WILDHORSE SWIM TEAM

CYCLONES 411
(Parent/Swimmer Information)

 FIRST MEET INFORMATION

Welcome to the Maverick Summer Swim League!  We are excited that you have joined our league which provides children with an educational experience and the joy of a life skill—swimming.  There are some items to address for those of you who are new to summer swim league.

1. How do I get there?  Maps are imbedded on the league website at www.maverickssl.com.  Go to the site and click on TEAMS (if you know who you are swimming) or to MEET SCHEDULE if you do not, and then to TEAMS.  As most pool have few parking spaces, it is best to try and car pool.  Parking tips are located on the team’s map page as well.
2. What do I bring?  Parents should always bring a folding chair.  Be prepared for sun, as few pools have ample shade.  Swimmers will sit on their towels in the swim team designated area.  Parents of young swimmers should stress the importance of him or her staying with the team.  You may send along a book, cards, or game that are not be harmed by water to occupy their time while he or she waits to swim their events.
3. Will there be a concession stand?  Yes, each team runs their own concession stand as money making venture— not a price gouging operation.  This is a service for parents, families, and swimmers and is usually good value.
4. Although there is a concession stand, are we allowed to bring some drinks and snacks?  Yes, individuals can.  What host teams frown upon is the opposing team bringing in multiple coolers.  After all, your team will host meets and want the visitors to purchase items from your snack bar in the future.
5. What else might be sold?  Meet programs are printed for parents to know when their child/children are swimming.  All league host teams are responsible for printing meet programs and selling them at $1 apiece at any dual meet.  You will find this to be a useful tool.  Programs are printed prior to the meet and are subject to changes due to swimmers not showing up for various reasons—illness, death in the family, etc.  Note:  The meet program costs more at the Championship Meet due to the number of pages being printed.
6. How long will the meet take?  This depends on several factors:  the number of lanes the pool has 4, 6, or 8, the size of the teams, the efficiency of the meet referee, the readiness of the swimmers, and no glitches with the computerized scorekeeping system.  Usually the smaller Division II teams’ dual meets will take 2 to 2 ½ hours.  The larger Division I teams’ meets last 3-4 hours.
7. What will not be tolerated?  Poor sportsmanship by team members or parents alike.  A meet referee can ask a parent or swimmer to leave the meet area if unsportsmanlike behavior occurs.  PARENTS CANNOT CONFRONT A MEET REFEREE OR JUDGE AND ASK WHY THEIR CHILD WAS DISQUALIFIED.  A disqualification (DQ) slip will be given to the coach at the end of the meet with the reason for the DQ.  It is the coach’s responsibility to inform the swimmer what he or she did wrong.
8. Will awards be given?  At the end of the dual meet the referee will usually, if agreed to by both teams, read out the team scores.  Ribbons are awarded for swimmers in each age group from first through sixth place.  However, the coach will not receive the ribbons until the end of the meet.  The coach hands the ribbons out at a designated practice to his or her team members. 
9. How is the Championship Meet different from a dual or tri meet?  At a dual meet only two teams swim against each other.  At a tri meet, three teams swim against one another.  At the Championship Meet—the MOST IMPORTANT meet of the season—all teams in the division swim against each other for a division winner.  At the Championship Meet, medals will be given for 1^st through 3^rd place and ribbons from 4^th through 16^th place for each age group.  Those awards are usually handed out at the team party which designates the end of the swim team season.  Championship Meet t-shirts will be sold as a league money making project each year.

Parents are welcome to watch during practices but are asked NOT to interact with Coaches or their children during practice.  Seating will be in the grassy area outside the pool enclosure for parents during practice.  Please bring comfortable chairs to sit in if you plan on staying during practice.
If you have a concern - it should be addressed to a committee member or with the coach after practice.

The baby pool is CLOSED during all swim practices, events, and meets.  Under NO circumstances are any children allowed to play in or near the baby pool.  Do not bring younger siblings to the pool with the expectation that they can use the baby pool.  This is dictated by our liability insurance company.