Newtown Torpedoes Parent Meeting Introductions Rose Ann Reggiano

Newtown Torpedoes Parent Meeting

Introductions • Rose. Ann Reggiano - Park and Rec Aquatics Director: roseann. reggiano@newtown-ct. gov • Lisa Irving - Head Coach: torpedocoachli@gmail. com • Lester Frost - Assistant Coach • Jenn Mc. Donald - Assistant Coach

Team Philosophy The Newtown Torpedoes Swim Team aims to create a positive environment that encourages young athletes to learn and develop in and out of the pool, and allows each individual the opportunity to be successful.

About Our Team What we are: • A Park and Recreation run competitive swim team • We teach all four competitive strokes, as well as starts and turns • Regular season runs from October 1 - Feb 1 • Post-season runs Feb 1 - March 2 (All Star meet) • Age groups are based on swimmer’s age as of November 1, 2019

About Our Team What we are NOT: • we are not a USA Swimming program; we do not swim year round, we do not compete in Age Group, Regional or National meets

About Our Team • • We are part of the Yankee League which is comprised of 11 teams from across the state • Ledecky Division: Naugatuck, Newtown, Oxford, Plainville, Seymour, • Dressel Division: Bristol, Madison, New Milford, Trumbull, Watertown, West Haven Our schedule consists of: 5 dual meets, 1 Inter Squad meets, 1 Swim-a-Thon, Post-season meets (Trials, Championships and All-Stars)

Season Goals • Individual Goals: • • work towards each swimmer achieving their personal best Team Goals: • be competitive in our Division • bring a strong team to postseason championships • most important: exhibit good team spirit and sportsmanship throughout the season

Equipment Necessary equipment • Competition style suit (one piece, no fringe or ruffles, no trunks for boys) • Racing goggles ** buy more than one pair ** • Swim cap for ALL swimmers, latex or silicone • swimoutlet. com is a good resource ** Team suits will be available to try on and purchase during our team suit sale on October 8. Goggles, caps, etc. will be available for purchase as well.

Evaluations • Evaluations are held for ALL SWIMMERS NEW TO THE WINTER SWIM TEAM, this includes swimmers who participated on the summer team. • Swimmers must be registered through Park and Rec before evaluations • Purpose of evaluations: to make sure that swimmers can complete a minimum distance in the pool unassisted. This is NOT a test of speed! • 8 & Under: must be able to swim 25 yards (1 length of the pool) freestyle - alternating arm stroke, face in the water, breathing to the side. • 9 & Over: must be able to swim 50 yards (2 lengths of the pool) freestyle - alternating arm stroke, face in the water, breathing to the side.

Evaluation Schedule • 10 & Under: Sunday 9/29/19, 3: 00 - 4: 00 pm • 11 & Over: Sunday 9/29/19, 4: 00 - 5: 00 pm 9/29 Evaluations will be held at the Newtown Community Center • Make-Ups for any age: Tuesday 10/1/19, 7: 30 - 8: 00 pm or by appointment (email Coach Irving directly) 10/1 Evaluations will be held at Newtown High School

Communication All information regarding the team can be found on our team website: https: //www. teamunify. com/Home. jsp? _tabid_=0&team=nent • Calendar Apparel store • Meet schedule Volunteer positions • Team events Team Records • Meet sign-up Swim-A-Thon Log In is required to access some information. After evaluations are complete, new families will receive log in instructions via email ** make sure your email address is correct with park and rec! **

Communication • Emails from coaches will come from the coaches via Team Unify. • On occasion, practice will change or be canceled with little notice due to changes in the high school schedule or weather. Check email/website often. • Follow us on Twitter: @Torpedoes 10 • Coaches/Park and Rec can be emailed directly at: • Lisa: torpedocoachli@gmail. com • Rose. Ann: roseann. reggiano@newtown-ct. gov

Practice Policies • Practices are offered 4 - 5 times a week (Mon-Fri) • Swimmers will be grouped by age for practice: • • 10&Unders => M - F: 5: 30 -6: 30 • 11&Overs => M/W: 6: 15 -7: 30; T/Th: 6: 30 -8: 00; F: 6: 30 -7: 30 • On Mondays and Wednesdays 11 & Overs will do dryland training from 6: 15 -6: 30 Practice expectations: Be on time, be prepared, have a good attitude, be respectful of coaches, teammates and facilities, display good sportsmanship at all times.

Practice Policies Practice Attendance Requirement: In order to compete in meets, swimmers are required to regularly attend a minimum of 2 practices per week throughout the season • During October we understand that many swimmers are involved in other fall sports so swimmers should attend practice when they can. Attendance policy goes into affect in November. Recommended attendance • 10 & under swimmers: 2 practices a week • 11 & over swimmers: 3 practices a week **Parents are NOT allowed on the pool deck during practice**

Locker Room • Swimmers may use the locker rooms to changing, using the bathrooms and quick showers. “Hanging out” and horseplay are not allowed. • Swimmers are required to enter and exit the locker rooms from the pool deck so coaches know who is coming and going. • During practice, swimmers must notify one of the coaches in order to enter the locker rooms. • Swimmers should keep all belongings on the pool deck during practice and meets. We cannot be responsible for items left unsecured. • Cell phones use is not allowed in the locker room.

Meet Policies • Swimmers are required to participate in 3 (out of 5) full dual meets over the course of the season. In order to compete in Yankee League post-season Trials and Championships, swimmers MUST compete in 3 full dual meets. • We do allow for attendance at 1/2 of a meet but note that your swimmer will only be credited for 1/2 of a meet. Swimmers can participate in a whole meet, first 1/2 only, or second 1/2 only. You must note 1/2 meet only participation when you sign up for the meet.

Meet Policies • Warm up will start 30 minutes before the start of a meet. Meets run approximately 3 1/2 - 4 hours not including warm up. • Meet expectations: Be on time, be prepared, have a good attitude, be respectful of all coaches, officials, teammates and facilities, display good sportsmanship at all times. • Swimmers are NOT allowed in the viewing area. • Parents are NOT allowed on the pool deck during meets unless working in a volunteer capacity.

Meet Sign Up • • Sign up for each meet will take place through our website • swimmer sign up AND • volunteer sign up You will receive several email reminders. Meet sign up will close on Wednesday nights at 8 pm. No swimmers will be allowed to sign up after that time.

Volunteering • In order for our team to run smoothly we need many volunteers! • Season long opportunities ——-> • Meet opportunities • timers • runners • meet set up • meet breakdown • concession sales Apparel Banquet Concessions Meet manager/Scoring Officiating (training provided) On deck volunteers Photographer Ribbon writers Scoreboard Security Slideshow Starter Swim-A-Thon Team Suit Sale

Swim-A-Thon • • Annual team Fundraiser to benefit the Daniel Barden Newtown Torpedo Memorial Scholarship through the Newtown Scholarship Association • To date we have donated almost $43, 000 to the NSA • Awarded to a graduating member of the boys or girls swim team from Newtown High School; can be awarded all four years of college • 7 recipients since 2013 A portion of proceeds stays with our team, purchased for this season: • Completely refinished starting blocks! 2019 -2020 goal is 100% swimmer participation