January 2006

Dear Coaches, Parents, and Swimmers:

This is the Morris County Swim Club handbook.  We are asking that each member of the team (swimmer, coach and parent) take the time to read this book in its entirety.  Hopefully, you will learn something new about your team and become more familiar with it.

We are also asking you to read this handbook so that we can get some good feedback and your overall impressions.  After reading the handbook, please provide your comments to the club secretary, Michele Shaffer, MicheleandShaff@earthlink.net .  With your comments, we hope to edit this document for future generations of the Morris County Swim Club.  This handbook is a “work-in-progress” and will be updated periodically and regularly.

Please take special note of the mission statement, and discuss the foundation of the Club with your swimmer.  As a club, there is a commitment and expectation from everyone involved:  coaches, parents, and swimmers. 

As the Club grows and we encounter different situations, we anticipate this handbook to be more comprehensive and prove to be a valuable resource.

Thank you,

Michele Shaffer, Morris County Swim Club Secretary

Overview

We anticipate that each member of the Morris County Swim Club is here because they want to be a better swimmer and are committed to meeting their personal goals.  Ultimately, that is a group effort among our coaches, our parents, and our swimmers.  Each element of this club must work cohesively. The Morris County Swim Club is dedicated to providing a multi-faceted youth swim program, with the goal of meeting the needs of each swimmer, from the recreational to the highly competitive.

Mission Statement

The mission of Morris County Swim Club is to develop our children who are the fabric of our future. The MCSC experience will help to shape and strengthen character throughout one’s lifetime. MCSC strives to achieve personal improvement for our children and for some of them, to become championship swimmers. Success will be measured through the development of their positive attitude, confidence and caring for others. 

Safety

The safety of our swimmers is one of our top priorities.  In order to maintain a safe environment, we would ask that absolutely no glass bottles be brought in the stands, lobby, locker room, or pool deck.  In connection with this, no food or drink is permitted in these areas (other than water for the swimmers).  We would also suggest swimmers wear slides or flip-flops when going to and from the locker room to the pool deck – this will prevent any potential slips, falls, or cuts.

During the winter, we would ask that all swimmers dress appropriately.  Since most leave practice with wet hair, please ensure your swimmer has a hat or jacket with a hood. 

There is no running permitted anywhere in the building:  particularly, the pool deck and locker rooms.  The floors are very slippery, and swimmers need to exercise caution.

Physical Development / Enhancement

Each swimmer should have a periodic physical examination by their primary care physician.  Any physical activity restrictions indicated by a doctor must be reported the coaches immediately.  Any extended absence or limited practice schedule due to health issues should be accompanied by a doctor’s note.  Swimmers have a personal responsibility to take good physical care of themselves: this includes proper nutrition, hydration, and stretching prior to practice and meets.  Any illness a swimmer encounters that causes them to miss practice or a meet should be reported to the coach(es), regardless of how minor it may seem.

Team Philosophy

The Morris County Swim Club emphasizes personal growth and team camaraderie.  Each swimmer is looked at as an individual, contributing to the team growth.  As each person grows individually, they enhance our team.  Our philosophy depends upon us working as a cohesive group.  Each member brings a unique ability to achieving team success.

Expectations for Morris County Swim Club Members

The club expects each swimmer to honor their commitment to the team.  This includes attendance at practice, work ethic, camaraderie, and behavior.  Each swimmer will be held to a standard of behavior that includes good sportsmanship, integrity, honesty, respect, and ethics. Each standard mentioned is equally important, and we expect parents to also maintain the same attributes.

While being supervised by the coaches, all members must adhere to all coaching decisions, treat other members respectfully and at meets show good sportsmanship to fellow competitors.

While we all want to see our swimmers be winners, winning is different for each person.  We expect our swimmers to do and be their best; sometimes that will be a win, and sometimes it will not.  Swimmers and parents need to understand and appreciate that some days are better than others.  We do not ever want to see our swimmers display a lack of sportsmanship or honor in the event of an “off” day.

If a swimmer does have an off day, we need to accept the situation gracefully and respectfully.  We will use the situation as a learning experience.  As parents, we need to let the coaches handle these situations as they see fit.  Failure to adhere to this philosophy may result in Board intervention.

Our Club is rooted in camaraderie.  We encourage all members of our team to do their best.  Each member of our team will treat every other member with respect.

COACHES' RESPONSIBILITIES

The coaches' job is to supervise the entire swim program. The coaching staff is dedicated to providing a program for swimmers that will enable them to learn the value of striving to improve oneself – “to be the best you can be”.  While doing this, the staff is also empowering our children so that they can make good decisions in the future.  Therefore, the coaches must be in constant communication with the swimmers.  The coach and athletes must work together to control matters regarding practice and meets.

• The coaches are responsible for placing swimmers into practice groups. This is based on the age and ability level of each individual, as well as each swimmer’s goals.  When it is in the best interest of a swimmer, he/she will be placed in a more challenging training group by the coach.
• Sole responsibility for stroke instruction rests with the coaching staff.   
• During practice, the coach is responsible for supervising and for disciplining the athletes.  We encourage parents to respect the choice and/or consequences made by the coaches for swimmers’ actions or decisions.
• At meets, the coaching staff will conduct and supervise warm-up procedures for the team.  After each race, the coaches will offer constructive feedback regarding the swimmer's performance. (It is the parent's job to offer love and understanding regardless of their youngster's performance.)

PRACTICE AND ATTENDANCE POLICIES

The following guidelines are established to inform parents and swimmers of the Club’s policies regarding practice.  These policies have been developed and designed to provide the best possible practice environment for all.

·         Each swimmer commits to specific attendance requirements agreed upon by coaches and parents.  As a general rule, the least possible interruption in the training schedule will foster the greatest amount of success.  The club does, however, encourage swimmers to participate in other activities in addition to swimming.  The expectation level of the coaches to attend practices increases as swimmers move to higher levels.

·         For the swimmers' protection, they should arrive at the practice location (Morristown-Beard School) grounds no earlier than 10 minutes prior to their practice start time.  Parents or guardians should be at practice when practice is finished.  Coaches will not leave children unattended, but parents have a responsibility to be there when practice ends.  Swimmers need to be ready to swim (suit, caps, goggles, and any other equipment indicated by the coaches) and have done preliminary stretching at least five minutes prior to the start of their practice.

·         Plan to stay the entire practice. The last part of practice is very often the most important.  There may also be announcements made at the end of practice. 

·         In the event that your child will miss, be late or needs to be dismissed early from practice, an email should be sent to the coach from the parent regarding the dismissal. (This policy is currently suspended but please email the coach for any extended absences.)

·         Swimmers are expected to enter the locker room, get changed as quickly as possible, and report to the pool deck with their swim bag.  Swimmers are not to use the lockers at Morristown-Beard School.  After practice, swimmers are to change in the locker rooms and immediately meet their parent/guardian.  The locker room will not be used to congregate or gather. 

GENERAL BEHAVIOR AND CONDUCT

·         All property at the practice facility will be respected, and failure to do so may result in termination from the team.  Any swimmer witnessing such behavior should report it immediately to one of the coaches or Board members.  A swimmer not adhering to this rule could damage our relationship with Morristown-Beard.  Proper respect of the building must be maintained at all times.

·         While on the pool deck, the swimmers are the responsibility of the coaching staff.

·         During practice sessions, swimmers are never to leave the pool area without a coach's permission.

·         The Club has an obligation to act as guests while in the school (both swimmers and parents).  Every member of the club needs to do everything possible to respect this privilege.  Inappropriate language, yelling, and general horse play will not be tolerated in the locker rooms.  Any damages to school property may result in financial liability of the swimmer's parents.  Any damage may also result in the swimmer being asked to leave the team permanently.

·         Parents are not allowed on the pool deck during practice unless it is an emergency or to usher younger swimmers through the locker room.

Parents’ Responsibility

To have a successful program, there must be understanding and cooperation among parents, swimmers, and coaches.  The progress your swimmer makes depends to a great extent on this relationship. You have done a great deal to raise your child; you create the environment in which he/she is growing up.  Your child is a product of your values, the structure that you have provided, and the model you have been.  Human nature, however, is such that a parent may lose some of their ability to remain detached and objective in matters concerning their child.  The following guidelines are offered to help keep your swimmer's development in the proper perspective and allow your child to reach his/her full potential.

The Coach is the Coach

We want your swimmer to relate to their coach as soon as possible regarding swimming matters.  When parents interfere with opinions about how the swimmer should swim or train, it causes considerable and insurmountable confusion about whom the swimmer should heed.  If you have a problem, concern, or complaint, please contact the coach by email and make arrangements to speak to them.

Best kind of parent

The coach's job is to motivate and provide feedback regarding the swimmer's performance.  It is the parent's job to supply the love, recognition, and encouragement necessary to make the athlete work harder in practice.  This gives the swimmer the confidence to perform well in competition.

Younger swimmers can be inconsistent swimmers, and this can be very frustrating for parents, coaches, and the swimmers alike!  Parents and coaches must be patient and permit these youngsters to learn to love the sport.  When a young swimmer first joins the team, there may be a brief period in which he/she appears to slow down.  This is a result of the added concentration on stroke technique, but this will soon lead to faster swims for the individual.

Even the very best swimmer will have meets where he/she does not do his/her best times.  These "plateaus" are a normal part of swimming.  Over the course of a season, times usually improve.  Please be supportive of these "off" meets. 

Please make every effort to have your swimmers at practice on time.  Realize that your child is working hard and give all the support you can.  Encourage good diet and sleeping habits. They will serve your children well.

All parents are expected to volunteer at the meets we participate in.  While we try to accommodate everyone’s preference, you may be asked to work a position that needs coverage from our Club.   This is the cornerstone of our success.  Parent volunteers perform a variety of tasks ranging from timing at meets, preparing for team events, organizing fundraisers, and arranging team parties.  With the wide variety of volunteering possibilities, all parents can find their own niche to assist the Club.  Since 100 percent parent participation is our objective, it is important to sign up for the jobs that interest you most!

Communication

Official communication for the Club is via our website, mcscnj.com All changes in practice schedule, cancellations, or announcements will be posted here.

We encourage an open dialogue with our coaches; however, they are here to coach.  If you need to speak to a coach directly, please extend the courtesy of asking them for a convenient time to talk or by emailing them.  If a problem arises between a coach and a parent, either party may contact the Board of Directors.

Financial Responsibility

All swimmers are advised in advance what the fee for the Club will be.  Payments can be made in full or on a tiered payment plan as set out in the registration information.  All checks should be made out to the Morris County Swim Club.  Any family that does not meet the payment schedule; provides a check that does not clear, or encounters a “credit” issue with the Club, may be asked to leave the team. Registration documents and payments can be left with the coaches at practice and will be forwarded as appropriate. It can also be mail to Jeff Stiles, 5 Paula Ct, Denville NJ 07834.

Team Uniforms

Each swimmer that competes is required to purchase the specified team suit.  This includes the bathing suit and two caps.  Team shirts, sweatshirts, and other team accessories are optional.  Parents will be notified prior to uniform purchases when the requirements change.

Competitive Meets

The Morris County Swim Club is sanctioned by New Jersey and US Swimming Associations.  All meets will be dictated by the rules of the sanctioned association.  The Club and its members will adhere to all rules, regulations, and requirements of the association representing the meet.

Directions

Directions will be provided on the web site for each meet we register to swim.