Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is East Texas Aquatics?
A: East Texas Aquatics welcomes swimmers of all capabilities and is primarily structured to enable individuals to accomplish their individual goals within a team environment.
Q: What is Metroplex Aquatics (Tyler Metro)?
A: Metroplex Aquatics is our USA Swimming affiliation for competition and sponsorship providing access to meets that our swimmers would not be able to attend otherwise.
Q: What is Tyler Titans
A: Tyler Titans is our non-USA Swimming summer only swim league. It competes against other East Texas Teams non USA Swimming Teams. Tyler Metro swimmers are allowed to participate in Titans at a discounted rate.
Q: How is East Texas Aquatics structured?
A: Each year at the general membership meeting (Sept or October) the membership votes to approve or disapprove a slate of candidates presented in whole to serve as the Board. The Board determines the officers according to established by-laws and conducts regular meetings concerning the business of the team.
Q: How do we obtain information about practice and meet schedules?
A: You will receive communication from TEAMUNIFY to your account login email. Make sure that you have your cell phone number AND COMPANY listed in your profile to receive notifications about weather cancelations and practice changes.
Q: How is the business of administrating East Texas Aquatics handled?
A: East Texas Aquatics is a nonprofit corporation. The only paid employees are our coaches. Head coach has supervisory responsibility for the entire swim program and day-to-day operations. Assistant Coaches and summer coaches take their direction from Head coach. The Board of Directors oversee operations, expenses, and facilities. The Board is also responsible for advising the coaching staff concerning matters pertaining to the team.
Q: What is USA Swimming Membership and why is it required?
A: As a USA Swimming licensed swim team, TYLER METRO is obligated to ensure all swimmers (except pre-comp Group) are members of USA Swimming, Inc. It is also necessary for participation in any USA sanctioned swim meet. USA Swimming provides TYLER METRO liability insurance in the event of an accident, and the swimmers medical insurance to cover catastrophic medical costs incurred during a sanctioned activity, including METRO practices and activities.
Q: What are the swimmer's obligations to TYLER METRO?
A: Swimmers are athlete members of North Texas Swimming (NT) and USA Swimming, Inc. Their primary obligations are to enjoy themselves, make new friends, practice hard, attain their swimming goals and conduct themselves as young ladies and men in accordance with East Texas Aquatics and USA Codes of Conduct.
Q: What are parental obligations to TYLER METRO?
A: Parent's most important obligation is to provide constant encouragement to your child. Additionally, parents are considered active members and are asked to help. Parents should commit to getting their children to meets periodically. These aren’t just about the awards, but they are vital learning component of swim. They also provide clear benchmarks to show improvement or what each swimmer needs to work on in class. Providing quality swim instruction and water time for your children requires a time commitment, in addition to the fees paid. All TYLER METRO members are unpaid volunteers who also hold down full-time jobs, limiting their availability. As a result, their willingness to work together and rely on one another is paramount to our success.
Q: I have other obligations as well. Why should I volunteer?
A: The larger the number of volunteers the less of a burden on any individual. Moreover, most of the personnel you observe at meets, while committed to provide whatever is required, have senior swimmers and will phase their participation out over the next few years as their children move on to college. The overwhelming majority of this commitment is through the Board of Directors. The best reason to volunteer may very well be that volunteers develop a better understanding of internal operations and the rules under which we function.
Q: Can I specify what I volunteer for?
A: Certainly. Each of us has certain talents and attributes which, when put to proper use, would benefit the team. We also gain personal satisfaction in different ways. There is obviously more value to each of us as individuals, and the team in general, if we can volunteer for activities we will enjoy and will benefit the club at the same time.
Q: Why do we need so many volunteers at a swim meet?
A: It is important to first understand that the primary purpose of officials and timers at a meet is to ensure compliance with the technical rules of swimming, provide a safe venue, and ensure that no one individual has an advantage over another, in other words, to ensure a level playing field. Other functions - awards, announcer, concessions, and hospitality provide encouragement, information and sustenance to everyone in attendance.
Q: How can I become more involved?
A: Stop by the office in the afternoon, usually there is someone there between 3:30pm - 6:30pm M-F. You can also speak with your child's coach who can pass on information.
Q: I still have questions. Who can I contact for more information?
A: Talk to any board member or any of our coaches. Again, board members and coaches are listed on the website. Email us at [email protected] anytime!
