Saddle Creek Dolphins

Saddle Creek Swim Team Parent Meeting 2024

So excited to see so many old and new faces today! Looking forward to a great season!  If you weren't able to attend, please read the meeting highlights below:

• Email is the best way to reach me!  [email protected]
• For the safety of all swimmers, No Talking to Coaches During Practice!
• The deck will be for swimmers and coaches only for the May afternoon practices. This is to help the swimmers and coaches focus on each other without the distraction/noise of parents and siblings.
• Put the meet postcard on your fridge to remember practice times and meet days--pick up at practice this week.
• Evening practices are limited to 15 kids.  Little Dolphins aren't eligible for evening practices.  See the Home page for more info. Swimmers must be able to swim on their own. 
• 6 and Under parents need to wait on the property during practice. We encourage you to wait in the Pavillion. 
• Swimmers will look rough the first swim meet. This is expected and okay.  Swimmers who come to most practices, will see big time improvements in later meets. 
• Meets
  • You must Declare or Undeclare for each meet.  Please let us know either way!
  • Home Meets:  Swimmers arrive no later than 4:15.  Away Meets:  Swimmers arrive no later than 4:30.
  • Suggested items to bring to meets:  Chairs, extra towels, sunscreen, googles, t-shirts, snacks, games or activities for swimmers, concession money (small bills, please!)  Refer to Swim Meet 101 for more info.
  • ASA Swim Meet (optional):  This is a great experience that the kids love to participate in!  This year's meet is on 6/27.
• Volunteering
  • Every family must accumulate 5 volunteer points this season. 
  • Sign up via the app or website beginning 5/16 at 8 PM
  • Job descriptions are listed here.  
  • Each family must have 5 volunteer points in the system at the end of the season. If this requirement is not met, you will be auto-charged $150. This was a condition of registration. Contact Summer if you think meeting these hours will be a challenge.  There are lots of opportunities and we will work with you!  You may work more points of course!
  • Meets are broken into sections and each job is 1 point. 
  • Complete Volunteer info can be found here.
• Swim Lessons:  Coaches offer swim lessons before or after practice during the week. There will be a list of coaches fees, and their numbers next week at practice to begin scheduling any lessons with them. You must complete an SCHOA Swim Liability Form for each swimmer taking lessons. This form is found in the binder for night practices or Summer can email it. Click here for coach bios and fees.
• Team pictures are on May 31 at 9:00 am before Fun Friday.
• End of the Season Party is June 26 10 AM -12 Noon.  More details to come!
• The baby pool is not monitored, and therefore closed during practices and meets.  Please help us enforce this!!
• Please help take care of the clubhouse and pool.  Throw away your trash and be respectful of the property!

Finally, please review the following Swimmer Responsibilities and Parent Responsibilities to ensure that everyone is aware of the expectations of swim team!

Swimmer Responsibilities

The following guidelines are to inform swimmers of the coach’s policies regarding practice. These policies have been developed over many years and are designed to provide the best possible practice environment for all.

• Practice cannot start unless a certified coach is on deck. No swimmers should enter the water until instructed by coaches.

• Swimmers should come to practice every day with all the necessary equipment in good working order. Swimsuit, Goggles, Caps, towels, etc.
• All swimmers must be able to swim the length pool in order to be entered into swim meets.
• Swimmers should not leave the practice area unless they inform the coach.
• Disruptive behavior at practice or at the meets will not be tolerated. Unacceptable behavior which continues after one warning may result in a swimmer being asked to leave the pool. Continued behavior issues could warrant a swimmer being removed from the team, and NO refunds will be issued. Offensive language or gestures will not be tolerated.
• Every swimmer needs to respect and obey all pool rules AND our surrounding property. Any damage or vandalism of the Saddle Creek pool or any opposing team’s pool may result in financial liability of the swimmer's parents. This may also lead to the swimmer being asked to leave the team.
• Criticism of the coaches or other swimmers is not acceptable.
• Commit to meets for the entire season. Update the coaches of any changes no later than Tuesday of each week.
• Do not leave the meets early! If a storm comes, do not leave until a notice goes out canceling the meet.  We are often able to continue after the quick summer storms leave the area.
• The baby pool is closed during practices and meets. Our swim team swimmers should not be in the baby pool at any time during swim team. Please help us reinforce this!

Parent Responsibilities

The following guidelines are to inform parents of Saddle Creek swim team's policies regarding practice. These policies have been developed over many years and are designed to provide the best possible practice environment for all.

• Ensure your child attends each practice, arrives early, and has all their equipment.
• Provide support and encouragement for your child especially when he/she hits a performance plateau or downturn. We stress time improvements. If your swimmer practices, they will likely see time improvements, and we hand out ribbons for this when they do. Celebrate this!
• Get involved with the Team. Our parents are our greatest resource and we rely on their commitment and creativity to operate at a high standard.
• Parents are required to work at least one-half of ALL swim meets. Failure to work a meet will result in your child being pulled from their events. We cannot run meets efficiently without everyone’s help. Information regarding volunteers can be found on the SCST website. Meets are hot and are long, and volunteering also helps to speed them up. I have enjoyed getting to know so many swim team families through volunteering. Without adequate support, my personal willingness to volunteer for swim team will diminish.
• Practice cannot start unless a certified coach is on deck. No swimmers should enter the water until instructed by coaches.
• Do not talk to the coaches when a coach is in the water with a swimmer or if the next practice is beginning. This is for the swimmer's safety.
• We will not tolerate negative or critical comments about our coaches or swimmers (our team or another team). If you have comments or concerns about any coach or swimmer, please raise those to the committee and not to other parents, swimmers, etc.
• Remind your swimmers to listen to the coaches. Disruptive behavior at practice or at the meets will not be tolerated. Unacceptable behavior which continues after one warning may result in a swimmer being asked to leave the pool. Continued behavior issues could warrant a swimmer being removed from the team, and NO refunds will be issued.
• Parents will be informed of their child's continued misconduct during workouts. They shall be informed promptly if their child has been asked to leave a workout, the reasons for this action, and the conditions which must be met for his/her return.
• Offensive language or gestures will not be tolerated.
• Pick up your child promptly at the end of practice. Coaches need to prepare to coach the next group of swimmers. Because our responsibility is to the swimmers in the pool, we do not and can not monitor kids who are not picked up promptly.
• Younger siblings are not allowed to swim in the pool during practices. This must be strictly enforced for liability reasons.
• A parent or designated adult needs to attend practice sessions for all 6 & under swimmers. Coaches are not acting in the capacity of a lifeguard.
• Remember your swimmers are being timed by parent volunteers from both teams. We do not have touchpads–at times will be incorrect. Please give grace and understanding.
• Please remain in the Pavilion or at the playground during practice. Many have siblings hanging out, which can quickly fill up the pool deck.
• The baby pool is closed during practices and meets, as it is not being monitored.

If you are not a member of Saddle Creek, you may not stay at the pool for any time after any swim events or swim lessons–the only exception is if you are a guest of a member–that member has to be present at the pool with you. If this rule is ignored, you may be removed from the team with no refund, and will not be allowed to return. Because we take up pool use time, we have to be completely respectful of our neighborhood members and make sure we enforce the rules.