MURWILLUMBAH SWIMMING CLUB

Transcription

1 MURWILLUMBAH SWIMMING CLUB CLUB HANDBOOK

2 Index A Message from the Committee... 1 Club nights general information... 2 Registration fees... 3 Signing-on each week... 3 Club Program of Events... 4 How does the Point Score system work?... 6 How do I move to a different division?... 6 Carnival Information... 7 Junior Excellence & Youth Performance Criteria... 8 Area Development Squad Criteria... 8 Club Championships... 9 Club Championship Records Presentation Night Trophies and Awards Club Captains Club Constitution, Rules and Policies Management Committee Meetings Newsletters Noticeboard Website & s Contact Details Fund Raising Club Clothing Guide for Parents Behavioural Guidelines Variation to Club Handbook Swimming Rules Swimwear Rules Swimming Stroke Correction Form Weekly Progress Sheet Sponsorship opportunities Acknowledgement of support & sponsorship Page

3 A Message from the Committee Welcome to the swimming season! If you need any advice, information or assistance on any Club matter, please come and talk to one of the Club Committee at any time. Your Club Committee members for are: PRESIDENT & PUBLIC OFFICER: Mary-Ann Thackray SECRETARY Nicole Morris REGISTRAR: Mary-Ann Thackray TREASURER: Brad Bendl RACE SECRETARY: Sonia Greasley COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Debbie Gregg Lynette Bendl Louise Stanley Karen Gregg Kylie Freeman Deb Carney Mandy Liebetanz Special Duties RACE RECORDER: Sonia Greasley STARTER & ANNOUNCER: Michael Gregg & Anthony Carney REFEREE: Debbie Gregg MARSHALL: Louise Stanley/Nicole Morris/Karen Gregg CHIEF TIMEKEEPER: Brad Bendl POOL RESCUE CO-ORDINATOR Kylie Freeman CARNIVAL CONVENER: NORTH COAST REPRESENTATIVE: ALEC CONVENER: CLUB WEBSITE: CLUB Mary-Ann Thackray Debbie Gregg Debbie Gregg Murwillumbah Swimming Club meets each Friday night with sign-on between 5:15 5:45 each Friday night. Sign-on will finish at 5:50 allowing time for the night s program to be printed and the first race will be as close to 6 pm as possible. The Club can only be as strong as its members, especially in the form of parent helpers. We look forward to your support, suggestions and volunteering for various tasks on each Club night. Don t forget that the Committee is here to try and guide the Club in the direction the members wish it to go. Please do not hesitate to contact one of us if you have any suggestions on how we can improve our club. 1

4 CLUB NIGHTS GENERAL INFORMATION Club competition will be held in the 50m outdoor pool throughout the summer season. Swimming Club meets each Friday night except for 5-6 weeks over the Christmas holidays. Swimming commences at 6 pm sharp and we ask that everyone be at the pool to sign-on between 5:15 5:45 each Friday night. We know that it is hard sometimes to get to the pool by 5:45, so if you are running late, please call or text Mary-Ann on or Sonia on and we will sign you on. We need to know swimmer s names and the events that your children want to swim in. All children must wait within hearing distance of the marshalling area. This enables the night s program to run smoothly and efficiently. If a child is missing when their race is called, then they will miss out on that swim and points. All other pools in the complex are CLOSED to swimming club children. Club nights are smoke free as per NSW Swimming-Sport for Kids Policy Alcohol is not permitted on club nights. Swimmers are encouraged to improve their times against the clock. To achieve this, the swimmers are awarded points when they improve their time. This is called their PB-Personal Best. Points are awarded to swimmers each week for participation and improvement. These points go towards overall point score and trophies are presented at the end of the season for point score in each division and overall. This point score is separate from the Club championships. From time to time, the meet will include a 100, 200 or 400 metre time trial event or pool rescue events. These events will not be included in the Pointscore. Weekly results will be posted on the notice board the following Friday and will indicate when a swimmer has been moved to a different division. All club nights will go ahead regardless of weather except in the case of thunder storms. The final decision to cancel the night is a TRAC management decision which will be made by 6 pm where possible. Parents and swimmers must abide by the general rules of the Tweed Regional Aquatic Centre (TRAC). A copy of these rules is available from TRAC reception for your review if requested. Entry fees for TRAC are separate to Club membership. Following are the entry fees to TRAC on Club nights as at 1 October 2015: Families or individuals with a current entry membership are able to enter as per membership terms (no additional cost). Families or individuals (competitors & spectators) with a current squad pass will be able to enter for $3.00. All other swimmers and spectators who do not hold a membership or squad pass will be charged $3.00. Squad members attending a squad session prior to swim club will not be charged an additional entry fee. It is expected that parents accompanying their children to these swim squad sessions would need to pay the $3.00 spectator charge. Any queries regarding entry to the pool should be discussed with pool management. Parents are required to remain at the pool with their children throughout the duration of each club night. Parents and caregivers are reminded that your children are the responsibility of their accompanying adult. 2

5 REGISTRATION FEES Registration fees are due to be paid in full within two weeks of registration. Fees for are as follows: 1 st child - $95 2 nd child - $92 3 rd child - $90 4 th & 5 th child - $90 Where does your registration fee go? Swimming New South Wales & Swimming Australia $59.00 Individual swimmer National and State registration & insurance. North Coast Swimming Association $4.00 Individual swimmer Regional registration this fee allows our swimmers to be registered for and compete at non-championship and championship carnivals in our region. Murwillumbah Swimming Club $32.00 Covers local Club costs & overheads including the Club s registrations and affiliation fees for the above state and regional bodies. A 1.5% transaction fee is charged in addition to your membership fee. A trial First Year Membership for swimmers 5 & under has been introduced by Murwillumbah Swimming Club for the season. A swimmer aged 5 &under is eligible for FREE membership of Murwillumbah Swimming Club. This membership does NOT include entry fees to the pool each week. Your child must be 5 & under on the day of registration. Please speak to Registrar Mary-Ann if you are interested in this membership. This registration type only applies for 1 st year membership; not continuing members. A separate registration fee of $15.00 is payable if you want to register with NSW Royal Life Saving Society for pool rescue competition. This registration is only required for those swimmers who want to compete in pool rescue competitions. SIGNING-ON EACH WEEK All swimmers need to sign on every Friday night. Signing on lets us know that you are here and ready to compete. If you are not signed on, your name will not be on the race sheets. We ask that everyone be here to sign-on between 5:15 5:45 each Friday night. Sign-on will finish at 5:50 allowing time for the night s program to be printed and the first race will be as close to 6 pm as possible. We ask that children are ready to marshal for the first events by 5:50 pm. Marshalling takes place in the area near the main life guard station. KIDS don t forget Check the notice board each week to see which division you are in & to see what s on the program for the night. Decide which events you want to swim in. Line up in the sign-on area (this year located at the gym outside door) and give your name to Sonia at the computer. She will check which events you want to swim in and that s it you re signed on for the night. Remember you have to sign on every week. Keep an eye on the other races and try and get to the marshalling area before your event is called out. Our starter will also announce which Division needs to come to the marshalling area so listen carefully. Come to the marshalling area and stand or sit quietly. When your name is called out, sit on the seat where indicated. As your name is called, you will be told what lane you are swimming in, so listen carefully. If you miss marshalling, you might miss your race! 3

6 PROGRAM OF EVENTS summer season Friday 9 October Division 3 25 free/25 back/25 fly/25 breast (Week 1) Division 2 50 free /50 back/50 fly/50 breast Division 1 50 free/50 back/50 fly/50 breast Friday 16 October Division 3 25 free/25 back/25 breast (Week 2) Division 2 50 free/50 back/50 breast Division 1 50 free/50 back/50 breast Time trial event 100 free/fly/breast/back choose 1 Friday 23 October Division 3 25 free/25 fly/25 breast (Week 3) Division 2 50 free/50 fly / 50 breast Division 1 50 free/50 fly / 50 breast Pool rescue event Friday 30 October Division 3 25 free/25 back/25 fly (Week 4) Division 2 50 free/50 back/50 fly QUALIFYING NIGHT* Division 1 50 free/50 back/50 fly Additional events Time trial 400 free/im choose 1 Time trial 200 free/back/breast/fly choose 1 Friday 6 November Division 3 25 or 50 free/25 breast/50 IM (Week 5) Division 2 50 or 100 free/50 breast/100 or 200 IM Bonus points for Division 1 50 or 100 free/50 breast/200 IM double distance freestyle Pool rescue event Friday 13 November Division 3 25 or 50 free/25 fly/25 back (Week 6) Division 2 50 or 100 free/50 fly/50 back QUALIFYING NIGHT * Division or 200 free/50 fly/50 back Additional events Time trial 800 free Time trial 200 free/back/breast/fly choose 1 Friday 20 November Division 3 25 free/25 breast/25 fly (Week 7) Division 2 50 free/50 breast/50 fly Division 1 50 free/50 breast/50 fly Pool rescue event Friday 27 November Division IM / 50 free/50 fly (Week 8) Division or 200 IM /50 free/50 fly Division 3 50 IM/50 free/25 fly Time trial event 100 free/fly/back/breast choose 1 Friday 4 December Pool rescue & relays No Point score (Week 9) Attendance point for Club or Championship attendance Saturday 5 December & Sunday 6 December North Coast Championships held at Coffs Harbour (2 days) Friday 11 December Division 3 25 free/50 IM/25 back (Week 10) Division 2 50 free/100 or 200 IM/50 back Division 1 50 free/200 IM/50 back Friday 18 December Division 3 25 free + pool rescue & relay events (Week 11) Division 2 50 free + pool rescue & relay events Division 1 50 free + pool rescue & relay events Break for Christmas/school holidays 4

7 Program of Events summer season (continued) Saturday 9 January & Sunday 10 January NSW Country Regional Championships Friday 29 January First night back after school holiday break (Week 12) Division 3 25 free/25 back/25 fly/25 breast Division 2 50 free/50 back/50 fly/50 breast Division 1 50 free/50 back/50 fly/50 breast Time trial event 100 free/back/breast/fly choose 1 Friday 5 February Division 3 25 or 50 free/25 breast/25 back (Week 13) Division 2 50 or 100 free/50 breast/50 back Bonus points for Division 1 50 or 100 free/50 breast/50 back Double Distance Free Pool rescue event Friday 12 February No swimming club competition tonight carnival preparation Saturday 13 February CARNIVAL Murwillumbah Qualifying Carnival Friday 19 February Division 3 25 free/25 back/25 fly/25 breast (Week 14) Division 2 50 free/50 back/25 fly/25 breast Division 1 50 free/50 back/25 fly/25 breast Time trial event 200 free/back/breast/fly - choose 1 Friday 26 February Division 3 25 free/25 breast/50 IM (Week 15) Division 2 50 free/50 breast/100 or 200 IM Division 1 50 free/50 breast/200 IM Pool rescue event Sunday 28 February 2016 CLUB AGE CHAMPIONSHIPS Friday 4 March Division 3 25 or 50 free/25 back/25 fly (Week 16) Division 2 50 or 100 free/50 back/50 fly Bonus points for Division 1 50 or 100 free/50 back/50 fly Double Distance Free Friday 11 March Division 3 25 free/25 breast/25 back/25 fly (Week 17) Division 2 50 free/50 breast/25 back/25 fly Division 1 50 free/50 breast/25 back/25 fly Pool rescue event Friday 18 March Last Point score night for the season (Week 18) Division 3 25 free/25 breast/25 back/25 fly Division 2 50 free/50 breast/25 back/25 fly Division 1 50 free/50 breast/25 back/25 fly Friday 25 March Friday 1 April Easter Weekend AGM & Club Presentation Night (to be confirmed) Please note: This program is subject to change without notice. Club Championships dates and times to be confirmed. Club Presentation Night and Annual General Meeting dates to be confirmed. *Qualifying Nights: Please note that, for our normal club point score, the 200, 400 and 800 m events will be considered time trial events and therefore not count towards point score. The 25 & 50 metre standard events will all count towards point score. 5

8 How does the Point Score System work? It s not important whether you win the race. The important thing is your PB. All swimmers are grouped into races against other swimmers with similar times and ability. Points are allocated for every swim and more points are awarded for PBs. PB stands for PERSONAL BEST and this is something that all athletes and swimmers are always aiming to better. Points are allocated as follows: 2 points for coming within 2 seconds of your PB 3 points for coming within 1 second of your PB 4 points for equaling your PB 5 points for improving your PB Points are NOT awarded for where you come in a race. Please remember that to gain the maximum points there is a minimum standard required you must be using the correct stroke. How do I move to a different division? Promotion times are as follows: To move from Division 3 to Division 2 you need to swim in 25 metres freestyle seconds or less 25 metres breaststroke seconds or less 25 metres backstroke seconds or less 25 metres butterfly seconds or less To move from Division 2 to Division 1 you need to swim in 50 metres freestyle seconds or less 50 metres breaststroke seconds or less 50 metres backstroke seconds or less 50 metres butterfly seconds or less 6

9 CARNIVAL INFORMATION All carnival dates & relevant information is available on the North Coast Swimming website at Carnival details will also be posted on the notice board. We will endeavour to advise all members of the details of these events as far in advance as possible via and a notice on the Club Notice Board. If you want to nominate to attend a carnival, please speak to our Carnival Convener and complete a carnival nomination. In order to allow time for internal administration of nominations, the Carnival Convener will generally close nominations the Friday before the closing date advised by the hosting Club. In all cases, this date will be clearly communicated to members. All entry fees must be paid prior to the closing date. When completing a carnival entry, all swimmers are required to include name, date of birth, Swimming NSW registration number, event number, distance, stroke and entry/qualifying times, and in specified instances details of where qualifying times have been achieved. When ing entry information to the Carnival Convener, please ensure that all these details are included and include a payment reference. If you are unable to provide entry details by , please complete a carnival entry form for each swimmer and hand to Carnival Convener the Friday night before entries close. These entry forms are available from the Club s Information Desk on Friday nights. Payment for carnivals should be made prior to each carnival. Payments should be made by EFT to the Murwillumbah Swimming Club bank account at Southern Cross Credit Union. Account details are: BSB: Account No: Please include details of swimmer name & relevant carnival date in your description when depositing funds electronically. If paying by cash or cheque, please pay at Club Information Desk no later than the Friday before the nominated carnival. Cheques should be made payable to Murwillumbah Swimming Club. All carnival nominations must be submitted through the Club. Carnival nominations and confirmation of payment of entry fees should be ed to the Carnival Convener. address for all carnival entries is murwillumbahswimmingclub@gmail.com. Please do not send your entries directly to another Club. All members are requested to wear Club caps and shirts when representing Murwillumbah Swim Club at carnivals. If you are attending carnivals in Queensland, we remind you that you are required to obtain interstate clearance from Swimming NSW for each carnival. Forms are available at the Club Information Desk. The Club accepts no responsibility whatsoever for nominations which are not processed correctly as a result of incorrect processes being adopted by swimmers or their parents. Nominations received without full payment will be not processed. 7

10 JUNIOR EXCELLENCE & YOUTH PERFORMANCE CRITERIA Junior Excellence Program The Australian Junior Excellence Program (JX) run by Swimming Australia recognises rewards and encourages junior swimmers who, through their development of aquatic skills and fitness, achieve a high standard of swimming excellence. Under the Program, swimmers aged from 9 to 16 years who accomplish times set by Swimming Australia qualify at Gold, Silver, Bronze or Green standard, depending on their best performance/s during the season. Australia is one of the top swimming nations in the world and by achieving the Green, Bronze, Silver or Gold JX standard, junior swimmers are on the pathway to international success. For criteria and qualifying times for JX, visit the Swimming Australia website at and click on Community Swimming tab. Information is also available at the Swimming NSW website Details are also available on the TRAC noticeboard. AREA DEVELOPMENT SQUADS SELECTION CRITERIA Source: North Coast Swimming Association Lyn Connell is the Development Officer for Swimming NSW in the North Coast area. Her address is lyn.connell@nsw.swimming.org.au. Please check the Swimming North Coast website for all details regarding Area Development. 8

11 CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS The Club championships are the culmination of the years swimming calendar. It is the one time in the Club that swimmers compete against their own age group. The Club championships are for a separate set of awards to the regular point score competition. The Club championships may be used as a qualifying meet. 1. The club championships are held for both boys and girls, in age groups and may include Open boys and girls champion. 2. Swimmers must be first claim financial members of the club to be eligible to compete. Second claim members are eligible to swim at the championships as a guest only. Second claim members are not eligible to claim records at the championships. 3. A competitor must have completed at least nine club nights prior to the end of the club season to be eligible for championship points. A person who has not completed the required number of club nights will not receive any championship points. If a person has competed on less occasions with good reason, a request in writing may be submitted to the Committee, together with any relevant documentation, e.g. a medical certificate, for special consideration. 4. Swimmers may only compete in their own age group. 5. The age of a swimmer on the first day of the championships determines what age category a person competes in. 6. FINA rules apply to all Club Championships. 7. Swimmers must nominate for events prior to the Championships. Nominations will close one week before the first Championship date. 8. Requests for pre-swimming events for Club Championships will be considered for other swimming commitments only (e.g. school representative swimming). No other requests will be considered. 9. Pre-swimming will take place the week before championships commence. Pre-swimming will be conducted in age groups as per Championship program. No pacer swimmers will be allowed. Rules regarding rests between swims will be as per SAL rules. 10. Swimmers must compete in a minimum of three (3) championship events to be eligible for championship points. 11. In accordance with Swimming NSW protest rules, any Protest must be submitted to the Referee in writing within thirty (30) minutes of the conclusion of the championship event together with a deposit of $ A protest relating to a disqualification of a swimmer must be lodged within thirty (30) minutes of the time of advice to swimmer of the disqualification by the announcer or the posting of results of the event disclosing such disqualification. 12. The results from Championships will be posted on the SAL Results database upon completion of the Championships. 13. Dates for the Club Championships each year are subject to change without notice due to the fact that school representative swimming dates are unknown at time of publication of this Handbook. CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP RECORDS The Club championship records will be available to view on the notice board closer to the championship dates and on the Club website. If you would like to know more about the club swimming records, please speak to one of the Committee members and we can explain what is required if you want to have a go at breaking any of the records. 9

12 PRESENTATION NIGHT TROPHIES AND AWARDS At the end of the season an Annual Presentation Night is held at a suitable venue. This is a special evening in which the efforts of ALL swimmers are acknowledged. On the evening a range of specific awards are made and perpetual trophies are presented. These are as follows: Age Champions - 6 years & under to Open Point Score All Divisions Overall Point Score Girls & Boys Most Improved - Awarded for the most PBs in the season Junior Club Person - This award is voted on by the Committee. It is for the Club member, aged 18 & under, who has the following qualities - they consistently present themselves to all members and parents of the Club in a friendly, pleasant manner; they are always willing to help out on Club nights as well as striving to always do their best in the pool. Senior Club Person - This award is voted on by the Committee and is an award that is generally given to an adult who has given freely of their time each week both on Friday evenings and whenever else required to ensure that MSC continues to operate. Junior Swimmer Encouragement Award - This award was introduced in 2009/2010 and is voted on by Committee. Awarded to a junior club member 12 years and under who has competed consistently at Club and North Coast carnivals. 10

13 CLUB CAPTAINS Our Club Captains for are: Hayley Bendl & Jared Carney Each year we vote for new Club Captains. There will be two* captains chosen from all swimmers aged 13 and over. Captains will be voted in by the whole Club. (*The number of captains may vary from year to year at the discretion of the Management Committee). Since 2014 there has been a change in the process for voting for Club Captains. Nominations will be sought in March and our Captains for the following season will be announced at our Annual Presentation in April/ May. You can nominate yourself for this position. A nomination box will be placed on the sign-on desk where you can place your nomination. You will need to write a small paragraph on why you would like to become a Club captain. Voting will be by secret ballot and we encourage all swimmers to vote. Responsibilities of the Club Captains include helping on club nights with marshalling, selling raffle tickets & club shirts, presenting certificates and awards as required and encouraging our younger swimmers. This is a great opportunity for young people to have an experience of leadership. Past Club Captains: Ebony Morris & Tiani Freeman Kelsey Noble & Jake Vickery Ebony Morris, Dana Vickery & Conor Greasley Marnie Booth & Nick Myler Fiona Stanley & Lewis Warne Amber Murray & Fletcher Budd Brianna Greasley & Dane Gregg Madeline Carroll & Jodie Cantrill If you have any questions or are interested in becoming Club Captain, please see our Committee for more information. CLUB CONSTITUTION, RULES AND POLICIES The Club Constitution, Rules and Policies as approved and amended from time to time are available for inspection upon request and will be placed on the web site or otherwise communicated to members. All members of Murwillumbah Swimming Club are to comply with all relevant laws, rules, policies, procedures and requirements as outlined by North Coast Swimming Association, Swimming New South Wales and Swimming Australia. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETINGS Management Committee Meetings will be held regularly throughout the season on the 1 st Tuesday of the month. These meetings will be to co- ordinate the effective running of the Club and ensure that all information and opportunities for the Club are examined and shared with the wider membership if the Committee regards them to be beneficial or necessary for the Club. NEWSLETTERS Newsletters will be distributed regularly by throughout the season and will contain important information on upcoming meets, results from previous meets, details on fundraising efforts as well as general information and reminders. Further information can be obtained from our website and notice board. 11

14 NOTICE BOARD The Notice Board at the pool is used to display upcoming events, meet results, meeting dates/agendas and other relevant Club information. Please check the notice board on a regular basis to keep up to date with Club happenings. WEBSITE, S, SMS AND FACEBOOK In the fast moving world we live in, we often find ourselves with not enough hours in the day. For this reason, the Management Committee uses our website, s, SMS and facebook to keep everyone up to date with what s happening in the Club. Please check your inbox regularly for any information/updates. Newsletters, meeting notices and carnival information will be placed on the website and notice board as well as being sent to members via as appropriate. The website also has sections covering documents, fact sheets, club information as well as links to sites related to swimming. If you have any suggestions relating to the website, please contact a member of the Management Committee. The Club website is CONTACT DETAILS Please ensure that the Club has up to date contact details including address for all members. You can provide this information by ing the details to murwillumbahswimmingclub@gmail.com or by logging onto the Swimming NSW website and updating the details through the Members Portal. If you do not have your user name and password for the Members Portal, please contact Mary-Ann Thackray and details will be ed to you. We recommend that all members review the details on the Members Portal and edit details for any changes to details. You may also like to update your user name and password to be more meaningful to you. FUND RAISING Each week a raffle is held during the Club meet to assist with fundraising for the Club. CLUB CLOTHING Murwillumbah Swimming Club caps and shirts are available to purchase. Club Shirt prices for 2015/2016 are: $15 for a swimmer and $20 for a non-swimmer Club Hoodies are also available in limited sizes - $25 (plain) Orders for personalised hoodies will be arranged from time to time (price will depend on numbers ordered). Club Caps are available for $12 each or 2 for $20. Personalised Club caps will be ordered from time to time when there is sufficient interest as a minimum order is required. Personalised caps are $16 each (minimum 2 per family order). Please speak to one of our Committee for assistance with the purchase of all Club clothing. 12

15 GUIDE FOR PARENTS (From the Australian Sports Coach Journal) DO DON T Congratulate your child when they swim; Encourage your child when they don t swim well; Provide them with the necessary transportation to train and compete; Adjust meal times to suit the child s training schedule; Show an interest in your child s swimming by maintaining knowledge of their race times; Allow your child to make all decisions regarding their participation in competitive swimming; Support your child s efforts through attending swim meets and carnivals; Provide your child with the necessary financial support required for training & competing; Be aware of your child s feelings (e.g. tiredness, nervousness, self esteem levels) and show them, through your actions, that you are aware of these; and Be willing to make personal sacrifices with no return expectation. Judge your child by his/her achievements; Put down your child s coach-if you cannot support the coach, find one that you can; Prevent your child developing other interests and attending activities outside swimming; Show disappointment after your child has a poor swim; Criticize good or bad performances (the coach will do that); Compare your child to other swimmers; Push your child to train harder; Put pressure on your child while he or she is preparing to race; or Push your child to excel. (it must come from within for lasting satisfaction). BEHAVIOURAL GUIDELINES (from Swimming Australia Behavioural Guidelines) Parent/Guardian Behavioural Guidelines 1. Abide by the General Behavioural Guidelines; 2. Encourage children to participate in sport for their individual enjoyment, personal satisfaction and improvement; 3. Focus on the child s efforts and performance rather than winning or losing; 4. Encourage your child to abide by the rules and accept judgements made by officials; 5. Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or performing below expectations; 6. Be an example to your child and others. Appreciate good performance by all participants; 7. Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from the sporting environment; 8. Show appreciation and respect for all people involved in your child s swimming; and 9. Respect the rights, dignity, and worth of all participants, regardless of their gender, ability, ethnicity, cultural background or religion. 13

16 Competitor Behavioural Guidelines 1. Abide by the General Behavioural Guidelines; 2. Follow the rules of Swimming Australia at all times; 3. Give your best at all times; 4. Never argue with an official. Use the appropriate rules and guidelines to resolve a dispute; 5. Control your temper. Verbal or physical abuse is not acceptable; 6. Work equally hard for yourself and /or you team; 7. Be a good sport. Applaud good performances whether they are made by your team or the oppositions; 8. Treat all swimming participants as you would like to be treated. Do not bully, or take unfair advantage of another competitor; 9. Cooperate with your coaches, team mates and opponents, management, event staff and officials; 10. Participate for your own enjoyment and benefit, not to satisfy the expectations of others; and 11. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of their gender, ability, ethnicity, cultural background or religion. Spectator Behavioural Guidelines 1. Abide by the General Behavioural Guidelines; 2. Remember that people participate in sport for their enjoyment and benefit and not yours; 3. Applaud good performance and efforts from all individuals and teams. Congratulate all participants on their performance regardless of the outcome; 4. Respect officials decisions and teach participants to do likewise; 5. Never ridicule or scold an athlete for making a mistake. Positive comments are motivational; 6. Reject the use of violence in any form, whether it is by spectators, coaches, officials, or competitors; 7. Show respect for all athletes. Without them there would be no competition; 8. Encourage competitors to follow the rules and the officials decisions; 9. Do not use foul language, sledge or harass other competitors, coaches or officials; and 10. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion. VARIATION TO CLUB HANDBOOK The Management Committee reserves the right to vary the contents of this handbook as considered appropriate as a result of error, omission or the development of changed circumstances. Such changes will be communicated to Club Members. This version is correct at 9 October

17 SWIMMING RULES Source: Swimming New South Wales Swimming Rules October 2013 SW 4 SW 4.1 SW 4.2 SW 4.3 SW 4.4 SW 5 SW 5.1 SW 5.2 SW 5.3 SW 6 SW 6.1 SW 6.2 SW 6.3 SW 6.4 SW 6.5 SW 7 SW 7.1 THE START The start in Freestyle, Breaststroke, Butterfly and Individual Medley races shall be with a dive. On the long whistle (SW 2.1.5) from the Referee the swimmers shall step onto the starting platform and remain there. On the Starter's command "Take your marks", they shall immediately take up a starting position with at least one foot at the front of the starting platforms. The position of the hands is not relevant. When all swimmers are stationary, the Starter shall give the starting signal. The start in Backstroke and Medley Relay races shall be from the water. At the referee's first long whistle (SW 2.1.5), the swimmers shall immediately enter the water. At the Referee's second long whistle the swimmers shall return without undue delay to the starting position (SW 6.1). When all swimmers have assumed their starting positions, the starter shall give the command "Take your marks". When all swimmers are stationary, the starter shall give the starting signal. In Olympic Games, World Championships and other FINA events the command "Take your marks" shall be in English and the start shall be by multiple loudspeakers, mounted one at each starting platform. Any swimmer starting before the starting signal has been given, shall be disqualified. If the starting signal sounds before the disqualification is declared, the race shall continue and the swimmer or swimmers shall be disqualified upon completion of the race. If the disqualification is declared before the starting signal, the signal shall not be given, but the remaining swimmers shall be called back and start again. FREESTYLE Freestyle means that in an event so designated the swimmer may swim any style, except that in individual medley or medley relay events, freestyle means any style other than backstroke, breaststroke or butterfly. Some part of the swimmer must touch the wall upon completion of each length and at the finish. Some part of the swimmer must break the surface of the water throughout the race, except it shall be permissible for the swimmer to be completely submerged during the turn and for a distance of not more than 15 metres after the start and each turn. By that point, the head must have broken the surface. BACKSTROKE Prior to the starting signal, the swimmers shall line up in the water facing the starting end, with both hands holding the starting grips. Standing in or on the gutter or bending the toes over the lip of the gutter is prohibited. At the signal for starting and after turning the swimmer shall push off and swim upon his back throughout the race except when executing a turn as set forth in SW 6.4. The normal position on the back can include a roll movement of the body up to, but not including 90 degrees from horizontal. The position of the head is not relevant. Some part of the swimmer must break the surface of the water throughout the race. It is permissible for the swimmer to be completely submerged during the turn, at the finish, and for a distance of not more than 15 metres after the start and each turn. By that point the head must have broken the surface. When executing the turn, there must be a touch of the wall with some part of the swimmer s body in his/her respective lane. During the turn, the shoulders may be turned over the vertical to the breast after which an immediate continuous single arm pull or an immediate continuous simultaneous double arm pull may be used to initiate the turn. The swimmer must have returned to the position on the back upon leaving the wall. Upon the finish of the race the swimmer must touch the wall while on the back in his/her respective lane. BREASTSTROKE After the start and after each turn, the swimmer may take one arm stroke completely back to the legs during which the swimmer may be submerged. A single butterfly kick is permitted during the first arm stroke, followed by a breaststroke kick. 15

18 SW 7.2 SW 7.3 SW 7.4 SW 7.5 SW 7.6 SW 8 SW 8.1 SW 8.2 SW 8.3 SW 8.4 SW 8.5 SW 9 SW 9.1 SW 9.2 SW 9.3 From the beginning of the first arm stroke after the start and after each turn, the body shall be kept on the breast. It is not permitted to roll onto the back at any time except at the turn after the touch of the wall where it is permissible to turn in any manner as long as the body is on the breast when leaving the wall. From the start and throughout the race the stroke cycle must be one arm stroke and one leg kick in that order. All movements of the arms shall be simultaneous and in the same horizontal plane without alternating movement. The hands shall be pushed forward together from the breast on, under, or over the water. The elbows shall be under water except for the final stroke before the turn, during the turn and for the final stroke at the finish. The hands shall be brought back on or under the surface of the water. The hands shall not be brought back beyond the hip line, except during the first stroke after the start and each turn. During each complete cycle, some part of the swimmer s head shall break the surface of the water. After the start and after each turn, the swimmer may take one arm stroke completely back to the legs. The head must break the surface of the water before the hands turn inward at the widest part of the second stroke. A single downward dolphin kick followed by a breaststroke kick is permitted while wholly submerged. Following which, all movements of the legs shall be simultaneous and in the same horizontal plane without alternating movement. The feet must be turned outwards during the propulsive part of the kick. Alternating movements or downward butterfly kicks are not permitted except as in SW 7.1. Breaking the surface of the water with the feet is allowed unless followed by a downward butterfly kick. At each turn and at the finish of the race, the touch shall be made with both hands separated and simultaneously at, above, or below the water level. At the last stroke before the turn and at the finish an arm stroke not followed by a leg kick is permitted. The head may be submerged after the last arm pull prior to the touch, provided it breaks the surface of the water at some point during the last complete or incomplete cycle preceding the touch. BUTTERFLY From the beginning of the first arm stroke after the start and each turn, the body shall be kept on the breast. Under water kicking on the side is allowed. It is not permitted to roll onto the back at any time, except at the turn after the touch of the wall where it is permissible to turn in any manner as long as the body is on the breast when leaving the wall. Both arms must be brought forward simultaneously over the water and brought backward simultaneously under the water throughout the race, subject to SW 8.5. All up and down movements of the legs must be simultaneous. The position of the legs or feet need not be on the same level, but they shall not alternate in relation to each other. A breaststroke kicking movement is not permitted. At each turn and at the finish of the race, the touch shall be made with both hands separated and simultaneously, at, above or below the water surface. At the start and at turns, a swimmer is permitted one or more leg kicks and one arm pull under the water, which must bring him to the surface. It shall be permissible for a swimmer to be completely submerged for a distance of not more than 15 metres after the start and after each turn. By that point, the head must have broken the surface. The swimmer must remain on the surface until the next turn or finish. MEDLEY SWIMMING In individual medley events, the swimmer covers the four swimming styles in the following order: Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Freestyle. In medley relay events, swimmers will cover the four swimming styles in the following order: Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly and Freestyle. Each section must be finished in accordance with the rule which applies to the style concerned. 16

19 SW 10 THE RACE SW 10.1 A swimmer swimming over the course alone shall cover the whole distance to qualify. SW 10.2 A swimmer must finish the race in the same lane in which he started. SW 10.3 In all events, a swimmer when turning shall make physical contact with the end of the pool or course. The turn must be made from the wall, and it is not permitted to take a stride or step from the bottom of the pool. SW 10.4 Standing on the bottom during freestyle events or during the freestyle portion of medley events shall not disqualify a swimmer, but he shall not walk. SW 10.5 Pulling on the lane rope is not allowed. SW 10.6 Obstructing another swimmer by swimming across another lane or otherwise interfering shall disqualify the offender. Should the foul be intentional, the Referee shall report the matter to the Member promoting the race, and to the Member of the swimmer so offending. SW 10.7 No swimmer shall be permitted to use or wear any device that may aid his speed, buoyancy or endurance during a competition (such as webbed gloves, flippers, fins, power bands, or adhesive substances, etc.). Goggles may be worn. Any kind of tape on the body is not permitted unless approved by the Referee. SW 10.8 Any swimmer not entered in a race, who enters the water in which an event is being conducted before all swimmers therein have completed the race, shall be disqualified from his next scheduled race in the meet. SW 10.9 There shall be four swimmers on each relay team. SW In relay events, the team of a swimmer whose feet lose touch with the starting platform before the preceding teammate touches the wall shall be disqualified. SW10.10A The swimmer who is next to swim in the relay event must be standing on the starting platform immediately prior to his/her start. Running starts shall not be permitted. SW Any relay team shall be disqualified from a race if a team member, other than the swimmer designated to swim that length, enters the water when the race is being conducted, before all swimmers of all teams have finished the race. SW The members of a relay team and their order of competing must be nominated before the race. Any relay team member may compete in a race only once. The composition of a relay team may be changed between the heats and finals of an event, provided that it is made up from the list of swimmers properly entered by a Member for that event. Failure to swim in the order listed will result in disqualification. Substitutions may be made only in the case of a documented medical emergency. SW Any swimmer having finished his race, or his distance in a relay event, must leave the pool as soon as possible without obstructing any other swimmer who has not yet finished his race. Otherwise the swimmer committing the fault, or his relay team, shall be disqualified. SW Should a foul endanger the chance of success of a swimmer, the Referee shall have the power to allow him to compete in the next heat or, should the foul occur in a final event or in the last heat, he/she may order it to be reswum. SW No pacemaking shall be permitted, nor may any device be used or plan adopted which has that effect. SW10.16 Swimmers shall not leave the water at the finishing point in any event until instructed by the Referee. 17

20 Swimming NSW General Rule 9 in regards to Swimwear. Please be aware of this Rule as it will affect swimmers who participate in NSW competitions. General Rule 19 SWIMWEAR (FINA GR5) GR19.1 GR19.1 GR FINA GR5.1 GR GR GR GR FINA GR5.4 GR General Swimsuit Guidelines General Swimsuit Rules The swimwear (swimsuit, cap and goggles) of all swimmers shall be in good moral taste and suitable for the individual sports discipline. Swimsuits worn by Competitors in Open Events, including & Over events, conducted in NSW by Swimming NSW and any member Associations shall be non- transparent and conform to the following design: (i) All swimsuits must be FINA approved; or Swimmers may wear swimsuits provided the suits meet the following criteria: (i) Men s swimsuits are limited to one (1) suit that covers at most the body surface from hips to knee. Swimsuits may not extend above the waist or below the knees; (ii) Women s swimsuits are limited to one (1) suit that is of open back and open shoulder designs that may extend down to the knee. Swimsuits must not extend below the knees. (iii) No zippers or other fastening devices are allowed except for a waist tie. (iv) Swimsuits must be of textile material and must not contain any non textile material such as polyurethane or neoprene. Swimsuits worn by competitors in Age Group (18 & under) Events conducted in NSW by Swimming NSW and any Member Associations shall be nontransparent and conform to the following design: (i) Men s swimsuits are limited to one (1) suit that covers at most the body surface from hips to knee. Swimsuits may not extend above the waist or below the knees; (ii) Women s swimsuits are limited to one (1) suit that is of open back and open shoulder designs that may extend down to the knee. Swimsuits must not extend below the knees. (iii) No zippers or other fastening devices are allowed except for a waist tie. (iv) Swimsuits must be of textile material and must not contain any non textile material such as polyurethane or neoprene. The Referee of a competition has the authority to exclude any swimmer whose swimsuit does not comply with this Rule. Swimsuits are limited to one (1) suit. Interpretation of GR FOR CLUB SWIMMING ONLY For the purposes of these General Rules, one (1) swimsuit may include the wearing of a single pair of briefs or bikini bottoms to ensure the modesty and privacy of swimmers at CLUB NIGHTS ONLY. At all carnival events, GR applies absolutely. For all other Swimming Rules, please refer to Swimming New South Wales website (Resources/Governing Documents) 18

21 SWIMMING STROKE CORRECTION FORM Please note that wherever possible, each week our referee and/or stroke judge will oversee all events. From time to time, they may issue a Swimming Stroke Correction Form or simply talk to your child about their event. This form is used to identify when a swimmer has done something that, under the Swimming Rules, could have resulted in disqualification. The Swimming Stroke Correction Form should be handed to your coach so that he or she can help you to improve your stroke. Example of the Swimming Stroke Correction Form: Swimming Stroke Correction Form This swimmer has been noted by the Referee doing something which under the Swimming Rules could have resulted in disqualification. START Started before the starting signal or wasn t still for the start FREESTYLE Pulled on the lane ropes Swam underwater during the race BACKSTROKE Turned over off their back before the turn/finish of the race Pulled on the lane ropes Performed an illegal turn Completely submerged at finish BREASTSTROKE Didn t surface in time after the start Swam with an alternating type of kick Swam with a dolphin kick Swam with legs not on the same plane Head not breaking water during each stroke cycle Swam with scissors type kick Hands went back past the hips during the race Swam underwater during the race Moved off the breast during the race Touched at the turn/finish with one hand Touch not separate and simultaneous BUTTERFLY Moved off the breast during the race Non synchronous movement of the arms Swam with an alternating type of kick Swam with a breaststroke kick Didn t bring arms forward at the same time Didn t bring arms forward OVER the water Touched at the turn/finish with one hand Touch not separate and simultaneous OTHER Didn t finish in the same lane as they started Didn t swim the entire race distance Didn t touch the wall at the turn Swam past the 15 m mark underwater Stood up and walked 19

22 WEEKLY PROGRESS SHEET FREE BACK BREAST FLY MEDLEY Date

23 SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES MSC is currently seeking support and sponsorship from local business. If you know of a business that may be interested in offering sponsorship to the Club, please speak with one of the Committee members. Sponsors will be acknowledged regularly in our newsletters, online at our Club website and through general publicity of the Club. Sponsors funds have most recently been spent on restoring some of the Club s perpetual trophies and support of our annual North Coast carnival. Sponsorship also helps us to keep our Club registration fee to a minimum and to develop the Club further. In , sponsorship will also be used to fund further development days for members, cover bus charges to take squads to NC carnivals, and to purchase much needed equipment, such as computer software and starting equipment. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF SUPPORT We are extremely grateful for the continuing support of: Tweed Shire Council and Tweed Regional Aquatic Centre 21