2014 Spring / Summer Fox Valley Wave Registration Instructions

Hello to all Fox Valley Wave families,  

Outlined below are the details surrounding the upcoming registration process for The Fox Valley Wave Swim Team for the upcoming 2014 Spring / Summer season. 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

We will continue to constrain the size of our team, both in total number as well as limits for each practice group.  This decision continues to be based on four primary concerns: 1. Pool space allotted to us by the schools and park districts, taking into account lane restrictions on some nights at NHS, 2. Coaching coverage, 3. Balance between team size and increased pool/coaching costs, 4. The increased administrative burden incurred with each additional swimmer.

The coaching staff will complete evaluation of practice group placement for each swimmer and determine any movement to different practice groups before registration opens for the upcoming season.  Practice group assignments will be posted on line prior to the start of registration.  Please note that our coaching staff has extensive experience and takes in to consideration many factors when determining practice group placement such as age, ability, attitude, but also give thought to other factors like coachability, maturity level for the workout demand, dedication to the sport, and more.  Ultimately, the coaches place the swimmers where they feel the kids will be most successful, both currently and for the future.

Practice Group Changes

The Wave will have 5 practice groups this season.  Bronze, Silver, and Gold will remain essentially the same.  Senior will be split into two groups – Senior National and Senior II.  Both Senior groups will practice at the same time and same pool – there will be a separate lead coach for each group.  We feel it is important for our older swimmers to have their peer group together as much as possible.  The main difference between the groups will be mandatory practice and a requirement of achieving a state qualifying time to be in the Senior National group.  The Senior II group will function essentially the same as in the past for the Senior group.  Group descriptions will be updated, with Senior National requirements, prior to Spring/Summer registration.

We will also be making a change to the practice times with the Bronze group.   We will be breaking out the practice schedule into two 45 minute back to back practices.  Bronze group practices will be based on ability and experience. This change will allow us offer greater focused coaching time and also make sure we can keep the kids attention through the entire practice.

Group assignments for Bronze, Silver and Gold will be posted on the web page prior to the beginning of Spring/Summer registration.  Once the minimum qualifying requirement is achieved, placement in the Senior National group and the Senior II group will be an open option for “Senior” swimmers based on their commitment level and desire.

SPRING/SUMMER FEE STRUCTURE:

Fees for the Spring Summer season will not be changing for last year.   Except for a difference being applied to the Senior National group.

Senior National: $43 per week for this season

Seniors: $39 per week for this season

Gold: $33 per week for this season

Silver: $26 per week for this season

Bronze: $23 per week for this season

FORMS TO BE INCLUDED IN REGISTRATION:

As part of the registration process, you will again be required to agree to our team code of conduct policy.  In addition, you will also be required to review and agree to our team anti-bullying policy and our team electronic communication policy.

EXPECTATIONS FOR GOLD AND SENIOR LEVELS:  

The Wave’s mission statement is that we “establish a culture of excellence which provides each swimmer the opportunity to achieve their highest goals in swimming”.  Since “culture” is created by the team and not by a few individuals, we have established practice expectations for the gold and senior groups.  It is our intention that swimmers attend every available practice, but Gold swimmers MUST attend a minimum of 4 practices/week and Senior II swimmers MUST attend a minimum of 5 practices/week.  The Senior National swimmers must commit to attend all offered practices, this is a mandatory requirement that includes dry land, all a.m. and p.m. practices.   The Wave is a competitive swim team and our resources should go to those who are committed to being their best.  Please note this is not about ability, but about commitment to the process of being your best.  Registering for the team at these levels means that the swimmer and their family intend to abide by these guidelines.

SPRING TRANSITION SESSION:

We will be offering a Spring Transition session for Gold and Senior groups from March 24th – April 10th five days a week from    4 – 5:30 p.m.   We are still confirming locations and there is a separate charge for these sessions.  Look for additional information to be coming out shortly.   

SPRING / SUMMER REGISTRATION PROCESS - opening on March 17TH, 2014:

Registration will open in phases:

March 17th through March 31st  Registration opens for:

  1. All members of The Wave Swim Team in the past year, including:
    1. Current members swimming Fall/Winter 2014
    2. Members from last Spring/Summer 2013 Session
  2. Any siblings of members registered with the team from either Spring/Summer 2013 or Fall/Winter 2013 - 2014 seasons.  We will be offering siblings a one week free trial, please sign them up through the normal registration process, but we will hold the requirement to pay their registration until after they have completed the first week of practice to make sure they are ready to join the team.  (This includes “new to the sport swimmers” as long as they meet the 25 yd freestyle and backstroke swim requirement)

To hold a spot and be approved for registration, each member’s account MUST BE in good standing.  This means that the account must not have any outstanding balance.  Fees for the state championship meets will be sent out prior to the opening of registration. Your fees can be viewed as itemized fees by signing into the “my account” tab on the left of the home page.  The total outstanding balance (not itemized) will be brought forward during the registration process if you have not paid them prior to online registering.  In summary:

  1. Each family MUST pay your outstanding balance PLUS
  2. Pay the registration fee (amounts determined by whether you choose the “paid in full option” or the “installment option”) – payment MUST be received by April 2nd.  Please account for time delay for automated payments from your bank (typically 5 days) and/or U.S. Mail (1 or 2 days).

It is each family’s responsibility to make sure they are paid in full; the April 2nd deadline for current member registration comes BEFORE you will receive a 30 days past due reminder.  Simply registering a swimmer does not hold their spot with the team, we must receive payment as described.  Please note it is not the team’s responsibility to follow up with you regarding your account standing.  On April 2nd, any registrations for which we have not received payment (any past due amount plus Fall / Winter registration) will be forfeited and invitations will be sent to those on our waiting list to fill any available spots.

April 1st – April 4th, 2014: Registration opened for invited waitlisted swimmers. Decisions for this group will be based on what is best for the team including space in the group(s), demographics and team balance.

Week of April 14th , 2014:  First week of practice for all swimmers – check practice group calendars on team web site to confirm practice dates and times. 

Attached to this e-mail for your reference is the 2014 Spring / Summer Fee Schedule.

Please contact me if you have any questions.  GO WAVE!

Kris Hackbarth-Horn
Fox Valley Wave Parent Board 
Cell – 920-858-6805  [email protected]