ELITE NEWS BULLETIN               06-07-10

 

    “Cultivating Excellence in Academics, Character and Swimming”

 

ELITE AWARDED LEVEL 1 CLUB RECOGNITION STATUS

BY USA SWIMMING;

 

            USA Swimming has recognized the Elite Swim Club as a Level 1 Club within its Club Recognition Program. Only 8 teams within NJ Swimming (out of 60) are at this level: Berkeley Aquatic Club, Eastern Express, Elite, Peddie Aquatic Association, Princeton Piranhas, Somerset Valley Y, Wyckoff Y and X-Cel Swimming. USA Swimming has 4 levels of club recognition.

 

            As a result, Elite will proudly display USA Swimming’s Level 1 Recognition logo on its website and on its letterhead. USA Swimming has already added the Level 1 Recognition logo to its website when a person searches out information regarding Elite: search for Elite at this link: http://www.usaswimming.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabId=1802&Alias=Rainbow&Lang=en.

 

            The Club Recognition Program is one of two programs USA Swimming provides recognizing clubs: the other is the Club Excellence Program. Up to this point, Elite has not participated in either program. Elite expects to provide documentation for the Club Excellence Program this winter, and be recognized within that program also.

 

            USA Swimming’s recognition of Elite as a Level 1 team acknowledges the careful planning and implementation of Elite’s strategy as a swim club developing swimmers as well as recognizing Elite as an ongoing business. In order to receive this recognition, Head Coach Bill Deatly and full time Coach Patty Martin (frankly, Coach Patty spearheaded and coordinated Elite’s effort!) spent dozens of hours preparing and providing documents to USA Swimming describing Elite’s structure and how Elite does what it does at each level within its program. Elite’s ultimate presentation provided USA Swimming with more earned “points” than the minimum requirement for Level 1 Recognition.

 

            Parents and swimmers may have noticed Elite’s recently revised Mission Statement (prominently featured on the website and at the top of this weekly bulletin). This revised Mission Statement is a direct result of the Club Recognition process. Elite’s Mission Statement now precisely and concisely describes Elite’s mission as a professional organization.

 

            Coach Bill and Coach Patty are already hard at work with their preparation for Level 2 Recognition (Elite already has earned more than 85% of the points needed for Level 2 recognition). Although it is expected that Elite will shortly surpass the minimum “points” required for Level 2 recognition, Elite will not obtain this recognition level until a seldom offered but required course is taken by Coach Bill (hopefully this coming fall).

LAST WEEK OF PRACTICE FOR MARLIN BLACKS AND MARLIN TEALS: ATTACK YOUR SUMMER LEAGUES!!!

            This is the last week of practice for the Marlin Blacks and Marlin Teals, as Elite loses access to the Newark Academy pool (school concludes this week and a summer camp & summer school begin use of the facility) during the summer. Please note the Marlins are offered a practice this Sunday (June 13) at MBS.

 

            Both Marlin training groups have progressed significantly this spring. The Marlins are highly encouraged to practice and compete for their summer league teams. Given their hard work this past winter & spring, the Marlins will be very impressive in their summer competition!! Attack your races and have fun!!!

 

            Marlin Blacks whom are offered promotion in the Wavebuster Teals for the Winter 2010-11 season will be offered training this summer with the Wavebuster Teals at Cromwell and Springfield.

 

            Information regarding the Winter 2010-11 Season will be mailed to all swimmers within the next two weeks. All swimmers who provide their deposits prior to the registration deadline will automatically reserve a roster spot for next winter’s team. Swimmers who fail to provide the deposit prior to the registration deadline of July 15 are welcome to tryout again for Elite; although there is no guarantee for a roster spot for these swimmers.     

 

PRACTICE SCHEDULE CHANGES  IN JUNE:

 

            Earlier (by several weeks) than most teams, Elite has already begun long course training (training in a 50 meter pool, twice the length of MBS) as of last week at the heated Summit Family Aquatic Center in Summit. Seniors, Senior Preps and Wavebuster Golds will train from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm weekdays at Summit for the next 2 weeks.

 

            On Monday, June 21, Elite will begin its summer schedule practice schedule. Tentative June and July practice schedules are posted on the website under practice schedule.

 

            Besides the obvious benefit of training in a pool the same length as summer competition, habitual training in a long course pool, which venue is more physically challenging, significantly increases a swimmer’s aerobic capacity. Adding 3 additional weeks (14 practices) of long course training stretches Elite’s Seniors and Wave Gold long course training from 5 weeks to 8 weeks. Please note that at least 1 week of any long course training includes tapering, where rest, not conditioning, is the goal of practice. Thus, Elite’s use of the Summit pool virtually doubles the long course training cycle Elite swimmers have. This is a significant advantage these Elite swimmers have over their competition.

 

“SOFT SELLING” ELITE IS LIFEBLOOD OF CLUB;

BILL AVAILABLE FOR CLINICS AT SUMMER CLUBS

 

            Summer Swim Teams are the lifeblood of year round swim clubs like Elite. Swimmers who enjoy the training and competition of their summer clubs form the vast majority of new swimmers into “winter” or “club” swimming.

 

            The expected terrific swimming performed by Elite swimmers this coming summer in their dual meet and championship competition will be the main selling point of the club. Elite swimmers will be among the best (if not the best) swimmers in their races. They should be, they have worked hard and have earned that right!!

 

            Parents of Elite swimmers are requested to “soft-sell” Elite; meaning they should await an approach by an interested swimmers/parents, but then earnestly provide information to such people upon their approach. Elite parents and swimmers are highly encouraged to point perspective swimmers to the team website and to instruct interested parties to email Bill regarding questions about the club.

 

            Tapping this pipeline will help keep the Elite Swim Club vibrant. In addition, a swim club at capacity (Elite is about 90% of capacity) will help keep the cost down to each Elite family/member. Lastly, each new season sees some existing swimmers leaving the sport or moving out of the area. These roster spots provide openings for new swimmers.

 

            As in past summers, Head Coach Bill is available to provide a swim clinic at local summer clubs. If your summer club or summer swim coach has an interest in a clinic by Bill, please contact Bill to set up a clinic date!

 

            Any questions regarding how one should act during a specific inquiry should be directed to Bill. Thanks in advance for your salesmanship!!!      

 

WINTER PRACTICE SCHEDULE SAME NEXT YEAR AS LAST YEAR:

The Winter 2010-11 practice schedule will be identical as last year’s schedule. In addition, the Wavebuster Golds will utilize Newark Academy on Saturday mornings early in the season prior to joining the Seniors & Senior Preps at MBS later in the season to race.

TRYOUTS TUESDAY, JULY 20; VOLUNTEER TIMERS WELCOME:

 

            Tryouts for Elite’s Winter 2010-11 Season will be held Tuesday, July 20at Morristown-Beard from 4 pm to 6 pm. There will be no pm practices held that day.

 

            Make-up Tryouts will be held Tuesday, September 7 at Newark Academy from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm.

 

            Elite swimmers and/or Parents are welcome to volunteer their time to help the coaches out at both tryouts!

 

TOP 10 ALL-TIME LCM TIMES UPDATED:

 

            The Top 10 All-Time Long Course Meter times list has been updated on the team website. Check it out!! Here is the link:http://www.eliteswimclub.org/Top%20Times/top_times_home_page.htm.

 

SUMMER SEASON/PROMOTION SCHEDULE EXPLAINED:

 

            With the Summer now in sight, below is an explanation of how training at Elite will work. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact Bill.

 

            For Marlin Teals and Marlin Blacks, the Spring 2010 Season will conclude to Sunday, June 13.

 

            For the Wavebuster Teals, Wavebuster Blacks, Wavebuster Golds, Senior Preps and Seniors, practice will continue thru late July/early August.

 

            Below is a detailed explanation of how each training group will transition. Please note that every existing Elite swimmer will be invited to train with Elite for the Winter 2010-11 Training Session. Each swimmer will receive in mid-June (approximately June 20) a letter inviting them to train with Elite for the Winter 2010-11 Training Season. To accept this invitation, a swimmer needs to mail their $300 deposit check ($300 per swimmer if a multiple swimmer family) to Bill prior to Thursday, July 15. If a swimmer does not mail in their deposit but would like to train with Elite, they will need to tryout for Elite at one of the two Elite tryouts (1st one on Tuesday, July 20st). There is no guarantee a swimmer will regain their roster spot during tryouts-it is NOT automatic. Elite will take the best swimmers at tryouts, regardless of longevity on Elite. To secure a roster spot, one needs to mail in their deposit prior to Thursday, July 15.

 

            Marlin Teals: During the summer, there is no training for Marlin Teals (they should participate for their local swim clubs and shine!!!). Letters regarding which training group a swimmer will be placed in for Winter 2010-11 will be sent in mid-June (including promotions-there will be a few into Marlin Blacks). All Marling Teals will need to send in their $300 deposit to reserve their roster spot by Thursday, July 15.  

 

            Marlin Blacks:  During the summer, there is no summer training for Marlin Blacks (they should participate for their local swim clubs and shine!!!). Letters regarding which training group a swimmer will be placed in for Winter 2010-11 will be send in mid-June (including promotions-there may be a few into Wavebuster Teals). If a swimmer is promoted into Wavebuster Teals by reason of the June roster letter, that swimmer is invited to train as a Wavebuster Teal this summer (see Wave Teal explanation). If a newly promoted swimmer chooses to train with Elite this summer, they will be entered into summer Championship Meets (see Meet Schedule on website). These swimmers will also be billed a pro-rata rate for their Summer training participation. A promoted swimmer can opt not to train with Elite and it will not affect their status for Winter 2010-11.  All Marlin Blacks will need to send in their $300 deposit to reserve their roster spot by Thursday, July 15.  

 

Wavebuster Teals:  The Wavebuster Teals have the option to train with Elite this summer at Cromwell Pool (see summer schedule). And in fact, they have paid for this option within their Spring 2010 bill. Swimmers who want to train but have conflicts (vacation, car pools, etc) are strongly encouraged to come to practice whenever they can. Swimmers who come to summer practices will be entered into summer Championship Meets (see Meet Schedule on website). Letters regarding Winter 2010-11 will be send in mid-June. Swimmers whom at that time have earned a promotion into Wavebuster Blacks will receive a letter of promotion in mid June. A promoted swimmer will remain a Wavebuster Teal until the Winter 2010-11 Season. All promotions will be conditional upon continued performance and attendance thru late July. Regardless of placement, swimmers will need to send in their $300 deposit to reserve their roster spot by Thursday, July 15.   

 

Wavebuster Blacks; Wavebuster Golds, Senior Preps & Seniors:  Swimmers in these training groups are expected to train with Elite during the summer, as participation in these training groups is year round. Swimmers in these training groups will be entered into summer Championship Meets (see Meet Schedule on website). Letters regarding the Winter 2010-11 session will be send in mid-June. A promoted swimmer will remain within their current training group until the Winter 2010-11 Season. All promotions will be conditional upon continued performance and attendance thru late July. Regardless of placement, swimmers will need to send in their $300 deposit to reserve their roster spot by Thursday, July 15.   

 

39 SWIMMERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE AT 9th ANNUAL ELITE-A-THON!!

LINDSAY STEARNS COORDINATES LARGEST PARTICIPATION IN YEARS!!

 

The 9th Annual Elite-a-thon fundraiser was the biggest Elite-a-thon in recent memory!! 39 Swimmers spent 2 hours Saturday afternoon swimming to raise money for their own charities!!

 

The following were the Elite swimmers who participated:

 

Chris Balbo: Celiac Sprue Association, Megan Balbo: Make A Wish, Caitlin Brown: Arthritis Foundation, Cordelia Burn: Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer, Eloise Burn: St. Judes, Sarah Burn: Jersey Animal Coalition, Carolyn Delaney: PKU News, Kelly Delaney: PKU News, Will Delaney: PKU News, Katherine Friday: Autism Speaks, Emily Fu: Mt Pleasant Animal Shelter, Clio Galea: tba, Emily Gorham: St. Judes, Jess Gorham: St. Judes, Kevin Greener: tba Elana Horowitz: tba, Abby Hartwig: Association for Rare Disorders Jennifer Huo: tba,Alicia Iizuka: Jersey Animal Coalition, Erica Iizuka: Jersey Animal Coalition, Karen Iizuka: Jersey Animal Coalition, Monica Iizuka: Jersey Animal Coalition, Katie Iovel: Make A Wish, Grace Levey: Make A Wish, Alyssa Levy: Valerie Fund, Katie McGrath: Avon Breast Cancer Walk, Ali Morreale: tba, Caroline Nash-Make a Wish, Jason Rossi: American Red Cross, Andrea Shepard: Down the Block, Inc, Katy Shepard: Share Our Strength, Abigail Shvorin: American Cancer Foundation, Delaney Smith: Multiple Sclerosis, Kaitlin Stearns: Bridges, Lindsay Stearns: Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer, Will Stearns: Cora Hartshorn Arboretum, Caroline Watt: Make A Wish, Adam Weinbrom: tba, Katherine Zhang: Cora Hartshorn Arboretum

 

14 year old Lindsay Stearns, who has participated in the Elite-a-thon for each of her 7 years on the team, took over coordinating the event this year and mustered a tremendous amount of enthusiasm. If each of the participants raises just $150 each, the total raised will exceed $5,000. This shows what the power of enthusiasm can accomplish!!

 

In a tradition begun six years ago, Bill swam 2500 meters to raise money for the American Red Cross’s relief efforts in Haiti, following the devastating earthquake Haiti suffered this past winter.

 

DIRECTIONS TO CROMWELL POOL NOW POSTED:

 

            Elite has contracted with the Cromwell Pool, located in Morristown (off Columbia Turnpike/Columbia Turnpike) to rent their pool during the summer mornings for the Wavebuster Teals-Believers 3 training group. Elite will be renting the Cromwell Pool Monday thru Thursday, from 7:15 am to 8:30 am. In addition, the Wavebuster Teals-Believer 3’s have one scheduled practice a week in the long course pool at Springfield (Sunday mornings 6:30 am to 8:15 am).

           

            The directions, along with directions to Summit Municipal and Springfiled Municipal are located on the team website at: http://www.eliteswimclub.org/Practice%20Schedule/homepage%20practice.htm         

 

            The summer schedule for the remaining groups will remain the same (with the slight alteration of an earlier start time and 15 minutes longer per practice at MBS for Wavebuster Blacks-Believers 2 on Monday’s, Wednesday’s and Friday’s. The schedule from June 21 thru July 31 is now posted on the team website under practice schedule. http://www.eliteswimclub.org/Practice%20Schedule/homepage%20practice.htm

 

SOMERSET PATRIOTS HONOR US (SWIMMERS!!!):

PUT JUNE 28TH ON YOUR CALENDAR!!!

BUY SEATS IN SECTION 217!!! & PRIOR TO JUNE 8 FOR DISCOUNT;

 

            The Somerset Patriots, a local professional Minor League Baseball team, will be honoring Swimmers this summer with a special night at the ballpark! On Monday June 28, the Patriots will be holding Swim Night at their home park in Bridgewater, New Jersey (just off Route 287 South).

 

            The night will be dedicated to a swim theme. The Patriots will provide a special appearance by a well known swimmer, scoreboard recognition & public address announcement to each NJ swim team that participates, a pre-game parade and multiple opportunities for participate in on-field activities.

 

            Given the complexity of trying to coordinate getting seats together, Elite Swim Club members should buy seats directly from the Patriots in Section 217. That way, Elite parents and children can sit in close proximity to each other!!! Buying the tickets prior to June 8 will provide a discount on the tickets!!!

 

            In recognition of this night, Elite will cancel the 4 pm-6 pm practice at MBS on Monday, June 28 so swimmers and their families are free to attend this event.

           

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!!!