PIRANHA PALS - a Big/Little Buddy Program!

What is "Piranha Pals"?
As the season begins, We want to let you know about the Piranha Pals program!  The AW Family wants to focus on team unity, spirit, and sportsmanship this year, and this Big/Little Buddy program offers a unique opportunity to combine all three of these goals!

The Buddy program is not about elaborate gifts - it is about being a supportive teammate! Below, you can find our ideas of what it means to be an amazing buddy - the three C's!

1. CONNECT - Write your Buddy a note, draw a picture, or make a friendship bracelet!
   Use your talents to inspire your Buddy to swim fast and psych them up for a great meet!
    
2. CHEER - Watch your Buddy swim at meets!  Be the loudest and most supportive
   teammate on the pool deck!
    
3. CONGRATULATE - After your Buddy's race, be there to tell them how great they swam! 
   Know their goals and if they achieved one of them.

The three C's are the only rules to the Buddy Program 😊 While there is no requirement that swimmers participate in the Piranha Pals program, We want to personally urge everyone to participate. Buddies will be assigned and introduced to each other from the start of the season, so that everyone has the full season to get to know and support one another. 
 
Being a Buddy is part of being a good teammate, and the effort now will make our team stronger for years to come! Go Piranhas!

Who’s Involved?

• “Littles” 10 & Unders: All swimmers aged 10 & Under will be paired with an older Piranha.  If you do NOT want to participate in the buddy program, you must OPT OUT so that we know to remove your piranha from the matching process. 
   
• “Bigs” 11 & Older: All swimmers aged 11 & Older who are interested in being a “BIG” will need to SIGN UP so we know to include them in the matching process.
   
• “Rookies” 11 & Older: All swimmers aged 11 & Older who NEW to Autumnwood and are interested in being matched with an older/returner Piranha will need to SIGN UP so we know to include them in the matching process.

What do I do in the program? Try to do one thing with or for your buddy each week.  Some of these tasks may include:

• Designing a poster to help cheer on your Big/Little buddy during their races
• Create a motivational card to pump up your Big/Little buddy for the meet
• Treat your Big/Little buddy to their favorite candy in order to get energized for their race

Why do we have the Piranha Pals program?  Because it is awesome having that extra support and friend on the swim team. 

Go Piranha Pals!