TIGER AQUATICS PARENT HANDBOOK Fall 2012 Summer 2013 www.tigersaq.com
PTAC Administrative Contacts Head Coach/Program Director Luis Nicolao nicolao@princeton.edu Office Phone (609) 258-1847 Cell Phone (609) 712-3137 Team Administrator/ Team Representative - Marilyn Cino marilynn.cino@gmail.com Phone (609) 799-1332 Coaches Carolina Reyes Head Age Group Coach / Level I and II Coach anajuvenal@hotmail.com Tiny Randazzo Age Group III Coach tinyswim@comcast.net Rob Kirschbrown Junior Group Coach coachrobk@aol.com Miles Cava Senior Group Coach miles.cava@gmail.com Ansie Monaghan Assistant Coach aamonaghan@aol.com
Tiger Aquatics Mission Statement Our mission at Tiger Aquatics is to provide competitive swimming programs for all levels of swimmers to achieve their goals. We strive to instill in our swimmers a sense of responsibility, respect, confidence, and success in themselves and their actions both in the pool and outside of it. We accomplish this mission by: 1) Creating a respectful, structured, and positive environment for swimmers to flourish and reach their highest potential 2) Provide equipment and facilities to allow the swimmers to train effectively 3) Provide highly qualified, ethical coaches for all levels of swimming 4) Providing ample competitive opportunities for the swimmers at their appropriate skill level
Rules and Regulations: 1) Practice Training schedules are posted on the www.tigersaq.com website under the Calendar page. In the case of inclement weather please check our website and your email, or call your child s coach. 2) Communication Email is the preferred method of communication. An email list will be available for distribution at the beginning of the season. Communication with coaches by parents should take place by email primarily or setting an appointment for a discussion time outside of practice hours. The primary duty of our coaches is to coach and provide a safe environment for the swimmers. All coaches need to focus on their duties before, during and after practices. Discussions of billing or USA swimming issues will be handled by our Team Manager, Marilynn Cino. Please contact her with any of your questions regarding these matters. 3) Facilities We are fortunate to have DeNunzio Pool available for our use. Swimmers and their families are asked to respect the rules and regulations of this facility and Princeton University grounds. Swimmers are to use the lockers on the top level of the building. It is recommended that the parent not go into locker rooms unless in need of the toilet facilities, therefore if the swimmer needs help changing, it is advisable for them to change at home. Age Group I and II parents are responsible for the swimmers until practice begins. Please monitor your children in the DeNunzio facility. In compliance with USA Swimming regulations, no parent is permitted on the pool deck during practices or competition. If
parents need to stay during practice, we ask they occupy the top three tiers of the balcony, not below. 4) General Policies Swimmers should be on time to practice and ready to swim and participate in dryland at the stated times. Practices begin promptly. In compliance with USA Swimming regulations, deck changing is prohibited. Swimmers are to bring all necessary equipment which their coach specifies. Swimmers must treat coaches and fellow teammates with respect at all times. Swimmers should use the restroom before practice to avoid interruptions during practice. Swimmers are expected to attend the majority of practices if they expect to see improvement at meets. It is the coaching staff s decision to define the training groups and decide the placement of swimmers. There will be several factors in this decision, among them ability, skill level, commitment, age and maturity level. All swimmers will be placed in a group at the beginning of the Fall Season, in September. At the end of the long course season swimmers will be evaluated by the coaching staff for placement for the following season. This will be done once annually, in July. Any new swimmers joining team mid year will be evaluated based on a tryout and swim times then placed in a group. 5) Equipment Each training group will have specific training equipment. Please check with your child s coach if you are unsure as to what to purchase. Please use the following list as a guide, coaches may ask swimmers to bring additional equipment as needed throughout the season. Age Group I and Age Group II
Cap, Goggles, Kickboard Age Group III Cap, Goggles, Kickboard, Fins, Pull Buoy, Mesh Bag Junior Group Cap, Goggles, Kickboard, Fins, Paddles, Pull Buoy, Snorkel, Stretch Cords, Medicine Ball, Tennis Ball, Mesh Bag Senior Group Cap, Goggles, Kickboard, Fins, Paddles, Pull Buoy, Mesh Bag 6) Competition In order to compete for Tiger Aquatics, you must be registered with the team. Relay participation is decided by the lead coach the day of the event. The swimmer must be registered with and currently training with Tigers for consideration. During competitions, parents should refrain from coaching their child anywhere in the facility locker rooms, hallways, etc. Swimmers are expected to follow the directives of the coach during the meet. Tigers Aquatics is a Nike sponsored team. All swimmers with sectional cuts and above must wear Nike when competing for Tigers. Swimmers must wear the Tigers swim cap if wearing a cap for competition. Swimmers who are entered in meets are obligated to attend unless advance notice is given to their coaches by the parents. 7) Fee and other obligations All fees can be obtained from contacting the Team Manager, Marilynn Cino or the Head Coach, Luis Nicolao. Questions about due dates can be answered by the Team Manager. 8) Expectations for Tigers parents Please consider the pool area and practice as a classroom for your child. Allow the coaches to teach your child the necessary skills to
be the best swimmer they can be. Our coaches are professional and dedicated to providing the best coaching to all swimmers. Disturbing the swimmer or coach during practice will be detrimental to your child and the team. It is vitally important that the parents support the coaching staff so that the swimmer has faith in their coach and puts forth the effort necessary to succeed. Any inappropriate behavior by a parent will result in removal from the facility and potentially the program as well. Parents may not scratch a swimmer from an event. Please let the coach make this decision with input from the parent if necessary. Do not argue with an official at a meet. Allow the coach to handle any issue you might have. If you feel there is a problem with your child and the program, please make an appointment or contact your child s coach via email to resolve any issue.