Team Handbook


 

 




 

Aspen Swim Club

PO Box 12341

Aspen, CO 81612

www.aspenswimclub.org


 

Table of Contents

 


 

Introduction

Communication

Sessions, Groups and Practice Schedules

Practice Group Assignment

Swimmer Code of Conduct

Parent Code of Conduct

Registration and Fee Information 

Meets and Competition

Fundraising and Volunteer Requirements

Scholarships



















 

INTRODUCTION

 

The Aspen Swim Club is a year-round competitive swim club and is a member of USA Swimming. The Aspen Swim Club is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt non-profit 501(c)3 organization.

 

The club is run by an all-volunteer board in close collaboration with our head coaches. The board is responsible for the financial solvency of the club, compliance for our non-profit status, fundraising and support of the coaches so that the club is sustainable and able to meet the needs of the upper Roaring Fork Valley community for years to come.

 

The coaches’ responsibilities include swimmer development, movement through training groups (bronze, silver, gold), training regimes, assigning events for swimmers to swim at meets and relay assignments.

 

 

COMMUNICATION

 

Please know that the main job of the coaches is to coach our children. This is a relationship that our children have with them and they should be encouraged to discuss matters with and ask questions of their coach directly. If an issue arises that requires further communication, email is the preferred, most efficient, and main form of communication. Please refer to the Communication policy for further details.

 

  

SESSIONS, GROUPS & PRACTICE SCHEDULES

 

The Aspen Swim Club is a year-round, USA Swimming program with 3 practice groups: bronze, silver and gold.  USA Swimming has a Summer Season (Long Course, April - July) and a Winter Season (Short Course, Sept - March) culminating in championship meets at the end of each season.

 

Our team has 3 training sessions over the course of the year and the sessions mirror the school sports seasons. Dues are paid per session, at the beginning of each session. The maximum number of registrants per session is typically 60 swimmers.

 

·       Summer Session runs mid-April thru the end of July

·       Fall Session runs mid-Sept thru mid-Jan

·       Winter Session run mid-Jan thru mid-April

Bronze Group

Emphasis is placed on learning legal competitive strokes, body position, breathing, balance in the water, and having fun. There are 3 practices offered a week, and swimmers are encouraged to attend all 3 practices per week. Bronze practices are held Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday from 4:00-5:00pm. 

Silver Group

Swimmers continue to work on stroke technique with an increased emphasis on conditioning.  There are 5 practices offered per week, and swimmers are encouraged to attend all 5 practices per week.  Silver practices are held Monday through Friday from 4:00-5:30pm.  

Gold Group

The gold group trains 6 times per week. These swimmers are committed to swimming year-round, 6 days per week. In this group, swimmers will continue to refine strokes, improve race techniques, and place a heavy emphasis on conditioning with the goal of competing at the State, Sectional, or Junior National level (at the end of each season). Gold practice is mandatory and is from 4:00-6:00 pm Monday through Friday, and Saturdays from 8:30-11:00 am.

 

 

PRACTICE GROUP ASSIGNMENT

 

Coaches are responsible for group assignments and there are many factors that are considered including, but not limited to: speed, technical ability, emotional maturity, work ethic, attitude, age, as well as group sizes. No single factor is a guarantee of an assignment change.

 

Trust that the coaches have every swimmer and the team’s best interest in mind when assigning groups. Every swimmer, regardless of group assignment, will receive high quality coaching and challenges appropriate to their level and goals.

 

 





 

SWIMMER CODE OF CONDUCT

 

 

The Aspen Swim Club expects all its members and athletes to adhere to the following

Code of Conduct: 

General:

● Athletes and members are expected to be respectful of the coaches, parents,

volunteers and fellow athletes associated with the Club.

● Athletes are expected to continually strive to perform at their best.

● Athletes and members are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that

contributes to a healthy team environment and to be encouraging to fellow

teammates. Team culture is important.

● Athletes and members are expected to refrain from drug and alcohol use. Any

infraction of this policy will result in immediate dismissal from the team, subject to

reinstatement at the board’s discretion.

Practice:

Athletes are expected to pay attention to their coaches, to be respectful and to

avoid disruptive behavior at all times.

Athletes are expected to complete assigned sets, absent prearranged exceptions

with the coach(es).

Athletes are expected to avoid arriving for practices late or leaving practices

early, absent prearranged exceptions with the coach(es) prior to the

commencement of practice.

Meets:

Athletes are expected to be at the pool, to have checked in with the coach(es),

and to be ready to swim, at the designated warm-up time for each session.

Athletes are expected to check in with the coach(es) both prior to and after each

event in which the athlete participates.

Athletes are expected to be respectful of other competitors and the host facility at

all times. 

If an athlete has registered for an event and will not attend, for any reason, the

athlete is expected to notify the coach as soon as possible, to accommodate

others who may be relying upon the presence of such athletes to fill the roster.

 

 

PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT

 

 

Know your role:

Swimmers – Swim / Coaches – Coach / Parents - Parent

 

The purpose of this Code of Conduct is to establish consistent expectations for behavior of parents of the Aspen Swim Club. Doing so creates a culture that not only develops swimmers as athletes and future leaders but also seeks to establish parental expectations that enable your child to succeed. In order to achieve this, it is essential to provide the coaching staff with respect and authority to coach the team. 

 

By accepting this code of conduct, the Aspen Swim Club parent/guardian agrees to the following statements:

 

  • I will set the right example for my child by demonstrating sportsmanship and showing respect and common courtesy at all times to the team members, coaches, competitors, officials, parents, and for all facilities and other property used during practice or competition.

 

  • I will be an active participant in all fundraising events and other team activities.

 

  • I will encourage and support my child(ren) by permitting he/she to be timely for practices and competitions.

 

  • I will recognize that Aspen Swim Club coaches are professionals and allow them to coach my child(ren) without interference during practices and meets, including not being present on deck during practice or competitions, unless I am working for the coaches at the practice or meet.

 

  • I will maintain open and honest communication among all members of the Aspen Swim Club. We reach our common goals by working together. 

 

  • I will respect the integrity of the officials at all Swim Meets and assume decisions are based on honest, objective evaluations of performance. Only coaches may approach meet officials for clarification of rulings. 

 

  • I will support our professional coaches as they strive to do what is best for each swimmer. 

 

  • I will insist that my child refrain from using alcohol, tobacco, drugs, other prohibited items, violence, abusive or foul language, inappropriate sexual conduct or any behavior deemed dishonest, discourteous, offensive, or disrespectful of others. This behavior is a direct violation of USA swimming Code of Conduct and can lead to dismissal from the team and USA Swimming.

 

I have read and discussed with my athlete the Aspen Swim Club Swimmers Code of Conduct. I will abide by Aspen Swim Club Parent Code of Conduct as well as USA Swimming Rules and Regulations, including (but not limited to) Safe Sport policies, as will any family member or friend or guardian accompanying my child at practice, meets or any team activity. 



 

REGISTRATION AND FEE INFORMATION

 

Annual USA Swimming fee per swimmer: This fee changes annually and is set by USA Swimming. This fee is charged in September (for the following calendar year) or when the swimmer joins the team. Parents are responsible for registering and renewing their swimmers directly with USA Swimming. The club will send invitations to register and renewal reminders. This is a mandatory fee, and your swimmer may not be a member of the club, nor compete at meets, without registering with USA Swimming. 

 

Session Fees (3 times per year): Dues are determined based on the group level that your swimmer is assigned. Group levels are determined by the coaches. Swimmers may move up to different groups during the swim session but typically changes are made at either the end of the swim session or at short course to long course breaks. Dues are set by the Board of Directors. There is a discount for multiple swimmers in one family.

If you would like to join the team after the season has started, please contact the board at [email protected] to talk about prorated dues. Refunds are not given.

Please refer to the website for the most current rates. 

 

Registration is online and dues are payable through the online registration process. Once registered, members are expected to keep a credit card on file for meet fees which are charged after each meet.

 

 

MEETS AND COMPETITION

 

 

Meets are selected by the coaches each session. The team typically attends the same meets every session.  Meet selection is based on team size, ability, and distance traveled.  Aspen hosts two home meets annually (one in October and one in June).

 

Competing at meets is not a requirement to be a member of the Aspen Swim Club.

 

In order to be eligible to attend qualifying meets as recommended by the coaches, you need to attend at least 80% of the practices the month prior to the meet or per coaches discretion.  

 

Meet Fees:

 

Meet Fees are billed after each meet and are only billed to swimmers registered for the meet. Registered swimmers who do not attend the meet will still be billed for the meet as the club is still charged for their registration.  Parents must sign their swimmers up for meets via the team website prior to the registration deadline for each meet. Coaches will select the events for each swimmer; however, parents can make requests in the notes box when signing up.  

 

In addition to the meet fees that are paid to the host club, there is an additional $50 fee for In-State meets and $400 fee for Out-of-State meets that goes to the Aspen Swim Club to help offset the cost of travel and meet expenses for our coaches.  Every swimmer will be charged the $50 fee for home meets, even if you are unable to attend.

 

What to Bring to a Meet:

 

Each pool hosting various meets is different. It is recommended to bring a variety of seating options depending on the meet location. Recommendations include:

  1. Bench seats, stadium seating or folding chairs for swimmers and family members

  2. Blankets for the swimmers to relax on between events

  3. At least 2 towels

  4. Marker or ball point pen for marking meet events, heats, lanes on your swimmer's arm or leg. Pens or highlighter for marking heat sheets.

  5. Food & Drinks – swimmers must have fuel for racing. Pack a variety of healthy snacks and drinks for the meets: fruit, crackers, and granola bars are recommended; greasy, or heavy foods are not.

  6. Swimmers should bring a variety of clothes for the meets (shorts, sandals, parka jackets, sweatshirts, , extra towels, goggles, caps, suits, hats).

  7. Some meets sell heat sheets, some post events to Meet Mobile. Meet Mobile is an inexpensive App you can download on your phone to track all of your swimmer’s events and results


 

Meet Requirements for Swimmers: While at meets, it is important to show our team spirit & support teammates. Keep these items in mind for meets:

 

  1. Support your teammates, cheering on and encouraging all swimmers.

  2. Check-in with your coach before and after each swim.

  3. Prompt arrival at warm-up is required. Warm-down after races is recommended.

  4. Eat healthy snacks and drink during the meet.

  5. Wear clothes between events to keep muscles warm.

 

Supporting your Swimmer: If swimmers sit with parents, the parent should ensure their swimmer checks in with their coach before and after their event. The coaches will be busy with other swimmers and will not be able to hunt down swimmers for individual events. Encourage your swimmer after each event, no matter how it went. Do not coach their performance or give them any constructive criticism. That is the coach’s job. 

 

 

 

FUNDRAISING AND VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS

 

Fundraising Requirements

 

Each family is expected to contribute to the fundraising commitment for the team. The expectation is that each family participates in the “Swim Your Aspen Off” fundraising event that the team holds every November or December as well as contributing to the “Fastest Swimmer on the Roaring Fork” event held in October. Every family is expected to raise $200 for the fundraiser. This will be charged to your account if it is not raised from other sources.

 

Fundraising is typically 20% of the team’s annual operating revenue and is critical to maintaining the health of the club.. 

 

Volunteering Requirements

 

All families are expected to help! This commitment can take many forms:

 

·      Assisting during Aspen Swim Club sponsored home swim meets:timing, safety marshal, volunteer support, officiating (after qualification), fundraising, hospitality, setup and breakdown or other needed positions.

·      Attending away meets and assisting with timing if requested.

·      Coordinating team functions (beginning/end of season party, parent information session, team dinners at away meets, social functions for team building).

 

 

SCHOLARSHIPS

 

 

Scholarships are available for swimmer families that have financial difficulties meeting the dues requirements. The Aspen Swim Club Scholarship Assistance Program is available to athlete members of USA Swimming who are in good standing with the club. This program intends to provide financial aid to those swimmers who consistently demonstrate a sincere commitment to maximizing their swimming potential. Funds are awarded by the Aspen Swim Club Board of Directors on a first-come/first-served basis and by the majority vote of the Board.

 

Parents can also qualify for scholarships by volunteering to officiate for the team at home and away meets. Additional questions about becoming an official may be directed to Katie McManus [email protected]