Requirements

All swimmers must be USS registered through New England Swimming. All registration forms must be filled out and turned in to the team:
  1. registration form
  2. medical treatment
  3. liability waiver
  4. non-recruitment form
  5. USS registration or transfer with three copies
All fees need to be paid in full. For special cases, arrangements need to be made with Steve Van Der Beken. Each swimmer needs a $50.00 meet escrow fee separate from the team fee. Please note- if financial assistance is needed, talk with Steve to discuss.


Equipment:
  • bathing suits (many)
  • goggles (many)
  • fins- ones that fit and are comfortable with soft rubber. Please have your own fins. We use them a lot.
Attendance Attendance is monitored throughout each season. Although we don't make practice mandatory, we hope you all realize the benefit of attending all practices. Swimmers making all the practices are more likely to see the best improvements from each level's training program. 

Communication Please stay up-to-date with communications and handouts. If you miss practice you will possibly miss announcements or handouts so make sure to get the necessary information from one of the coaches or our communication links. We cannot possibly be responsible for every message to every one, so make it your business to find out all necessary information. Any swimmer who has any problems, whether or not it is an injury or sickness, needs to communicate this to the coach. We cannot be mind readers about problems. Please talk to the coaches. We are available. If problems or "bumps in the road" happen with you or your swimmer, please contact Steve, (not the other coaches), to try to resolve the problem first. Talking with others first will only make the situation worse. Almost every problem can be resolved easily if it's done sooner and if both sides of an issue are discussed.

Do's And Don'ts For Parents:

  • DO: Encourage your swimmer...a child's success depends a lot on solid support.
  • DO: Practice CONSTRUCTIVE criticism...turn negative into positive experiences
  • DO: Stay involved as much as you can...our team cannot run without parent support. STEP IN AND HELP!
  • DO: Get your swimmer to practice on time...ready BEFORE it's time to get in
  • DO: Keep up with your swimmer's times and performances...keep a swimmer log book
  • DO: Pay all fees on time for the team and for meets
  • DO: Keep in mind that everybody improves at different rates
  • DO: Stay informed...handouts, PARENT LINK bulletin board up on the balcony, Newsletters.
  • DO: Attend Parent meetings.
  • DO: Take time to talk to the coaches about any concerns BEFORE or AFTER practice, we appreciate your input.
  • DO: Ask your swimmer if any handouts were given out at practice.
  • DO: Keep an eye on nutrition. We alone cannot keep track of what swimmers are eating. Your help in guiding your swimmer's nutrition is vital to the success of the swimmer.
  • DON'T: Stay uninformed. We have bulletin boards, newsletters, handouts. When you know something someone else may need help on, SHARE IT. If you need an answer, ASK SOMEONE who might know-parents, swimmers, and coaches.
  • DON'T: Send a swimmer to practice if it looks like they are running a fever. Check With a doctor if you are unsure and CONTACT your child's swim coach BEFORE practice.
  • DON'T: Expect others to do everything for you. Step in and help.
  • DON'T: Expect the coaching staff to always call when your swimmer has not been coming to practice, when you don't show up for a meet your swimmer was expected to swim in, or when you miss getting vital information. With up to 150 swimmers and 300 parents to keep track of, a moment of your time to call and communicate with the staff is your responsibility.
  • DON'T: Forget that we are here to teach and train your swimmer, not to baby sit.
  • DON'T: Leave out part of our philosophy...FUN!!! Enjoy the meets, those around you, your swimmer's success, and be PROUD to be a Manchester Swim Team parent!!!