RGS Stingrays
Swim Team
Manual 2025-2026
Snyder Stingrays Parent Handbook
Introduction & Welcome:
Welcome to the Richard G. Snyder YMCA Campus Swim Team—we’re thrilled to have you here! Whether you're a returning family or exploring the idea of joining us, we’re excited to share our passion for swimming and community with you.
Our program is built on professional coaching, a supportive team culture, and a commitment to helping each swimmer grow in spirit, mind, and body. We strive to nurture individual potential while promoting a lif
This handbook is designed to guide you through everything you need to know about our team, our facility, and the dedicated coaching staff who will support your child’s journey. If you're new, we extend a warm welcome. If you're still considering joining, we invite you to visit a practice, meet our Aquatics Director, chat with coaches, parents, and swimmers—we’re always happy to answer questions and share what makes our team special.
Our training program is thoughtfully organized into practice groups tailored to each swimmer’s skill level, age, commitment, and peer group. This structure ensures every athlete receives quality instruction and the opportunity to thrive—both in and out of the pool.
The YMCA Mission Statement:
To put Christian principles in practice through programs that build healthy sprit, mind and body for all.
The YMCA Vision Statement:
We’re for Youth Development, For Healthy Living, For Social Responsibility
Caring for themselves and others through personal and team goals
Honesty for yourself and your capabilities
Respect for the sport, team, coaches, family, and yourself
Responsibility for your actions, good sportsmanship and team loyalty
The YMCA Competitive Swimming Objectives:
- Grow Personality. Build self-esteem and self-reliance. People who are involved in programs gain a greater sense of their own worth. They learn to treat themselves and others with respect.
- Build Character. Behave according to the core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
- Improve personal and family relationships. Learn the give-and-take necessary to work toward the common good.
- Become better leaders and supporters. Learn to care, communicate and cooperate with family and friends.
- Develop specific skills. Acquire new knowledge and ways to grow in spirit, mind and body.
- Appreciate diversity in every participant.
- HAVE FUN…ENJOY LIFE
Contact Information:
Richard G. Snyder YMCA Campus
1150 N Water Street
Kittanning, PA 16201
724-545-9622
Web Site: www.rgsymca.org
Chris King
CEO
724-545-9622
Mary Ann Lundgren
Director of Aquatics/Assistant Coach
724-545-9622
Carver Clark
RGS YMCA Head Swim Team Coach
724-545-9622
Rhylie Wolfe
RGS YMCA Swim Team Coach
724-545-9622
Ami Dimaio
RGS YMCA Swim Team Coach
724-545-9622
Communication
To keep families informed, the coaching staff and Aquatics Director will send out emails as needed with important updates. These may include details about upcoming events, swim meet locations and times, team progress, and other relevant information.
If you haven’t yet joined our email list, please speak with the Aquatics Director or a coach as soon as possible to ensure you stay in the loop.
We also encourage you to regularly visit the Richard G. Snyder YMCA Campus website and navigate to the Swim Team page for the latest meet schedules, results, announcements, and more.
Strong communication between coaches and parents is key to a successful season—and we’re committed to keeping those lines open and active.
YMCA Information
The Richard G. Snyder YMCA Campus is a non-profit, age group, competitive swim team, governed by USA swimming and NCAA rules, whose purpose is to develop skills and participation in competitive swimming.
Coaching philosophy:
Anyone who is a part of the swim team is considered a champion before we start practice or competitions. Swimmers will celebrate the goals and mission of the Y through teamwork and sportsmanship. Our emphasis will be based on enjoying swimming and for “one” to do their best while having FUN. We, as providers of a quality swim program, will dedicate ourselves to helping each and every swimmer conquer their personal goals. Goals are the starting point of success.
Everybody Swims-Everybody Wins-Everybody has FUN!
Swim Meets
Types of Meets
1. YMCA League Dual/Tri/Quad
A meet consisting of two or more teams within The Western PA Swim League. There are no entry fees for league dual meets unless your swimmer is a USA swimmer, and the meet is sanctioned. These meets will be on Saturdays or Sundays.
2. YMCA Invitational’s
An invitational meet hosted by a YMCA team. Any YMCA team that wishes to attend may compete. The order of events varies depending on the host team. These meets are longer than dual meets. Invitational meets are on Saturdays or Sundays. Entry fees are charged per event.
3. YMCA Districts/ States/Nationals
A qualifying meet for the YMCA League Championship Meet. Swimmers must qualify for the districtDistrict, State, and stateNational meet. Two sectional meets will be held in the League, and the top 20 swimmers, and the top 10 relays, will qualify for the League Championship Meet. Swimmers must compete in fourthree closed YMCA dual meets during the current season to be eligible for championships. Entry fees are charged per swimmer. Swimmers 12 and younger must attend Districts to qualify for State Championships. A meet held in March consisting of all the qualifying swimmers and teams in The Western PA Swim League YMCA Swim League. Entry fees are charged per swimmer (updated information will be provided as it becomes available).
4. USA
USA meets will be incorporated into our regular team schedule as much as possible. Any YMCA dual meet, that is USA sanctioned, will incur an event fee as per AMS/USA swimming.
How to Determine a Swimmers Age at a Meet
All YMCA meets, except Nationals, use December 1 of the current season to determine a swimmer’s age.
Examples: A swimmer that turns eleven on December 1 will swim with the 11-12 age groups through the season. A swimmer that turns eleven on December 2 will swim with the 9-10 age groups through the season. All USA meets; Age is determined by the age of the swimmer on the 1st day of the meet.
**YMCA Youth membership is required for all swim team participants. **
All fees must be paid up to date to be considered in good standing. The 2025-2026 season starts Monday, September 8, 2025, through Sunday, March 8, 2026. Any qualification of States will incur another fee at $110/100 per month.
Black $660 for the season
Orange team $600 for the season
- You can opt into a 6-month payment plan. Card must be on file and payment is deducted on the 5th of every month.
- Black team monthly payment options are available at $110 a month.
- Orange team monthly payment options are available at $ a month.
Unpaid Balance: If a swim account becomes 30 days or more past due your swimmer(s) will not be allowed to participate in swim meets, 60 days past due swimmer(s) will not be allowed to participate in practices until the balance is paid or a formal payment plan is set with the RGS YMCA. Accounts with an outstanding balance equivalent to 2 months dues or 90 days overdue will be required to take a leave of absence until the payment plan is set up or the balance is paid to prevent further accrual of fees.
The following forms are due by September 12, 2025
* Emergency Medical Forms
* Picture Release
* Swimmer Code of Conduct
* Parent Code of Conduct
Swim Team Code of Ethics:
- I respect myself as a person, my family, my Y, my team, and my community, therefore I will exemplify behavior that will build my team up not tear them down.
- I will encourage and practice good sportsmanship during practice and during meets by way of my actions and words.
- I will attend every practice and meet I can or will notify my coach if I cannot make it.
- I will listen and learn to the best of my ability while my coaches are teaching me.
- I will show respect to ALL, even if I disagree with them.
- I should have fun foremost.
- I will encourage my parents and family to be actively involved in the Stingray swim team.
- I will uphold and practice the core values of the Y.
- I will communicate my needs with all involved.
- I will share with my team my success and disappointments.
- I will respect Y property and all other facilities I visit.
- I will not endanger the safety of other swimmers.
Stingray Swim Team Code of Honor:
As a member of the Snyder Stingray swim team-
- I agree to conduct myself in a mature, courteous, responsible, respectable and exemplary manor.
- I will compete and participate in ALL my events to the best of my ability.
- I will not in any way endanger the safety of another participant.
- I understand that the use of alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs or tobacco, and the use of profanity WILL NOT be tolerated.
- I understand that failure to abide by the code of honor will result in disciplinary action.
Discipline:
Each discipline situation will be evaluated individually. The following progressive disciplinary measures will be taken, but not limited to, the rules and spirit or competition they are violated:
- Swimmer receives 2 verbal warnings.
- Swimmer sits out that activity or event for 5 minutes (but no greater than their age in minutes).
- Swimmer will be asked to leave the activity or event for the day, and parents will be notified.
- Swimmer will be denied competitive swimming privileges for one meet.
- Swimmers will be removed from the Stingray swim team.
Parent Responsibilities:
-Keep yourself abreast of your child’s activities regarding to the swim team.
-Volunteer to help run home meets, and team fund raisers.
-Be uplifting and supportive of your child throughout the whole season.
-We encourage all parents to attend competitions.
-Help your child plan, set, strive, and meet their goals.
-Be patient, just as all children develop at different speeds, swimmers do too.
-Make sure your swimmer attends practices as recommendrecommended by age group.
-The single most important thing a parent can do is to instill a strong healthy sense
of sportsmanship, character, and self-image.
-Be an Active member of Swim Team Parent Organizational Committee by attending meetings and participating on committees.
-
All Swimmers of the RGS YMCA swim team must have a parent/guardian (18 years or older) present with them at all times during home meets, away meets, invitationals and any championship meets. NO EXCEPTIONS!
Sickness Policy
Please make sure to adhere to these guidelines to prevent the spread of illness to other swimmers.
• If your child has a fever, upper respiratory cough, or severe sore throat, he/she should not swim in the pool. This includes COVID and COVID like symptoms.
• If your child is too sick to go to school, he/she should not come to practice.
• If your child has a confirmed viral infection, please notify the coaches immediately, and keep the child home until he/she is no longer contagious.
Time, Talent, Treasure
We encourage every swimmer to attend and participate in swim meets; however, it is not mandatory. We ask that the swimmers and their families let us know in advance if they do not wish to participate competitively. As a parent, a great way to show support, love, and care for your child is by volunteering. You may be called upon to help and our expectation is that ALL parents help to make their children’s activities a success. Helping is a fun and interactive way of getting involved.
Banquet
We will plan an end of the year award banquet for all who participated in the swim team. This is fun for the whole family and usually consists of a potluck and awards ceremony. More information will follow on a later date.
The Strokes
- Freestyle- In freestyle the swimmer may swim any stroke he or she desires. The usual stroke is the front crawl. This stroke is characterized by alternating paddle wheel motion and an over hand motion of the arms with a propellant kick that moves accordance to the arm movements.
- Backstroke- The backstroke swimmer must stay on his or her back the entire race. The stroke is signified by an alternating motion of the arms being face up in the water. The kick is a flutter kick. Swimmers must also surface 15 yards after the start of the race.
- Breaststroke- Considered one of the most difficult strokes to execute and master, the breaststroke requires symmetry and the simultaneous movements of the arms on the same horizontal plane. The hands are pushed forward from the breast on or under the surface of the water and brought backward to the shoulder level and repeated. Each side of the body should mirror one another with no alternating movement; the kick is a simultaneous thrust of the legs called a frog or whip kick. No flutter or dolphin kick is allowed. The head must break the surface of the water. At each turn, a swimmer must touch with both hands at the same time.
- Butterfly-Considered one of the most physically demanding strokes and is executed by symmetry as well. This stroke requires the overhead stroke of the arms at the same time combined with a dolphin kick. Touch must be at the same time with both hands at the turns and finish. The butterfly stroke was developed in the 1950’s as a byproduct of loop holes in the breaststroke rules.
- Individual Medley- The individual medley, commonly referred to as the IM, features all four competitive swimming strokes. In the IM, a swimmer begins with the butterfly, changes to back stroke, then breaststroke and finally finishes with the freestyles (free can be anything but the previous).
- Relay – In the medley relay, four different swimmers swim all four strokes. No swimmer may swim more than one leg of the relay. The medley relay is swum in 25 and 50 yard per person relays. Medley relay starts with back stroke, breaststroke, to butterfly and ends in a freestyle leg.
Equipment Needs:
Practice Suit – This is a suit worn during practice sessions. These are typically made of nylon or polyester. The suit should be loose fitting and of the competitive style. We encourage swimmers not to wear their team suit or meet suit to practice. We want to look sharp, so we want those suits to stay in good condition. Make sure to rinse your suits with clean tap water after practice to reduce the level of chlorine that deteriorates your suits.
Competition Suit – A team racing suit is recommended for each swimmer that is competing but not mandatory. This suit is supposed to be tighter than the practice suit to reduce resistance and increase the glide through the water. See the above recommendations for caring for your suit. It is the parent’s responsibility to purchase their own child’s swimsuits.
Cap – Swimmers should have a latex or silicone cap for practice and meets. Team caps are also available for purchase. RGS YMCA team caps must be worn for all YMCA/USA meets.
Kickboard & Pull Buoy – Swimmers should bring these items to every practices. Snorkels are welcomed for practice but not mandatory.
Sweats – Some type of warm up sweat suit should be worn at meets and to and from practice during wintry weather. We do recommend having warm clothing as the evaporation of water off one’s body will cause a chill for your child. Muscles may also tighten rendering the child less flexible for the next event.
Team Clothing – We will try to coordinate an order form for team clothing so that you might show your team spirit and support for the Stingrays.
Goggles – We encourage every swimmer to invest in a nice pair of comfortable goggles, take care of them and try to keep tabs on them. Goggles are available in diverse types, colors and cost. Make sure you take into consideration the shape of your swimmer’s eyes prior to purchasing goggles. Round goggles tend to work better with round eyes and oval goggles work well with oval eye sockets. Just pay attention to the shape of the eye and your swimmer will be safe and comfortable.
Water Bottle – Bring a plastic water bottle to practice ensuring you stay properly hydrated during your practice. It is the responsibility of each swimmer to remove their water bottles from the pool deck after each practice.
Towels – Swimmers typically prefer large thick towels, but of course any regular towels will work. We recommend bringing several towels to practice and competitions.
- All this equipment can be purchased through local sporting goods stores and also at swimoutlet.com
Meet Times
Make sure that you arrive at the designated swim meet location on time. This time should be specified by your coach prior to the meet, so listen in practice for directions. The Stingrays will have a warm-up time prior to the meet start time, so if the meet starts at 1:00 PM, don’t show up at 12:50 PM. Once again, make sure you pay attention in your practice sessions for the times that warm-up or team meetings will take place.
RGS STINGRAY PARENTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The RGS Stingray Parents Advisory Committee is organized into eight specialized committees, each led by a designated chairperson. These chairs will meet monthly to collaborate, share updates, and guide team initiatives.
This advisory group works in close partnership with both the RGS YMCA Aquatics Director and the RGS YMCA Board Aquatics Committee. Insights and recommendations from the committee chairs will inform a monthly Aquatics Committee Report, which is presented at each YMCA board meeting.
These eight committee chairs form the core leadership team, responsible for shaping and submitting recommendations from the Parents Advisory Committee to the Aquatics Committee.
To ensure strong parent involvement, each Stingray swim team family is expected to have at least one parent actively serving on a committee. Families are welcome—and encouraged—to participate in more than one area if they wish.
Below, you’ll find a list of the committees and their respective responsibilities.
Please note: All RGS Stingray gear, apparel, and promotional items must be approved by the Aquatics Director prior to production or distribution.
Committees:
- Meet: This group will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following meet duties for any home dual meets***, any invitationals/championship meets that the team hosts, and will work closely with the Aquatic Director and or coaches to ensure proper support and success of said meets;
- Set-up
- Officials Coordinator: Recruits new team official, helps maintain certifications and schedules officiating for the meets
- Volunteer sign ups
- Volunteers for championship meets (securing RGS parent volunteers for championship meets)
***Dual meets demand the volunteering of every family to host a successful meet.
- Concessions: The committee is responsible for but not limited to the follow concessions duties;
- Food donations
- Food purchase
- Concession Volunteers
- Clean up and Storage
- Team Fundraising: This committee is responsible for any and all team fundraising listed, but not limited to, the options that follows;
- Swim-a-thon
- All fundraisers: ex. Popcorn, Candy Bars, Hoagies, Pizza, etc.
- Team Unify yearly cost
- Banquet: this committee will work together to host a successful year end banquet. Their responsibilities include but are not limited to;
- Awards
- Gifts
- Food
- Decorations
- Setup/Clean up.
- Entertainment
- Team Building: This committee is responsible for the organization of various fun night activities with food and games for swimmers and families.
- Monthly
- Holiday
- Championship Meets: This committee is responsible for any planning of extracurricular activities that RGS YMCA Stingrays hold during any championship meets.
- Organize Team Dinner
- Accommodations
- Team Unify: Helping the team to maintain and update Team Unify platform. This committee will be responsible for, while working closely with the Aquatic Director and or coaches the following duties.
- Maintenance
- Media
- Outreach/Media:
- Incorporating the RGS Stingrays into the community
- Charitable Donations/drives
- Any media outlet
- Incorporating the RGS Stingrays into the community
i. Leader Times, Valley News
