Madison Swimming Association Team Handbook

Purpose & Goals

The Madison Swimming Association is a non-profit, year-round competitive swim team committed to helping athletes reach their full potential in the sport of swimming. We promote discipline, hard work, goal-setting, sportsmanship, and — above all — a lifelong love of the sport in a fun and supportive environment.

Club Goals

At Madison Swimming Association, our goals reflect our commitment to developing well-rounded athletes and individuals. We strive to:

  • Promote mental, physical, and social fitness through structured training, teamwork, and personal growth.
  • Foster high standards of sportsmanship and conduct, both in and out of the pool.
  • Instill a love for competitive swimming and diving, emphasizing the joy, discipline, and sense of accomplishment that come from hard work and achievement.

Individual & Team Goals

At Madison Swimming Association, we focus on nurturing both individual growth and team unity through the following core goals:

  • Skills – Master the fundamental and advanced techniques of competitive swimming.
  • Fitness – Cultivate an appreciation for good health and an awareness of one’s physical capabilities.
  • Teamwork – Learn to collaborate effectively, respect teammates, and contribute to collective success.
  • Sportsmanship – Embrace fairness, respect for others, and the ability to win or lose with dignity and honor.
  • Self-Esteem – Recognize individual worth within the group, celebrating each swimmer’s unique talents and contributions.
  • Goal Setting – Develop the ability to set meaningful goals and work consistently to achieve them.
  • Fun – Discover that competitive swimming is not only challenging and rewarding, but also enjoyable and full of lasting memories.

Team Seasons, Structure, & Equipment

The MSA Short Course season generally begins in August and lasts through the end of April. All practices are held at the Dublin Park facility located at 8324 Old Madison Pike, Madison, AL 35758. Our goal as a team is to advance all swimmers through the groups as they are ready, keeping the best interest of the swimmer in mind.

The swimmers are placed in one of the following groups at the discretion of the coaches. Swimmers will be placed in a group that is challenging, but not overwhelming.  Although age is a criteria, it is not the only criteria for practice group placement.  Short Course fees and practice times are set by the MSA Executive Committee and announced at the Short Course Parent Meeting in August.

White Group

This is an entry-level group that introduces and refines the four strokes (breaststroke, backstroke, butterfly, and freestyle), build stamina, and learn the technical aspects of competitive swimming like dives & turns. Typically 6&Under and these athletes need to be attending 2 practices a week for optimal development. Races 25s & 50s of each stroke. 80% technique, 20% training.

Yellow Group 

This is a group that refines the four strokes, IM format, relays, and places an emphasis on technique with mor training involved. Yellow group begins to build sprint skills, endurance skills, further develop the technical aspects of competitive swimming like dives & turns. Typically 8&Under and  these athletes need to be attending 3 practices a week for optimal development. Races 25s, 50s, 100 FR/BK/BR, and 100 IM. 70% technique, 30% training.

Blue Group

This is a group that understands and can legally execute all four strokes, IM format, sprint skills, endurance skills, relays, dives, and turns. Blue group begins to learn higher-level technique and completes sets with a certain focus each practice. Typically 9-10 age group and these athletes need to be attending 4-5 practices a week for optimal development. Races 50s and 100s  of all 4 strokes, 200 FR, and 200 IM. This group is encouraged to race the other 200s of strokes (except butterfly) and 500 FR. 60% technique, 40% training.

Bronze Group

This is a group that understands and can legally execute all four strokes, IM format, sprint skills, endurance skills, pace strategy/race format, relays, dives, and turns. Blue group begins to learn higher-level technique and completes challenging sets with a certain focus each practice. Typically 9-11 years of age within this group and these athletes need to be attending 4-5 practices a week for optimal development. Races 50s and 100s of all 4 strokes, 200 FR/BK/BR, and 200 IM. This group is encouraged to race the other challenging races like the 200 Fly and 500 FR. 40% technique, 60% training.

Silver Group

This group includes competitive swimmers that require a steady workout schedule for competitive growth and that are fully committed to the sport. Typically 11&Older and these athletes need to be attending 5-6 practices a week for optimal development. Races 50s, 100s, and 200s of every stroke. This group needs to race other challenging events like the 200 IM, 400 IM, 500 FR, and 1000 FR. 20% technique, 80% training.

Gold Group

This group is for dedicated swimmers who are fully committed to the sport and focused on high-level performance. Training emphasizes preparation for upper-level competitions, with a strong focus on endurance, speed, and conditioning. Typically 13&Older, these athletes are 10% technique, 90% training. These athletes need to be attending 6 practices a week for optimal performance.

Long Course

The MSA Long Course season generally begins in May and lasts through the end of July. This is a highly competitive team of dedicated swimmers, typically reserved for those ages 11 and up, but MSA coaching staff screens participation. Practices are currently held at Sunset Swim Club located at 14128 Mooresville Road, Athens, AL 35613. Long Course fees and practice times are set by the MSA Executive Committee and announced at the Long Course Parent Meeting in April.

Swim Equipment for ALL Groups

  • Competition suit (This is a specific team suit to be worn at all meets)
  • Practice suit (One piece suit for girls; speedo or jammer suit for boys. This can be any color or style for practice. Need to be tightly fitted).
  • Swim cap (to be worn for practice and competition; two personalized caps are provided with registration).
  • Goggles, NOT a mask (It is also a good idea to keep an extra pair in your swim bag.)
  • Kick board (Junior-sized kick boards are recommended for smaller swimmers.)
  • Pull buoy (Junior-sized buoys are recommended for smaller simmers.)
  • Paddles (Junior-sized paddles are recommended for smaller simmers.)
  • Fins (Junior-sized fins are recommended for smaller simmers.)
  • Swim bag (Swim bags are backpack style bags designed specifically for swimmers.)
  • Mesh/gear bag (These bags are helpful for wet gear.)

Financial Obligations & Considerations

All Monthly Fees are due on the 1st day of the month. Visit www.madisonswimming.org “My Account” to make a payment. Fees are delinquent after the 5th of the month and will be assessed a $10.00 late fee. Initial registration payment must be made with a credit/debit card. The card then stays on file and will be used to directly withdraw monthly fees and meet entry fees for the previous month’s events/meets. A surcharge is applied to each credit/debit card transaction after the registration fee unless you change to bank transfer (how we keep our costs down and avoid high credit card fees). Swimmers with past due accounts will not be allowed to practice or participate in meets.  If you decide to leave MSA mid-season, or any time at all after registration,  you must inform both the Head Coach and the President of MSA by the 15th of the month or you will be charged the following month’s dues.

Parents are responsible for creating an account with USA Swimming. Each new family will receive a specific link for USA Swimming in order to register their swimmer(s). Swimmers who are not registered with USA Swimming will not be allowed to practice or participate in any swim meets sanctioned by USA Swimming.

Fees are outlined here.

Volunteer Commitment & Fundraising

Volunteer Commitments

  • All families are required to volunteer for two Event Job slots at each MSA-hosted (home) meet.
  • If you do not meet the two Event Job slot requirement, a $100 Volunteer Contribution will be added to your account.
  • Event Jobs are determined by the Meet Director and will be listed as part of the Meet Listing in the Events section of the MSA site. (Note: Event Job Sign-ups can be made available at a different time than the swimmer registration)
  • When showing up to perform your Event Job, be sure to sign in at the volunteer sign-in, which is located at the Main Scorers Table near the start end of the pool, to ensure that you are credited with your hours.

Volunteer Positions (include, but are not limited to)

  • Officials (positions that require some training and/or certification)
  • Computer Operator and Time System Operator (some training and observation needed)
  • Lane Timers, Runner, Hospitality, Concessions, Awards table, Set-up, and Clean-up

Means of Fundraising

  • Sponsorships
  • MSA-Hosted Meets
  • Occasional team night at a local restaurant
  • Amazon Smile

Communication

Executive Board
Online Form for Questions

Behavior & Discipline Policy

MSA Code of Conduct

MSA & USA Swimmer

  1. MSA Swimmers and Coaches will adhere to and comply with the strict rules and regulations set by USA Swimming in reference to possession or use of banned substances (www.usaswimming.org).
  2. The rules of Dublin Parks & Recreation Facility will be followed as well as the By-Laws of the MSA (Reference: www.madisonswimming.org).
  3. MSA Swimmers, Coaches, and Parents will respect the Facility property and adhere to all traffic rules and procedures of Dublin Parks & Recreation Facility.
  4. MSA Swimmers, Coaches, and Parents will refrain from any illegal or inappropriate behavior that would detract from a positive image of the MSA Team or be detrimental to its performance objectives.
  5. MSA Swimmers & Parents will display proper respect and sportsmanship toward coaches, officials, administrators, fellow competitors, and the public while at the Dublin Park & Recreation Facility, away meets and host facilities, and away meet hotels.

Implementation

  1. All MSA Team Members, Coaches, and Parents are apprised in writing of this policy. Electronic agreement of this document constitutes unconditional agreement to comply with the MSA Code of Conduct for the 2025-2026 season.
  2. MSA Executive Board Members, Coaches, Volunteers, or Dublin Parks & Recreation. Facility Personnel will not be held liable for any injury occurring as a violation of this Code of Conduct.
  3. Failure to comply with the Code of Conduct as set forth in this document for the MSA. Team may result in disciplinary action under the provisions of MSA By-Laws and Section 8, USA Swimming-OIOC Policy Manual. Such discipline may include, but is not limited to:
    1. Immediate return home.
    2. Dismissal from the team.
    3. Financial penalties.

Any appeal disciplinary action shall be in accordance with MSA By-Laws and Part Four of the USA Swimming Rules and Regulations.