Coaching Staff
Co-Head Coaches
Jim Fahy
Beth Hilty
Assistant Coach
Todd Braun
Student Coach
Kiersten Sneddon
Nothing has a greater influence on the quality of
children’s sports than the excellence of the coach. The Dolphins Swim
Team staff consists of highly experienced coaches and as members in the
American Swimming Coaches Association; each has access to the most
comprehensive training and certification program for youth coaches of any
sport in the United States. Our coaching staff provides the assurances
that the time your children spend in swimming will be quality time.
We
are fortunate to have outstanding and dedicated coaching talent and hope
that you will give all of our coaches your support. Thank you.
Coaches
Responsibilities
The coaches’ job is to supervise the competitive swim
program. The DDST coaching staff is dedicated to providing a program
for youngsters that will enable them to learn the values of striving to
improve one self—“to be the best you can be”. Therefore, the coaches
must be in total control in matters affecting training and competition.
1. The coaches are responsible for placing
youngsters in practice groups. This is based on the age and ability
level of each individual. When it is in the best interest of a
swimmer, he/she will be placed in a more challenging training group by the
coach.
2. Sole responsibility for stroke instruction and
the training regimen rests with the DDST coaching staff. Each group’s
practices are based on sound scientific technique and are geared to the
specific goals of that group.
3. At meets, the coaching staff will conduct and
supervise warm-up procedures for the team. After each race, the
coaches will offer constructive criticism regarding the swimmer performance.
(It is the parent’s job to offer love and understanding regardless of their
youngster’s performance)
4. The building of a relay team is the sole
responsibility of the coaching staff.
The coaching staff is constantly updating and improving
the DDST program. It is the swimmers and parent’s responsibility to
make the most out of the excellent opportunity this program provides for
success in swimming.
Swim Season
The Dickinson Dolphins have both a winter season,
referred to as short course with meets held in 25-yard pool, and a summer
season, referred to as long course with meets held in 50-meter pools.
The winter season begins in November and runs through March. The
summer season begins in May and ends by early August. At the end of
each season, an Awards Party is held at which time Participation Awards are
presented to all swimmers. The medals and ribbons are also presented
to the swimmers from the Consolation and State Championship meets.
Facility
The pool used by the DDST is the West River Community
Center competition Pool. The Club is responsible for payment of pool
rent at $25.00 per hour. The pool hours set aside for the DDST are
4:15-6:15, however, the coaching staff will set up a detailed practice
schedule to be sent home monthly.
REMEMBER: We are
guests of the West River Community Center. Please take care of the
pool and building.
Fees
The Dickinson Dolphin Swim Team is a not-for-profit
organization that operates on a fixed budget. Operating expenses for
the team include coaching fees, facility rental fees, coaches meet expenses,
team communication, resources needed to host a meet, team activity expenses,
ribbons and awards. As a swimming family, you have the obligation to
assure that DDST continues to enjoy a solid financial footing. This is
accomplished by several sources of funding.
Seasonal Membership
Fees: $150.00 per
season
$140.00 per swimmer for each additional swimmer
USA Swimming/NDLSC Fee:
$30 Seasonal USA Swimming/NDLSC fee**
or
$50 Annual USA Swimming/NDLSC fee*
Fundraising Commitment
$150 per family to be returned upon meeting commitment
or cashed 03/01/07 to satisfy balance
USA Swimming Registration Fee: When you register
with DDST, your fee for registration/membership in the USA Swimming
organization is included in the season fees. This is an annual fee,
which provides insurance for all properly sanctioned events and supervised
practices. DDST does not receive any of the USA fee. It is
passed straight to USA Swimming.
Meet Fees: Each swimmer is responsible for all
expenses incurred going to and from Swim meets. This includes: Travel,
lodging, meals, and entry fees.
Fundraising:
Since revenue generated by fees does not cover all Team expenses, additional
fundraising is necessary. The Fundraising Commitment can be found in
detail on the following page.
Dickinson
Dolphin Swim Team
Fundraising
Commitment
The Dickinson
Dolphin Swim Team is fortunate to be supported by one of the finest
organizations in all of competitive swimming, the DDST Parents’ Club.
Each time a youngster joins the team, the swimmer’s parents automatically
become members (and owners) of the DDST Parents’ Club and inherit with that
membership the responsibility to participate and support the activities of
the Team and the Club.
In preparing for the 2006-2007
swim season, a major emphasis for the club will be securing needed workers
for club sponsored swim meets and activities and raising the required funds
to balance our budget without a major fundraiser in the summer (The Duck
Race). Whether you are a longstanding or new member, you know that the
fees you pay cover only a portion of our expenses. Fund-raising is essential
to meet the operating costs. Much like any other non-profit
organization we must have fund-raising events in order to keep our fees low
and allow more families to participate. Each family's
participation makes these activities successful.
Fundraising
Commitment Requirements
– Each DDST registered family is required to earn $150 per year in
fundraising to benefit the Club. These funds are necessary to cover
the cost of pool rental, both for practice and for meets. The
fundraising commitment can be met in several ways, each of which is
described below.
Program Ad Sales – The businesses of our community have been very
generous in supporting youth activities and this is a way for us to
recognize them for their donations at our meets.
Swim-A-Thon – This year we are asking every DDST swimmer to
participate in the National Swim-A-Thon Program. The family can
solicit contributions for the distance completed from friends, neighbors,
co-workers, and other family members. For every $10 contributed, the
family earns $7.50 of fundraising credit. Thus, if a family raises
$200 of contributions through Swim-A-Thon, the annual fundraising commitment
will be completed.
Cash Contribution – Some families prefer not to participate in any of
the various fundraising activities. Additionally, at the end of the
fundraising period, some families will not have fulfilled the full $150
minimum. In such cases, the check collected at the beginning of the
season will be cashed and the portion that has been met will be returned
while the unmet portion will be retained by the club.
Refund Policy
Because we must commit to our coaches for the entire season, it is expected
that swimmers also commit to an entire season of fees, whether or not they
are able to swim during all weeks or months of the season. DDST Board
will consider refunding the swimmers club fee, less the USA fee if the
person is injured or if a medical condition arises after the team medical
form has been signed. A prorated refund will be given only if a doctor
gives a medical excuse advising them not to swim.
SWIM MEETS
Philosophy of Competition
DDST emphasizes individual growth and development. While the swimmer’s
individual improvement is the primary focus, sportsman-like behavior is of
equal importance. The reputation of the team will be a reflection of
the actions of our swimmers, coaches, and parents. Respect for
officials, congratulations to other competitors, encouragement to teammates,
determined effort and mature attitudes are taught and expected.
Swimmers are taught to set realistic but challenging goals for swim meets
and to relate these goals to training efforts.
General Guidelines for Meets
The North Dakota LSC establishes a meet schedule:
http://www.und.nodak.edu/org/ndlsc/scmt0405.htm.
Swimmers are encouraged to attend meets as their family schedules allow.
To be eligible for the championship meets -- State Short Course and Long
Course Championships, swimmers must swim a qualifying time at one of the
sanctioned meets during the corresponding season. Qualifying times may
be found at the NDLSC web page:
http://www.und.nodak.edu/org/ndlsc/timestds.htm.
Meet Entries
Sign-up sheets for meets will be distributed to swimmers approximately 2 to
3 weeks before the meet as most entries are to be received by the host team
7 to 10 days before the meet.
Entering a Meet:
1. Read all information on meet entry form carefully. Fill out the
first page of the meet packet with all the information required. This
form will indicate how many events a swimmer may enter per day.
2. Swimmers should determine the events in which they wish to compete.
If a swimmer needs assistance on choosing events, please speak to the
coaches. Enter event numbers carefully.
3. Attach a check to the entry form with the appropriate entry fees.
All forms must be turned into the coaching staff by the due date indicated
on the entry form. Please indicate on your check the swimmer’s name
and meet name. Late entries will not be accepted, so TURN YOUR FORMS
IN EARLY!
4. Relay members may be
assigned at any time up to the start of the event. If you choose not
to be a member of a relay, please inform the coaches when signing up for the
meet. The coaches will determine relay members, based on a variety of
considerations. These may include: swimmers’ best times, relay
performances, work ethic, practice attendance, attitude, etc.
Additional Swim Meet Information:
1. Dress appropriately. It is generally very warm in the pool area.
2. Seating can be limited. Bring folding chairs or blankets.
They can always remain in the car if not needed.
3. Meet Programs are usually available to purchase for $3-$5. It is
recommended to bring a highlighter and pen to highlight your swimmer’s (and
their teammates’) events in the program. Use the pen to write event
numbers, heats and lane assignments on your swimmer’s hand, arm or leg.
(See example below)
|
Event |
Heat |
Lane |
Stroke |
|
14 |
5 |
4 |
100 free |
|
21 |
2 |
3 |
50 back |
|
35 |
3 |
6 |
25 fly |
|
43 |
4 |
2 |
25 breast |
4. Bring snacks and drinks for your swimmer and your family. Keep your
swimmer hydrated!
5. It is the swimmer’s responsibility to be lined up at the appropriate time
and in the appropriate lane. Watch the scoreboard for the current
event and heat number and allow time for your swimmer to consult with a
coach before lining up behind the appropriate starting block. Swimmers
should also check in with the coach after their event to discuss the race.
All swimmers should compete in the team suit and cap. The swimmers
should arrive at the meet at least 15 minutes prior to the warm-up session
and check in with one of the coaches. Questions, concerns, and
comments during the meet should be made to a coach, never to a meet
official. Any meet-related problems will be addressed by the coaches.
Parental Responsibilities
DDST
is a program set up by parents for our children. It is therefore
essential that all parents participate fully and share in the
responsibilities associated with being a DDST parent. Some of the
responsibilities include:
·
Parents are responsible for running and staffing all home swim meets.
Some of the jobs associated with holding a meet are set-up and take down,
clerk of the course, snack bar, pool marshal, timing, runner, computer,
hospitality, results and awards.
·
Parents are responsible for working as timers at out-of-town meets.
DDST is usually responsible for providing 3 to 6 timers throughout the meet.
·
Parents/swimmers are responsible for returning entry forms and fees
to their coach for each swim meet in a timely and appropriate manner.
·
Coaches welcome inquiries about your swimmer’s progress at mutually
agreed upon times. Parents should leave stroke and race analysis to
the coaches.
·
Parents are responsible for paying the club annual dues and swim team
fees in a timely manner.
·
Parents are responsible for participating in DDST fundraising
projects and meeting the annual fundraising commitment.
ALL PARENTS ARE REQUIRED TO WORK
SWIM MEETS HOSTED BY OUR TEAM!
The following is a
non-inclusive list of available positions at the swim meets:
DDST Invitational
January 19, 20, 21, 2007
Dickinson Consolation
March 4, 2007
Concession Helper
Lane Timer
Safety Marshal
Hospitality
Meet Program Sales Clerk of Course
Runner Set-up
Clean-up
Team Store
Concessions Donation
Families are asked to donate concession items for home swim meets.
Information will be distributed prior to the meets outlining what donations
are needed and where and when they can be delivered. Generous
concessions contributions generate revenue the team relies on, and provides
the food and drink our swimmers and their families need during the meet.
DDST Volunteer Goals
The DDST volunteer
commitment simply states that each family will commit to assisting the team
with its sponsored swim meets each year by volunteering for any number of
jobs associated with the meets. In addition, each family is strongly
encouraged to assist the team by volunteering for any number of team
positions or activities. There is also a need to train officials as
each team is required to provide one official for every 10 swimmers entered
in meets throughout the state. As our membership grows, the need for
officials does also.
E-mail is the main
communication tool used by volunteer coordinators. If you do not have
an e-mail address please list a number where you can be reached or a message
can be left for you on your registration form.
