Parent's Handbook, 2009

Updated 02/06/09

Welcome to the Center Grove Aquatics Club

Purpose

The purpose of this handbook is two-fold: to explain to new members just what the Center Grove Aquatic Club is and to outline various policies that affect all swimmers, year after year. All families should read it so that they may become familiar with important facts and rules of the club. The USA Swimming age group swimming program is America's largest program of guided fitness activity for children. Age group swimming builds a strong foundation for a lifetime of good health, by teaching healthy fitness habits. Swimming is considered the ideal activity for developing muscular and skeletal growth by many physicians and pediatricians. Why do doctors like it so much? Swimming develops high quality aerobic endurance, the most important key to physical fitness. In other sports an hour of practice may yield as little as 10 minutes of meaningful exercise. Age group swimming teams use every precious minute of practice time developing fitness and teaching skills. Swimming does a better job in proportional muscular development by using all the body's major muscle groups. No other sport does this as well. Swimming enhances children's natural flexibility (at a time when they ordinarily begin to lose it), by exercising all of their major joints through a full range of motion. Swimming helps develop superior coordination because it requires combinations of complex movements of all parts of the body, enhancing harmonious muscle function, grace, and fluidity of movement. Swimming is the most injury-free of all children's sports. Swimming is a sport that will bring kids fitness and enjoyment for life. Participants in Master's Swimming programs are still training and racing well into their 80's. In addition to physical development, children can develop greater intellectual competence by participating in a guided program of physical activity. Learning and using swimming skills engages the thinking processes and develops lifetime habit patterns for physical activity. As they learn new techniques, children must develop and plan movement sequences. They improve by exploring new ideas. They learn that greater progress results from using their creative talents. Self-expression can be just as much physical as intellectual. Finally, their accomplishments in learning and using new skills contribute to a stronger

General Description and Objective

The mission of the club is to provide an aquatic program to the residents of White River Township and surrounding communities. The Center Grove Aquatic Club, founded in 1980, is one of the top year-round swim programs in Indiana. We offer a guided age-group youth program for children age 2 and up, from the beginning swimmer to the most competitive and skilled swimmer. When a young person becomes a member of the Center Grove Aquatic Club he/she learns the values of sportsmanship and teamwork. Swimming, through the Center Grove Aquatic Club, provides physical, emotional and intellectual skills that will last a lifetime. Succinctly, our goal is to attain the highest level of success for both team and athlete. This is achieved through progressive development in and out of the water in our training groups. Constant improvements in mechanics, endurance, mental and physical maturity contribute equally to the long term development of the mature athlete. We strive to excel at all levels, but long term goals are never sacrificed for short term gain

History

Mr. Denny Davis, the Center Grove High School men’s varsity swimming coach at the time, founded the Center Grove Aquatic Club (CGAC) in 1980. The club's purpose at that time was to provide a feeder system for the high school team. This remains one of the club's major goals today. However, since 1982, when Mr. Jim Todd became the head coach, club goals have expanded to include establishing a comprehensive competitive program for our community. Coach Todd is currently the Men's and Women's Center Grove High School Varsity Head Coach. CGAC has not only become recognized as one of Indiana's finest programs, but has also recently stepped up into the national level by virtue of its Junior and Senior National qualifiers.

Coaching Staff

Coaches Responsibilities

The coach’s job is to supervise the entire competitive swim program. The Center Grove Aquatic Club coaching staff is dedicated to providing a program for youngsters that will enable them to learn the value of striving to improve oneself--"to be the best you can be." Therefore, the coaches must be in total control in matters affecting training and competition.

  1. The coaches are responsible for placing youngsters in practice groups. This is based on the age and ability level of each individual. When it is in the best interest of a swimmer, he/she will be placed in a more challenging training group by the coach.
  2. Sole responsibility for stroke instruction and the training regimen rests with the Center Grove Aquatic Club coaching staff. Each group’s practices are based on sound scientific principles and are geared to the specific goals of that group.
  3. The coaching staff will make the final decision concerning which meets Center Grove Aquatic Club swimmers may attend and the events they will swim.
  4. At meets, the coaching staff will conduct and supervise warm-up procedures for the team. After each race, the coaches will offer constructive criticism regarding the swimmers performance. (It is the parent’s job to offer love and understanding regardless of their youngster's performance)
  5. The building of a relay team is the sole responsibility of the coaching staff and is generally based on the four fastest swimmers’ times for that season.
The coaching staff is constantly updating and improving the Center Grove Aquatic Club program. It is the swimmer's and parents’ responsibility to make the most out of the excellent opportunity this program provides for success in swimming.

Problems with the coach?

One of the traditional swim team communication gaps is that some parents seem to feel more comfortable in discussing their disagreements over coaching philosophy with other parents rather than taking them directly to the coach. Not only is the problem never resolved that way, but in fact, this approach often results in new problems being created. Listed below are some guidelines for a parent raising some difficult issues with a coach: When contacting the coaches, please be considerate. The best way to speak with the coaches is to meet them after practice. They usually make themselves available for 10 minutes to answer questions, or provide information. Sending a note to the coach with your swimmer is a good way to get information to them.

  1. Try to keep foremost in your mind that you and the coach have the best interests of your child at heart. If you trust that the coach's goals match yours, even though his/her approach may be different, you are more likely to enjoy good rapport and a constructive dialogue.
  2. Keep in mind that the coach must balance your perspective of what is best for your child with the needs of the team or a training group that can range in size from as many as 20-100 members. On occasion, an individual child's interest may need to be subordinate to the interests of the group; but, in the long run the benefits of membership in the group compensate for occasional short-term inconvenience.
  3. If your child swims for an assistant coach, always discuss the matter first with that coach, following the same guidelines and preconditions noted above. If the assistant coach cannot satisfactorily resolve your concern, then ask that the head age group coach or head coach join the dialogue as a third party.
  4. If another parent uses you as a sounding board for complaints about the coach's performance or policies, encourage the other parent to speak directly to the coach. He/she is the only one who can resolve the problem.

Training Sessions

Training sessions are the most important aspect of competitive swimming. Consistent training is needed to progress through the classes of swimmers. Training schedules are designed to provide only slightly more time than is required for a swimmer to accomplish this. Therefore, it is important that each swimmer attends as many practices as possible, in order to derive the full benefits of the program. Pool availability is our most limiting factor. The Center Grove Aquatic Club trains at the Center Grove High School pool year round. Free use of the high school pool is a privilege that many teams in the country do not have. The High School teams naturally have priority in scheduling of practices and meets; therefore, scheduling parameters described above are goals. A practice and meet schedule will be provided.

Team Levels and Training Expectations

The Center Grove Aquatic Club uses a "progressive" age group program designed to develop the child physically, mentally and emotionally in a systematic fashion. A well-defined, long-term approach of gradually increasing degrees of commitment is essential to reach peak performance levels during a swimmer's physiological prime. The emphasis in the early stages of participation must be placed on developing technical skills and a love for the sport. In the later years, a more demanding physical and psychological challenge must be introduced to the training program. In this respect, "too much too soon" is more often the cause of failure to achieve maximum potential in senior swimming In addition to emphasizing long-term rather than short-term results, it is also important that we establish training groups of swimmers who are compatible in respect to abilities, commitment levels and goals. At each level, the goals and objectives are specific and directed toward meeting the needs of the swimmer. The long-term goal of total excellence is always in mind. As each child is different, he/she will progress at his/her own rate. The coaching staff recognizes this fact by making team assignments at the Elementary School level based on a swimmer's physical, mental, and emotional level of development. The following is a list of each team.

Learn to swim lessons

The “Learn to Swim” lessons follow American Red Cross progressions, which incorporate a specific skills level. The “Learn to Swim” program is offered year round at different times depending on scheduling constraints at the Center Grove High School Pool.

Sharks and Minnows

Training:

Expectations:

White

Training:

Expectations:

Red

Training:

Expectations:

Olympians

Training:

Expectations:

Pre Seniors 1

Training:

Expectations:

Pre Seniors 2

Training:

Expectations:

Swimmer's training responsibilities

Swimmers are required to follow these basic behavioral rules:

Swimmers are required to follow these specific dry land rules:

Swimmers are required to follow these specific swim training rules:

Swimmers are required to follow these swim meet rules:

Practice and Attendance Policies

  1. Each training group has specific attendance requirements appropriate for the objectives of that group. As a general rule, the least possible interruption in the training schedule will produce the greatest amount of success. The club does, however, encourage younger swimmers to partici-pate in other activities in addition to swimming. The coaches' expectation that swimmers attend practice sessions increases in more advanced training groups.
  2. For the swimmer's protection, they should arrive on the school grounds no earlier than 15 minutes prior to their workout time. They should also be picked up no later than 15 minutes after their practice is over. Swimmers should be ready to swim five minutes prior to the start of their practice.
  3. Plan to stay the entire practice. The last part of practice is very often the most important. Usually, there are also announcements made at the end of each practice. In the event that your child needs to be dismissed early from practice, a note from the parent or the presence of a parent is required.
  4. Swimmers are to enter the building at the activities entrance on the South side of the building and go directly to the pool area. A swimmer found in any other part of the building, when not authorized, could damage our relationship with the High School; and therefore, will be subject to dismissal from the Center Grove Aquatic Club without refund for that season.
  5. While on school grounds, the swimmers are the responsibility of the coaching staff. During practice sessions, swimmers are never to leave the pool area without coach's permission.
  6. Parents are allowed to observe practice from the spectator viewing area. Normally, coaches will be available for a brief period after practice to answer your questions. Please limit questions to areas directly related to your child’s’ swimming. Direct all administrative and scheduling questions to the Administrative Manager

TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR PARTICIPATION

CLUB FEES AND PARENT CONTRACT

Fee Schedule

In addition to the training fees billed monthly, the following fees apply:
  • Family registration fee: $100.00 per family. (Non-refundable). This is a yearly fee collected in the fall. Families joining in the spring will be assessed registration fee when they join and again the following fall should they remain with the club.

  • USA Swimming registration and insurance fee (Non-refundable).

  • Meet entry fees are separate and additional. Meet entry fees that have been committed are not refundable.
Annual training fees are shown below and will be billed according to the following schedule:

Training Groups	Annual Fees	Sept	Oct	Nov	Dec	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug
High School	$750	$100	$100					$100	$100	$100	$100	$100	$50
Senior	$1050	$100	$100	$100	$100	$100		$100	$100	$100	$100	$100	$50
Pre Senior 2	$800	$80	$80	$80	$80	$80	$80		$80	$80	$80	$80
Pre Senior 1	$800	$80	$80	$80	$80	$80	$80		$80	$80	$80	$80
Olympians	$700	$70	$70	$70	$70	$70	$70		$70	$70	$70	$70
Red	$550	$55	$55	$55	$55	$55	$55		$55	$55	$55	$55
White	$400	$40	$40	$40	$40	$40	$40		$40	$40	$40	$40

Notes:

It should be noted that the group names are for generally describing the group of swimmers. Should the coaches determine that a swimmer should practice with a different group, the swimmer will be deemed to be a part of that different group for billing purposes.

The commitment for the Center Grove Aquatic Club is for the period April 1, 2009 to August 31, 2009. Members will be billed for each of the months above and in the amounts above. The only exceptions to this policy are as follows:

*____Previous CGAC swimmers who are members of a College swim team will participate free of charges (except for meet entry, award and USA fees). Swimmers must be USA members.
* ____ Accounts will be considered past due 15 days after the effective date – if an account becomes 45 days past due, your child will be prohibited from practice until such time your account becomes current.
*____Any arrangement requested in writing and approved by the full Board of Directors.
*____Withdrawal from the program. If you quit,
  1. payment is due for monthly training fees until written notice of the swimmer's withdrawal from the program is received;
  2. swimmers are not allowed to come “out and in” of the program during the season;
  3. you are responsible for any committed swim meet fees; and,
  4. you are responsible for any unearned volunteer session credits. You may pay the remaining fee or volunteer to work any upcoming meets.

* Parent initials required and mean that you have read and understand each statement.

CGAC Parent Volunteer Requirement Program

*____Unmet volunteer commitments will be added to the family's bill and the family will be responsible for compensating the club for that amount. As noted above, in the event a swimmer withdraws from the program, you are still responsible for any unearned
volunteer session credits. You may pay the remaining fee or volunteer to work any upcoming meets. In order to accurately monitor volunteer activity, the following apply:   • Our Volunteer Coordinator keeps a current record of all volunteer activity.
  • One credit is equal to 1 session of swim meet or about 5 hours.
  • Each time a family member (must be 16 or older) volunteers, they must sign in with the Volunteer Coordinator at the swim meet to receive credit for their obligations.
  • Once the function begins, if your are unable to work you are responsible for securing a replacement worker.
  • Failure to sign in and or perform the assigned duty could result in a fine of $60.00.
  • Each family is still responsible for their volunteer credits if the swimmer quits the program.
  • Sign-up opportunities will be available at our monthly parent meetings and/or at sign-up tables in the pool area, and may be detailed in the announcement section of the bill.
  • It is anticipated that volunteering for concessions at high school and middle school meets will count toward volunteer obligations. Timing at high school and middle school meets does not count toward volunteer obligations.

**I understand that effective 14 days from the date on this form I am responsible for all fees and agree to the terms and conditions in the Center Grove Aquatic Club Parent Contract.

Parent Signature: ________________________________ Date:________________________

Meet Entry Fees

General Requirements

Insurance

  1. Excess Accident Medical Protection;
  2. Liability Insurance Program.

These two programs are intended to provide reasonable protection for USA Swimming athletes and clubs while stabilizing the cost. For detailed information about insurance coverage, consult documentation on USA Swimming website (www.usaswimming.org).

Team Uniform

All members of the CGAC teams must wear the team suit in USA Swimming competitions. The team's suit is available from Circle City Swimwear,Team fitting nights are scheduled at the beginning of each season. Suits, caps, goggles and other equipment required by the coaching staff can be purchased or ordered at this time. It is less costly to purchase suits during team fittings. Additional group orders for team apparel are available at designated times throughout the year. These items may include, team warm-ups, parent shirts, parkas, bags, t-shirts and other items that promote CGAC. It is highly recommended that each swimmer's name be placed inconspicuously on all pieces of clothing worn to swim meets

Swim Season

Competition ... and The Winner Is....

Levels Of Achievement

Types or Levels of Swim Meets

Communication

Philosophy of Competition

Parents.....Your athlete needs you

You have done a great deal to raise your child. You create the environment in which they are growing up. Your child is a product of your values, the structure you have provided, and the model you have been. Human nature, however, is such that a parent loses some of his/her ability to remain detached and objective in matters concerning his/hers children's athletics. The following guidelines will help you keep your child's development in the proper perspective and help your child reach his/her full potential as an athlete.

The coach is the Coach!: We want your swimmer to relate to his or her coach as soon as possible concerning swimming matters. This relationship between coach and swimmer produces the best results. When parents interfere with opinions as to how the swimmer should swim or train, it causes considerable, and oftentimes insurmountable, confusion as to whom the swimmer should listen. If you have a problem, concern, or complaint, please contact the coach.

Best kind of parent: The coach's job is to motivate and constructively criticize the swimmer's performance. It is the parent's job to supply the love, recognition, and encouragement necessary to make the child work harder in practice, which in turn gives him/her the confidence to perform well in competition.

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

Not every time: Even the very best swimmer will have meets where they do not do their best times. These "plateaus" are a normal part of swimming. Over the course of a season times should improve. Please be supportive of these "poor" meets. The older swimmers may have only two or three meets a year for which they will be rested and tapered.

Fat cats don't fight: Swimmers are encouraged to keep an optimum body weight and percent of body fat. Physiologists have found that female swimmers should be 10-18% and males should maintain 4-12% body fat for optimum performance. Parents should contribute to the education of proper nutrition and eating habits (see the section on nutrition in this handbook).

Parents Responsibilities

TEN COMMANDMENTS For parents of Athletic Children

Reprinted from the Young Athlete by Bill Burgess

1. Make sure your child knows that-win or lose, scared or heroic-you love him/her, appreciate their efforts, and are not disappointed in them. This will allow them to do their best without a fear of failure. Be the person in their life they can look to for constant positive reinforcement.

2. Try your best to be completely honest about your child's athletic ability, his/hers competitive attitude, their sportsmanship, and their actual skill level.

3. Be helpful, but don't coach him/her on the way to the pool or on the way back, or at breakfast, and so on. It's tough not to, but it's a lot tougher for the child to be inundated with advice, pep talks and often critical instruction.

4. Teach them to enjoy the thrill of competition, to be "out there trying," to be working to improve his/her swimming skills and attitudes. Help him/her to develop the feel for competing, for trying hard, for having fun.

5. Try not to re-live your athletic life through your child in a way that creates pressure; you lost as well as won. You were frightened, you backed off at times, you were not always heroic. Don't pressure your child because of your pride. Athletic children need their parents so you must not withdraw. Just remember there is a thinking, feeling, sensitive free spirit out there in that uniform who needs a lot of understanding, especially when his world turns bad. If he/she is comfortable with you-win or lose-he/she is on their way to maximum achievement and enjoyment.

6. Don't compete with the coach. If the coach becomes an authority figure, it will run from enchantment to disenchantment, etc.., with your athlete.

7. Don't compare the skill, courage, or attitudes of your child with other members of the team, at least within his/her hearing.

8. Get to know the coach so that you can be assured that his/her philosophy, attitudes, ethics, and knowledge are such that you are happy to have your child under his/her leadership.

9. Always remember that children tend to exaggerate, both when praised and when criticized. Temper your reaction and investigate before over-reacting.

10. Make a point of understanding courage, and the fact that it is relative. Some of us can climb mountains, and are afraid to fight. Some of us will fight, but turn to jelly if a bee approaches. Everyone is frightened in certain areas. Explain that courage is not the absence of fear, but a means of doing something in spite of fear or discomfort.

Club Mailing Address:

Board of Directors Responsibilities:

CGAC President

CGAC Vice President

CGAC Treasurer

CGAC Secretary

CGAC USA Swimming

CGAC Social – Club

CGAC Social – Community

The current list of CGAC board members and their contact information can be found on the club website (www.cgacswim.org).

Head Senior Coach - Jim Todd

Age-Group Program

High School Program

National Qualifiers

Head Age Group Coach - Dennis Davis

Coach Davis started his coaching career in Newark, Ohio at the local YMCA. He also taught and coached at Mt. Vernon High School and Terre Haute South High School before starting the Middle School and USS Swimming program at Center Grove High School.

Coach Davis has served on several age group zone team coaching staffs and has received local and state coaching honors in swimming and diving, while developing his high school teams in Indiana and Delaware. In March of 1992 Coach received recognition as National Swimming Coach of the year from the Special Olympics Organization for his work and development of competitive swimming for Special Olympics athletes.