Pre-Season Letter Fall/Winter 2015-2016 MALDEN YMCA Crocs Swim Team Dear Parents/Guardians of potential swimmers, Welcome to our new swim season! We hope to have the opportunity to welcome your child to the Malden YMCA Crocs Swim Team. We have included a number of documents in this packet, including a practice schedule, a USA Registration form and payment information. Please read through all of these before deciding whether or not to commit to the team for the season. Additionally, here is some information about what to expect in the upcoming swim season as you decide whether or not to have your child swim with us this season. Our team philosophy: The purpose of the Malden Y swim team is to provide an enjoyable environment to help our swimmers develop a life-long love of swimming, while also teaching them correct swimming techniques and strategies. We have developed some great swimmers in our program, and of course we love to see them improve and win their races. However, we want to make sure that the children learn to love the sport as well. Please note that this is a competitive swim team. Therefore, attendance is expected at meets. Do not sign your child up for the team if you do not plan on sending them to meets. A meet schedule will be posted on our website. Our meets are very low-pressure affairs, and most children enjoy the experience once they are there. For those who would like a swim team type workout but would not like to attend competitions, we recommend our Introduction to Competitive Swim class. Day and time offerings are available in our brochure at the Welcome Center. Practice: Our team is divided up into 9 practices groups (Juniors and Seniors) during the Fall/Winter Season. These groups are based on age and ability. All children 12 years old and younger are placed in a Junior group. Based on their ability, they are in Mini White, Jr. White, Jr. Red, Jr. Black or Jr. Select and practice 2-4 days per week. All children 13 years old and older are placed in a Senior group; once again, based on their ability they are either in Sr. White, Sr. Red, Sr. Black or Sr. Select. The Seniors practice 3-6 days per week. The coaches will assign your child to a group at the end of tryouts, and the practice schedule is included. We do understand that your child may have many different activities going on in their lives, and might not make every practice. That is ok with us we do not take attendance at practice, and do not need you to call in every time your child needs to miss for various reasons. If you have a problem with one of the practice times every week, please come see us.
Things your child needs to bring to practice: Quality goggles we recommend Speedo or TYR goggles, which may cost more money than other goggles but will work much better and last longer. Swim cap Water bottle Towel Girls should wear a one-piece bathing suit Fees: A cost sheet/payment plan is included for your review, as is a financial aid form. The cost sheet details all expenses you can expect to incur, including swim team fees as well as incidentals. Important Deadlines to submit items: Retuning Swimmers: By August 25 th - Swimmer s Application - $75 Deposit - USA form and Proof of Age (optional) New Swimmers: By September 21 st - Swimmers Application - $75 Deposit Retuning and New Swimmers: By September 21 st - Financial Aid form (optional) The coaching staff is available to answer any questions you may have. You can call the Aquatics Office at 781-324-7680 x214 or email the swim team coaching staff at maldencrocs@gmail.com. You should also review the included information packet, which may already answer the questions you have! We hope you and your child decide to continue with the Croken Crocs! Sincerely, Rosalie Jones Head Coach Julie Fox Associate Head Coach
Financial Information Required and Optional Fees Swim Team Fees between $275-$675 depending on practice group YMCA membership* $13 or $22 per month depending on age Goggles (at least 2 pairs) ~$20 Swim cap (practice) $5-10 USA Swimming Fee (optional) $69 *Family memberships also available if parents want to join too! Please inquire at the Welcome Center Fee Schedule All families will be expected to fill out our Swim Team Payment Option Agreement form (included in this packet). Discounts Financial aid: please fill out our included financial aid form and drop off at the Welcome Center of the YMCA (along with $75 deposit) by Monday September 21 st. Returning financial aid recipients must reapply to be considered. Financial aid for memberships is also available; please check the membership box on the included financial aid form. It takes membership 1-2 weeks to process financial aid. There will be a $50, per sibling, sibling discount. The discount will be applied to the last payment. Sibling discounts cannot be combined with financial aid. Please call 781-324-7680 x214 or at maldencrocs@gmail.com with any questions.
Frequently asked questions Q. Does my child need to be a member to be on the swim team? A. Yes! League rules stipulate that your child needs to be a member in order to compete. Swimmers must be members when registering for the team, and must keep their membership current throughout the season. Membership costs are as follows: Youth membership (ages 12 and under): $10 joining fee + $13/month Teen membership (ages 13-18): $10 joining fee + $22/month 1-adult family (one adult plus all children): $50 joining fee + $59/month 2-adult family (two adults plus all children): $75 joining fee + $73/month Q. What does my child need everyday for practice? A. Every child needs a quality set of goggles, a swim cap, and a FULL water bottle. Yes, your child NEEDS goggles and a swim cap. We recommend Speedo or TYR goggles, and any swim cap that will keep their hair back. Q. When is a good time to speak with a member of the coaching staff? A. Right after the last practice of the day is usually the best time to speak with the coaching staff. Please respect the fact that we have to start practice on time, and before practice is typically NOT a good time to speak with us. Forgive us in advance when we need to cut you off to get to practice, and cannot help you with your question. You can always call the office phone at 781-324-7680 x214 or email us at maldencrocs@gmail.com if you have questions that need to be answered and you cannot hang around after practice.
Team Contacts Coaches: Rosalie Jones, Head Coach Julie Fox, Associate Head Coach Morgan Chase and Marisa Cagno, Assistant Coaches Phone: 781-324-7680 x214 Please note this is the Aquatics Office phone number and Rosalie is not in the office during regular work hours. You can leave messages for the team on this number and someone will return your call. Email: maldencrocs@gmail.com Website: www.ymcamlden.org Click on Programs, Youth and Families and then Swim Team Please check website frequently for updates! Please see the coaching staff ASAP if you do not have regular access to the internet, as team communication is very dependent on regular checking of email and the website.