Yosemite Marlins Swim Club
Yosemite Marlins Swim Club Informational Packet
Contents
About Yosemite Marlins Swim Club………………………………………………………………...3
Vision and Mission Statement…………………………………………………...……………….....3
Frequently Asked Questions………………………………………………………………………...4
Group Descriptions……………………………………………………………………………….…5
Novice……………………………………………………….…………………………….5
Developmental…………………………………………………………………………….. 5
Intermediate……………………………………………………………………………… 5
Advanced…………………………………….…………………………………………….5
Typical Practice Schedule…………………………………..………………...……………………. 5
Equipment Lists …………………………………………………………………………………….5
Membership Fee Structure…………………………………………………….…………………….6
Registration Process……………………………………………………….………………………..6
Parent Education Link……………………………………………………………………………….7
Swimming Internet Resources………………………………………………………………………7
By-Laws……………………………………………………………………………………………..8
Team Travel Policy…………………………………………………………………...……………. 10
Code of Conduct / Honor Code …………………………………………………………………….11
Electronic Communication Policy ………………………………………………………………….12
Action Plan to Address Bullying …………………………………………………..……………….13
Registration Form……………………………………………………………………………………15
Parent/Guardian Agreement………………………………………………………………………....16
Release Agreements……………………………………………………………………………..…..17
Acknowledgment of Rules and Information………………………………………………………..17
Volunteer Obligations ………………………………..….………………………………………….18
About Yosemite Marlins Swim Club
The Yosemite Marlins Swim Club is a USA Swimming sanctioned year-around swim team. The swim team’s objectives will be to promote and develop competitive swimming, to foster interest in aquatics as lifetime sports, and to expand educational opportunities for Yosemite Unified School District students as well as members of the surrounding mountain communities.
Yosemite Marlins Swim Club will operate underpolices and regulations of YUSD. It will also adhere to USA Swimming and US Water Polo rules.
Vision Statement
The Yosemite Marlins Swim Club will play a key role in helping each of its members reach their full potential as aquatic athletes and to foster the development of personal qualities that will help them be successful throughout their lives.
Mission Statement
Training and experiences of Yosemite Marlins Swim Club members will be aimed at helping children learn the values of hard work, sportsmanship, self-discipline, leadership, and responsibility concurrently as they develop their maximum potential with aquatic skills and techniques.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my child swim for a high school swim team and the Yosemite Marlins swim team at the same time? Yes
How are fees handled for High School swimmers who return to or depart from the Marlins to participate in High School swimming in the middle of the month? Their monthly membership fees will be prorated and they will only pay one annual administrative fee.
How do I know which group my swimmer is assigned to swim with? Using the established practice group criteria, the coach assigns all swimmers to an appropriate training group based on the results of their swim assessment. Returning swimmers will be assigned to the same group as the previous season unless the head coach has contacted them.
How do I get information about the team, meets, practice schedule etc.? The team website is the best source of information. All schedules, meet information, forms, and changes are posted on the website.
When does the swim season begin and end? The Yosemite Marlins swim year around. A swimmer can join at any time after contacting the Head Coach through the team website for an assessment appointment and completing the registration process.
What are the swim practice hours? Practice times vary depending on the group. Please see the Yosemite Marlins website, “group calendar” tab, ( for details.
What if my swimmer cannot swim at the assigned time? Swimmers have to swim with their assigned group because each group’s training structure is tailored to the level of the athletes. However, if a conflict arises please consult with the coach.
How are monthly fees paid? Fees are invoiced on the 1st of each month to each swimmer account through our online TeamUnify platform. Fees are paid automatically through the TeamUnify platform by charging the linked credit card to each swimmer account. Failure to make payment without approval can result in late fee penalties and your swimmer(s) not being allowed to swim until all fees are brought up to date.
Is there a discount for fees if I have multiple swimmers? Yes, please see fee structure chart containedin this packet.
Are my meet entry fees included with training fees? No, meet entry fees and any additional team travel costs will be billed to each athlete account through the TeamUnify platform. All other personal travel costs are also the responsibility of the swimmer.
What are the Yosemite Marlins fundraising activities? USA Swimming mandates our primary Swim-A-Thon fundraiser, but we also have many different fundraising opportunities. Please visit the Marlin’s website for details of our fundraising activity.
What if I am unable to participate in a fundraiser? You will need to meet your volunteer obligation so plan to participate in other fundraiser events.
If I have questions regarding my swimmer how should I communicate with the coach? It is best to make initial contact with your swimmer’s coach about questions through email. Coach email contact information can be found on our website. Please do not try to meet with the coach during practice since practice time is dedicated to the swimmers.
Am I allowed on the pool deck during practice or meets? No, for insurance and safety reasons only coaches and athletes are allowed on the pool deck during practice and meets. You can sit in the stands to watch practice or in the parent/spectator designed areas during meets. Also, do not talk to your swimmers(s) or coaching staff during practice because it is distracting to the athletes and coaching staff and may create a safety issue.
How do I sign up my swimmer for competitive swim meets? At the beginning of each season (Short Course and Long Course) the swim meet schedule will be posted on the website. You will need to login to your TeamUnify website account to declare your intent for each meet. Each group will have a specific meet schedule to follow. Entries are sent in 3- 6 weeks before the meet and there are no additions or changes once the entries have been sent in. This will require some planning beforehand to make sure a swimmer is able to swim at any meets they are entered in. Entry fees are non-refundable and many host teams will not allow any changes at the meet.
What if I have a friend or another child who is interested in swimming but who doesn’t have competitive swimming experience? We welcome all new swimmers to the club and encourage them to try our team for a week free of charge. Please contact the head coach for more information.
Group Descriptions
Group requirements listed are the minimums to earn entrance into a training group. Athletes may exceed these requirements prior to or throughout the season, but swimmers must achieve both practice and meet/performance standards for the next group in order to be considered for move-ups.
GROUP / TYPICAL AGE RANGE / ENTRANCE CRITERIA / ADDITIONAL CRITERIAAdvanced / 11 - 18 / Comfortably Perform
12 x 100 Free @ 1:30
8 x 100 IM @ 1:45
4 – 5 evening practices/week
Coach Recommendation
>90% meet attendance / Excellent Listening Skills
Shows high desire to learn
Exhibits excellent self-control
Exhibits excellent behavior
Demonstrates a high level of coachability
Intermediate / 9 - 16 / Comfortably Perform
10 x 100 Free @ 1:50
6 x 100 IM @ 2:00
3 – 5 evening practices/week
Coach Recommendation
>85% meet attendance / Great Listening Skills
Shows great desire to learn
Exhibits great self-control
Exhibits great behavior
Demonstrates a great level of coachability
Developmental / 7 – 14 / Comfortably Perform
6 x 100 Free @ 2:15
4 x 100 Backstroke @ 2:30
2 – 3 practice/week
Coach Recommendation
>80% meet attendance / Great Listening Skills
Shows good desire to learn
Exhibits good self-control
Exhibits good behavior
Tries hard to implement coach’s instructions
Novice / 5 – 10 / Able to swim 25 yards Free unassisted with side breathing / Good listening skills
Shows desire to learn
Typical Practice Schedule
These practice times/dates are only examples. The actual practice schedule can be found under the “Group Calendar” tab on the website.
Practices are subject to change at any time based on YHS aquatic needs and unforeseen weather conditions.
GROUP / TIMES / ACTIVITY / DAYSAdvanced / 5:45AM – 6:45AM / Swim / T, Th
4:15PM – 4:45PM / Dryland / M, W, Th
4:45PM – 6:45PM / Swim / M, T, W, Th, F
Intermediate / 4:15PM – 4:45PM / Dryland / M, W, Th
4:45PM – 6:15PM / Swim / M, T, W, Th, F
Developmental / 5:00PM – 5:30PM / Dryland / M, Th
5:30PM – 6:30PM / Swim / M, W, Th
Novice / 5:00PM – 5:30PM / Dryland / M,Th
5:30PM – 6:15PM / Swim / M, W, Th
Adult Lap Swimming / 5:45AM – 6:45AM / Swim / T, Th
4:45PM – 6:45PM / Swim / M, T, W, Th, F
Equipment Lists
Each group will have equipment that each swimmer will need to purchase and bring with them to each practice and/or competition. Team suits, team caps, and equipment can be purchased through Swim Suits West (6650 N Blackstone Ave. #107, Fresno CA) (559-435-4898).
Advanced & Intermediate: YMSC team competition suit, YMSC team cap, practice suit (one piece for girls/jammer or brief for boys),goggles, mesh equipment bag, snorkel, fins, water bottle, and paddles
Developmental & NoviceYMSC team competitionsuit, YMSC team cap, practice suit (one piece for girls/jammer or brief for boys), goggles, mesh bag, snorkel, water bottle, and fins (only if the team provided ones do not fit properly).
This list can be found on the team’s website. Please make sure each swimmer comes to practice with a water bottle so swimmers can stay hydrated.
It is required that swimmers represent our team at competitions by wearing a team uniform suit and cap.
Yosemite Marlins Membership Fee Structure (Revised - Fall 2016)
Monthly Fee Payments
1 & 2 child(ren)$/child / 3rd child or more
$/child
***
Adult Lap Swimming / $40.00
Novice / $55.00 / $50.00
Developmental / $60.00 / $55.00
Intermediate / $70.00 / $65.00
Advanced / $75.00 / $70.00
***Note: For families with multiple swimmers, the 1stand 2ndswimmer is charged at the higher swim group fee and subsequent swimmers at the discounted rate in descending swim group order.
Other Costs:
Equipment, see equipment liststated above.
Meets - Participating in meets is one of the most exciting parts of being on a competitive year round swim team. The Marlins recommend each swimmer participate inas many meets as possible that are scheduled for each swim group. Some meets will be hosted by the Marlins and will require parent volunteers to run smoothly.Other meets will require travel to towns and may last up to 3-4 days. These meets have entry fees that are paid to the host team and USA swimming. Entry fees usually cost around $4 per event swum and there is typically a surcharge as well for each swimmer. Hotels will be needed for some meets and it is always recommended to get a refundable reservation in case something doesn’t allow the swimmer to travel. If travel expenses are arranged for the team via the YMSC staff, each swimmer will be invoiced for their portion of the expenses through their TeamUnify account.
Payments - Families pay for their financial obligations through the team website. After you log in, clicking on the “My Account” button. It will take you to the page to view your payment information and invoice statements. Your credit card will be billed on the 1st of each month for all expenses incurred (membership fees, meet fees, travel expenses, etc.) in the previous month.
RegistrationProcess
The annual registration process for YMSC swimmers and adult lap swimmers involves our website
1)Request a scheduled time for a swimming assessment by using the “contact us” tab on our website.
2)Once assessed, submit a check made out to Yosemite High School for $114.00 and all completed registration forms to a YMSC staff member at the pool. This total annual registration fee includes both year-round USA Swimming registration fee of $73 and a Yosemite Marlins administration fee of $41. If applicable, current USA Swimming registrations will be transferred to Yosemite Marlins Swim Club and only the administration fee of $40 will be required. If a swimmer terminates their membership and wants to re-activate their account within the same calendar year, an additional $41 administration fee will be charged.
3)Understand that when you are registering for YMSC, you are agreeing to the following:
a)Fulfillment of the parent volunteer commitment requirements. The parent volunteer commitment requires that all families help at YMSC swim meets.Each family agrees to participate in the fundraising events throughout the season to fulfill our annual fundraising and family volunteer 20 hour obligation. Family volunteer obligation will be managed through the website teamunify. Families unable to fulfill the volunteer requirement will not be allowed to enter their swimmer(s) in meets through the YMSC Team Unify system and the swimmer(s) will not be eligible for practice groups move-ups, if applicable.
b)The Parent Code of Conduct and the Athlete Code of Conduct.
c)The Yosemite Marlins Swim Team Travel Rules, Electronic devise Rules, and no bullying policy.
4)Once your registration forms have been completed and your initial registration fees are paid, you will receive an email from TeamUnify explaining how to complete the registration process and how to set up your online YMSC TeamUnify account. Once this account is set up, your monthly membership fees and additional team related fees (such as meet fees) will be paid automatically via the credit card that you will link to your billing account. We can no longer accept cash or checks for monthly membership fees, meet fees, etc.
Parent Education
Please visit
Under the “Member Resources” tab you will find parent information on a wide variety of swimming topics.
Internet Resources
Bookmark these websites for all of your swimming needs
Yosemite Marlins Swim Club Homepage
USA-Swimming Homepage
Yosemite Unified School District
Baker Swim Complex
The Constitution and By-Laws of the Yosemite Marlins Swim Club
1.1Name:The team shall be known as the Yosemite Marlins Swim Club. (YMSC)
1.2 Objectives: To promote and develop competitive swimming and waterpolo in Yosemite Union School District (YUSD), to foster
interest in aquatics as lifetime sports and expand educational opportunities for YUSD students and our mountainarea
community.
1.3Sports: Swimming and water polo teams will represent the Yosemite Marlins Swim Club in USA Swimming competitions.
Article II: ORGANIZATION
2.1Organization:The Yosemite Marlins are run as a service to the community by the YUSD. The Yosemite Marlins are to be run under
the direction of the Head Coach with guidance from the Athletics or Aquatics Director.
2.2Guidelines:Yosemite Marlins SwimClub will operate under the policies and regulations of YUSD. It will also adhere to USA
Swimming and US Water Polo rules.
Article III: MEMBERSHIP
3.1Membership:All athletes, whose dues are currently paid in full, are considered members of the Yosemite Marlins.
Articles IV: FINANCES
4.1Management:The financial affairs of the Yosemite Marlins will be administered by the Athletic or Aquatics Director, under the
direction of the Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance. The policies established by the YUSD Board of
Trustees and the Superintendent will be followed.
4.2Duties:The staff of the Yosemite Marlins Swim Club will process all entries to Yosemite Marlins activities, keep up to date
financial records, and handle all revenue and expenses as per the policies of YUSD.
4.3Fees:The Yosemite Marlins shall pay any and all appropriate membership dues or fees, prior to any annual meeting.
4.4Dues:Members shall pay all dues and entry fees in advance. Athletes with unpaid balances may be withheld from
practice and/or competition, until the balance is paid.
4.5Standing:Good standing is maintained by having met all the financial and training commitments specific to that team or group.
All monthly dues and meet entry fees shall be paid in advance. Students will meet all behavior and conduct
expectations of the Yosemite Marlins.
Article V: COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT
5.1Committees:As committees are needed, they shall be established on an ad-hoc basis by the Athletic or Aquatics Director, or his/her
staff.
5.2Types:The committees will be established as support organizations for aquatics competitions, training, awards ceremonies,
fund-raising and/or information dissemination.
5.3Appointment:The Athletic or Aquatics Director will appoint members in good standing to the various ad-hoc committees.
Article VI: TEAM STRUCTURE
6.1Teams:The Yosemite Marlins will be organized under the direction of the Yosemite Marlins Head Coach(es)
6.2Practice:Practice schedules will be posted and all parties will adhere to this schedule. The Head Coach will have all schedules
approved by the Athletic or Aquatics Director.
6.3Handbook:The Yosemite Marlins handbook will be published and revised annually. This handbook will include a description of
all teams and qualifying criteria.
6.4Eligibility:A student must meet the criteria of a group to be included in that group. Each group and sub-group within the Yosemite
Marlins has individual qualifying criteria for that group. The eligibility criteria shall be published annually in the
handbook for that team.
Articles VII: COMPETITION
7.1General:All competitions shall be run in accordance with the currently published rules and the meet information approved by
the sanctioning body.
7.2Sanctions:All competitions shall be sanctioned by the appropriate USA or State Federation.
7.3Ceremonies:The National Anthem shall be played at the opening ceremonies for all championship level meets.
7.4Meets:The Head Coach will develop a schedule of meets for the Yosemite Marlins. Once approved by the Athletic or
Aquatics Director, this schedule will be the responsibility of the Head Coach to execute.
7.5Officials:It is the responsibility of the Head Coach to secure all needed personnel to run meets and practices for the Yosemite
Marlins. Volunteers will be used as needed. The use of parents of the Yosemite Marlins members will be a necessity
for successful operation of the organization.