Mystic Hammerheads Handbook

Y Swim Team Program

The Ocean Community YMCA Mystic Hammerhead Swim Team is a program for children ages 6-18. Children needing extra stroke work may be asked to join the Y Progressive swim lessons program or private lessons in order to join the Hammerhead Swim Team. Y programs strive to develop a healthy lifestyle and positive experience for all those who participate. We will help your children to reach their full potential both as swimmers and as individuals.  Your responsibility to the Swim Team, the coaches, and the Y is to actively participate in the program.

 

Y Membership and Team Dues

All Hammerhead team members are required to maintain active Y memberships throughout the length of the season.  All swimmers must present their Y membership card each day upon entering the facility. Please help children to remember their cards by attaching them to their gym bag.  All Hammerheads 11 years old and younger must be escorted to the pool deck at the beginning of all practices/meets and from the pool deck after all practices and meets.  Safety of all children is our number one concern. All payments must be paid in full prior to entering the water for their first practice of the season. Financial Assistance for program fees and meet fees is available to those with a proven need. If using Financial Assistance, the first payment must be paid prior to enter the water for their first practice. A confidential application process is available by contacting the Aquatics Director.

 

Fundraising

The Parents Executive Committee has identified the need to raise additional funds throughout the season to help subsidize meet costs, awards, banquet and other special events for our swimmers throughout the season.  We welcome your ideas and participation. Our largest fundraiser is our Swim-A-Thon!

  • Swim-A-Thon Details:
    • Each swimmer will ask family and friends they are comfortable asking to donate money for each lap they swim during the practice!
    • 1 cent, 2 cents or more is normal for a by lap donation. A dollar per lap can get very expensive (100 laps would = $100), so plan accordingly!
    • Flat donations are also accepted and very much appreciated!
    • We ask that each swimmer bring their own lap counter because the coaches cannot count for everyone at once! Please plan to be at practice with your swimmer that night or having someone available to count their laps. 
    • If your swimmer is unable to attend practice on this day, swimmers can still participate in the Swim-A-Thon via flat donations.
  • Where to Donate:
    • Flat donations can be given to the Boosters at the donation table during the Swim-A-Thon
    • Checks can be made out to Mystic Hammerhead Swim Team
    • Online donations can be given through our Hammerhead Venmo account at @Mystic-Hammerheads
    • Lap count donations collected after the Swim-A-Thon can be given to the Coaches during practice 
    • All donations will go directly into our swim team account 

 

Volunteering

Parent support and involvement is vital to the success of the team.  We depend on the support and participation of 100% of the parents to make this program an excellent experience for our swimmers. The swim team experience for all swimmers and families will be enhanced greatly if everybody gets involved.  Meets are run by parent volunteers, Y staff, and the coaches. Parent participation is absolutely necessary to organize and host successful meets.  Due to swimming being a labor-intensive sport and the size of our team, we are requesting that each family volunteer in varying capacities at a minimum of two home meets and two away meets during the current season.  In order for each home meet to be a positive and successful experience, it is essential to have a minimum of 30 parent volunteers on hand.  Away meets require a minimum of 12 parent volunteers. You can volunteer in any of the following areas listed below, but not limited to:

  • Timers and Officials 
  • Concession stand during home meets
  • Meet scoring & running the meet computer (IT)
  • Fundraising & event planning
  • Meet herders
  • Swim-A-Thon

 

Parent Volunteering Requirements

In the link below you will find the requirements for new and returning parents to volunteer. Some of these documents need to be completed yearly, some only once. You will also see below which documents are required for which volunteering position during meets. 

Please fill out the volunteer survey (https://forms.gle/yJZDCxjkYjgrWPuXA). Once the survey is filled out, you will be sent the forms that need to be completed.

 

Safe Sport Act

New federal legislation for enhancing protection of our young athletes was signed into law in February 2018.  This act was created in response to revelations of abuse in USA Gymnastics and it expanded requirements for abuse prevention and reporting.  Our YMCA fully complies with this new legislation for the enhanced protection of your children. Click here to learn more.

Volunteers age 18 and older who are in a position of authority over our young athletes have additional requirements as follows:

  • Must complete a background check through the YMCA.

  • Must complete an Official Volunteer Packet.

  • Must take a short course on Safe Sport education

  • Authority figures for the Hammerhead Swim team include Booster Officers, Coaches, Meet Officials, and bullpen coordinators / chaperones.

 

Practice & Meets

Before Practice

Swimmers should arrive on deck 10 minutes prior to the start of practice. If you are going to be late please contact the coaches. Tardiness to practice is not tolerated unless otherwise specified with the coaches beforehand. Once on deck, swimmers should get their caps on and start stretching to be ready to hop in the pool. There are often other activities going on in the pool during swim team times, remember to be respectful to our fellow members in the pool and locker room areas.

 

Practice

  • Please bring a lock for your child’s valuables that are left in the locker room. The Y is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items.

  • Please bring extra goggles, caps, and water bottles.

    • Be prepared for dry lands at any time (sneakers and gym clothes).

    • Equipment bags are not mandatory, but are valuable for organizing your lane, and deck space.

  • We understand conflicts occur. Please communicate with the coaches the best you can, and remember that the more practices your swimmer attends, the better results you will see at the end of the year. Dedication is key to success in swimming.

  • If a swimmer has hair that goes past eye level, we must insist that they wear a swim cap during practice. Please speak with the coaches if there are any allergies or other issues with this policy.  

  • If you need to leave early you must bring a note to practice or parents must communicate with coaches prior to practice. Parents can pick up their swimmers on deck after they have changed. Swimmers under the age of 16 will not be released from practice without a parent/guardian at our facility.

  • If you have a weekly conflict, please speak with the coaches.

  • If you will miss a number of practices due to a vacation, let the coaches know ahead of time, and you will be provided workouts to do on your own.

  • If you are recovering from illness or injury please talk to the coaches, you may be able to do a modified workout.

  • Only swimmers who have prior coaches approval may swim up in the older practice times.

  • Please make sure that your child is picked up and dropped off on time.

  • We ask that swimmers do not get out of the pool to speak to their parents during the duration of practice unless there is an emergency. We also please ask that parents abide by this rule so our swimmers can get in a full workout without distractions. We observe the “Silent Sidelines” code of conduct and we hope that our Hammerhead parents can help us create a positive learning atmosphere for our swimmers.

 

Equipment

  • Equipment needed:

    • Good quality practice suits 

    • Swim cap(s)

    • Goggles (multiple pairs)

    • Fins

    • Reusable water bottles

  • Older swimmers may be asked to use additional equipment such as snorkels, hand paddles, and kickboards.

    • The Y will have very limited extra equipment. If you would like information on where to purchase these items, please ask the coaches.

  • Swimmers should come to practice prepared for dry land training at any time.

    • Sneakers, shorts, and a t-shirt that can be worn over their suits.

  • Having extra suits, caps, and goggles is always good in case one breaks.

  • Swim trunks or two piece swim suits are not allowed during practice or meets.

  • Team suits are for meets only and should not be worn to practice; swimmers should wear a separate practice suit for practice.

 

A team swimsuit and black team swim cap is required for all swimmers to show team unity and spirit at the meets.  We encourage that each swimmer have a hammerhead t-shirt and/or sweatshirt, so that we look like a unified team at all swim meets. Information regarding ordering of apparel will be available once practices begin.  Be sure to talk to the coaches if you have questions about the equipment your child will need.

 

Merchandise

  • Our suit vendor will provide a merchandise website multiple times throughout the season for parents to order gear for Hammerheads and family, keep an eye out for the link!

 

Y Dual Meets

All swimmers on our team compete in a series of dual meets with other Y teams. The dual meets are almost always on Saturdays; however, some may be held on Sundays. Your coach will provide you with specific arrival and warm-up times for each meet. Meet dates are subject to change and new meet information will be given to parents and swimmers as soon as possible. Your child’s attendance is very important, not only to your child, but also to the other children on the team. If you must miss a meet, please notify the coaches by the Wednesday before the meet (last minute situations need to be brought to the coaches’ attention as soon as possible).  Parents are responsible for the transportation of their child during swim meets. When attending a swim meet, the following items are needed: team suit, team cap, towels, sandals/flip flops, goggles, lock for locker, sweatshirt, extra dry clothing to keep warm (worn over swimmer’s suit), dry clothes to wear home, snacks, water, and any money you might want for the concession stand. It is recommended that swimmers have extra suit, cap, goggles, towel and clothes in case of equipment breaking and to stay warm while not in the pool.

 

Each swimmer is required to swim in at least 3 meets against teams in our League Division. Championships are mandatory. If you will not be able to attend championships, coaches must be notified BY DECEMBER 1st. Championships are what we train all year for. The coaches dedicate a lot of time and effort into the season, and in return we ask for a strong showing at our big meet. Please communicate if the dates are conflicted. Thank you in advance.

 

Meet Schedule 

 

Organization of Swim Team

Coaches

The swim team coaches will ensure that your child’s swimming experience is positive and productive. The coaches will lead the practices, prepare the meet line-ups, and provide leadership for the program.  All email communication to swimmers and parents will come from the Coaches or Aquatics Director.

  • Head Coach: Bryan Levine

  • Assistant Coach: Rachael Levine

  • Assistant Coach: Emily Little

  • Assistant Coach: Malone Revis

 

Executive Committee

 
President -  Anne Fulling ([email protected]) 
 
Vice President - Brad Sherman ([email protected])
 
Treasurer - Amy Meyer ([email protected]) 
 
Secretary -   Missy Broadbent ([email protected])
 
Coaches - Bryan Levine ( [email protected]), Rachael Levine ( [email protected]), Emily Little, Malone Revis
 

Our Executive Committee is made up of parents who meet with the Aquatics Director to discuss the needs of the swim team. These parents are also the ones who will solicit the help of other parents throughout the season to help with meets, fundraisers, and social events.

 

Swim Team Parents Booster Club

The Swim Team Parents Booster Club consists of all the parents of our Hammerhead swimmers! Our Booster Parents are committed to providing key leadership for the team and we could not run the season without every parent’s help. These individuals dedicate a tremendous amount of time and effort to the smooth operation of our team. We will be hosting Booster Meetings throughout the season, stay tuned!

 

 

Meet Computer - 
 
Meet Livestream - Matthew Meyer ([email protected])
 
Merchandise - 
 
Publicity -   Amy Meyer ([email protected]) 
 
Banquet - Lara Schrage ([email protected])
 
Team Gifts -  Laura Harrington ([email protected]) 
 
Concession Stand -  Crystal Bashore ([email protected])

 

 

Parents

Along with volunteering, we ask that our parents commit to staying updated throughout the entire season. Parents are required to stay updated with the latest emails, events and sign ups via the TeamUnify website. Please make sure to keep an eye out for signup deadlines and volunteer signups to stay in the loop.

 

Goals

Each swimmer can fill out a “goal sheet” at the beginning of the season. The coaches will keep a copy, but it will be up to the swimmer to evaluate both their long term, and short-term goals throughout the season. The coaches will meet with swimmers individually several times throughout the season to go over their short and long term goals and provide advice on how to achieve them. At least 2 goals should be swimming related, but feel free to include other goals you may have! Speaking from personal experience, I always put my goal sheet right next to my bed, or on my wall so I would see them every single day. But you are free to do whatever you would like with yours!

 

Bullying Policy

The Hammerhead swim team has a zero-tolerance policy on bullying. Once an issue is brought to the attention of the coaching staff, we will ask all swimmers involved, and their parents to attend a meeting with coaches, and Y administration. Once resolved, a probationary period will begin, and last until the end of the season. If another issue is to occur, the swimmer will be asked to leave the program. Each swimmer, and one parent or guardian will be asked to sign our bullying policy, so that everyone is privy to our expectation. A signed copy of this handbook must be submitted to the coaches prior to the swimmer beginning practice. We ask that you review this policy with your swimmer prior to signing the “contract”. Thank you in advance. 

 

Emergency Protocol

If there is an emergency on deck where the coaches or lifeguards need to attend to another patron or swimmer, our emergency plan is for swimmers to exit the water and sit down on the bleachers on deck and wait for further instruction. Swimmers must be aware that this communication to exit the water may come from the coaches, lifeguards or other YMCA staff members. We ask that parents talk to their swimmers about this protocol; coaches will also be communicating this information with swimmers at the start of the season. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

 

Swimmers

Bronze Group:
Be Kind to these swimmers- it's most likely their first time on a competitive swim team! At this level, swimmers learn and refine swimming skills and begin to compete against their peers. We expect swimmers to be able to swim freestyle (front crawl) and backstroke unassisted from one end of the pool to the other and back, be familiar the introduction of breaststroke and butterfly and be able to kick on his or her back. We will be refining all 4 strokes as well as learning how to dive from the starting blocks effectively. Bronze swimmers will practice three days per week.

Silver Groups:
It's true, these swimmers are here to have fun and compete! As
swimmers mature, the goals become a little bigger and they move into
another level of swimming. At this level swimmers still refine skills,
but training becomes more serious and is designed by coaches to get
athletes to peak performance when they are physically and mentally
prepared to do so. Silver swimmers will practice five days a week.
 

Gold 2 Group:
Responsible athletes have dedication and commitment to reach this level of the sport. They compete at higher level competitions and strive to make national times to represent their team in the New England Finals. Gold 2 swimmers will practice five days a week.

Gold 1 Group:
Our senior athletes are part of the Hammerhead swim team, but
may also compete for a high school. They treat each of their teams
with equal respect as model athletes. They continue their training
during the off seasons of their high school schedule as they work for
placement and scholarships on a college team. Middle School age swimmers may also be placed on the senior team. This level will practice five days a week and will be expected to be at all practices. This is the group everyone else will look up to, so the coaches’ expectations will be high. Swimmers will be invited to join this group by the coaching staff.

 

Practice Schedule: *Practice schedule and group assignment are subject to change due to coaches’ discretion*

  • Bronze: Monday Wednesday Friday 5-6 PM

  • Silver 2: Monday-Friday 5-6 PM
  • Silver 1: Monday-Friday 6-7 PM
  • Gold 2: Monday-Friday 6-7:30 PM
  • Gold 1: Monday-Friday 5:30-7:30 PM

 

Practice Group Pricing:

  • Bronze: $409
  • Silver: $554
  • Gold: $652
  • High School: $522

 

Communication

Y Staff

 

*Please notify the Coach and Aquatics Director if your child has any food or other allergies*

 

Social Media Information

Please feel free to follow us on Facebook & Instagram!

 

Website Information – Team Unify

 

Helpful Apps – Please download

  • Remind App – text app that allows coaches to reach parents quickly or on short notice

    • https://www.remind.com/join/h4a782

  • On Deck App – our team website in app version!

 

Weather Updates

For inclement weather updates, communication will be sent via email and text.