ELITE NEWS BULLETIN               09-29-08

 

USA SWIMMING CONVENTION:

MORE TV, MORE INTERNET, NO HIGH TECH SUITS FOR 12 & UNDERS!!:

NJ SHINES: JONES WINS DIVERSITY AWARD, WOOD RE-ELECTED PRESIDENT:

DEBBIE PHELPS HOPES IMAGINATIONS RUN WILD!:

 

            As a result of the tremendous USA viewer audience for swimming at the 2008 Bejing Olympics, NBC has already successfully negotiated with USA Swimming for prime time television coverage of the 2009 World Swimming Championships to be held in Rome, Italy next summer! NBC is also in negotiations with USA Swimming for national television coverage for both USA Swimming Nationals and Junior Nationals coverage-hopefully starting this coming year. 

 

In addition, USA Swimming has already partnered with Wasserman Media to establish an all swimming/all the time website called swimnetwork.com (already up and running-check it out!). USA Swimming hopes this fan-based website will become the place to go for swimming on the internet!

 

This exciting media coverage information was announced at the 29th annual USAS (United States Aquatics) Convention held this past week in Atlanta, Ga.  The convention was really 5 conventions in one as USA Swimming was joined by Masters Swimming, USA Diving, USA Water Polo and Synchronized Swimming all holding their conventions simultaneously at the same convention center.

 

At the Swimming Convention, the 600 delegates (in his role as Administrative Chairperson of New Jersey Swimming, Bill was a full voting delegate) voted to restrict the use of “high tech” swim suits for those swimmers participating in 12 & Under Age Group competition. The idea is to keep the playing field level for 12 & Unders during their formative years of competition. Although the restriction has significant cost issues tied to it, the rule actually reads: “Swimsuits worn for all 12 & Under age group defined competition shall not cover the neck, extend past the shoulder nor past the knee.” Swimmers who are 12 or younger who are participating in “open” events will be allowed to wear suits that cover more area than allowed by this rule. Although this rule does not commence until May 15, 2009, Elite will follow the spirit of the rule immediately (including March 2009 championships).

 

New Jersey Swimming, one of 59 LSCs (Local Swim Committees) represented, shined very brightly at the Convention. Native Cullen Jones (from Irvington, NJ), who participated in the already legendary Men’s 4 x 100 freestyle relay where Jason Lezak caught Alain Bernard in the last 5 yards and kept Michael Phelps on track for 8 gold medals, was awarded the 2008 Diversity Inclusion Award for his charitable work in urban areas (including Newark and Bayonne NJ). In addition, Berkeley Aquatic’s Head Coach Jim Wood was re-elected President of USA Swimming (another 2 year term). Jim heads a volunteer staff that oversees the professional staff of USA Swimming headquartered in Colorado Springs. Jim’s role is a truly monumental position and task.

 

To no one’s surprise, Michael Phelps was awarded the 2008 Performance of the Year Award. Based upon a point system of greatest all-time swims , Michael’s 5 individual Gold Medal performances this summer rank 1 thru 5 in total points!!! Although Michael could not be in attendance, his mother Debbie Phelps graciously accepted the award.

 

In her acceptance speech, Debbie stated how her son imagined out loud to her that he could win 8 gold medals after the 2004 Athens Olympics “if I put my mind to it.” Debbie hopes that Michael’s performance this summer will be an inspiration for the next generation (or two) of swimmers to imagine the unimaginable!!    

 

OFFICIALS & COMPUTER VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO RUN MEETS:

ELITE TO HOST OFFICIALS CERTIFICATION CLASS THIS THURSDAY (OCT 2ND)AT NA:

PLEASE CONTACT US IF YOU ARE ATTENDING!!

 

          To effectively run meets, Elite needs a variety of parents to volunteer their time and efforts during these meets. This season, Elite will be strongly encouraging those parents who have an interest to become New Jersey certified officials. To help in that effort, NJ Swimming will be hosting a series of certification classes thru the early part of the season. Elite will be hosting one of these classes at Newark Academy on Thursday, Oct 2nd from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

 

            To run New Jersey sanctioned meets, certified officials are a necessity. Currently within New Jersey Swimming, there is a shortage of officials certified. Elite, while having 6 certified is understaffed and thus, under represented officiating meets. In addition, Elite likes to have officials present even when we run our dual meets/intraclub meets, as the officials provide significant feed back as to areas the coaches need to focus upon.

 

            To become an official, one needs to attend one of these certification classes. The official-to-be then needs to take an open book on-line officials test. Upon passing that test, the official-to-be apprentices for 4 sessions at NJ Swim Meets before earning the stroke & turn official rank.

 

            If you are planning on attending this certification class, please email both Bill at eliteswimclubnj@comcast.net & Sarah Levine at sarlevine@aol.com today so we can get an idea of the number of participants expected!!! Please remember that Elite and NJ Swimming desperately need new officials!!!

 

            In addition, this year Elite will be building up its volunteers with regards to the electronic running of the meets (touch pads, timing console & processing the data coming thru both into Elite’s computer).

 

Anyone with interest in either volunteer positions should contact Bill as soon as possible.

 

WAVEBUSTER TIME TRIALS MOVED TO TUESDAY, OCT 7:

 

            Due to the Newark Academy pool situation, Elite has moved the Wavebuster Time Trials to Tuesday, Oct 7 in order to give swimmers additional workouts prior to them competing. The trials will be from 5:00 pm to 8:15 pm.

 

            Timers and officials are needed and requested. Anyone who can volunteer should contact Carolyn Balbo at CBALBO@COMCAST.NET   

 

            Entries to Fall Festival and Halloween will be adjusted as a result of swimmers who qualify for Fall Festival as a result of these time trials.

 

ESCPO (ELITE SWIM CLUB PARENTS ORIGANIZATION) SHIFTING INTO HIGH GEAR:

HOSTING SOCIAL FRIDAY, OCT 17 & HOLDING TWO FUNDRAISERS:

 

            Following last years very successful social, we are looking forward to another great evening.  This year the social will be on Friday, October 17 from 7:30 to 10:30 pm.  Same location as last year- Chatham Fish & Game. We are looking for a few people to help with organizing this great event. Please grab a friend-old or new-and let us know if you would like to help. Please contact Sandi Niccolai at sandnic@aol.com

 

            ESCPO is also conducting two fundraisers: the first is a clothing sale. Attached and also posted on the website under ESCPO is the 2008 order form.  The sale includes Elite gear:  shorts, flannel pants, yoga pants, sweat pants, jackets, the Elite rowing jacket, and a polo shirt for adults.  Not included on the order form are great fleece hats for the colder weather.  They are perfect to keep in swim bags for $12.  Orders and payments are due by October 10th in Bill's mailbox at Newark Academy in the ESCPO folder. 

 

The 2nd fundraiser other sale is a Yankee Candle sale.  The candles make great gifts.   ESCPO earns 40% of the sales.  Delivery is four to six weeks after order receipt.  Completed forms and the payment are due by October 19 in Bill's mailbox at Newark Academy in the ESCPO folder also.  The money raised by ESCPO is used to fund events for the swimmers such as the Pizza and Movie Night plus the Olympian visit.  It is also used for the Personal Best Ribbons and the Memory Books that the swimmers receive at the banquet.  Any questions (or if you didn't receive your Yankee Candle sale packet), please contact Allison Nash at allisonrnash@msn.com.

         

WITH MEETS FAST APPROACHING, SWIMMERS & PARENTS ARE REMINDED OF

TEAM SUIT, UNIFORM & RELAY POLICIES:

 

            With meets on the horizon, Elite will begin its competition season that will run thru the middle of March 2009. Elite teams act as a unit and follow procedures set forth by their coaches. Elite has several policies all swimmers and parents need to understand and follow regarding competitions. Elite Simmers are expected to know and follow these procedures:

 

1)      Elite has a team suit policy. Each swimmer is expected to wear their team suit at all non-end of the season championship meets

 

Elite swimmers perform in their team suit until championship season. Each swimmer is provided a team uniform (the entire uniforms are in and will be disturbed shortly). Elite swimmers do NOT wear technically advanced racing suits at any non-championship meet (with exceptions made for a swimmer trying for a state record or a sectional level or higher qualifying standard). Elite coaches believe that the swimmer makes the suit, rather than the suit making the swimmer. Thus, we hold back using these types of suits (fastskins, FS-II, aquablades, etc) until our championship season, when we bring everything together (training, positive mental attitudes, stroke technique and fast suits). This guarantees that swimmers will be excited to perform their best when their best is required! Coaches can and will remove a swimmer from a meet if they are not in the proper team racing attire.

 

Please note Elite will follow the new USA Swimming rule which does not allow 12 & U athletes from performing in technologically advanced suits (fastskins are ok as long as they are the correct suit-no neck, arms or legs below the knee coverage) but LAZR’s or equivalent are not acceptable.

                 

2) At every meet, wear your correct t-shirt!!

 

Each swimmer is provided with a team uniform consisting of two Elite t-shirts, a sweatshirt and a racing cap. Swimmers are expected to wear the team uniform at the meets (it is the swimmer’s responsibility to know which t-shirt to wear on which day of the competition. This information is listed within the meet information of each meet on the team website. Smart swimmers pack both t-shirts so they can never be wrong!). Swimmers are expected to wear the t-shirts (to keep warm, and thus increase the possibility of performing well) at all times at meets when they are not performing. Thus, Elite swimmers look like a team (psychological advantage to Elite) and are the best prepared to perform well. Swimmers and training groups will be penalized if swimmers are not in the team uniform at the meet.

 

3)      Any pre-meet relay combination is subject to change at the meet!!!

 

             At several meets during the season, Elite will enter teams in relays (Fall Festival of X-Cellence Meet being the 1st meet). All swimmers entered in

             relays prior to the meet are done so tentatively. This means the coaches will be determining the fastest relays on the day of the meet. Thus, a swimmer

             who is tentatively scheduled to perform a relay could be removed and a swimmer who is not listed could be inserted. Changes will be made on the

            day of the meet based upon performances at the meet that dictate a change in the relay combination. We want our 4 fastest swimmers to represent

            Elite in the each relay (spectacular and mediocre performances will factor into the coaches decision making process!).

 

4)      We have new racing caps this year. Those are the caps to be worn.

 

Elite will be sporting new racing caps this year. No one is to wear an “old” Elite cap during an Elite competition. The uniform now calls for the new cap.

 

ELITE TO PARTY ON A SATURDAY; AWARDS DINNER TO BE HELD SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2009:

 

Plans are set for the annual Elite Awards Banquet for the Winter 2008-09 Season: Saturday, March 28 from 12:00 pm to 4 pm at the Hanover Marriott on Route 10 in Whippany. This is the sight of the last 4 award banquets.

 

MEET ENTRIES TO “MEET OF X-CELLENCE” (FORMERLY FALL FESTIVAL) & “HALL-O-WEEN” POSTED; EVENTS DOVE-TAILED, SOME ENTRIES WILL BE ALTERED BASED UPON TIME TRIAL RESULTS:

 

            Hard as it may be to believe, Elite will be sending in entries for two NJ Swimming Meets within the next few days. In order to insure Elite is accepted into these meets, these entries will be sent prior to team’s internal Time Trials scheduled for next Tuesday.  Please note that the original entries will be modified to reflect the time trial results (particularly if swimmers post new silver level times and can be entered into Meet of X-Cellence).

 

To insure we get as much data on our swimmers as possible, where possible the meet entries for both meets will be dovetailed (swimmers will swim the widest variety of strokes and distances as possible between the two meets. This is done early in the season to establish new yard times/baselines for each swimmer).

 

            Below is the strategy behind these meet entries:

 

1)      Meet of X-Cellence has qualifying times (which are Silver qualifying times). Any swimmer who qualifies for 1 event in a session can swim up to 3 events in that session. Where logical, Elite will enter a single event session qualifier into a second or third session event

2)      All Seniors, Senior Preps, Wave Golds, Wave Blacks and Wave Teals whom have qualifying times are entered into Meet of X-Cellence

3)      Hall-o-ween has no time standards

4)      All Wave Golds, Wave Blacks, Wave Teals & Marlin Blacks are entered into Hall-o-ween

5)      Where events are offered in one meet but not the other, the team’s individual entries will be slanted towards those events only offered at one meet.

6)      Entries will be amended if swimmers who previously did not qualify for Meet of X-Cellence post Silver qualifying times at Wavebuster Time

     Trials.

 

FULL SQUAD MEANS MAKE-UP PRACTICES ELIMINATED FOR NEXT YEAR;

 

            Based upon the large number of returning swimmers plus the impressive tryout numbers from July, it is a virtual guarantee that each training group within Elite will be fully subscribed next year (with 36 swimmers training in each training group). In anticipation that the previous practice of “make-ups” would thus cause overcrowding at workouts (which is what the team is attempting to prevent by limiting each training group to 36 swimmers), the previous Elite tradition of allowing “make-up” practices will NOT be offered next year.

 

Attendance levels will remain the same (with the one exception of Wave Golds attempting to become Senior Preps, that attendance minimum will drop to 80%).

 

In response to several parental questions regarding this change in policy, the Elite coaches are analyzing several scenarios to help swimmers with scheduling conflicts to have alternatives. More information on this will follow.

 

REGISTRATION FORMS IN WELCOME PACKETS NEEDED BACK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE:

 

                With the exception of new Elite swimmers (who filled their paperwork out during tryouts), all Elite swimmers will receive a “Welcome Folder” containing paperwork which we ask prompt attention be given to.

 

Within each swimmer’s folder are: 1) an Elite Membership form  2) an Emergency Contact Form and 3) an Elite Code of Conduct form. The Code of Conduct form will be reviewed and signed by each swimmer at their 1st practice. Parents will also need to sign the Code, which is the ticket into Elite.

 

It is critical that these forms be returned to Bill’s mailbox as soon as possible so that each Elite swimmer is registered (and thus insured). Swimmers should hand their paperwork to their Head Training Group Coach.

 

TENTATIVE MEET SCHEDULE NOW POSTED:

 

      The tentative Winter 2008-09 Meet Schedule is now posted under Meet Schedule. 

 

       Please be advised that meet dates change during the season due to pool availability. Thus, Elite's meet schedule will be updated from time to time thru out the season. Please have your swimmer constantly review the meet schedule for meet entries, dates and session times!!!              

                                                                                                                                                                                    

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!!!