Swim Meet Attendance Policy – Swimmers and Parents

Background:

Year after year, the situation arises where swimmers are committed to attending a swim meet and then do not show up to the swim meet. Additionally, there are swimmers who fail to “sign in” at the swim meet, which causes confusion and uncertainty as to if the swimmer is actually present for their events. There have also been swimmers who have been entered into a relay, but decide to leave the meet before the relay is swum.

Swimmers who do not show up at a swim meet into which they were entered cause additional work for the Team Mangers, Event Data Volunteers, Clerk of Course and Coaches. When a swimmers is a “No Show” at the swim meets, the teams have from 8:15 until 8:30 am to decide on alternate swimmers and rearrange the swim meet heats. That is only 15 minutes to re-do the whole meet (not only WWST swimmers, but the other team’s swimmers as well)! Mistakes can cost the team points. Swimmers, who are “No Shows” and were entered into a relay, may cause the whole relay team to be scratched (eliminated). This is very disappointing to the other swimmers on the relay team and can also cost the team points.

Because these situations cause serious problems for the whole team, WWST has established and will abide by the following Swim Meet Attendance Policy:

Swimmers entered into Swim Meets:

Families of swimmers should COMMIT or DECLINE for all regular season meets by the Saturday prior to Time Trials. Only swimmers that are COMMITTED to meets will be considered for competition.

If your swimmer is COMMITTED to a swim meet and a situation arises where they will not be able to attend that meet, YOU MUST contact a manager NO LATER than the Tuesday before that week's meet!

If you have a last minute emergency the morning of the meet, you MUST EMAIL the team mangers by 8am to inform them of the situation. (Extenuating circumstances will be taken into consideration.)

If you fail to notify the Team Managers/Coaches when your swimmer will not be attending a swim meet, the swimmer will be “No Show” at the swim meet.

SWIMMERS WHO ARE ENTERED INTO A RELAY ARE EXPECTED TO STAY for the relays! If a swimmer is a ‘NO SHOW” for a relay, the above policy will apply. If you know you cannot stay for relays and do not want your child in a relay, note this in the Notes box when you commit to attending the swim meet on the website so that the coaches are aware of your needs.

SWIMMERS WHO DO NOT SIGN IN BY THE 8:15 AM DEADLINE AT THE SWIM MEET WILL HAVE THEIR EVENT PULLED AND WILL NOT SWIM IN THE MEET. (If you are simply running late… EMAIL the team mangers by 8am!)

PARENT VOLUNTEERS:

When a parent does not show up to perform their volunteer duties, we have to scramble, often at the last minute, to find another parent to fill in. Some parents end up doing “double duty” to cover for the parent who is a ‘No Show”.

Parent Volunteer Assignments:

Each family must volunteer for a minimum of four jobs over the course of the summer season. There are various jobs that should meet your availability and schedule, as we know many of you have jobs and other time commitments. If you are unable to fulfill a job for which you previously volunteered, please inform the Volunteer Coordinator and the Team Managers as soon as possible (prior to the Tuesday before the meet) so they can be sure that your responsibilities are covered. You will still be responsible for completing four volunteer jobs.

If you have a last minute emergency the morning of the meet, you MUST EMAIL the team mangers by 8am to inform them of the situation. (Extenuating circumstances will be taken into consideration.)

If you just don’t show up for your volunteer slot or leave before your commitment is complete, it will be considered a failure to perform your volunteer assignment!

Make it fun!

Successfully running swim meets for our swimmers requires commitments from both swimmers and parent volunteers. When everyone works together, these events are fun and exciting. Let's support each other and our swimmers in having a fun summer swim team experience!