USA SWIMMING

WHAT IS USA SWIMMING?

USA Swimming is the National Governing Body for competitive swimming in the United States. USA Swimming was conceived in 1978 with the passage of the Amateur Sports Act, which specified that all Olympic sports would be administered independently. USA Swimming Headquarters office was established in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1981 and is located at the Olympic Training Center.

HOW IS USA SWIMMING ORGANIZED?

International - The international federation for the aquatic sports is the Federation Internationale de Natation Amateur (FINA). USA Swimming is affiliated with FINA through United States Aquatic Sports (USAS), made up of the four aquatic sports-swimming, synchronized swimming, diving and water polo.

National - USA Swimming is a Group A member of the United States Olympic committee (USOC) and has voting representation inthe USOC House of Delegates.

Zones - We are divided into four separate zones - Central, Eastern, Southern and Western. Each zone elects two representativesto the national Board of Directors.

Local - Within the United States, there are fifty-nine (59) Local Swimming Committees (LSCs). Each LSC is responsible for administering USA Swimming activities in a defined geographical area and has its own set of bylaws under which it operates. Our Local Swimming Committee is called "Connecticut Swimming, Inc.".

HOW IS MSC INVOLVED IN USA SWIMMING?

Manchester Swim Club (MSC) is one of the 59 members clubs of the CSI. A few years ago MSC had only a few participating swimmers. Last year over 35 MSC swimmers participated in USA Swimming. This was a great showing for our club, and we hope even more will consider registering in the 2009-2010 season.

SHOULD MY CHILD PARTICIPATE IN USA SWIMMING?

Yes, absolutely! Why you might ask? Competitions, competitions, competitions! This year we will be competing in several statewide meets, as well as, 8 & under. Regional, Age Groups, and Senior Championships. An advantage of swimming in a USA meet is that each meet is run very much like a Championship Meet, with several teams instead of only 2. The meets can be very competitive for those more experienced swimmers, and the less experienced or newer swimmers will gain additional experience competing in meets. Attending practice is one way to improve strokes, turns, starts, finishes and eventually improves times. But, an equally important tool in bettering all of these things is to compete more often.

Parents may be hesitant to sign their child up for USA Swimming, if they feel their child doesn't have enough experience.

USA swim meets are geared toward swimmers of all abilities. Each event is set up so that all swimmers are in a heat with swimmers that have comparable times.

A difference between MSC team meets and USA meets are that with USA meets, you and your child can choose which events he/she will swim. This gives your child the opportunity to swim in events that he/she might not be able to swim in an MSC team meet.  At MSC team meets, the coaches will choose all events for each swimmer, depending on the needs of the team.

Another difference is that you can pick and choose which USA meets you would like your swimmer to attend. Whereas, with MSC meets, your child is expected to attend all that the coaches assign them to, unless there are unforeseen or extraordinary circumstances. Several USA meets will be offered as well as Championship meets. We have chosen sites throughout Connecticut at some really great pools (High Schools, Colleges and Universities). You can decide to go to all or pick only a few.

USA SWIMMING FEE SCHEDULE FOR SHORT COURSE 2009-2010

All USA swimmers will pay the Rec Team Fee and an additional USA Team Fee.

The fee structure for Connecticut/USA Swimming is as follows:

                USA Registration                                                   $ 57.00

                MSC/USA fees                                                       $193.00

                Total                                                                     $250.00  

              * Initial "Kitty Fund" (meet fees)  (see * below)        $ 50.00

Payment is due by October 1st.  If you would like to pay in installments, you may

pay one half of the fees (125.00) and the $50.00 kitty fund deposit by October 1st, and a 2nd payment of $125.00 by November 1st. 

1st installment and kitty fund payment must be made by October 1st to guarantee entry into the first meet.

Checks should be made payable to Manchester Swim Club.

*The “Kitty Fund” is used for swimmers’ meet and event entry fees.  Fees are usually $3.50 to $4.00 for each chosen event per meet.  Championship events will be about $5.00 each. Swimmers will be requested to replenish their “kitty fund” as it is depleted.    

Your child must be registered with USA Swimming with registration card in hand, before we can enter him/her in any meets.

Important Notes: If you are transferring to MSC from another team and your swimmer participated in USA Swimming with that team you need to fill out a Transfer/Release form. You can obtain a Transfer/Release form from Diane Smyth at the pool. You will need to have it signed by your previous coach and returned with your registration to Diane on or before October 1st.

Diane will be available during practice to answer questions regarding USA Swimming. If you are a past USA swimmer, you need to see Diane for a registration form which needs to be complete with payment by October 1st.

We hope you find this information helpful in making this decision for your child. If you have any further questions or concerns regarding USA Swimming, you may contact Diane Smyth at 860-635-7205 or you can speak to Diane at the pool or one of our coaches before or after swim practice.

USA

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