/ River City Rapids Swim Club
2015/ 2016 Club Handbook

Swim Club Handbook

2015 / 16Swim Season

01/09/2015

Creating healthy bodies and minds through the pursuit of excellence in swimming

  • Providing opportunities for swimmers to develop physical, mental, technical and life skills
  • Instilling a sense of self-confidence and self-esteem
  • Encouraging respect, honesty and self motivation
  • Promoting positive social interaction through the encouragement of sportsmanship and club spirit
  • Promoting swimming from the school level
  • Providing an environment where swimmers can reach their potential in competition

Swim Club Handbook

2015 / 16 Swim Season

Table of Contents

WELCOME TO RIVER CITY RAPIDS SWIM CLUB

LOCATION

CLUB COMMITTEE 2015/2016

MEMBERSHIP DETAILS

Enrolment Form

Swimmer Agreement

SQUAD INFORMATION

Squad Structure

SQUAD FEES

CLUB CALENDAR

NOMINATIONS FOR SWIM MEETS

Closing date for all carnivals

Entry Information

Entry fees for Meet nominations

Timekeeping:

River City Rapids Swim Meets

CLUB NIGHTS/ CHAMPIONSHIPS

Club Nights

Club Championships

Club Annual Awards and Trophies

CLUB UNIFORM

CLUB RULES

SOMERVILLE HOUSE SPORTS AND AQUATIC CENTRE

General Guidelines for users

School Priority

Appropriate dress requirements for users

Facility General Conditions

General rules for entire Complex

Personal Liability

WELCOME TO RIVER CITY RAPIDS SWIM CLUB

The Committee of the River City Rapids Swim Club would like to welcome you to the 2015/16 Summer Season and our Club’s 18th year.

Our Club aims to promote competition, fitness and fun, and is designed to bring the whole family together in a healthy outdoor sport! We also aim to cater for everyone, from swimmers who wish to compete purely on a Club level through to aspiring Australian Representatives. And for those that would like to get involved in the swimming community as volunteers and/or officials – you are also most certainly welcome.

This booklet has been compiled to provide you with information on the Club’s procedures and activities for the current season, together with links to important information about various meets that our Club swimmers will be encouraged to attend. We hope we have been able to anticipate most of your queries, however should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact any one of our Committee Members or our Club’s Head Coach, Josh Smith.

LOCATION

The Murray Evans Sports & Aquatic Centre is the home of River City Rapids Swim Club. The facilities include a 50m outdoor Olympic size pool, well equipped fitness centre and an indoor sports hall.

CLUB COMMITTEE 2015/2016

Position / Name / Contact
President / Clint Herman /
Vice President /
Treasurer / Brett Fischer /
Secretary / Zoran Milinkov & Ken Ashcroft /
Registrar / Stephen Mackie /
Uniforms / Nichole Mitchell /
Race Secretary / Kevin Prior /
BSA/SQ Delegate /
Head Coach / Josh Smith /
Committee Members

All members of the committee are contactable via the above emails or general enquiries at All members are encouraged to attend committee meetings.

MEMBERSHIP DETAILS

Membership fees are paid annually to Swimming Queensland and are due for payment by 1 September each year. Membership Fees for the 2015/ 2016 season are as follows:

1st and 2nd child $120.00

3rd child $60.00

4th or more children $40.00

Parent membershipFree*

Transfer feeSee below**

Non-swimmer $20.00

* We ask all parents to register online free of charge. Parent members will be covered by insurance when volunteering.

**If a registered financial swimmer transfers to the club during the season, SQ/SAL & BSA fees will be deducted from the membership fee. SQ $10 transfer fee applies.

Membership fees comprises Swimming Australia, Swimming Queensland, Brisbane Swimming Association and River City Rapids registration fees, as well as Swimming Queensland arranged insurance charges and GST. In order to ensure all of our Club members are protected by insurance cover, all membership fees must be paid at the commencement of the Season.

Parents are encouraged to join the club – your membership is free. If you are helping out at Club Night and at our Meets, then you MUST be a member as membership covers insurance for volunteers. Non-swimmers can join the club for $20.

If a registered financial swimmer transfers from another Club to River City Rapids Swim Club during the season the Swimming Queensland, Swimming Australia Limited and Brisbane Swimming Association fees will be deducted from the membership fee. A Swimming Queensland transfer fee of $10 will apply.

To join as a member of River City Swim Club simply go to the River City website, click on JOINUS and select the appropriate option depending on whether you are renewing as an existing River City member, as a new member transferring from another club or as a new member who has never been part of a swim club before.

Enrolment Form

An Enrolment Form must be completed for each swimmer every season within seven (7) days of commencing at the club or at the start of each season. Enrolment Forms can be downloaded from the JOIN US menu option of our website and should be handed in to the swimmer’s coach.

Swimmer Agreement

Included in Enrolment Form (see above) is a 'Swimmer Agreement’ which contains the following to be agreed to and signed by the swimmer:

  • Cooperate with my coaches, team mates, opponents, management, event staff and officials.
  • Respect the rights, dignity and worth of my team mates, opponents, supporters, coaches, management, event staff and officials as well as caring for the property and equipment used.
  • Take responsibility for my own actions understanding possible consequences that may be enforced.
  • Work equally hard for myself and my team, giving my best at all times.
  • Refrain from any form of abuse, harassment or discrimination towards others.

SQUAD INFORMATION

Squad Structure

  • Junior Squad-please note that training times and days may change – swimmers should refer to the Club Newsletter or RCR Website for updates
    3.30pm – 4:30pm Monday to Friday
    7:00am – 8:00am Monday, Thursday

8:30am – 9:30am Saturday

This squad is for younger swimmers aged approximately 7 to 12 years of age. To be eligible for this squad, swimmers have to be able to perform all strokes correctly. They should be able to swim 100m of freestyle and backstroke and 50m of breaststroke and butterfly.

The typical session will be approximately 50% drills and 25% kick and swim. During their time in this squad we will be aiming to increase the distances the swimmers can swim while continuing to improve technique.

Swimmers will be introduced to training skills such as knowing their order in the lane, leaving by the clock and how to read the clock, streamlining off the wall and correct turns and dives. There will be some time spent on racing skills such as diving. Some swimmers may wish to enter club meets and/or appropriate BSA meets throughout the season.

Suggested attendance is two to four sessions per week. These swimmers may also have the option of training some mornings. Please talk with you coach to determine whether this appropriate for your child.

  • Intermediate Squad– please note that training times and days may change – swimmers should refer to the Club Newsletter or RCR Website for updates.
    3.30pm – 5:00pm Monday to Friday
    6:00am – 7:30am Monday, Thursday

7:00am – 8:30am Saturday

This squad is for swimmers who are looking to enter into, or improve in, competitive swimming.

To enter this squad, swimmers must be able to complete the following standards:

Fitness Standard:

At least two out of the following:

  • 4 x 100m freestyle on 2 minutes
  • 12 x 50m IM order on 1:20minutes
  • 8 x 50m form on 1.20minutes

Kick Standard

At least 1 of the following:

  • 8 x 50m freestyle on 1.30minutes
  • 8 x 50m form on 1:30minutes

Sprint Standard

  • Under 50s for 50m free
  • Under 60s for 50 form

Training emphasis will be on developing progression drill sets and building endurance through main sets. Kicking will also play a major role within the session. There will be more speed sets such as 25m dives where the swimmer’s racing skills will be refined.

Suggested attendance is three to five sessions per week.

It is expected that swimmers in the intermediate squad bring the following equipment to all sessions: Swim bag, flippers, pull-buoy, board, band, drag suit.

  • Senior State Squad – please note that training times and day may change – swimmers should refer to the Club Newsletter or RCR Website for updates

Senior Squads are separated into the State & NationalSquads. They all train at the times advertised on the Club website. These two squads all have requirements and standards that each swimmer will need to adhere to. The main reason for this is so that each swimmer can better achieve their goals.

Each squad focuses on a different levels of competition (School/State, National Age, National Open) and as such have different requirements. It is important to understand that these are guidelines only and that swimmers will be selected for squads based on:

  • Skill level
  • Ability to learn, commit and adapt (training and racing history)
  • Performance at competitions
  • Age

Required swim gear

It is expected that swimmers in the senior squads bring the following equipment to all sessions:

  • Flat paddles (not curved) - full hand size
  • Fins (preferably DMC swim fins. These fins encourage upkick as well as the down kick movement. They are also made of silicon which is roughly the same density as your foot)
  • Drag suit with 4 big pockets minimum (If it doesn't have pockets it is just a pair of togs!)
  • High resistance device (crab pot, bucket or parachute - if you cant find any let Josh know)
  • Snorkel (great training aid for body position, swimming drills and injury management for sore necks & shoulders)
  • Coresuit body position device (available from bluecoreswim.com) Great aid for achieving and maintaining body position.

Goal Setting

Swimmers in these squads will have clear goals that need to be planned with Josh. Discussions will include:

  • Long-term goals for swimming - ultimate achievement during the current season and in the next few seasons
  • How many sessions you can devote to swimming - this may change during the year based on schoolwork and other commitments (e.g. holidays) so make sure you talk to your parents and that you are in agreement with your training session commitment.

SQUAD FEES

SQUADS / 20 visit Session Pass / Monthly / 6 Monthly / Yearly
Junior / $193.00 / $96.00 / $520.00 / $925.00
Intermediate / $214.00 / $107.00 / $578.00 / $1,027.00
Seniors / $235.00 / $128.00 / $683.00 / $1,233.00

All swimmers must be Club members (with completed SQ registration and fee, and a completed RCR enrolment form lodged with the Club) and must be financial members (squad fees paid).

All Squad fees are paid direct to Somerville House and not to the River City rapids Swim Club.

Squad fee payments are either REGULAR (monthly, 6-monthly or annual) orCASUAL (20 visit pass). Squad fees are payable in advance, or the swimmer may be suspended from the Club.

  • REGULAR - Monthly, 6-monthly and Annual fee payments

All squad fees for swimmers who pay monthly, six monthly and annually are to be paid in full and in advance.

By paying monthly, families agree to pay for every month through the swimming season (or change to CASUAL). Medical certificates will be accepted in lieu of squad fees for the period of the certificate.

Families that have three or more swimmers in squads receive a 10% discount off total monthly, six monthly or annual fees.Squad fees include entry into the pool.

  • CASUAL - Session Pass

There is a 20 sessionpass available for casual swimmers, with a 6 month expiry date.

Session Passes must be paid for prior to the start of the first training session (i.e. session passes cannot be backdated).

Payment of Squad fees:

There are three options available for River City Rapids Swim Club members to pay squad fees, all of which are through the Somerville House Sports & Aquatic Centre canteen.

  • Cash
  • EFTPOS
  • Credit card – Visa or MasterCard.

All payments for squad fees are to be made ONLY through the Aquatic Centre canteen and should no longer be paid directly into the Somerville House account via direct debit.

All enquiries regarding the payment of squad fees can be directed to the pool canteenat Somerville House Sports & Aquatic Centre.

Access to training and to race nominations isautomatically restricted to swimmers who are financial members of RCRSC (i.e. squad fees and nomination fees are up to date) and to swimmers who are registered members of RCRSC with Swimming Queensland.

CLUB CALENDAR

River City Rapids Swim Club competes in Brisbane Swimming Association (BSA), Queensland Swimming Association (SQ) and Swimming Australia (SAL) carnivals as well as those offered by other clubs. An up to date Club Calendar for the current season is included as a quick link on every page of our Club website.Carnivals that are targeted by the club are listed on this Club Calendar, so it is important to check this calendar on a regular basis. Upcoming meets will also be discussed with individual Coaches at squad sessions.

The Club Calendar outlines:

  • Club events including:
  • Club nights
  • Club championships
  • Club break-ups
  • Targeted swim meets for all squads including:
  • Junior
  • Intermediate/ State
  • Senior/State/ National

NOMINATIONS FOR SWIM MEETS

Nominations for all carnivals are to be submitted via email

Closing date for all carnivals

Target List of Swim Meets:Nominations are to be submitted to the club one week (i.e. seven days) prior to the official closing date for all carnivals that swimmers are entering (“RCRSC closing date”). When it is not possible to meet the RCRSC closing date due to the timing of another qualifying meet, please notify the Race Secretary before the RCRSC closing date, of the date when nominations will be sent.

All other Swim Meets:Swimmers are expected to speak to their Coach prior to nominating for meets outside the target meets. When entering carnivals that are not on the list of carnivals targeted by the club, please email entry details, as well asthe website link for program and carnival information, to one week (i.e. seven days) prior to the official closing date of the carnival.

Entry Information

There is a Nominations Form on the RCRSC website under the Competitions and Results menu. If you are not using this form to enter a carnival, please follow the instructions below:

  1. Copy and paste the following details into an email and fill in the information for the swimmer and the carnival being entered:
  • Name of Carnival/Meet
  • Date of Carnival/Meet
  • Swimmers Name
  • Date of Birth
  • Age on first day of meet
  • Entry fees owing - $..
  • Date of entry fee payment
  1. Then please provide the following information for each event being entered
  • Event number
  • Event distance
  • Stroke
  • Personal Best time
  • Swim Meet where PB was achieved
  • Date when this PB was achieved
  1. Send this email and confirmation of payment to

Entry fees for Meet nominations

All entry fees must be paid in full at the time of nominating into the River City Rapids bank account:

Account Name: River City Swim Club Inc.

BSB: 034-013

Account No.: 190646

Ref:Please use the targeted meet code from the RCR website, then swimmer’s initial & surname (e.g. States nominations for J Brown would have ref: QLCH JBrown). For non-targeted meets please reference“ENT swimmer’s initial & surname” and if room an indication of the meet that you are nominating for

Please email a confirmation of the deposit to

And remember …

  • All entry fees must be paid in full at the time of nominating
  • Entries will not be processed until entry fee payment has been received by the club
  • Entries will not be processed if there are squad fees owing to the club

If you have any questions, please contact our Race Secretary at

Timekeeping:

River City Rapids is required to provide time keepers at many of the meets we go to. If you nominate your child to swim, you will be required to do some timekeeping. Please make yourself available as requested. Nominations will not be accepted for Swimmers whose parents continually say no to timekeeping. If everyone helps, only a short period of time will be required by each parent on the day.

River City Rapids Swim Meets

River City Rapids apply to Swimming Queensland to conduct on average two Swim Meets every year. Club members have to opportunity to compete against other clubs in their own training pool. To make our Swim Meets successful, the club asks that our swimmer’s families either volunteer to help at the carnival or donate food items for sale on the day. This will be coordinated with members prior to each meet, with a register of helpers kept at the BBQ to sign on the day of the carnival.

CLUB NIGHTS/ CHAMPIONSHIPS

Club Nights

River City Rapids Swim Club holds regular Club Nights on Friday nights during the season, commencing at 5:30pm. Please consult the Club Calendar on our website to check the dates.A barbeque is run on all Club Nights. Parents support is vital at Club Nights to help with timekeeping and the operation of the barbeque. Remember, our Club doesn’t run without the help of all parents.

At this stage, our club nights will be held on the following Fridays:

Friday 11th September 2015

Friday 9th October 2015

Friday 23rd October 2015

Friday 30th October 2015

Friday 27th November 2015

Friday 4th December 2015

Friday 18thMarch 2016 (Club Championships)

Friday 22ndApril2016 (Awards and Break-up)

Please check the website for updates on Club Night.

Club Championships

Club Championships are held at the end of each summer season. Please consult the Club Calendar on our website to check the date and time. The results of the Club Championships determine the Club Age Champions. These awards are presented at the Club Break-up.