| Team Handbook |
INTRODUCTION
This handbook is intended to make our swim team parents’ lives a little
easier. Look it over carefully and refer to it often during the swim season
as it contains most of the information you will need week to week.
We are a member of the Gwinnett County Swim League (GCSL). The
purpose of the swim team is to improve the swimming skills of the
participants and introduce them to competitive swimming. We hope to
build self esteem, encourage good sportsmanship and enhance physical
well-being. Our main objectives are development and fun. We hope
parents will work with the coaches and team managers to meet these
goals.
As a member of the Maple Ridge Swim Team, friendships will be made and
we will have a strong, successful team based on fun.
REGISTRATION
Each year in early March we will have Swim Team Registration. At this
time the swimmer’s will complete a registration card that records various
information required by GCSL and MRST. You are required to bring your
child’s birth certificate or passport. These are sent to GCSL to confirm
the child’s age and identity. Children without birth certificates will not be
able to compete in the swim league. The swimmer’s age as of June 1st of
this year will determine the age group for all GCSL competition.
FEES
The registration fees will offer discounts for additional children in the
same family swimming. Early bird discounts will apply for early registrants
and Guest fees apply for non-pool members.
Registration fees include:
• Trophy * Coaching * Insurance * League Fees * Banquet * T-shirt
Swimsuits are additional. We change team suits every two years.
Embroidered Team towels, additional T-shirts and such are also usually
offered and optional.
SWIMSUITS & CAPS
We order suits between registration and the first meet. It is important to
have a fitting to be sure your suit is not too big. Swim team suits fit much
tighter than regular recreational swim suits.
Our coaches recommend a swim cap for all swimmers. Each swimmer will
be given one latex team cap with purchase of a new suit. Silicone caps
may also be used since: they create slightly less drag in the water, do not
pull on the swimmer’s hair as much as latex, and hold their color better
under heavy exposure to chlorine and bromine. Cloth swim caps create
extra drag in the water so please use latex or silicone rather than cloth.
No cap at all is typically better than cloth. Swim goggles may be worn at
each swimmer's discretion.
It is highly recommended that you write your child's name on their goggles
and their swim cap. The Swim Team is not responsible for lost goggles
and lost swim caps. Please be responsible and return caps and goggles if
you accidentally pick up someone else’s equipment.
AWARDS BANQUET
The date and time of the awards banquet will be announced at a later
time. An email will be sent to all Maple Ridge families with additional
information about the banquet.
All swimmers will be recognized. There will also be special awards and
trophies given including High Point and 110%.Most Improved will be
awarded to one girl & boy as will the Manta Ray trophy to one boy & girl
who exemplifies sportsmanship, teamwork and a positive attitude
throughout the season. County meet ribbons and medals will also be
distributed. Certificates or ribbons will be given for record breakers.
TEAM PHOTO
Team pictures will be taken at the pool. The team picture will be taken at
6:30 SHARP! Staging for the team picture will begin at 6:00. If you are late,
your swimmer will not be included in the team picture. Wear your Team
Swim Suit.
Families with more than one child who want to take advantage of the
individual packages, but who don't want to buy two or more sets of
packages, may have their children photographed together.
Please note that you must pay for any pictures that you want to order
when the pictures are taken.
Pictures will be delivered to swimmers as soon as they are available.
We hope the entire team will make it for the team picture. If you have a
transportation problem, and are unable to arrange a car pool, please let
one of your council members know. We will try to help you work it out.
Even if you don't want a picture, please come for the team picture. Those
who do want pictures would like to have as many of their teammates as
possible.
COMMUNICATION
To better communicate with our parents, we will use email and calling
post for last minute updates.
We will also use “mailboxes”, a file box that will be set out each practice.
Please check your mailbox daily, ribbons can also be found there after a
meet.
BEHAVIOR
Swimmers should and will support their teammates at practice as well as
in competition. Working together as a team will benefit all individuals in
the group, and is an important part of the "Maple Ridge Spirit".
Swimmers are expected at all times to follow the oral directions of the
coaches and their assistants. Disrespectful attitudes will not be tolerated
at any time from any swimmer.
Abusive language, lying, stealing, or vandalism will not be tolerated. Older
swimmers should be aware that they set a powerful example for younger
swimmers and should behave accordingly. Running, pushing, and
horseplay are strictly forbidden.
No BREAKABLE containers or metal objects are permitted in the pool
area.
The Manta Rays and Maple Ridge are not responsible for lost, stolen, or
damaged articles.
WHENEVER AND WHEREVER A MAPLE RIDGE SWIMMER WEARS ANY
ITEM OF THE TEAM UNIFORM, HE/SHE SHOULD REMEMBER THAT
HIS/HER ACTIONS AND WORDS REFLECT ON THE ENTIRE TEAM, AND
SHOULD BEHAVE ACCORDINGLY. TEAM MEMBERS SHOULD LEARN
TO WIN OR LOSE GRACIOUSLY. TAUNTING OF ANOTHER TEAM’S
SWIMMERS WILL NEVER BE ALLOWED. THIS INCLUDES COMICAL
SWIMMING IN RELAYS OR INDIVIDUAL EVENTS. UNSPORTSMANLIKE
BEHAVIOR WILL RESULT IN A DISQUALIFICATION BY OFFICIALS.
RIBBONS
Gwinnett County Swim League ribbons are awarded to all swimmers who
earn points in a swim meet and to the first two relay teams. Maple Ridge
participation ribbons will be awarded to all swimmers under 10 years) who
compete in an individual event (and who are not disqualified) and do not
earn a place ribbon. For example, if your child swims a breaststroke
event and comes in 9th place but is not disqualified, they will earn a Maple
Ridge Participation or Best Effort ribbon. If they are disqualified, they will
not earn a ribbon.
In addition, Personal Best Ribbons will be awarded to each child who
improves their time in any stroke. Times recorded in the mock meet or in
previous years will be used as a base time (or the first time a child swims
a stroke, if they were not at the mock meet or did not swim a stroke).
Ribbons will usually be available in the ribbon box at the practices
following the meet. We usually have 1-2 ribbon ceremonies to give out
ribbons and see how much the swimmers have improved. If you are
missing a ribbon, please let the computer team know.
This handbook is intended to make our swim team parents’ lives a little
easier. Look it over carefully and refer to it often during the swim season
as it contains most of the information you will need week to week.
We are a member of the Gwinnett County Swim League (GCSL). The
purpose of the swim team is to improve the swimming skills of the
participants and introduce them to competitive swimming. We hope to
build self esteem, encourage good sportsmanship and enhance physical
well-being. Our main objectives are development and fun. We hope
parents will work with the coaches and team managers to meet these
goals.
As a member of the Maple Ridge Swim Team, friendships will be made and
we will have a strong, successful team based on fun.
REGISTRATION
Each year in early March we will have Swim Team Registration. At this
time the swimmer’s will complete a registration card that records various
information required by GCSL and MRST. You are required to bring your
child’s birth certificate or passport. These are sent to GCSL to confirm
the child’s age and identity. Children without birth certificates will not be
able to compete in the swim league. The swimmer’s age as of June 1st of
this year will determine the age group for all GCSL competition.
FEES
The registration fees will offer discounts for additional children in the
same family swimming. Early bird discounts will apply for early registrants
and Guest fees apply for non-pool members.
Registration fees include:
• Trophy * Coaching * Insurance * League Fees * Banquet * T-shirt
Swimsuits are additional. We change team suits every two years.
Embroidered Team towels, additional T-shirts and such are also usually
offered and optional.
SWIMSUITS & CAPS
We order suits between registration and the first meet. It is important to
have a fitting to be sure your suit is not too big. Swim team suits fit much
tighter than regular recreational swim suits.
Our coaches recommend a swim cap for all swimmers. Each swimmer will
be given one latex team cap with purchase of a new suit. Silicone caps
may also be used since: they create slightly less drag in the water, do not
pull on the swimmer’s hair as much as latex, and hold their color better
under heavy exposure to chlorine and bromine. Cloth swim caps create
extra drag in the water so please use latex or silicone rather than cloth.
No cap at all is typically better than cloth. Swim goggles may be worn at
each swimmer's discretion.
It is highly recommended that you write your child's name on their goggles
and their swim cap. The Swim Team is not responsible for lost goggles
and lost swim caps. Please be responsible and return caps and goggles if
you accidentally pick up someone else’s equipment.
AWARDS BANQUET
The date and time of the awards banquet will be announced at a later
time. An email will be sent to all Maple Ridge families with additional
information about the banquet.
All swimmers will be recognized. There will also be special awards and
trophies given including High Point and 110%.Most Improved will be
awarded to one girl & boy as will the Manta Ray trophy to one boy & girl
who exemplifies sportsmanship, teamwork and a positive attitude
throughout the season. County meet ribbons and medals will also be
distributed. Certificates or ribbons will be given for record breakers.
TEAM PHOTO
Team pictures will be taken at the pool. The team picture will be taken at
6:30 SHARP! Staging for the team picture will begin at 6:00. If you are late,
your swimmer will not be included in the team picture. Wear your Team
Swim Suit.
Families with more than one child who want to take advantage of the
individual packages, but who don't want to buy two or more sets of
packages, may have their children photographed together.
Please note that you must pay for any pictures that you want to order
when the pictures are taken.
Pictures will be delivered to swimmers as soon as they are available.
We hope the entire team will make it for the team picture. If you have a
transportation problem, and are unable to arrange a car pool, please let
one of your council members know. We will try to help you work it out.
Even if you don't want a picture, please come for the team picture. Those
who do want pictures would like to have as many of their teammates as
possible.
COMMUNICATION
To better communicate with our parents, we will use email and calling
post for last minute updates.
We will also use “mailboxes”, a file box that will be set out each practice.
Please check your mailbox daily, ribbons can also be found there after a
meet.
BEHAVIOR
Swimmers should and will support their teammates at practice as well as
in competition. Working together as a team will benefit all individuals in
the group, and is an important part of the "Maple Ridge Spirit".
Swimmers are expected at all times to follow the oral directions of the
coaches and their assistants. Disrespectful attitudes will not be tolerated
at any time from any swimmer.
Abusive language, lying, stealing, or vandalism will not be tolerated. Older
swimmers should be aware that they set a powerful example for younger
swimmers and should behave accordingly. Running, pushing, and
horseplay are strictly forbidden.
No BREAKABLE containers or metal objects are permitted in the pool
area.
The Manta Rays and Maple Ridge are not responsible for lost, stolen, or
damaged articles.
WHENEVER AND WHEREVER A MAPLE RIDGE SWIMMER WEARS ANY
ITEM OF THE TEAM UNIFORM, HE/SHE SHOULD REMEMBER THAT
HIS/HER ACTIONS AND WORDS REFLECT ON THE ENTIRE TEAM, AND
SHOULD BEHAVE ACCORDINGLY. TEAM MEMBERS SHOULD LEARN
TO WIN OR LOSE GRACIOUSLY. TAUNTING OF ANOTHER TEAM’S
SWIMMERS WILL NEVER BE ALLOWED. THIS INCLUDES COMICAL
SWIMMING IN RELAYS OR INDIVIDUAL EVENTS. UNSPORTSMANLIKE
BEHAVIOR WILL RESULT IN A DISQUALIFICATION BY OFFICIALS.
RIBBONS
Gwinnett County Swim League ribbons are awarded to all swimmers who
earn points in a swim meet and to the first two relay teams. Maple Ridge
participation ribbons will be awarded to all swimmers under 10 years) who
compete in an individual event (and who are not disqualified) and do not
earn a place ribbon. For example, if your child swims a breaststroke
event and comes in 9th place but is not disqualified, they will earn a Maple
Ridge Participation or Best Effort ribbon. If they are disqualified, they will
not earn a ribbon.
In addition, Personal Best Ribbons will be awarded to each child who
improves their time in any stroke. Times recorded in the mock meet or in
previous years will be used as a base time (or the first time a child swims
a stroke, if they were not at the mock meet or did not swim a stroke).
Ribbons will usually be available in the ribbon box at the practices
following the meet. We usually have 1-2 ribbon ceremonies to give out
ribbons and see how much the swimmers have improved. If you are
missing a ribbon, please let the computer team know.
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