StoneGators Handbook Updated 4/6/2015

2015

Welcome Parents to the 2015 StoneGators Swim Club

The StoneGators Swim Club is 15 years old this year and we are excited that you’ve decided to join us for what is set to be an awesome and momentous year for our team!

We are excited to welcome back Coach Kody Gagne as our head coach. He is putting together a great team of assistant coaches as well as Junior Coaches this year. Finally, we welcome one new board member this year: Tim Bursiek

Our goal is to be organized, well managed and structured for everyone who participates in this year’s swim season. We’re absolutely delighted to have you as a part of our swim team and look forward to spending some long hot summer days rooting for our kids and yours… Remember it ain’t summer, if you ain’t swimmin’

GOOOOOO Gators!!!!!!

The StoneGator Swim Board and Coaching Staff

2015 Handbook

Welcome Letter

2015 Board Members...... 5

2015 NWAL Officials...... 5

2015 Schedule...... 8

Stone Gator Swim Team...... 4

Purpose...... 4

History...... 4

Qualifications...... 4

Eligibility...... 4

Swim Meets...... 9

Dual Meets...... 9

Divisionals...... 9

Invitational Meets...... 9

Who swims what...... 11

Team Practices...... 11

Swimming Events...... 12

Order of Events...... 12

Parent Participation...... 12

Volunteer Responsibilities/Positions...... 12-14

Officials......

Referee...... 18

Stroke and Turn...... 18

Starter...... 18

Clerk of the Course...... 18

Guidelines for use of the Stone Gate Pool facilities...... 19

Guidelines for Swimming Safety and Etiquette...... 19

By-laws...... 20

Preface...... 17

Responsibilities...... 17

Objectives...... 17

Organization...... 17

Election...... 19

Board Positions...... 23

Selection of coaching staff...... 21

Membership and fees...... 21

Amendments...... 22

2015 Board Members

General Team email:

President / Amy Brewer

1st Vice President/Equipment / Tim Bursiek
2nd Vice President/
Meet Operations / Michael Vandiver
Secretary/
Communications/
Webmaster / Kelly Murphy

Concessions / Stephanie Vandagriff
Treasurer / Brad & Kim Willingham

Awards/Team Rep / Noelle Jaco
Volunteer Coordinator / Gina Hall
Sponsorship/Social Chair / Dina Connolly
Head coach / Kody Gagne

Assistant Coach

2015 Swimming Officials

Head Referee / Brad Willingham
Other officials / Derek Perkins, Sloan Linderman, Kim Willingham, Mark Harmon, Josh Jackson, Joe Roth, Jerry Ordeneaux, Craig Gehrke, Jay Cook, Julie Erickson
*Volunteers needed

2015 SWIM PRACTICE SCHEDULE

April 7th –10th / GuppySchool (T,W,H, F)
6&U / 5:30-6:00
7-10 / 6:00-6:30
April 13th –June 4th / After School Practice (M,T,W,TH,F)
13 & up / 4:30 - 5:30 PM
Beginners & 6 under / 5:30 - 6:00 PM
7 & 8 / 6:00 – 6:45 PM
9 &10 / 6:45 – 7:30 PM
11 & 12 / 7:30 – 8:30 PM
Beginning
TBD / MORNING Summer Practice
(Tuesday-Friday) / 6:00AM-10AM

Team Swim Suit Provider:

A-Gleam

5228 Hwy 6

Houston, TX77084

(281) 859-0128

  • Team Accessories:

Ichiban Embroidery

Keiko Bowles

832-647-3628

2015 STONEGATOR SCHEDULE OF EVENTS and MEETS

May 8 / 5:30-7:00pm / Team Pictures
May 9 / Home / Time Trials
May 15 / Pep Rally
May 16 / Home / vs. Spring Cypress
May 23 / Away / vs. Wortham
May 30 / Home / vs. Coles Crossing
June6 / Home / vs. Memorial Northwest
June13 / Away / vs. Fairfield
TBD / TBD / Possible Invitation
TBD / Klein Area / Pentathlon
June 19 / Pep Rally
June 20 / Cy-Ranch H.S. / Divisionals
June 27-28 / TBA / INVITATIONALS:
All-Stars and Ponderosa

Stone Gator Swim Team

Purpose

Our swim team’s purpose is to promote competitive summer swimming for team and individual accomplishments, to encourage good sportsmanship and to provide a safe environment for all that participate. Above all it should be fun for everyone.

History

Stone Gate joined the Northwest Aquatic League (NWAL) in April 2001, with its first summer league program in 2001.

Qualifications

Safety for all swimmers and spectators is of utmost importance. Children must be “Water Safe” before joining. The coach will help in determination with the parents.

Eligibility

Residents of Stone Gate, Canyon Lakes, Canyon Lakes Village, Canyon Lakes West, and Riata Ranch sub-divisions, are eligible and subject to eligibility requirements as defined by NWAL.

Only NOVICE SWIMMERS may participate in the League. A NOVICE SWIMMER is any individual up to and including eighteen (18) years of age who does not participate in US swimming competition from the beginning of the NWAL season until the end of the NWAL season.

The NWAL season begins on the Thursday before the first sanctioned meet and ends on the Monday after the Divisional Meet.

This rule is not intended to preclude any types of organized practice.

This rule specifically precludes a US Swimmer from swimming part of the NWAL season in the league and then returning to his/her US Team. A registered NWAL swimmer who participates in a US Swimming meet during the NWAL season is ineligible for any further NWAL competition in the current and FUTURE seasons unless re-instated by the NWAL Board.

Eligibility for an age group is determined by the individual’s age as of the end of the day on May 31 of the current year.

The violation of any of the above entry requirements may result in forfeiture of each met in which an ineligible swimmer participated. Subsequent willful violations will result in disciplinary action at the discretion of the NWAL Board.

The NWAL Board will decide waivers or exceptions with respect to eligibility.

Swim Meets

Dual Meets

Stone-Gators Swim Team is grouped together with four or five other teams, with a maximum of six teams in a division. During the course of the swim season, Stone Gate will swim against each of the other teams one time. A two (2) team meet is called a dual meet. When there are only five teams in the division, one out of division meet may be scheduled.

Divisional Meet

This is the end of the season championship meet, when all division teams swim together at one large meet to determine the Division Champion. A swimmer MUST participate in at least TWO (2) of the regular season dual meets to qualify to swim the Divisional Meet.

Invitational Meets

These meets are held the weekend after Divisional. All have qualifying times that must be met to allow a swimmer to swim. These times are available from the coaches and will be posted. The locations of the invitational meets will be announced later.

Who swims what

Coaches decide what swimmer will swim in each event based on their best-recorded time in each event and where they may serve the team best. In dual meets and at the Divisional meet, swimmers may enter no more than three (3) individual events. A swimmer may move up age groups providing he/she adheres to the above limitations and remains in the upper age group throughout the entire meet. Swimmers may not swim more than one (1) freestyle relay, and one (1) medley relay per dual meet.

Given the above limitations there is a lot of strategy involved in getting the events balanced out to get the maximum possible points for the team.

Team Practices

The Stone-Gator’s Board sets practice with the assistance from coaches and the availability of the pool. Swimmers are expected to be on time and attend practice unless otherwise advised. Swimmers are encouraged to attend as many practices a possible.

*IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU NOTIFY EITHER THE COACHES OR THE COMMUNICATIONS TABLE OF YOUR CHILD NOT PARTICIPATING IN AN UPCOMING MEET NO LATER THAN THE TUESDAY BEFORE SCHEDULED MEETS. THIS CAN BE DONE IN PERSON AT THE COMMUNICATIONS TABLE, VIA EMAIL, BY PHONE OR THROUGH ANY OTHER MEANS OF COMMUNICATION.

**Please take advantage of these opportunities to keep the coach informed of your swimmers status.

Swimming Events

Order of Events

  • 14 and under and 15 and above100 Freestyle
  • 6 & Under Free Relay
  • 8 & Under, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-18 Medley Relay
  • 6 & Under, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-18 Freestyle.
  • 8 & Under, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-18 Breaststroke
  • 6 & Under Backstroke
  • 10 & Under, 11-12, 13-14, 15-18 Individual Medley
  • 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-18 Backstroke
  • 8 & Under, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-18 Butterfly
  • 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-18 Free Relay

Meet Duration -Home and Away Dual Meets

  • SATURDAYS
  • SIGN IN @ 6:30
  • Warm up @ 7:00am (home) 7:45am (away).
  • Start @ 8:30 a.m.
  • Finish around 2:30pm

*NOTE YOUR SWIMMER MUST BE PRESENT AT SIGN IN ON MEET DAY IN ORDER TO SWIM. LATE OR ABSENT SWIMMERS AFTER CHECK IN WILL BE SCRATCHED FROM THE MEET PER TEAM RULES.

Parent Participation

The organization and execution of the swim team program is a tremendous effort. Countless hours during the off-season, during the meets and between meets are required to make the season a success. It is ESSENTIAL and therefore MANDATORY that ALL PARENTS CONTRIBUTE their time and help in some way.

Parent Service Commitment

Each family is required to serve a minimum of 6 credits. Attendance at the Parent Meeting will count as the first credit for each family. A Volunteer Deposit of $150.00 will be assessed for each family. PLEASE pay for this with a separate check. The deposit check will be shredded after service credits have been signed off by the Volunteer Coordinator at the end of the season. Volunteer Deposit checks will be cashed at the end of the season where a family has not completed their volunteer commitement.

Volunteers

Many hands make light work. We aim to have the swim meets started and finished promptly. The more helpers the quicker we all get finished, and the more fun the kids have! Previous experience is not necessary. Please note that home-based volunteer positions are available on an as needed basis, in the event that your talents cannot be conducted during meets; please see Gina Hall (Volunteer Coordinator) for further instruction.

Volunteer Jobs

Special Events Coordinator

Organize and run the 2 pep rallies and the end of season party. This includes planning the events, games, refreshments, etc. For the end of season party, it includes collecting RSVPs. Volunteers to assist during the events will be provided by the volunteer coordinator. A lot of time on your own will be necessary, but no time during swim meets. (6 Credits)

Pep rally / End of Season party event volunteers

Help with set up, running and clean up at pep rallies and/or end of season party. (1/2 credit each). This alone will not fulfill all needed volunteer credits.

Head Ready Bench /Starting Area Monitor

Individual is over all responsibilities for the running of and organization of the ready bench and starting area at all home meets. (5 credits)

Ready Bench Assistant

Assists Head Ready Bench volunteer with ensuring the swimmers are in the correct heat and lane; getting swimmers to the blocks on time and in an organized fashion to allow the meet to run smoothly. (1 credit per shift)

Starting Area Monitors

Starting area monitors accept the swimmer from the Ready Bench volunteers.They hold the swimmer (in heat order) until ready to direct them to their lanes.Starting area monitors also assist by keeping parents and non-swimmers out of the starting areas.

Head Timer

Ensures the timers are in the correct lanes at the beginning of each shift. Works with the starter to verify all timers are ready. Keeps two watches as back up in the event a timer’s equipment fails. (1 credit per shift)

Lane Timers

Time swimmers using stop watches (either manual or wireless dolphin system). Timers must be alert and strive for accuracy. Timers will be trained on equipment prior to use. (1 credit per shift)

Lane Scribes

Marks times from timers onto heat sheets or cards and delivers to computer operators. (1 credit per shift)

Age Group Parents

Age group parent(s) are assigned to each gender/age group of swimmers up to the 9&10 year olds. The age group parent will sit with the age group during the meet and get the swimmers ready and to the ready bench according to the heat times. This parent must stay with the swimmers until the end of their age group heats and all children are back with their parents. When all children are back with their parents and the age group area is clean, the job is complete. (1 credit per meet)

Ribbon Labeling

Label ribbons earned by swimmers with the computer generators labels after each heat during the meet and file the into the swimmer folders for easy pick up. This volunteer must remain at the meet until the task is completed. (1 credit per meet)

Equipment set up/ take down

At home meets, assist Board Members in setting up pool with lane ropes, starting blocks, ready benches, PA system, etc. At away meets, the set up crew puts up the canopies for age groups and assists the home team in any way needed. (1/2 credit).

Swim Meet Restroom Monitor

Because of the volume of guests at home meets; the swim team must monitor and keep the restrooms clean. This individual is responsible to check on the cleanliness and stock the supplies in the restroom as regularly. The trash must be emptied when necessary. Swimmers and/or siblings should not be allowed to play in the restrooms. (1 credit per shift)

Clean-Up

At home meets, the clean up crew takes down the entire swim meet equipment/benches, etc. Clean up crew also monitors and empties the trash cans periodically throughout the swim meet. At away meets, the clean up crew takes down the canopies and generally cleans up our area of the swim meet, leaving it in as good, if not better condition than we found it. (1 credit)

Concession Stand

Assisting the Concession Board Member in setting up, taking down and selling concessions at the home meets. Shift one volunteers must be present at set up and shift two volunteers must assist with take down. (1 credit per shift)

Concession Stand Assistant

This volunteer will work with Sonya Jones in the concession stand, start to finish, at all home meets. They will assist with shopping and planning as well. Ideally, this volunteer would be interested in handling Concessions in future swim seasons. (5 credits)

Officials

Officials are required to be certified by NWAL. Certification is a pretty simple and straightforward process. It is very rewarding and fun being an official. Fringe benefits include the best view of the pool, privileged parking (typically), all the kids being nice to you all the time, and the privilege of being able to purchase and wear a cool white “NWAL Officials” Shirt.

Referee

The “BOSS”; He or she has total responsibility for the meet and rules on all questions of procedure and rules. It is the Referee’s job to make sure the meet is run fairly for ALL swimmers. Always be nice to the Referee!

Stroke and Turn

Report to the Referee; and make sure the NWAL stroke and turn rules are applied fairly to ALL swimmers. They will always take the time to explain if the swimmer infringed the NWAL rules so that the swimmer may learn and improve. Always be nice to the Stroke and Turn Officials!

Starter

Works with the Referee; is responsible for starting the events fairly. The individual (s) plays a very important part in the smooth running/timeliness of the meet and is responsible for calling false starts with the help of the Referee. Always be nice to the Starter!

Clerk of the Course

Works with the Head coach to draw up weekly team roster, heat sheets, and delivers to the NWAL meet coordinator (or other) on or before the deadline preceding each meet. Makes up the master swim team list and keeps it updated. Always be nice to the Clerk of the Course!

Guidelines for use of the Stone Gate Pool facilities

  1. Referee and coaches will exercise complete authority
  2. By State Law, the gate is to remain locked at all times.
  3. Swim team equipment, and personal effects must be removed after practice, and meets.
  4. Pool, restrooms, and any other facilities used must be left clean and tidy. If there is a problem, please notify the restroom monitor or a board member immediately.
  5. The wading pool, fountain areas, recreational pool, volleyball courts, and tennis courts MUST NOT be used during practices and swimming events.
  6. Non-swimming members and/or guests must be supervised by an adult during practice if inside the fenced pool area.
  7. NO SMOKING in the pool area during practice or meets
  8. NO alcoholic beverages in the pool area during practice or meets
  1. NO playing in the trees or bushes around the facilities.

Guidelines for Swimming Safety and Etiquette

  1. NO RUNNING. Inside the pool area. The pool deck and surrounding area are always wet and slippery.
  2. NO CHEWING GUM. Do Not have anything inside your mouth while swimming
  3. NO DIVING (EXCEPT UNDER DIRECT SUPERVISION OF THE COACH). Diving should ONLY be done when practicing starts with a Coach.
  4. NO JUMPING IN THE POOL UNLESS GIVEN PERMMISSION FROM THE COACH. Enter pool by sitting on edge and turning to enter or via steps or otherwise directed by the Coach.

5. Swimmers must not enter the pool until their designated practice time.