to possess a positive attitude and put forth 100% of their effort for practices and meets. Swimming is a team sport. Swimmers are expected to encourage and be supportive of one another and be willing to work together for the common benefit of the team. Appropriate behavior is expected at all practices and meets, home or away. Facility guidelines with regard to behavior and facility use will be strictly enforced. No disrespect or defacement to facility property or personnel will be tolerated. Swimmers are expected to attend all practices and swim in at least five meets and the Championship meet. WSA obligations are expected to be a priority for all swimmers. It is the responsibility of the swimmer to notify the coach if you will miss a meet or have a conflict which will result in you arriving late to, or leaving early from, a meet. It is also the responsibility of the swimmer to notify the coach if you will be participating at a meet if you have missed the practice prior to the meet. Failure to do so will result in the swimmer not being scheduled to participate in the meet. Be on the pool deck 10 minutes prior to the scheduled practice and meet warm ups, prepared to enter the water (i.e. caps and goggles on, etc.). NOTE: Swimmers will not be allowed to participate in practices if they are more than 10 minutes late. Follow "pool" safety rules at all times. This includes no running on the pool deck and no diving of any sort, into pools or off the starting blocks, except when instructed by the coach to do so during practice. Wear designated uniforms at meets. Remain at meets until the coach has posted the line up for the relays. We encourage all swimmers to stay until the end of every meet to support and cheer for the team. Swimmers are expected to demonstrate good sportsmanship in both victory and defeat. Swimmers should understand that the coaching staff is not a disciplinary body. The mission of the coaching staff is to teach and promote a positive swimming experience. Swimmers should pick up team mail from the mailbox on Thursday evenings after practice or make appropriate arrangements to do so at another time. Note: No glass containers or food are allowed on the pool decks or in the locker rooms at any time. Plastic water bottles are accepted. No flash photography is permitted during a swim meet. The use of cameras and cellular phone cameras are not permitted in the locker rooms. PARENTS: Parents of WSA team members are expected to: Fulfill their volunteer responsibilities for the team. (locker room monitoring, hall monitoring and working at meets) Note: It is the parent’s responsibility to find a substitute for any assignment which they cannot fulfill. It is not acceptable to call the parent in charge of assigning volunteers to report that you cannot fulfill your assigned duty. Please plan accordingly. Check email and the WSA website on a regular basis. Make the necessary arrangements to ensure that your child arrives at practices and meets on time and is picked up from practices within 10 minutes of the end of their practice session. Your child should be equipped with all the required training items and meet attire and should remain at all practices and meets until they have ended. Refrain from talking to the coaches during practices or meets. Although the coaches are very interested in hearing from you regarding any concerns that you may have and value your input, in the interest of the safety of all swimmers and due to time constraints, it is not possible for them to take the time to do so at practices and meets. Please contact coaches via e-mail and they will get back to you. Be supportive of your swimmer and all of the swimmers on the team and display "good sportsmanship" at meets, practices and other WSA events. When your child completes a race, the coaches suggest that parents not to critique the performance but offer support to the effort made. Abide by the schedule provided by the coaches as to the dates parents may observe practices. Note: Parents are prohibited from observing practice from the lower level at the Babson College pool. Also, parents are prohibited from being on the pool deck except when working at a meet. FAILURE TO ABIDE BY THE ABOVE WILL RESULT IN THE FOLLOWING: In the interest of the safety of all swimmers and to ensure that all meets and practices run smoothly and in accordance with our pool contracts at Babson College, Dana Hall and Wellesley College, the following will result if the above stated Code of Conduct is not properly adhered to by: Swimmers: At the discretion of the coaches and/or the Board, depending upon the severity of the violation, swimmers will be either issued a written warning, suspended or dismissed from the team for failure to abide by any of the above rules. Upon the issuance of (3) warnings over the course of the season, the swimmer will be dismissed from the team with no refund of dues paid. Parents: Failure by a parent to fulfill an assigned locker room, hall monitor or swim meet responsibility (without finding a substitute) can be detrimental to the safety of all swimmers, the effective running of a meet and to our continued ability to utilize the pools at Babson College, Dana Hall and Wellesley College. As such, failure by a parent to fulfill an assigned responsibility will result in the following fines: 1st time: $75.00 2nd time: $100.00 3rd time: dismissal of your child from the team with no refund. Locker Room Monitor Duty The purpose of parent locker room monitors is to ensure the safety of the swimmers and prevent damage to facility property during practices and meets. This is a requirement of our contract with the colleges and school whose facilities we lease and is essential to our continued use of their facilities. Only WSA Parents can be monitors. Each family has an obligation to serve as locker room monitor for two shifts per swimmer per season during practices. An exception is made for those parents with other significant/time consuming volunteer roles for WSA. (Occasional timer/runner/scorer at meets is not included in this exemption.) Unfortunately, by WSA policy, a fine is levied for missed locker room monitor duty. The facilities expect that we have an adult monitoring safety and we run the risk of losing our contract if the locker rooms are not monitored. A parent that misses an obligation will be assessed a $75 fine, which will need to be paid before his or her child may swim again – at a meet or a practice. A second obligation missed will be a $100 fine and a third obligation missed will result in the dismissal of the family from the team with no refund for dues paid. A sign up sheet for locker room duty will be available at the first practice. If you do not sign up, we will assign your shifts to you. Please bring your calendars and be prepared to sign up for your shifts! On Monday and Tuesday nights at Dana Hall monitors should be in place by 8:15 and must remain until the last swimmer has been picked up. Coaches should not be left alone to wait with a swimmer. On Thursday nights at Wellesley College, the boy’s locker room monitor must arrive by 7:00 pm. The front desk staff will “buzz” the swimmers in only when the adult monitor is there. The Thursday shifts last from 7:00 to 9:40 pm. The Sunday shifts at Babson College are from 3:15 to 5:45 pm, and from 5:45-8:15pm. Duties 1. Monitors must arrive 15 minutes before their assigned shifts and check in with the coach in charge. If you do not check in, we will assume that you have not fulfilled your obligation and you run the risk of being fined. 2. Men must cover the Boys' Locker Room and women must cover the Girls' Locker Room. 3. The locker room monitor may need to respond to injuries/accidents in the locker room. The coaches have a folder of health forms with parent phone numbers and a first aid kit. If you have a cell phone, please bring it for locker room duty. There is a pay phone in the hallways of the athletic facilities and change can be found in the first aid kit should you need to phone a swimmer’s parent. 4. Oversee the behavior of swimmers, i.e.. No running, towel swatting, or excessively long showers. 5. Please ensure that showers are turned off at the end of your shift. 6. Collect suits, towels, goggles, flippers left at the end of your shift and give them to a coach for the lost and found, or bring them to a Thursday practice and give them to the Lost and Found Coordinator. 7. If you are unable to fulfill your assigned locker room duty, you are responsible for obtaining a substitute from the list provided on the website or by trading with another parent. Please call Elizabeth Skelly, the board member who serves as out Locker Room Coordinator, at 781-453-4014 (or e-mail ejr4@columbia.edu ) as far in advance as possible if you have arranged for a substitute, The Coordinator will then contact the correct parent with a reminder call. Meet Job Descriptions The following are detailed descriptions of each position needed on deck during a swim meet. If you have further questions or are interested in any of the positions please contact the WSA Board Member/Swim Meet Coordinator. Starter (Trish Lincoln at plincoln@rcn.com) Serves as public address announcer. Makes general announcements prior to meet starting. Announces each event (event #, gender, age group, stroke, and distance) and subsequent heat numbers. Starts each heat with a strong voice and consistent and predictable cadence. Ensures fair starts; calls false starts. With assistance from bullpen, timers, and runners combines heats when possible. Continually verifies that others on the pool deck (coaches, timers, runners, bullpen, stroke and turn judges) are "in synch" so the meet runs smoothly. Meets with each group or group leader before the meet; slows or stops meet if any group is not ready. Communicates with coaches and pool deck leaders if there are activities that are slowing the pace of the meet. Starts the meet ON TIME, and keeps the pace of the meet moving as quickly as possible. Stroke and Turn ( Debbie Bennett at dbennett02481@gmail.com) Judges legality of swimmer's individual strokes and turns. Judges relay starts. Must be USS or league certified. Place Judge One place judge represents each team in a meet. These judges stand at either side of the pool deck and visually check for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th place. At the end of a heat, they hand signal the results to each other. The home team place judge then fills out the place sheet and hands it to the runner with the time cards. The place judge also works with the stroke and turn judge to record any disqualifications. Scorer (Maura Guiffre at guiffrefamily@comcast.net) Records name, place and time for each event and all heats included in the event. Together with opposing team, calculates overall score for the swim meet. Recorder The Recorder files WSA time cards by Event Number grouping. The cards within each event number are filed by Heat Number and Place Finish within each heat. When needed, the recorder helps to fill out second heat sheets with swimmer names and times. Timers ( MJ Pender at pender4@comcast.net) Report to head timer on pool deck ½ hour before meet starts to be issued a stop watch, pencil and clipboard. You will be assigned lanes at this time. Responsibility is to time swimmers in each event that are assigned to your lane. Meet with starter 15 minutes prior to start of meet to discuss any specifics related to meet. Report to assigned lane 5 minutes prior to start of meet. On the “go” signal, (whistle or light- starter will specify) start watch. At finish, stop watch and record time on the swimmers card that has been handed to you by the runner assigned to your lane. Ask swimmer coming out of the water their name and verify it with the name on the card. Hand cards to runner who will pick up cards at the end of each event. Assist starter in combining heats if requested by the starter. Head Timer runs a back up watch for each event in case there are any mechanical difficulties and timers watch does not run. Timers will signal to head timer for back up. Timers need to be present until finish of the meet. Runner (Janet Petronio at mpetronio@comcast.net) Runners must pick up time cards from timers in each lane and place slips from the Place Judge and hand to scorer at the scoring table after each event. Runners must move quickly in order to keep the swim meet moving efficiently. Runners should plan to wear sneakers!! Bullpen (Jim Dunn at stracy@centralbk.com) Responsibility regarding parents: Contact parents assigned to the bullpen before each meet to ensure participation. Make necessary substitutions. Meet with parents prior to the start of the meet to communicate their location and responsibilities during the meet. Designate one parent to work with Jenny to co-ordinate swimming changes during the meet. Responsibility regarding swimmers: Responsible for placing swimmers in correct order, based on heat and lane number. Line up and organize swimmers so that the swimmer arrives with their time cards to the appropriate lane in a timely manner. Practice Times Be on the pool deck 10 minutes before your assigned start time for announcements, stroke training and exercises. For example, on Thursdays this means you must be on the pool deck promptly at 7:20 pm. IMPORTANT: Ages 11 and up MUST attend 2 out of 3 practices conducted on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. You may attend Monday OR Tuesday, or you may attend both, but you need to commit to attending at least one of these days. All swimmers should plan on attending Sunday and Thursday practices. Day/Location Sunday at Babson Age Time 8 and unders 3:40-4:45 pm 9 & 10 boys and girls 3:40-5:00 pm 11 & 12 boys and girls 5:00-6:30 pm 13 & Over boys and girls 6:30-8:00 pm 11&12 boys and girls AND Monday at Dana Hall Tuesday at Dana Hall 13 and Over boys and girls 8:30-9:30 pm 11&12 boys and girls AND 8:30-9:30 pm 13 & Over boys and girls Thursday at Wellesley 8 and Under boys and girls 7:30-8:30 pm 9 & 10 boys and girls 7:30-8:45 pm 11 & 12 boys and girls 7:30-9:00 pm 13 & Over boys and girls 8:00-9:30 pm Wellesley College Keohane Sports Center. Wellesley. Massachusetts. 02481 Department of Physical Education. Recreation. Tel: 781-283-20 19 . Fax: 781-2 1. MONITORS In addition to locker room monitors, there will be one monitor in the lobby area each Thursday evening from 7:00 PM until 9:40 PM. The hallway monitor will remain in the lobby near the doors leading to the gymnasium and vending machines and will also move between the lobby and the hallway leading from the locker rooms to the pool deck at the beginning of practice. All monitors must arrive by 7:15 PM and will stay until the last WSA swimmer has gone. 2. ARRIVAL/ DEPARTURE PROCEDURES Practice Times 7:30 - 8:30 7:30 - 8:45 7:30 - 9:00 8:00 - 9:30 8 & Under 9 & 10s 11 & 12s 13+ Swimmers that are part of a carpool consisting of different age groups will be permitted on deck as soon as they arrive at Wellesley College. No swimmer should arrive at Wellesley College prior to 7:15 PM and all swimmers MUST be picked up by 9:30 PM. (Children of the monitors on duty would be the only exception.) All swimmers will be escorted from the lobby to the pool deck via the long hallway upon arrival. There will be NO use of the locker room prior to practice. Therefore it is imperative that all swimmers arrive in their bathing suits! Parents should be in the building at the time their swimmer exits the pool, perhaps even earlier. 8 and unders 9/10’s 11/12’s 13+ 8:30 PM 8:45 PM 9:00 PM 9:30 PM At the end of practice, all 10 and under swimmers must be met at the locker room doors by an adult and remain with that adult. Wellesley College Keohane Sports Center. Wellesley. Massachusetts. 02481 Department of Physical Education. Recreation. Tel: 781-283-20 19 . Fax: 781-2 All 10 and under swimmers must be escorted out of the building by an adult or older sibling. No swimmers will be outside the building playing at any time. Do NOT park in the circular driveway. Use the parking garage and only park in VISITOR spaces. 3. WHEELED SHOES No swimmer or sibling will be allowed into Keohane Sports Center, wearing wheeled shoes of any kind. Please remove the wheels prior to attending either a WSA practice. 4. LOCKER ROOM TO POOL ESCORT Swimmers will be escorted from the pool to the locker room by a coach or monitor at the conclusion of practice. 5. SHOWERS/LOCKER ROOM USE NO swimmer will be allowed to shower at Wellesley College, regardless of age. Use of the locker room will be strictly limited to changing out of wet suits and into dry clothes at the conclusion of practice. NO ONE IS ALLOWED IN THE SAUNAS. 6. VANDALISM/DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY Swimmers are expected to have the utmost respect and consideration for the facilities at Wellesley College. Any swimmer involved in malicious, destructive or disrespectful behavior as it relates to any item belonging to the facility (furniture, posters and other displays, doors, etc.) will be not be admitted. Webster Center - Facility Guidelines 1. MONITORS All locker room monitors must be in place by 3:15 pm and must remain until 8:15 pm. Monitors should be moving swimmers out of the locker rooms as quickly as possible. 2. ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE PROCEDURES No swimmers should be on the pool deck prior to 3:30 pm during a Sunday practice. Swimmers must be dropped off at the upper entrance… NO ONE is to use the entrance at the lower level. Parents must park in the upper parking lot. All swimmers should be picked up immediately following the conclusion of practice. 3. FACILITY USE WSA has use of the locker rooms and pool ONLY. Stands will be open to parents only during tryouts and swim meets. No WSA swimmers or parents should be in a gym, a weight-room or on the track at any time. No use of vending machines. ALL trash must be removed from locker rooms, pool deck, waiting areas and stands. No swimmer or sibling will be allowed into the facility wearing wheeled shoes of any kind. Please remove the wheels prior to attending either a WSA practice/meet. 4. LOCKER ROOM USE All WSA swimmers should move in and out of locker rooms as quickly as possible. NO lengthy showers permitted. NO WSA swimmer or parent may use the sauna. 5. VANDALISM/DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY Swimmers are expected to have the utmost respect and consideration for Babson College facilities. Any WSA swimmer involved in malicious, destructive or disrespectful behavior as it relates to any item belonging to the facility (furniture, posters and other displays, doors, etc.) will not be admitted. Shipley Center Pool Guidelines 1. MONITORS Monitors should be in place by 8:15 and must remain at the Shipley Center until the last swimmer has gone home. We do not want the coach waiting alone with a swimmer. Monitors should be moving swimmers in and out of the locker rooms quickly and quietly. 2. PARKING All WSA parents should park in a designated parking space and walk in to the facility with their swimmers. 3. ARRIVAL Swimmers should not be on deck prior to 8:30 PM 4. FACILITY USE WSA parents may use the common area lounge only. No WSA swimmers or parents should be in the gym, squash courts, etc… WSA parents may use the computers in the lounge area while swimmers are practicing. Use of the vending machines is permitted. Frequently Asked Questions….and Answers Who do I go to if I have a question? Please feel free to contact Eric Fichtel, President, or Mary McNamara, Parent Liaison, any time about anything. What is the best way to contact the coaches? WSAcoaches@yahoo.com or Eric Fichtel at ekfichtel@yahoo.com or Mary McNamara at mcnamara_mary@yahoo.com What are Mailboxes? Mailboxes are used to deliver swimmer’s ribbons and other important communications. Mailboxes are available in the lobby at our Wellesley College practices. There will be a file folder for each family. Please remind your swimmer to check the mailboxes before they head home. Why can't we watch practices? The coaching staff wants complete attention of the swimmers at all times. We would also like to keep the coaching on the pool deck from the coaching staff. Why do we need locker room monitors? WSA rents pool time from private facilities. All these facilities require that we provide adult supervision in the locker rooms at all times as part of our contracts. If WSA does not have an adult monitor in a locker room during practice times the locker rooms will be locked and NOT available to the swimmers. How did my name get on the sub list for locker room duty? Each family is obligated to serve two locker room duty slots per WSA swimmer. Each family will be asked to sign up for 2-3 of their required duties initially to make sure that every family serves at least 2 duties. Any family that is not slotted for all their required duties due to lack of slots will be placed on the Substitute list. Who do I call if I can't fulfill an obligation at a swim meet? locker room? It is your responsibility to find a substitute for any locker room or swim meet duty to which you have been assigned. Once you secure a substitute you should notify Elizabeth Skelly for locker room changes and Kate Ward for swim meet changes. If you can not make it at the last minute due to unforeseen circumstances please get in touch with Kate and Elizabeth as soon as possible. Why are some swimmers allowed to practice with older age groups? If the coaching staff feels that a swimmer is capable of a more difficult challenge, they may be invited to swim up an age group. Who do I talk to if I want my child to swim up? This should never be driven by a parent. It's a coach’s decision and if we feel the swimmer is ready, we will discuss with the swimmer and/or parent. Who do I call/contact if my child can not make it to a meet due to illness? (Day of) How do I contact that person? Email the coaches address wsacoaches@yahoo.com and also send word with another swimmer to inform Chris or Jenny immediately upon arriving at the pool for warm-ups so that they can be scratched from the lineup. How many events will my child swim in a swim meet? Each WSA swimmer is eligible to swim “officially” in two individual events and a relay. Whether or not every swimmer swims in a relay at meet is dictated by the number of swimmers in attendance. Who chooses what events my swimmer will be in? (swimmers or coaches) For the most part the coaches choose the events but periodically throughout the season, the swimmer can request a meet event. Exactly what events a swimmer is assigned to is strictly the coaches’ decision. The WSA coaches place swimmers in heats and events based on previous times and a swimmer’s ability to compete “legally”. Why doesn't my swimmer ever get to swim in heat one? Swimmers are placed in heats based on seed times (fastest times in heat 1, slower times in higher heats). The heats are computer generated just prior to the start of a meet. Swimmers in any heat can score points as points/places are based on finish times, not heat. How are Ribbons awarded?? WSA awards ribbons up to 12th place during the dual meet season for 10 and under swimmers. Every swimmer who improves his/her time will receive a green time improvement ribbon. How do I find out if my swimmer has qualified for A's? Swimmers’ individual times will be posted on the website several days after each dual swim meet. There are cut-off times to qualify for A Championships based on 2009-2010 times. These times will be posted on the website, under the Information link, when they become available. If your swimmer has posted a time equal to or lower than the posted times you can assume they will be going to the A Championships. Swimmers not qualifying for the A Championships will swim in the B championships.