ELITE NEWS BULLETIN               02-15-10        

 

PLANNING ON TRAINING WITH ELITE THIS SPRING?? SWIMMERS REQUESTED TO TURN IN “RETURNING SHEETS”: DUE TODAY: 157 REGISTERED;

 

            Two weeks ago, each Elite swimmer (with the exception of graduating Seniors in high school) received an information letter regarding the training group they are invited to train with this coming Spring/Summer 2010 training season.

 

            Within the letter was a “returning” sheet, which provides the swimmer with the ability to announce their plans on returning to Elite. These sheets are due today, Feb 15. As of this am, 157 out of 176 possible returning swimmers have responded. Those who have responded are listed at the following link: http://www.eliteswimclub.org/Tryouts%202/Home%20Page.htm

 

            If Bill does not receive this sheet (or worse case, an email), the assumption will be made that the swimmer is NOT returning and a roster spot will be opened up for those trying out. If a swimmer does not turn in a sheet but later decides they do want to return, that swimmer will need to attend tryouts on March 23 at Newark Academy. There is no guarantee a spot will be available for such a swimmer.

 

            Please note that Elite is already receiving inquiries from swimmers outside the club regarding Elite’s Spring/Summer program. And note that since Elite limits the size of each training group to insure the best possible environment for improvement by each of its swimmer, a roster spot on Elite is a valuable commodity.

 

            The 11 seniors in high school are welcome to continue to train with Elite thru the summer. Each senior should see Bill regarding their plans.

 

PREPARATION IN FULL SWING FOR 9-10 SILVER/BRONZE CHAMPS AND 13-19 SILVERS/BRONZE; PLEASE RESPOND TO MEET COORDINATORS EMAILS!!

 

Meet Coordination for the 9-10 Silver Bronze Championships (in less than 2 weeks!!!) is gearing up for this championship meet which Elite will host February 27th & 28th at Newark Academy.  All parents of swimmers 10 years of age and younger (yes, including 8 year olds, 7 year olds and 6 year olds) are expected to work this meet as part of their parental obligation to Elite. 

 

Carolyn Balbo has emailed a questionnaire to all parents requesting preferences as to which volunteer job each parent prefers. Please respond to this email asap as it will help Carolyn create her work coverage chart. Carolyn’s email is: cbalbo@comcast.net.  Jobs include officiating, timing, concessions, hall monitor, medical, admissions, coach’s hospitality, set-up & clean-up, etc. Carolyn expects the list of job assignments to be provided by Monday of next week.

 

If Carolyn does not hear from you, she will reach out again. Two non-responses will require Carolyn to place those non-response workers in positions she needs filled, rather than their preference.

 

            If a parent/family forsees a problem fulfilling their parental obligation, they need to contact Bill AND Carolyn asap. In the past, parents/families have fulfilled their parental obligation by having a relative (grandparents or siblings) work, or even hiring a worker for their spot. In addition, parents can contact Carolyn about working the “other” championship meet (ie a 9-10 parent could fulfill their parental obligation to work at the 13-19 Silver Bronze Championship Meet). Thus, there is no reason a parental obligation can not be fulfilled by an Elite club member.

 

            Failure to fulfill a parental obligation will jeopardize a swimmer’s roster spot on Elite. As part of having a swimmer on Elite, parent have agreed to step up and help when it is Elite’s turn to provide splash opportunities for the greater swimming community.

 

            Parents of all 13 & Older swimmers have also been contacted regarding Elite’s co-hosting of the 13 & Older Silver Bronze Championships at Rutgers University on March 6th and 7th.  All parents of swimmers 13 & over are expected to work this meet. Tomorrow is the last day for parents to contact Carolyn for job preferences!!

 

PARENTS MEETING WITH BILL (THIS) THURSDAY, FEB 18:

 

            Elite will hold an informal & optional Parents Meeting this Thursday night (Feb 18) at Newark Academy from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The purpose of the meeting is to keep communication open between Head Coach Bill Deatly and the parents of Elite Swimmers. Parents of swimmers of all ages are encouraged to attend.

 

            Bill will specifically address 2 topics: 1) Elite’s Training System; how it is structured and why and 2) the recent trend of swimmers using outside sources/resources to help their stroke technique (ie: the tutoring of swimmers).

 

            Bill will also set time aside to answer questions parents may have regarding anything “Elite”.

 

END OF SEASON NOW IN SIGHT:

CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON/MEETS, TRYOUTS & SPRING SESSION EYED:

EVERYONE TRAINS TIL FRIDAY, MARCH 12:

 

            In keeping with its long term developmental goals for its swimmers, Elite will provide training for all swimmers thru Friday, March 12. Regardless of when a swimmer’s last championship meet occurs, all swimmers will be welcome to continue to train thru March 12. 

 

            All 8 & Unders, all 9 & 10’s and all 13 thru 19 swimmers will continue training AFTER their Mini Championship meet or AFTER their Silver/Bronze Meets. 11-12s will train thru their Silver-Bronze Meet, to be held March 13-14.  Junior Olympic, Sectional and Zone swimmers will continue to train thru the conclusion of their last championship meet.

 

All swimmers (with the possible exception of Sectional & Zone swimmers), will begin their Spring Season together on Monday, April 5.

 

            This schedule allows for non-JO level swimmers (and parents) 3 weeks off between seasons (much needed mental and physical rest) and Junior Olympic swimmers at least 2 full weeks off between sessions.

 

            Please note that the training within each training group will be altered during this time frame, with the post championship swimmers grouped together in practice to work on conditioning while the pre-championship swimmers will focus on stroke details, racing and resting for their upcoming championship meet.      

 

            With regards to Championship Season, all Elite 8 & Under swimmers will attend the Mini-Championships on Saturday, March 6. All Elite 9-10’s will attend the 9-10 Silver/Bronze South Championships (Elite hosts this meet at Newark Academy) Saturday February 27 & Sunday, February 28. All Elite 13 & Olders will attend the 13-19 Silver/Bronze Championships (Elite hosts this meet at Rutgers) on Saturday, March 6 & Sunday, March 7. All 11-12’s will attend the 11-12 Silver/Bronze South Championships to be held on Saturday, March 13 & Sunday, March 14th at Raritan Valley Community College. 

 

Tryouts for Elite’s Spring/Summer 2010 Session will be held Tuesday, March 23 at 4:30 pm at Newark Academy. Information regarding this tryout will be posted on the team website this week.

 

THINKING SUMMER? THINK SUMMER SWIM CAMPS!:

 

            Although the hot sun and humid weather seems millions of years away, summer is only 6 months away and top-notch swim camps are already taking registrations for the summer of 2010. When planning the upcoming summer, please consider sending your Elite swimmer (Wave Black level, Wave Teal level, Marlin Black level or Marlin Teal level) to one of the numerous swim camps. Wave Golds and Seniors should remain training with Elite thru the summer months

 

Each summer, numerous Elite swimmers spend a rewarding week (or two) at a summer swim camp. The benefits of such a camp are: 1) individual attention by renown swim coaches 2) an increased knowledge of the sport of swimming and 3) personal growth that occurs as a result of “being on one’s own.” The formula that seems to work best is finding an Elite friend to spend the week with at the swim camp.

 

If you are considering sending your swimmer to a swim camp, now is the time to do the research and make decisions (many of these camps are sold out by mid-Spring). On the website, under Swim Camps at http://www.eliteswimclub.org/Swim Camps/index.html is information regarding Summer Swim Camps. Many of these swim camps close out in late February and early March!!! Also check out this month’s Swimming World Magazine, which lists many of the swim camps.

 

Thinking about summer? Think Swim Camps!!         

 

REMINDER: SCHOLAR/ATHLETE AWARDS WILL BE HIGHLIGHT OF AWARDS BANQUET:

 

          With the conclusion of the 2nd marking periods, swimmers are reminded that the ultimate award an Elite swimmer can earn at the season ending Awards Banquet (Sunday, April 11, 2010) will once again be the Elite Scholar-Athlete Awards. Great grades, in addition to great swim times, are required for a swimmer to earn one of these awards.

 

            These awards will be broken down into three levels:

 

1) All-American Scholar Athlete Award: Swimmer must have a 3.5 grade average and at least 1 Sectional Qualifying time. This award is actually a USA Swimming Award and will be presented by New Jersey Swimming. Elite will also provide a certificate to those swimmers who have qualified for this award.

 

2) The Elite Scholar-Athlete Gold Award: A swimmer must have all A’s and no more than 1 B (or the equivalent of all A’s and 1 B) plus at least 1 individual Junior Olympic Qualify Time

 

3) The Elite Scholar-Athlete Teal Award: Swimmer must have all A’s and B’s (of the equivalent) plus at least 1 individual Silver Qualifying Time

 

In addition to each swimmer receiving an impressive certificate from Elite acknowledging this achievement, Elite posts the names of its scholar athletes on its website-forever acknowledging its most special scholar-athletes. 

 

Parents of grammar school students should remember that Bill will review the grading legend (assuming A’s and B’s are not given) to ascertain if the swimmer has fulfilled the academic requirements to receive the award.

 

Bill will begin accepting the scholastic information on March 1st. If your swimmer made a JO or Silver qualifying time last summer or this winter and then aged up, an applicant must fill out the application form on the team website that will point Bill to the swim in question. All scholastic information needs to be to Bill by Tuesday, March 16.

           

COLLEGE BOUND AND SWIMMING? NJ SWIMMING SCHOLARSHIP MONEY AVAILABLE:

 

            New Jersey Swimmers who are attending college next year and plan to swim can apply to receive a $1,250 one-time scholarship from New Jersey Swimming. Here is the link: http://www.njswim.org/NJ%20Swim%20Scholastic%20Forms/2010%20NJSIScholarshipApplicationForm.pdf

 

            Information regarding this scholarship opportunity is attached and the application is posted on the NJ Swimming website under the College tab. 

 

WITH WINTER COMES WEATHER,

CHECK WEBSITE/EMAIL FOR PRACTICE CANCELLATIONS:

 

Weather will have an affect on practice schedules and meet starting times. When in doubt, check the Elite website and your email for information regarding time changes due to weather.

 

Be advised that both Newark Academy and Morristown Beard tend to close down at the forecast of bad weather. In addition, safety is extremely important. Thus, weather is likely to interrupt practice and even if it does not, parents should make decisions based upon their comfort level regarding travel to and from practice.

 

SICK? COULD BE YOUR LACK OF “AT HOME” SWIMMING DETAILS!!!

 

Are you sick? Got the flu, strep or a bad head cold?  Your sickness is probably caused by your own lack of swimming details!!!

 

Since we are in our heaviest training, swimmers are “broken down” or tired based upon the heavy swimming workload. To stay healthy, each swimmer needs to practice their “at home” swimming details: drinking lots of fluids, eating properly and often, getting enough sleep and dressing properly for winter.

 

There are literally dozens of swimmers that ignore these vital “at home” swimming details, and most of these swimmers end up missing significant training and/or actually missing their meets because they do not live their “at home” swimming details. These swimmers literally shorten their training seasons due to their sickness!!!

 

One new swimmer phenomena that is just plain crazy is the “sandal/no sock look” in zero degree weather. Swimmers who dress like this are literally begging to get sick. One Elite swimmer actually got frostbite several years ago due to not dressing properly on the way home from swimming on a particularly cold night. Ever tried swimming with frostbite? Be a winner: do your swimming details at home and at school, in addition to at the pool!!!

 

PARENTS: PLEASE BE PROMPT IN PICKING UP SWIMMERS:

 

            Parents are requested to be prompt in picking up their swimmers at the end of practice. Recently, especially after the Wave Golds on weekdays and the Wave Teals on Saturday, swimmers have had to wait 30-45 minutes after practice for their ride.

 

            Bill has asked the coaches to remain at practice until the last child has been picked up (for the obvious safety reasons). Coaches are more than willing to do so occasionally. But Elite coaches have other full time jobs and several are attending school in addition to their primary jobs and coaching. It is unfair to ask the coaches to spend an additional 30-40 minutes waiting for parents to pick up their children virtually every night.

 

            Elite is prompt about ending practice on time. Please help out the coaches by being prompt to pick up your child.

 

CLOTHING ITEMS PREVIOUSLY PURCHASED THRU ESCPO NOW IN: CONTACT ALLISON NASH:

 

            The clothing items previously purchased thru ESCPO have arrived. Parents are encouraged to contact Allison Nash to arrange pick-up at Newark Academy.  Allison’s email address is ALLISONRNASH@MSN.COM.

           

WHEN IN DOUBT, CHECK THE WEBSITE:

 

            If you have questions about Elite, your first source of information is Elite’s website located at eliteswimclub.org.  When in doubt, first check the website!!!