Welcome to the Lake County YMCA
Penguins Competitive Swim Team!
Our Mission
To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a
healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
The Penguins coaching philosophy is to ensure that each swimmer becomes
the best that they desire to be. Future swimmers need to start somewhere!
The coaching staff makes a dedicated effort to develop swimmers both in
and out of the water; by building life skills within each team event. The
YMCA supports and encourages the coaches to develop swimmers through
spirit, mind and body while giving them a sense of community. Our coaches
and team help swimmers achieve their dreams and goals by instilling the
core values of the YMCA: Honesty, Respect, Responsibility and Caring.
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Length of Season
1. Regular season is September 29, 2012- February 2, 2013.
a. 7 Dual Meets- 3 home/ 4 away.
b. Division Championship Meet- February 2, 2013
i. Swimmers must participate in at least 3 dual meets.
c. Meets, practices, parent meetings, fundraisers and team events
will occur during these dates.
i. Not to conflict with United Way Fundraising SeptemberNovember.
d. General planning sessions, parent meetings, sports conditioning
and stroke clinics may be scheduled outside of these dates.
e. Competitive meets and other activities should try not to interfere
with regularly scheduled YMCA programming.
f. Two teams in different sports should try not to schedule home
events on the same day in the same facility.
2. Post season is February 4, 2013- March 17, 2013
a. League Championship Meet-March 2, 2013.
i. Will qualify for League Meet at Divisional Meet.
b. Great Lake Zone Championship Meet- March 15-17, 2013.
i. Must have a qualifying “Zone Time”.
Meets
1. Registration for dual meets closes Monday night before that meet.
Registration may be done online or in-house. If your swimmer is not
registered by the deadline, they will swim only exhibition for that
meet.
a. Front Desk
b. Online with the YMCA log-in
2. Coaches make all decisions regarding swimmer’s competitive events.
Please take into consideration that there will be times when a
swimmer may need to swim exhibition due to the number of swimmers
on the team.
3. Swimmers that miss an event or relay because they left the meet
before it was over will not be placed in a relay or able to swim for
points at the next dual meet.
4. Coaches choose five optional Invitational meets to compete in
throughout the season.
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5. Swimmers are to only swim in listed dual and Invitational meets as
outlined by the League and individual team.
6. Last chance meets will be decided by the head coach. Results from the
participation in any unscheduled meet must be emailed to the head
coach immediately (same day) or they will not be counted as an
official League time.
7. League approved volunteers will be the only parents allowed on deck
for post-season events.
8. For proper receipting and record keeping purposes, all money for team
fees, apparel, Invitational entry fees, etc. must be given to the front
desk only.
League Participation and Team Commitment
1. Once a team participant has joined the Penguins Swim Team roster
and has paid the team fees, that swimmer and family will be
considered a part of that branch team for the duration of the season.
2. A YMCA membership for the swimmer will be maintained throughout
the swim season.
3. Participants may not become involved with another team in the same
sport. Doing so will cause immediate forfeiture of the Lake County
YMCA team participation status.
4. YMCA branch members must remain with their original branch for the
duration of that swim season. A change in a parent’s residence to a
different branch’s service area constitutes the only valid reason for a
swimmer’s team change.
Sports Federation Events
1. Lake County YMCA Penguins will have no affiliation with outside sport
federation events.
2. Participation in these events will be on an individual basis only and at
the discretion of the individual team member.
3. No Lake County YMCA team funds may be used to support these
events.
4. A swimmer may represent their high school and then return to
compete in the YMCA Zones or National Meets. The swimmer must
also achieve a “Zone Time” or “National Time” prior to participating on
their high school team. The swimmer may not take the place of a
season team member in a relay competition.
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Penguins Swim Team Policies
Every parent and swimmer is essential to the success and efficiency of the
Penguins Swim Team. We have developed the following policies and
procedures to ensure each swimmers safety and to make sure the swimmers
get the most out of their team experience.
1. All Lake County YMCA Penguins must swim proficiently at the minnow
level. Swimmers are encouraged to supplement their stroke
development by participating in YMCA Swim Lessons.
2. All YMCA members will present their membership card at the service
desk and scan in before practice. Using your card prevents long lines
at the desk and helps swimmers get to practice on time.
3. Swimmers are to use the boys and girls locker rooms. Family locker
rooms may be used if a parent is in the locker room at the same time
as the swimmer.
4. Please bring a lock to secure items in the locker room before practice.
The YMCA cannot be held responsible for lost or stolen items. Street
clothes are not permitted on the pool deck. Please wear shoes outside
of the pool area at all times.
5. All swimmers will shower before entering the pool. To ensure
everyone’s safety: no horseplay in the pool, pool area or in locker
rooms.
6. All team members are encouraged to keep the YMCA core values in
mind at each YMCA and YMCA function. Please treat others as you
would like to be treated. Misconduct and behavior problems will
receive a verbal warning. Any further actions will result in either a
suspension or expulsion from the team.
7. Parents are permitted on the pool deck during the last 15 minutes of
practice only.
8. Coaches will dismiss swimmers from practices after all equipment is
put away and the pool is set up appropriately.
9. Parents must accompany their swimmer in the Aquatic or Coaches
offices.
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Our Coaches Will…
1.
2.
Classify swimmers and assign them to competitive events.
Attend, in a coaching capacity, all Lake County YMCA practice sessions
and meets.
3. Teach and support the Mission of the YMCA and Core Values.
4. Set an example of good behavior and sportsmanship for all athletes at
all times.
5. Give athletes an opportunity to develop skills and to promote their
involvement as part of a team rather than as individual participants.
6. Monitor attendance and conduct at practices and meets.
7. Assign a minimum of two individual events and/or relays per athlete
for a scheduled meet, whether for points or exhibition, with exception
of injury or illness.
8. Instruct, supervise and conduct all workouts for the team’s athletes
might reach their full potential.
9. Organize events and participants for all scheduled Lake County YMCA
League meets. Non YMCA meets attended by participants by their own
choice are not to be considered a team function. YMCA coaches have
no responsibility for entries or coaching duties for such meets.
10. Report to the Aquatic Director any conflicts in performing coaching
duties as outlined above.
11. Abide by and enforce all rules set up by the Lake County YMCA.
12. Address any concerns regarding discipline, scheduling, organization,
participant qualification or related matter to the Aquatic Director.
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A strong working Parent Group is the backbone of any
competitive team. All parents whose child is a participant of
the Lake County YMCA Penguins is automatically considered a
member of that team’s Parent Group.
As a Penguins Parent, I Will Help By…
1. Supporting the Aquatic Director and Coaches in making the
competitive program meaningful for the team members. Parent’s
good sportsmanship and supportive behavior of the Lake County YMCA
Penguins encourages swimmers to demonstrate the values of the
YMCA.
2. Attending monthly Parent Group meetings. Parent input is an integral
part of the success of all team events.
3. Communicating with the coaches and Parent Group. Communication is
extremely important with any group. Because email is so accessible
for many families, we will be using it as our main source of
communication. All emails addressing the entire team will be sent by
the Aquatic Director or Head Coach only. Age group specific emails
may be sent directly to and from that coach.
8 & Under Boys- Coach Morgan [email protected]
Girls- Coach Dani [email protected]
9-10 Boys & Girls- Coach Mike [email protected]
11-12 Boys & Girls- Coach Ashley [email protected]
13 & Up Boys & Girls- Coach Sam [email protected]
4. To ensure the Parent Group is as productive as possible, we encourage
full family participation. Your participation will help show your
swimmer that you are part of their success as well as the success of
the team. If circumstances are such that you are unable to participate
in our home meets, we do offer a $50 fundraising fee option. Paying
this fee will exempt you from any duties during home meets. You will
be asked to help out with other Penguins Swim Team events such as
banquet, fundraising, etc.
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Volunteer Positions
PRE and POST MEET COORDINATORS- Tammy Guinan & Mary Kable

Direct volunteers as to what needs to be done for set up and tear
down of home meets

Ensure clean-up of pool area and multi-purpose room

Organize Clerk of Course
HALL MONITOR- Bill Conway

Monitor locker rooms, gym, multi-purpose room and hallways during
home meets.

Coordinate “greeters” for home meets to help welcome families and
answer questions
DECK MASTER- Mary Hrwatzki

Organize swimmers into events and heats

Be available for all home meets

Work with scorers for meet efficiency
SCORERS- Lydia Raser

Work with Deck Master for meet efficiency

Keep score of meet

Make copies of meet results and post on bulletin board, give copy to
head coach, aquatic director and visiting team coach.
OFFICIALS- Mike Hrwatzki

Coordinate new officials to become certified

Acquire enough officials for each home meet, away meet, divisionls,
leagues and zones

Enforce dress code of white shorts and shirt
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HEAD TIMER- Stacy Althans

Organize 24 timers for all home meets.

Schedule shifts for timers.

Ensure substitutes for canceled workers.

Responsible for keeping track of stop watches, notify Aquatic Director
if replacements are needed.

Timers- Make sure swimmer matches the card and lane, time events
for either first or second half of meet, find replacement if unavailable.
HEAD CONCESSIONS- Cathy Choby

Post list for concession needs on team bulletin 2 weeks prior to home
meet.

Organize and schedule concession workers

Coordinate set up and clean up of concessions
TEAM PICTURES- Bill Conway

Contact photographer to set up day and time for team pictures

Distribute pictures in team mailboxes
PENGUIN WEAR- Bill Conway

Contact company and order try-on kit

Distribute suits and apparel when it comes in
BANQUET COORDINATOR
Schedule event with Aquatic Director

Promote event and make invitations

Coordinate volunteers for help

Arrange for food, drinks and cake
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SOCIAL COORDINATOR
Plan with Aquatic Director and coaches special social events

Attend all socials
HEAD FUNDRAISER
Decide with Aquatic Director what events we will participate in and
how much is needed to raise for the season

Make copies of heat sheets at home meets for sale. Find volunteer to
sell heat sheets.

Sell ads for heat sheets

Make available tickets for 50/50 Raffle at all home meets
TREASURER- Cathy Choby

Review team budget with Aquatic Director on a regular basis

Make sure all funds are being allocated to correct accounts from
fundraising efforts

Report to team at parent meeting any funding needs
RECORD KEEPER
Keep track of team records

Update records board as needed
HOTEL REGISTRATION COORDINATOR- Mary Hrwatzki

Reserve a block of rooms for out of town invitational meets and zones

Make information sheet with directions, cost and rules to distribute in
team mailboxes
LAP-A-THON- Mike Hrwatzki

Get donations for prizes and promote event

Organize and schedule volunteers for lap counters
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