ELITE NEWS BULLETIN               4-28-08

 

PARENTS MEETING RESULTS IN EXCHANGE OF IDEAS:

 

On Monday, April 21, Elite held a parents meeting to discuss issues concerning the club. The two main topics were: 1) the capacity issue facing NJ Swimming during long course competition this summer and how Elite will handle it and 2) the need to convey to the local swimming world Elite uniqueness and attributes in order to draw new members into the program.

 

With regards to long course, Elite will participate in 5 long course non-championship meets this summer (assuming the team is able to enter the meets-the key issue). Four of the meets will be coupled: those attending Memorial Day Invitational will not attend Heat Madness; those attending Summer Sizzle will not attend Summer Solstice. Due to a reevaluation of the limited distance opportunities offered during this summer’s long course season, Elite has entered a number of “distance” oriented swimmers into the 2008 Tiger Challenge Meet to be held on Sunday, May 18-the 5th meet. Meet information is now posted.

 

All Wave Teal, Wave Black, Wave Gold, Senior Preps and Seniors will be entered into end of season championship meets.

 

With regards to the marketing of Elite, numerous suggestions by the parents will lead to some changes as to Elite procedures involving “new” swimmers. Elite will formalize and publicize a policy of allowing year round/competitive swimmers to “tryout” for Elite all season long. These swimmers will be invited to a practice and will be evaluated as to what training group is appropriate for them. If there is room within the appropriate training group, these swimmers will be invited into Elite immediately. In addition, Elite will relax its standards of entry for beginner swimmers, so that more beginner level swimmers will be accepted into Elite. To publicize these and other changes for entry into Elite, the website will be modified to be more friendly to those inquiring about Elite.

 

Parents are reminded that the best selling of Elite is done by them and our swimmers at local summer swim league practices and meets; to those non-competitive swimmers interested in becoming competitive swimmers (joining a year round program). Please do not hesitate to suggest to any interested swimmer/parent to email Bill regarding information regarding Elite.       

 

7th ANNUAL ELITE-A-THON TO BE SATURDAY, MAY 10:

BILL TO SWIM FOR CROHN’S, HELPING LEIGHANN AND MAYA EPELBAUM:          

 

The 7th Annual Elite-a-thon fundraiser will be held Saturday, May 10th at Morristown-Beard from 4 pm to 6 pm.

 

Like all past “Elite-a-thons,” this year’s event will be structured so each individual participating will be raising money for the “charity of their choice.” A suggestion list of charities accompanied information provided by Corey Deatly and Tad Deatly, the co-fundraiser heads whom are coordinating this year’s efforts. Corey and Tad provided this information at Sunday’s (yesterday) practices. This list is also now posted on the website.

 

In a tradition begun four years ago, Bill will swim approximately 2000 yards to raise money for his yearly charity. This year, Bill will raise money to help research on Crohn’s Disease, the illness inflicting Coach Leighann Marcelliano. All of Bill’s money will then be pledged to Maya Epelbaum, who is also raising money for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America by participating in a walk-a-thon on May 18, 2008 at College of St. Elizabeth’s in New Jersey (Elite swimmers who also wish to walk with Maya should contact her at swimster633@yahoo.com ). In addition to raising money for his own particular charity, Bill is hoping that each swimmer on Elite will pledge at least $1 towards his swim to help Leighann and Maya in their efforts to conquer this disease. Checks for Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America should be made out to “CCFA.”

 

Information will be posted on the website under “Elite-a-thon” later this week. Please follow the directions (do not go out soliciting for money alone!!!) and keep track of your pledge totals!!! 

 

TWO OF THREE LONG COURSE PRACTICE SCHEDULES NOW POSTED:

 

           Starting Tuesday May 27, the practice schedule for the Wavebusters and the Seniors will change drastically (and several times) as the team transitions into the summer long course practice schedule. There are 3 separate schedules that will be in affect from May 27 thru July 31 for Waves and Seniors.

 

1)                          Elite has secured practice time at Summit Municipal Pool from Tuesday, May 27 thru Friday, June 6 (excluding weekends). Summit is a long course pool that is heated. Getting this extra practice time in at a long course pool is a significant benefit for Elite swimmers. This practice schedule is now posted.

 

2)                          After Friday June 6, Elite no longer has pool time at Newark Academy or Summit (Marlins season is now concluded). Elite begins long course practice for Wavebusters and Seniors at Springfield Municipal Pool in the am (for those private school swimmers who are out of school) and will also hold practice at Morristown-Beard School from 7:00 pm to 9:00 (thru Thursday, June 19).  This schedule is still being worked on and should be posted by the end of this week.

 

3)                          Starting Monday June 23, Elite will conduct practices at Springfield in the am and Morristown-Beard in the afternoon (time switches to 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm). This practice schedule will last the remainder of the summer season. This schedule is now posted. 

 

PARKING AN ISSUE AT NEWARK ACADEMY:

 

            Parents are reminded that there is a distinct shortage of parking spaces at Newark Academy, especially on weekdays between 5:00 pm and 6:30 pm. Parents are welcome to “drop off” or “pick-up” their swimmers by the field house entrance during this time period if the driver remains in the car. If a parent is coming into the building, they are requested to park in the “upper” lot and walk thru the school to reach the pool.

 

            Please remember to drive slowly thru the parking lots and do not park in the fire lanes, as the Livingston Police will ticket improperly parked cars.

 

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 2007. When planning the upcoming summer, please consider sending your Elite swimmer to one of the numerous swim camps.

 

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 reknown 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, there is a list of swim camps. Many of these swim camps close out in late February and early March!!!

 

Thinking about summer? Think Swim Camps!!

 

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!!! If you do not see what you need, email Bill at eliteswimclubnj@comcast.net