Winter Session Welcome Letter

Patrick Saucedo

Dear MMA Families,

Welcome back to Mid-Michigan Aquatics (MMA) Swimming for our Winter Session! We’re excited to get the season started and have a lot of great things planned. Please read the important reminders below to ensure a smooth start to the season:

 Weekly Updates

  • Expect a weekly email update every Monday morning with reminders, schedule changes, and important info.

 Practice Kick-Off

  • We’ll begin the session with orientation and some skills review, tailored to each category to help acclimate our new members, while continuing to build progress for our returning fall members. This helps swimmers ease back into routines.

  • Coaches will use this time to set the tone and expectations for a successful  Winter.

  • Our coaching staff is energized and ready to get back to work!

  • If you'd like to review each Category's expectations and standards, you may do so with the following link.

 Billing & Invoices

  • All billing occurs on the 1st of each month.

  • Invoices may include:

    • Meet fees

    • Apparel

    • Payment plan charges (if applicable)

  • For help navigating your account, check out the help video links "Parents Resources" section below.

 Practice Attire & FAQs

 Practice Calendars

  • All practice calendars are up to date and available on our website via Google Calendar.

  • While we send reminders, we highly recommend checking the calendar at the start of each week for cancellations or updates.

 Meet Sign-Ups

  • Meet sign-ups will open soon; dates are already posted on the calendar.

  • All swimmers (including new members) are expected to participate in meets, except:

    • Tropical Storms swimmers, who are only expected to attend one local race day.

  • Meet info will be emailed as it becomes available, along with registration deadlines.

 USA Swimming Membership

  • All swimmers must have an active USA Swimming membership by December 1st to participate in practice.

  • Members with a 2025 Membership expiring this month will be renewed automatically by MMA.  A $90 charge will be added to your account to cover this renewall, which will be reflected in your January 1st billing cycle.

  • Swimmers will not be allowed in the water until registered.

  • New members can find registration instructions HERE

 Parent Resources

  • MMA has created a series of YouTube "How-To" videos covering:

    • Account navigation

    • Meet sign-ups

  • These videos and more helpful info can be found on our website under the "Parent Info" tab.

 Swimmer Expectations (Arrival, Attire, Locker Rooms)

  • Swimmers must arrive ready to swim (in suits). No changing in locker rooms before or after practice for:

    • Tropical Storms

    • Categories 1, 2, and 3

  • Locker rooms are for restroom use only.

  • If an exception is needed, it must be pre-approved via email with the coaching staff.

  • Deck changing or changing in hallways/stands (even with a towel) is a Safe Sport violation and can result in removal from the team.

 On-Deck & Facility Rules

  • Swimmers must sit in the stands before practice and will be called over by a coach when it’s time to begin.

  • No running or playing in school hallways – this is a district policy.

  • Do not enter the pool deck until instructed by a coach.

  • Coaches will go over facility rules and Emergency Action Plans (EAP) tat practice this week with the swimmers

 Parent Restrictions

  • Parents are not allowed on deck or in locker rooms, per USA Swimming Safe Sport policy.

  • Restrooms for parents are located off-deck near the pool.

  • Parents are welcome to observe practice from the stands.

  • We ask that you do your best to stay at or near the pool area, as that is the zone which we are approved for facility use.  MMA are guests for all of our facilities, and we want to be respectful of the schools we are using.

 Communicating with Coaches

  • Coaches will do their best to be available after practice for quick questions.

  • Please do not approach coaches during practice unless they’ve made themselves available.

  • Coaches are focused on the swimmers during their sessions and appreciate your understanding.

  • Please look for another email with details on how to sign up for our information sharing site, Team Reach.  

 

Team Reach sites have been created for each category group to provide:

  • More direct communication with the coaches

  • A platform to ask questions specific to your swimmer’s category

  • A quick and reliable way for us to share important club information

  • New members and returning Winter members who did not do our Fall session will receive an invite this week.

 

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Thank you for being part of the MMA community! We’re looking forward to a fantastic Winter season.

See you at the pool,
The MMA Coaching Staff and Parent Board of Directors