ELITE NEWS BULLETIN               6-13-11

 

    “Cultivating Excellence in Academics, Character and Swimming”

NEW TEAM WEBSITE COMING: ELITE PART OF TEAMUNIFY PLATFORM;

HUGE NEW BENEFITS ANTICIPATED:

UPGRADED COMMUNICATION SYSTEM INCLUDING

ONLINE REGISTRATION & CREDIT CARD PAYMENT PROGRAM

PLUS COOL NEW COACHING TOOL:

            As part of Head Coach Bill Deatly’s continual upgrading of the program, Elite has contracted with webserver TeamUnify http://www.teamunify.com/__corp__/ to host Elite’s new upgraded website.

            Pursuant to TeamUnify’s mission, they have “the most advanced swim team management platform in existence.” Nationwide, over 1500 team use TeamUnify. A sample of a NJ TeamUnify website is the Bergen Baracudas at http://www.bbswim.org/Home.jsp?team=njbbst.

            There are numerous features that the new website will offer Elite Swim Club members:

1)      Each swimmer will have their own account. Information can be stored in this account that no other swimmer/family can access.

2)      Each swimmer/family will do their own registration on-line. This means that there are no more Elite forms to fill out and all information is stored on the website. To change an email address, the actual swimmer/parent will do so directly on the website, instantly updating the information. Billing will also be coordinated thru this account, as a family accounts will be easily assessable from each family’s computer or mobile communication device. Credit Card and direct deposit will be options of payment-starting Sept 1.

3)      Email communication from the coaches can be broad based, sliced to just a training group or individualized. Communication will significantly improve with regards to meet coordination, practice changes, etc.

4)      Several practice calendar options so a swimmer/parent can access only the information they need.

            But by far the coolest feature is what TeamUnify calls “On Deck Mobile Coach” and On Deck Mobile Parent.” Coaches will be able to store audio (and probably video in the near future) in each swimmer’s personal account. This means that coaches can have technique and race analysis conversations on deck recorded and saved within each swimmer’s personal account to be accessed by coach, swimmer and parent at anytime thru ipad, iphone and itouch (sorry, this is only an Apple feature but the application is a free download).

            Head Coach Bill Deatly envisions smoother and more direct communication, easier access to Elite by club members, easier and a variety of payment options (credit card and direct on-line pay) PLUS an amazing coaching tool that will help coaches, swimmers and parents to be on the same page (and to have parents listen and understand what is being communicated to their swimmers).

            TeamUnify anticipates it will take approximately 1 month to build a new Elite website and train Bill how to upload information, etc. The website will definitely be in use by the start of the Winter 2011-12 Session in September but Bill will work to implement it even sooner!!

PLACEMENT LETTERS TO BE MAILED THIS WEEK:

OPTIONS FOR NEW MARLIN BLACKS & NEW WAVE TEALS:

            Placement letters will be mailed this week to each current Elite Swimmer (in both the competitive program and Pre-Elite program) for the Winter 2011-12 Season.  For a current Elite Swimmer to reserve a roster spot on Winter 2011-12 team, a $300 deposit is required to be received by Head Coach Bill Deatly (32 Prospect Street, Summit, NJ 07901) by Friday, July 15.

            Congratulations for all those swimmers who have earned promotions thru their hard work and attendance commitment!!

          For swimmers who have earned promotions into the Seniors, the Senior Preps, the Wavebuster Golds and the Wavebuster Blacks, any promotion is effective as of the start of the new season (in Sept).

            For swimmers who have earned promotions into the Wavebuster Teals and Marlin Blacks, the swimmer has the option this summer to attend either their existing Spring 2011 training group practice or the new training group (or go back and forth between the two groups). Each practice will cost $10 and a bill will be sent at the end of the summer (late July/early August) to each family for costs incurred during the summer. Swimmers in these two groups will be expected to train with their new training group full time as of September.  

SWIMMERS TOTAL NEAR $10,000!!

38 SWIMMERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE AT 10th ANNUAL ELITE-A-THON!!

CAMPBELL, HARTWIG, LEVEY, ORDOWER & SMITH COMBINE TO RAISE OVER $6000!!!!

 

The 10th Annual Elite-a-thon fundraiser has completely blown away last year’s totals, which was the largest in recent memory!! With 19 swimmers reporting, Elite-a-thon totals stand at $9,775!!!

 

On Saturday, May 22, 38 wimmers spent 2 hours Saturday afternoon swimming to raise money for their own charities!! The back-to-back successes are a result of Elite swimmers who care about giving back to the community.

           7 year old Sadie Ordower has raised over $1600 for American Liver Foundation, showing fabulous support for her sick grandfather. 11 year old Abbie Hartwig has raised $885 (and expects more!). 8 year old Delaney Smith has raised $1000 for Juvenile Diabetes! And Ben Campbell reported this week “I was swimming for WorldVision, trying to raise $2,600 for a water well.  I swam 139 laps and have raised $2,215 to date.  There are a couple of people who have told me they would support me but haven’t sent in checks yet, so I hope that number will be higher and closer to my goal.”

            8 year old Grace Levey raised over $1085 in her spectacular effort to help her friend and neighbor Sydney thru her charity: Make Some Noise.  This charity is a foundation that is helping Sydney, who has been diagnosed with bone cancer.  Grace reports: “This charity is trying to help find treatments for kids with cancer and let more people know about pediatric cancer.  The day of the swim-a-thon was also Sydney's bat mitzvah!  I was at her service in the morning.  I feel really proud of what I did to help my friend.”          

The following were the Elite swimmers who participated:

 

Chris Balbo: $200 to Celiac Sprue Association, Lindsay Behar: Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer, Caitlin Brown: $500 to Arthritis Foundation, Hannah Brownstein: Pulmunary Foundation, Cordelia Burn: $100 to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer, Eloise Burn: $100 to Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer, Sarah Burn: $100 to Make a Wish Foundation, Ben Campbell: $2,215 to World Vision (A Water Well),  Juliet Felsen: Dystonia Research, Summer Felsen: Dystonia Research, Emily Fu: Japan Relief, Ariel Gelman: Red Cross Disaster Relief, Emily Gorham: St. Judes, Jess Gorham: St. Judes, Abby Hartwig: $885 to Camp Boggy Creek, Angharad Healey $50 to St. Huberts Animal Shelter, Erica Iizuka: St Huberts Animal Shelter, Monica Iizuka: American Cancer Society, Cloe Lawrence $201 to Anti-Hunger Coalition, Sophie Lawrence $201 to Jersey Animal Coalition, Grace Levey $1085 for Make Some Noise, Alyssa Levy: Valerie Fund, Ben Litvin: Emet College Outreach, Greg Macchia: tba, Isabelle Malinowski $50 to Autism, Daniel Mangabat: American Cancer Society, Alex Mango: $500 to Mt. Pleasant Animal Hospital, Katie McGrath: Make A Wish, Darragh O’Gorman: Red Cross Disaster Relief, Sadie Ordower $1,453 for American Liver Foundation, Andrea Shepard: Down the Block, Inc, Delaney Smith: $1000 to Juvenile Diabetes, Kaitlin Stearns: $300 to Bridges, Lindsay Stearns: $300 to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer, Will Stearns: $300 to Cora Hartshorn Arboretum, Sachi Tanwar: Make a Wish, Cullen Walsh $225 to Wildlife Conservation Society, Ryan Wyer: Red Cross Disaster Relief

 

REMINDER!

SECOND ANNUAL TAILGATE PARTY AT SUMMER SOLSTICE MEET!

 

            Plan on stopping by the Second Annual ESCPO Tailgate Party on Saturday June 18 at the Summer Solstice meet at Rutgers University. In addition to great food, ESCPO will be sponsoring a drawing for all swimmers attending the meet.  Swimmers- come down and enter to win a cool prize.  Two prizes will be awarded to swimmers per session (morning and afternoon sessions). 

 

            ESCPO will have a table and canopy set up on the lawn near the Rutgers pool entrance from from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.  There will be bagels with cream cheese and butter available in the morning and ESCPO will provide pulled pork starting around 11:00.  Remember to sign up to bring a side, snack or dessert to share with the crowd. Please e-mail Linda Walsh at walshcjl@msn.com to let the ESCPO know what you are planning to bring.   See you on Saturday!   

 

SAY CHEESE AND DOWNLOAD PLEASE!

MEMORY BOOK PICTURES NEEDED!

 

            It is never too early to think about next years memory book!  Thank you Pam Coyne for doing a great job with the memory book this year!  Laura Matheson (Cody's mom!) has agreed to put together the book and slide show for next years banquet.   Parents and swimmers can provide pictures to Laura by email kmatheson531@earthlink.net, by thumb drive or by compact disk.  Laura can usually be found in the bleachers during Wave Gold practices.  Send your pictures to Laura as you take them and she will be sure that some of your favorite photos are included in this years memory book!  Remember, summer is a great time to get candid shots of your favorite swimmers at practice or at our many fun filled events.   

 

COLLEGE PAGE ADDED TO WEBSITE:

 

            Coach Patty Martin recently compiled a list of recently graduated Elite swimmers and what schools they attended. This list is now posted on the team website and will be updated each year. Check it out!!

 

ELITE’S NEXT MEET HOSTING CHALLENGE: OFF-SITE HOSTING;

CONSTRUCTION AT NA NEXT FALL/WINTER WILL CHANGE PLANS FOR DISTANCE DERBY & 9-10’S:

 

            Elite’s newest meet hosting challenge: hosting a meet off site from Newark Academy!

 

            Last week, Newark Academy informed Elite that there will be, starting in July, major construction on the building which will significantly reduce the size of the “upper” parking lot during construction. NA has confirmed that Elite’s practice schedule will not be affected by the construction.

 

            Elite has already begun exploring alternative sites to run both Distance Derby (in November) and the 2012 9-10 Silver/Bronze Championship Meet (in February).            

 

TOP 10 ALL-TIME SCY TIMES LIST UPDATED & POSTED;

 

            Elite’s Top 10 All-Time SCY Times List has been updated and posted on the team website. Congratulations to all those swimmers who earned top 10 times this year!!

 

ELITE TO RENT MILLBURN MUNICIPAL POOL THIS SUMMER

FOR WAVE TEAL & WAVE BLACKS;

MARLIN BLACKS NOW PROVIDED OPPORTUNITY TO TRAIN AT MBS

THIS SUMMER:

 

            Millburn has tentatively agreed to rent Elite the Millburn Municipal Pool, located just off Parsonage Hill Road (near JFK Turnpike) during the summer mornings. Elite will be renting the Millburn pool Monday thru Thursday, from 7:15 am to 8:30 am.

 

            The Wavebuster Teals will train all 4 days at Millburn; the Wavebuster Blacks will train at Millburn on Mondays and Wednesdays (alongside the Wavebuster Teals). The Wavebuster Blacks will also train at Springfield Municipal on Tuesdays and Thursdays (as previously set).

 

            Having the Wavebuster Blacks train at Millburn will free up space at Morristown-Beard School on Mondays and Wednesdays which will allow Elite to offer an optional Marlin Black practice on those days. The optional Marlin Black practice will be held from 4 pm to 5 pm. Elite will charge a per practice charge for the Marlin Blacks.

 

            With all changes made at Elite, the ultimate goal is to make the program stronger. The decision to rent the Millburn pool was based upon the following:

 

1)      Last summer, Elite rented the Cromwell Pool in Morristown. While Cromwell provided the space for the Wavebuster Teals to train in during June & July, the pool lanes were not wide enough and the pool was just not large enough to properly accommodate Elite.

2)      The Millburn Pool is a recently (within the last 10 years) renovated, 6 lane pool with additional space for coaches to work on stroke technique “outside” the pool lanes.

3)      The Millburn Pool is significantly closer to the Springfield Municipal Pool, which will help those families who have swimmers training at each location

4)      Renting the Millburn Pool will provide a consistent practice schedule for both the Wavebuster Teals & Wavebuster Blacks as all practices for both these training groups will be held in the am (rather than the alternating am and pm practices the previous summer schedule provided). The one exception is that the Wavebuster Blacks will still be offered a Friday pm practice at MBS

5)      The larger Millburn pool allows for Elite to offer two practices a week for the Marlin Blacks at Morristown Beard School, which training group previously had no summer practice time with Elite. This allows more swimmers training with Elite this summer.

 

            The updated Master Schedule for June 20th thru July 27th is now posted on the team website.

           

PARKING AN ISSUE AT NEWARK ACADEMY:

 

            As we head into the Spring 2011 Session, 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.  Newark Academy is also now requesting the cars do not idle. Obviously, if the lot is not crowded, parking in the lower lot is acceptable.

 

            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.

 

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.

 

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

 

TIMING COORDINATORS ASK FOR YOUR HELP IN RESPONDING TO EMAILS:

 

            Parents of Elite swimmers are asked to add the following four email addresses to your e-mail address book to ensure you receive important information regarding Elite Hosted Meets, Timing Information for all other meets and Parent Association Information.  Adding the e-mail addresses will insure that these important e-mails do not go to your junk/spam folder. 

 

Carolyn Balbo -                     cbalbo@comcast.net

Sanjeeta Mukherjee -        sanjumukhe@gmail.com         

Sue Duren -                            sueduren@aol.com

Antone Balbo -                      abalbo@comcast.net

 

NEXT UP: SUMMER SOLSTICE GO ELITE!!!; MEET INFORMATION POSTED; PLEASE RESPOND TO TIMER COORDINATORS EMAILS:

 

            Elite’s next competition will be the Summer Solstice Meet for qualifiers on Saturday, June 18 at Rutgers University. Elite will have a timing assignment. Please have your swimmer get in the habit of checking the team website on a regular basis (and report back to you about details such as warm-up times, entries, meet locations!).

 

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!!!