Michigan Swimming Diversity. Developing Support from Within

Transcription

1 Michigan Swimming Diversity Developing Support from Within

2 Michigan Swimming and the Michigan Swimming Diversity Committee Who Are We One of the 59 Local Swimming Communities in USA Swimming Responsible for governing swimming in the great State of Michigan Area includes Metro Detroit, Flint, Saginaw, Bay City, Midland, Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, Portage, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Rockford and all the lower as well as upper parts of Michigan. One of the largest LSC in the country with 10,500 members Most of the athletes who compete in MI swimming-sponsored swim meets are youths under the age of 18. However, there are also opportunities for older members of the swimming community to compete.

3 Purpose of Michigan Swimming The purpose of MI Swimming is the education, instruction and training of individuals to develop and improve their capabilities in the sport of competitive swimming. MI Swimming shall promote swimming for the benefit of swimmers of all ages and abilities in accordance with the standards, rules, regulations, policies and procedures of USA Swimming.

4 Purpose of MI Swimming Diversity Committee To promote inclusion and increase diversity in the sport of swimming, specifically through the following responsibilities: Develop and implement strategies, policies and programs that will facilitate a diverse and inclusive environment for swimmers in the LSC Build on the population of underrepresented coaches, athletes, administrators and sports officials to increase the USA / MI Swimming membership Serve as a voice for Michigan s under-represented populations including but not limited to African American, Hispanic American, Asian American, and Native American ethnic groups as well as those swimmers from challenging socio-economic backgrounds

5 Michigan Swimming Diversity Committee Events Diversity Summit Water Safety Day (May 15, 2015) College Knowledge Event Support meets and programs which celebrate multicultural interaction Develop a Michigan Travel Team Clinics for Coaches, Swimmers and Volunteers Support local, regional and national diversity camps and clinics Eligibility may come from IMX Scores and Registration

6 Opportunities for Involvement Join the committee Michigan Swimming Diversity Committee Group on Diversity In Aquatics Contact Geneen Bradley or

7 Tentative Planned Events for Check the Box /Outreach Funding campaign - the MIS Diversity Committee would like to start/reinforce the campaign at the local level for families and registrars to check the box. By having the box checked, it would give the committee the information on the increase of athletes in the area. One of the goals of the Diversity Committee will be to educate the population on providing this important information and opportunity for subsidize help for cost.

8 Metro Area Swimming Diversity Seminars (TBA) Seminars to go over volunteer/leadership opportunities in MIS as well as other events. As more information becomes available, it will be shared with this group.

9 Central Zone Multi-Cultural Swim Meet (June 2015) As information pours in about this swim meet it will be made available. Applications will be made available very soon. This meet will be in Brownsburg, IN and a travel team will be selected. Assistance will be provided with the cost/where necessary.

10 USA Swimming National Diversity Select Camp (Feb Application Deadline) Each LSC has the ability to send athletes for the National Diversity Select Camp held at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO. 32 athletes, ages from under-represented populations invited to participate in a three-day camp program which includes pool training, motivational and education sessions and team-building activities. Selection is based on times swum at USA Swimming-sanctioned events and the camp is conducted each spring. To be eligible, swimmers must have IMX scores to add to the application.

11 From the USA Swimming Site: An IMX or IM Ready score is only established after a swimmer has swum all of the events required for their age group in a sanctioned meet since the start of the current season; both short and long course seasons start September 1 and end August 31 for IMX/IMR purposes. Once you've swum each event at least once at an official meet, you can log-in to your USA Swimming Account, and find out where you rank against all the other swimmers on your club team. For more info click here: s=rainbow&lang=en

12 College Knowledge Event (CKE): (March) Opportunity for families and athletes to learn about what it takes to swim in college. There will be information from local college coaches, compliance officers and former college swimmers about the process.

13 Water Safety Day Fundraiser and Empowerment Social (May 15) Location (TBA) Come be a part of diverse mix of people who share an interest in aquatic activities and sports while fundraising for a great cause.

14 Water Safety Day Clinics Various Locations We would like each club in the Diversity Committee to create a water safety day before the summer season to use as a community awareness program. Each clinic can be used to fit the needs of that area and develop a relationship between MIS and the community.

15 MIS House of Delegates Meeting (September) It is a chance for participants in the MIS LSC to see what has been done in the LSC and what will be done for the future.

16 Travel Team Assistance: Creation of an official Diversity Travel Team. A great opportunity for MIS swimmers to continue to experience unity in the LSC. Coaches should be selected and supported as any other MIS zone team. This includes funding for travel, and coaches to the National Black Heritage Meet in Cary, NC (May 2015) and the Multi-Cultural Swim Meet Brownsburg, IN (June 2015).

17 Central Zone Diversity Select Camp (TBA) All are encouraged to apply once the application and dates have been released. The MIS Diversity fund will assist with the lodging and travel expenses for each of the athletes and coaches attending the camp (provided that funds are available). It is encouraged that MI swim clubs submit athletes and coaches to participate. Applicants will be selected by the MIS Diversity Committee and candidates will be notified shortly afterward.

18 Planned Future Clinics ( ) Create clinics to provide educational and motivational opportunities for the athletes, coaches and parents in the MI LSC. Each Clinic/Camp is designed as a combination of education sessions, social opportunities and water activities Catch The Spirit Clinic Parents Awareness and Educational Clinic Diversity in Officials

19 If you wish to find out additional information or apply for any of the meets mentioned in this presentation contact: Geneen Bradley at THE END