Importance of Punctuality and Preparation for Meets and Practices
Dear Parents,
We hope this message finds you well. As we continue to strive for excellence at Texas Ford Aquatics, it is important to address some recurring challenges observed during last weekend’s meet.
These include:
● Swimmers arriving late for warm-up.
● Missing or incomplete event markings on swimmers’ arms or legs.
● Swimmers missing their events.
● Swimmers leaving the meet early, missing one or more scheduled events.
While occasional delays are understandable, consistent tardiness and lack of preparation impact not only your swimmer’s experience but also the team as a whole.
Why Punctuality and Preparation Matter
When swimmers arrive late or unprepared:
● It conveys to the team and coaches that commitments are not being prioritized.
● Swimmers may feel disoriented, as they miss essential pre-meet instructions.
● They miss out on critical warm-ups, affecting their performance.
● It disrupts the team dynamic and places additional strain on coaches.
Expectations Moving Forward
We understand the demands of balancing multiple activities; however, consistent lateness cannot become the norm. Families who have discussed unavoidable tardiness with coaches are noted, and we appreciate this proactive communication. For others, we ask for your partnership in ensuring timely and prepared attendance at all practices and meets.
To assist with preparation, we recommend:
1. Preparing your swimmer’s backpack the night before.
2. Providing a nutritious breakfast to start the day (please avoid fried or fast food).
3. Ensuring swimmers have healthy snacks and sufficient hydration for the me
4. Arriving at the facility 10-15 minutes before the scheduled warm-up time.
5. Younger swimmers may need assistance, so please mark event numbers, heats, and lanes on their arms, or provide them with a Sharpie to update this information from the heat sheet.
6. Encourage your swimmer to remain on deck and support teammates until the meet concludes.
7. Ensuring your swimmer wears the team uniform, including the navy suit and team logo cap.
For novice parents, additional resources are available on our website under **USA Team & Schedules &
Swim Meets – How-to**.
These resources are designed to make meet participation smoother for you and your swimmer. We appreciate your attention to these matters. Together, we can create a positive and productive environment for all our athletes. Thank you for your continued support.
Best regards,
TFA Coaching Staff
