MAKING THE MOST OF NOVA: A Parent's Guide

Below is a listing of things to help you make the most of the swim team experience. Hopefully, the information below will help in navigating NOVA. You may contact anyone below with additional questions.

IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION

Coaching Staff:

Business Office:  (804) 754-3401            

• Lori Hopewell - Office Administrator:                   [email protected]
• Julie Farney - Travel Coordinator & Marketing    [email protected], [email protected]
• Lynley Steadman - Accounting:                           [email protected]
• MC Banks-                                                           [email protected]

• Leslie Wenert:                                      [email protected]

Virginia Swim Shop: (804) 754-3401             www.virginiaswimshop.com

• ​Denise O'Brien - Manager                    [email protected]
•                                  Team Sales          [email protected]                              

WHO CAN ANSWER MY QUESTIONS?

• For questions that are swimming related, ask your child's coach.
• For questions that have to do with billing, fees, contracts, fundraising status, etc., contact the business office.
• For questions related to volunteer hours or signing up for jobs online, contact the NOVA Business Office.
• For questions about equipment, ask the Virginia Swim Shop.
• New families are assigned a Parent Mentor. This person is a NOVA parent who has had children in the program for a few years and has volunteered to help our new families "learn the ropes". A parent mentor is a great place to start when you have a question. However, in some cases, your parent mentor might refer you to someone else for an answer.
   

METHODS OF COMMUNICATION

• Website - novaswim.org is the landing page for all things NOVA. Click TEAM in the navigation bar to get to the Team Unify site.
• Website - The NOVA Team Unify website, novaswimteam.org, has a wealth of information posted. Information about meets, meet registration info, job sign ups, volunteer opportunities and more are available there. You need to have a sign in for the site (provided by the business office when you joined NOVA).
• Email - Your child's coach will keep you informed of specific group information via email. In addition, announcements about meet/job sign ups, billing, and timely news will all arrive in your email box. Please keep a current email address on file with the office.
• Download the OnDeck App
• Sign up for the Short Messaging System(SMS) through your account on the website. 
• FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM AND TWITTER; We also have our own YouTube Channel

WHAT YOU CAN DO ON THE TEAM UNIFY WEBSITE...

• You can sign your child up for a meet (see Registering for a Swim Meet, below).
• You can track your child's times for various races on the website. Sign in and go to "My Account" and then "My Meet Results".  You can see all of their times, or search on a particular thing - like all backstroke, or just the top times in each race.
• You can see your current invoice, as well as past payment information. Sign in and go to "My Account," then "My Invoice/Payment".
• You can see your current volunteer hours. Sign in and go to "My Account," then "My Invoice/Payment". Click on the "Service Hours" tab at the top.
• You can update contact information. Sign in and go to "My Account," then "My Account" again.
• You can learn more about your child's coach and find his/her email. Go to "About" then "Meet the Coaches".
• You can see what the various time standards are for your child's age group. Go to "Competitive Team" and then "Top Times / Time Standards QT".
• You can see top times of your child and other children their age - go to "Top Times" and then "Best Times".
• Check out FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM AND TWITTER; We also have our own YouTube Channel

YOUR ROLE AS A SWIMMING PARENT

• Let the coach do the coaching.
• Be enthusiastic, positive and supportive.
• Demonstrate good sportsmanship and set a good example.
• Attend parent meetings as needed and maintain open communication with the coach.
• Support fundraising activities.
• Complete your volunteer hour requirement.

PRACTICES 

• Parents are welcome at practices. Plan to sit in the bleachers or bring your own chair. Do not sit behind the starting blocks or at the opposite end.
• Practice changes (around holidays or school vacations, for example) will be announced on the Team Unify website and through email.
• The coach's job during practice is to coach practice. Do not try to have a conversation about your swimmer during practice time. Even after your child's practice, the coach may be getting ready for another practice group and may not have time to talk. The best way to get quality time with him or her is to make contact via email to set up a time to talk.
• Try not to distract your child during practice. The kids need to have their attention on the coach and the expectations of the practice.
• Pack something for your child to drink - water or a sports drink. It is best for them to have a bottle at the end of the lane as they won't be able to get out of the pool for a drink except at times specified by the coach. The Novice Groups take more breaks, so this may not be necessary.
• Ensure that your child has the fuel he or she needs by giving him/her a snack before practice.
• Please note that NOVA and the coaches are not responsible for your child outside of the pool area or after practice times. If children are outside, they are not being supervised.
• Work with your child to make sure he/she has all the equipment needed for the practice. If you need to purchase equipment, the Virginia Swim Shop at NOVA has everything you need. Money spent in the swim shop supports NOVA and helps keep costs down. Please check in the swim shop first for your equipment needs.
• NOVA does not follow a particular inclement weather policy. Any weather-related closures will be posted on the website. Even if practices are going on, please use your best judgment to determine whether your child can safely attend practice.
• Each swimmer progresses at his or her own level. Your child's coach will talk to you if and when he/she feels your child is ready to move to a higher practice group. There is no set timeline. Advancement happens when the right combination of skill, age and commitment comes together.