PARENT HANDBOOK
MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to aid in the pursuit of excellence in the sport of competitive swimming.
PURPOSE OF THE CLUB The purpose of the Collingwood Clippers Swim Club is to promote an interest in competitive swimming, to develop the fullest potential of the swimmer, and to encourage good sportsmanship, enjoyment, and self-discipline in a team atmosphere.
CLUB PHILOSOPHY The Collingwood Clippers swim club is a parent-run, professionally coached, swimming organization whose first commitment is to the needs of all swimmers. We provide an opportunity for boys and girls to be a part of a competitive swimming team for all ages (generally ages 6-18) and ability levels which allows the athlete to progress and excel to their maximum potential. When a youngster joins the club, he or she becomes engaged in a sport that can be enjoyed for a lifetime. The emphasis is not necessarily on winning or losing - but on personal development. They learn sportsmanship, teamwork, physical fitness, and acquire skills that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
ORGANIZATION OF THE CLUBOur club is made up of a volunteer parent executive, and paid head coach, assistant head coach and assistant coaches. We currently have two levels of swimming: pre-competitive and competitive.Below is the current executive and coaching staff for the season 2006-2007:President: Ian WhittonVice President: Sharon McFarlaneTreasurer: Sherry Taylor-FoxSecretary: Pat AnstettEquipment Managers: Kellie Casey-Shaw, Linda Michon, Patti BonwickMeet Manager: Jamie CuthbertOfficials Coordinator: Chris LintonRegistrar: Paula MillsSocial Convenor: Lorraine ChampionHead Coach: Kristy CameronAssistant Head Coach: Cheryl Blay
FEE STRUCTURE The club fees, which cover a nine-month swim season, are put towards salary of coaching staff, meet expenses, pool fees and lifeguards, Huronia Regional Fee, and Swim Ontario Fees. Registration fees may be paid in full upon registration with the club or in four equal payments. If you choose the payment plan a $15.00 administration fee will be added to the registration fee.
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CANCELLATION POLICY & NSF CHEQUES
Swimmers that leave the club before March 1, 2007 will have pro-rated fees refunded. Swimmers who leave after March will not receive a fee refund (Swim- a- thon bond will be returned). Swim Ontario Fees and Huronia Regional Fees are non-refundable because the club does not receive these fees back once a swimmer is registered with a club. We regret that we cannot issue refunds to swimmers who regularly miss practices.
Any NSF cheques will result in a $15 penalty.
FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES q Support swimmers and coaching staffq Participate and volunteer in club activities, fundraising, team sponsored events and officiatingq Ensure swimmers get adequate rest and proper nutrition and hydration.
SWIMMER RESPONSIBILITIES q Attend practice regularly according to the swimmers goalsq Be on deck, ready to start on time for practice ensuring that you have the proper equipment (goggles, swim cap, suit, towel)q Have a positive attitude q Have respect coaches and fellow swimmers, both team mates and swimmers from other clubsq Appropriate behaviour in change rooms, both at home and away….q Have fun!!THE SWIM SEASONThe competitive swim season calendar year runs from early September until late June. The short course season extends from September through March. Generally, this season consists of short course swim meets; meaning meets are held at 25-metre pool facilities. The long course season extends from April through the beginning of July. This season consists mostly of long course meter meets, meaning meets held at 50-meter pool facilities. The Collingwood Clippers Club takes a few short breaks throughout the season over Christmas and March break.
SWIM GROUPSThe club offers two programs. The pre-competitive (Junior Clippers) is a program that focuses on developing the basics of competitive swimming skills, building team spirit, improving physical fitness and having fun. The swimmers in this program are divided into sub groups based on criteria set by the head coach and each group has its own coach. The Junior Clipper swimmers practice twice a week, attend approximately five developmental swim meets, and are encouraged to attend skills festivals during the season. These events are opportunities for parents to help out and watch their children, and for the swimmers to celebrate their accomplishments and receive a report cards and awards. The report cards reflect the swimmers progress with stroke technique and efficiency, starts and turns, and speed.The competitive program requires a bigger commitment as the number of practices increase, the number of meets increase, and the swimmers are involved in goal setting and cross training sessions. This program is an excellent opportunity for the swimmers to increase their knowledge of the sport and their competitive swimming abilities. This group is sub divided into red, bronze, silver, and gold levels. The coaches and the swimmer’s development and age determine movement through these levels. The coaches will work with all swimmers throughout the season to learn about proper nutrition, hydration, the importance of warming up and warming down and mental preparation before, during and after swim meets.
COACHES The head and assistant head coach of the Clippers are highly qualified certified swimming coaches. They must hold valid certification in First Aid, CPR, and NLS. They are trained at Level 2 through the Canadian Swim Coaches and Teachers Association. Assistant coaches have their level 1 coaching certificate and meet regularly with the head coaches for ongoing training. Our coaches are in charge of all swim club practices and will coach and instruct swimmers in groups according to their age and level of swimming ability. If you have a question or concern regarding your child's swimming, please discuss this with the coach involved before or after practice, or call the Head coach to set up a meeting at any time. Please do not interrupt the coaches during workouts! The workouts are carefully planned for each day, and interruption can only take away from the coaches' main function. COMMUNICATIONCooperation and communication among parents, swimmers and coaches is vital to the success of our program. If a problem exists between a parent and a coach, please call or talk to the coach and try to work it out privately. A parent's critical comments directed toward the coach in the presence of the swimmer could have a negative impact on the level of confidence the swimmer has in that coach. Once confidence is lost, success is unlikely. It is best that parents restrict their input towards their child to support and encouragement. Allow the coaches to provide the technical and critical direction. Also, negative criticism to other parents undermines team spirit. Parents should focus their efforts in a positive direction so that the total and final emphasis will always be for the best interests of all of our swimmers. It is very important for parents and swimmers to communicate to the coaches any outside influences (i.e. problems with school, personal relationships, etc.), which may have an adverse impact on the performance and/or attitude of the swimmer. The coaches welcome input from parents and will be available whenever possible and necessary outside of scheduled workouts and competition.
| Newsletter |
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In addition to the Parent/Swimmer Handbook, the Clippers publish a newsletter periodically. This is an important vehicle of communication between the coaches, the board, and the general membership. It will inform you of coming events, board decisions, meet information, and anything else you need to know about swim club activity. Club members (parents and swimmers) are always welcome to contribute.
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| Mailboxes |
| There is a box kept at the Y in both Collingwood and Wasaga Beach with hanging file folders for each Clipper family. Each practice level has different coloured folders ("mailboxes") for each swimmer. Frequently, flyers and other pertinent information will be sent home with your swimmer. Please check your mailboxes and your emails regularly so you keep informed of the exciting happenings in our club. Some of the information sent home will be posted on the Clipper Bulletin board located on the wall near the pool in Collingwood. |
| Meetings |
| Other avenues of communication will include meetings of the membership, such as Parent Orientation, Parent/Swimmer Roundtable meetings, and the year-end Annual General Meeting. We ask that parents and swimmers take the responsibility to attend these meetings and become familiar with the content of all information sources. |
| Parent Orientation and Parent/Swimmer Roundtable |
| A Parent Orientation meeting is held at the beginning of each season to inform all parents about the season plans and goals. This meeting also allows all parents who are new to the club to have an opportunity to get to know the club workings and new developments quickly. Coaches and the executive lead the meeting. The meetings will include a presentation of club information and a question forum. Please feel free to set up Parent/Swimmer Roundtable meetings with the head coach and your child’s personal coach. These meetings are an opportunity for parents and swimmers to ask questions and discuss issues concerning the swim program. Near the end of the season, the Clippers Annual General Meeting will be held, usually in conjunction with our annual Awards Banquet. This is where elections are held for Executive positions, and reports are given on the past season. |
| Team Roster |
| The team publishes a roster of members at the start of each season. The roster will include swimmer's name, address, phone number, and practice group. The roster is given out to the clipper’s families and is never to be used for personal gain. |
| Calling Tree |
| The club has an emergency-calling tree that is activated when a last minute schedule change occurs. Each practice level must have at least one parent who will make phone calls when a change needs to be broadcast. The calling tree coordinator will start the tree by contacting the callers for the affected practice groups. |
EmailsAny new club information is sent out regularly via email. Please check your email regularly to stay informed. If you don’t have an email address then the information is also located on the club website and on the clipper bulletin board for your convenience. |
TRACKING YOUR SWIMMERProvincial time standards can be found at www.swimontario.com. Tracking best times and meet results can be found on www.swimdirect.ca. We encourage your swimmer(s) to keep a log book of their times at the meets to help them see their progress.
SWIM MEETS Collingwood Clippers Swim Club hosts two swim meets per year: one development meet for pre-competitive swimmers, and our big outdoor meet for all swimmers in June. Since we do not have an indoor regulation size pool in Collingwood the developmental meet is located at a nearby facility and the outdoor meet is located at the Collingwood Centennial Outdoor Pool. These meets provide an important source of income to the club. Running a meet requires a large coordinated effort by all Clippers members. Therefore, all members of the club are expected to assist in operating these meets. Areas where we usually need the most help include concessions, lane timers (at least 12 are required for each session of the meet), and awards area. This is a great way to get involved in your child’s sport. You are able to watch them swim and meet other parents who are also involved in the sport.Any club member aware of a business or organization that may want to advertise in our meet program should contact the Meet Manager at least two weeks prior to one of our swim meets. Advertising rates are very reasonable and are also a great source of income for the club.
How to Enter Meets Meet FeesA meet registration sheet will be placed in your swimmers mailbox and emailed out to you. Fill out all the necessary information on the sheet, attach a cheque for meet fees, and place the package in the Head Coach’s mailbox. If you have not attached a cheque for the meet fees, or returned the form by the deadline, your swimmer will not be entered into the meet. Please note the deadline for entry, which is always on the registration sheet. If the head coach has not received your registration by the due date your swimmer will miss the opportunity to participate in this meet. Meet Procedures 1. One week before the meet, check your child’s entries that will be posted on the bulletin board at the Collingwood Y. 2. Plan your travel time so that you arrive at the pool at least 15 minutes prior to the warm-up time. It is important that the swimmer has appropriate time to warm-up and become accustomed to the facility. Swimmers need to report to their coach before warm ups to ensure the coach takes accurate attendance. If the swimmer needs to leave the meet early for any reason it is important for the head coach to be aware of that before warm ups.3. Parents are encouraged to purchase a heat sheet to follow along with your swimmer’s progress and heats and events they’re swimming.4. The Clippers coaching staff monitors the warm-ups for each group. 5. All Clipper swimmers should wear a team cap. If your swimmer forgets a cap, coaches have a supply with them at the meets that you can purchase. Your team suit and shirt is required for all swimmers at meets. 6. Each Clipper swimmer is responsible for knowing which events he/she is swimming and for being present on time to swim. It is sometimes helpful to write event numbers, heat and lane assignments on the back of the swimmer’s hand. 7. Before reporting to the marshalling area each swimmer should report to their respective coach to discuss their race strategy and goals. 8. At the end of the race, the swimmer should ask the lane timers for their time. Swimmers are then asked to go immediately to their coach. This gives the coaches an opportunity to discuss the race with each swimmer and add positive comments concerning splits, stroke technique and race strategy. After the race, if possible, the swimmer should proceed with a warm down. After this the swimmers may ask their coaches permission to visit with their parents up in the stands.9. At some meets electronic timing is used. The official time generally is the one recorded in the computer as the swimmer touches the touch pad. This time will appear on the scoreboard. If a swimmer misses the touch pad or there is a mechanical failure, various back-up times may be used. The timing and scoring personnel analyze all times to determine the official times, which are then posted as final results. 10. Between races, swimmers are asked to rest and stay warm. Our goal is for all energy to be stored and used in competition. Swimmers are expected to eat during the competition, a few light nutritious snacks are recommended such as fruit, vegetables and granola bars.11. It is very important for the swimmer to check with their coach prior to leaving a swim meet to make sure that they have no other events that session. What to bring to a swim meet: q 1 (one) swim suit and an extra suit is recommendedq Clipper team cap and shirt q Goggles (extra pair is recommended) q Sweat suit or warm clothes q Food – nutritious snacks q Water bottle q 2 (two) towels or moreq Quiet games or books .
Scratches
Swimmers should swim all events in which they are entered. Neither a swimmer nor a parent may not scratch the swimmer from an event; only the swimmers coach at the meet may scratch a swimmer from an event.
Behaviour at the Meets 1. Whenever and wherever a Collingwood Clipper Swim Club swimmer represents our club the individual should remember that his/her actions and words reflect on the team they represent and they should behave accordingly. Let your actions reflect the pride you have in the club. 2. Parents are not allowed on the pool deck unless they are working or serving in an official capacity. 3. All questions swimmers or parents may have concerning meet results, an officiating call or the conduct of a meet should be referred to the coaching staff. If appropriate, the coach will pursue the matter through the proper channels.4. As a matter of pride, leave the Collingwood team area in a neat and clean condition following each session, and at the conclusion of the meet.
Out of Town Meets Trips to meets in other cities become an important aspect of a swimmer’s career while advancing their progress as a swimmer. Pre competitive swimmers usually participate in one day meets which last about 4 hours and do not involve a sleep over. At the competitive level your swimmer will often be involved in 2-day, or 3-day meets where hotel accommodations may be necessary. You and your swimmer usually have the choice of selecting swimming one or both days during meet sign up. It is very important to ensure that the coach knows if you will be attending the whole meet or just a portion of the meet prior to the meet sign-up deadline. 1. Parents are to be responsible for arranging transportation and lodging to away meets. A list of hotels will be placed on the bulletin board which you may want to use so the swimmers can be together as a team.2. Parents are encouraged to attend out-of-town meets with their swimmers and to chaperone other youngsters. These trips can be great fun for parents and swimmers alike and are rare opportunities to participate in a special way in each swimmer’s career. 3. Division 111 Team Chapionships, which are held in the spring, is a competitive level meet whereby 20 competitive level swimmers are chosen by guidelines determined by the head coach to represent Collingwood Clippers. The swimmers are chaperoned by a couple of volunteer Clipper parents, and the whole team stays in a hotel and travels to the meet by bus. A fundraiser prior to this meet helps to offset the cost of this big event. This is an exciting meet for all the swimmers who attend and gives them an opportunity to continue to bond as a team! FUNDRAISINGThe club cannot survive on the fee structure alone. Like other community organizations we require various fundraising activities to augment our program's needs. The costs for coaching salaries, supplies and equipment, pool rentals, printing, postage, and other operation expenses add up to a significant annual budget. We feel that we offer an excellent program, but dues alone are not sufficient without the additional income from our fundraising projects. To make any fundraiser a success, we must have a total commitment from all of our members. To this end, the club holds a few fundraisers, which recently have been Pie Day sales in the fall, swim-a-thon, and frozen meat sales in the spring and occasionally other fundraisers throughout the season. Family participation in these events is essential since the funds from these events help to keep the club dues down.
EQUIPMENT Our club uses various supplies and equipment. You will need to purchase the following equipment at registration: swimsuit, team t-shirt, team capTeam Suits: A new team suit is usually chosen at the beginning of the Fall/Winter season. We will have a "fitting" session at the beginning of each season during registration where sample suits are available for trial. (Suits may be purchased year round from the equipment coordinator). Purchasing these initial suits at registration is not optional. It is highly suggested that swimmers wear their team suits only at meets to prolong the suit’s life. Team suits and shirts indicate representation of our club and promote team spirit. In addition, high quality training suits (polyester) may be purchased optionally. These suits are made of durable material, which can last up to 2 swim seasons.Team Caps: Every swimmer will receive a latex swim cap with their team t-shirt following registration. Team caps (latex and silicone) are available for purchase throughout the season directly from the equipment manager. These caps help identify swimmers at meets as Clipper team members. Swimmers are required to wear a team cap at all meets.Goggles: Many swimmers find goggles desirable during practice due to the length of time spent in the chlorinated water. These are available for sale through the equipment manager and also through the Running Room and Sporting Life locations in Collingwood, which have proudly offered to supply these throughout the swim season.
Team Shirts: Team shirts are part of the team uniform and are available to order during registration. Remember that wearing our club shirt enhances team spirit and promotes our club. Shirts are available for parents and siblings, too. Swimmers may also purchase a team “hoodie” if they wish and any other team gear we may have each season.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES These gatherings occur at various time during the swim season and give swimmers, parents and coaches an opportunity to see old and new friends. They are opportunities to get to know the parents and swimmers in a fun environment. Additionally, swimmers are recognized for their ongoing season's achievements. ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the membership is the official business meeting of the organization. This short meeting will include board elections, annual reports, and information on the general status of the club. This meeting will be held in conjunction with the year-end banquet in June.
SWIM-A- THON In the spring of the Clippers season, the swimmers participate in a swim-a-thon where every swimmer swims up to 100 or 200 lengths (5000m) depending on their swim group level. A bond cheque of $100.00 is collected on behalf of each swimmer, and is cashed in the spring if the amount is not fundraised and submitted to the Swim-a-thon coordinator. Parents are encouraged to fundraise beyond the $100.00 and the club provides incentive prizes for those swimmers who raise the most money. More information will be given regarding this exciting event for the swimmers in the spring.
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