PARENT HANDBOOK

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BPR Swim Team Program

The intent of the Birmingham Park and Recreation Swim Team Program is to provide an enjoyable constructive experience for your children.  BPR swim team is a year round competitive program for advanced swimmers from ages 4-18 years of age.  BPR swim team competes against other teams around the state of Alabama such as Jasper, Liberty Park, Pine Tree, Sports First and Altadena Valley.  The Swim Team is a structured recreational activity in which your child can learn the value of fair competition, sportsmanship, teamwork, individual achievement, staying healthy, making new friends, receiving awards such as ribbons and medals (Gold, Silver, and Bronze) for their effort, and best of all having a lot of fun.   We at BPR want to achieve a positive balance between fun and healthy competition.  We don’t think “winning is everything” but it sure is fun and that is why hard work, regular practice, and learning self-discipline are all goals for our program.   We want to assure you that there is a welcome spot for each and every child on our team.  There are no “losers” among our swimmers.  We ask only that you and your child are positive members of our team.  

Summer & Winter Programs

 Our summer program is conducted mainly at Underwood Pool.  We are members of Jefferson County Swim Council and participate on five dual meets at various locations.  We also participate in Alabama Recreation &Parks Association District and State Meets.  We have one head coach and two assistant coaches in this program. The Winter Program is for those who want to continue swimming year around.  Practices are held three days a week and consist of a two – hour workout, in which the swimmers will work on strokes, technique, starts & turns, speed and distance swimming.  BPR usually participates in three US Swimming meets.  We have one head coach and two assistants in this program.      

BPR Parent Group

 Our summer swimming program literally could not operate without the generous work of parent volunteers.  The responsibilities of collecting dues and fees, conducting Park Board approved fund raisers, becoming certified officials, to actually conducting the swim meets is up to the parents. 

The jobs involved in running a swim meet vary in the degree of difficulty.  Parents can start out as timers and work up within their own comfort level.  We just need all parents to participate in order to run smooth and effective swim meets.

 

The Parent’s Role

 1.      It is the coach’s job to offer constructive criticism and continued encouragement to the swimmers.  Parents should offer love, support, recognition, and encouragement.2.      During practice swimmers and coaches deserve not to be distracted, therefore parents are asked to stay off the deck during practice, and talk to coaches only after practice.3.      It is important for parents to have realistic expectations.  Every swimmer will have good and bad days.  Remember our main goal is to have a good competitive experience.  4.      Parents should keep a record of best times in all strokes so swimmers can be congratulated when they improve their personal best times.  5.      Only positive attitudes will be allowed during practice and meets.  Swimmers that do not adhere to this rule will sit out practice and or meet. 

Registration Fees

 

The cost for your child to be a member of the BPR Swim Team Summer Program is approximately $35.00.  This includes membership to Jefferson County Swim Council and entry fees for District and Divisional Meets.

 

To participate in Winter Swim, each participant must be a member of USA Swimming. The club fee is $50 per swimmer or $5 if child is on the Federal Lunch Program (must have verification sheet from school cafeteria.  We usually enter three swim meets at an average cost of $12 per meet.

 

It is the parent’s responsibility to provide their swimmer(s) with swimsuit, goggles etc.

 

Our summer swim meets are held on Tuesday night.  All of our “home meets” are held at Underwood Pool.  Parents are responsible for providing or arranging transportation to all home and away meets.  Warm-ups begin at 4:00 p.m. and meets begin at 5:00 p.m.

 

Attendance at Meets

 

Our coaches must start “seeding” the swimmers (putting them in events) at the end of the week and will assume that all team members will be participating in the Tuesday meet unless notified otherwise.  Simply not showing up for a meet without warning is unfair to the other swimmers.  “NO SHOWS” can cause relays to be cancelled.

 

Officers

 

BPR Parent Group shall consist of the following officers:

 

President

Vice-President

Treasury

Secretary

 

Other positions may be added but these four are required.

 

Each officer is elected for a term of one year, but there are no limitations to the number of times an officer can be re-elected.  The president will appoint a nominating committee to present a slate of officers.  Nominations will also be welcome from the floor.  Parents should be notified a week prior to the election of officers.  Annual elections should be held at the end of the summer season, prior to the last meet.

 

Requirements upon Joining

 
  1. Child must be able to pass a general basic swim test.
  2. Complete the registration card
  3. Pay Summer or Winter fees
  4. Bring a valid copy of swimmers Birth Certificate