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1. Communication
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Email – this is the preferred method of communication to and from the coaching staff. Coaches will send out information and reminders to all participants via email. Please make sure that your email address is accurate and up-to-date and that you check it regularly, especially for schedule changes over breaks and for inclement weather. |
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Talking to the coaches – if email is possible, that is preferred. Coaches need to pay attention to their duties before and during practice. |
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Information can be obtained by emailing the coach or by checking the team’s websites at www.BigCatSwim.com |
2. Practice
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The Natatorium and Parking
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All participants and their families should respect the Natatorium and related facilities. |
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Parents are responsible for their swimmers until they arrive on the pool deck – PLEASE monitor their behavior in the locker rooms and hallways at the Natatorium. |
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Parking is available in several nearby lots after 5 PM – check the signs at the entrance to the lots. Parking is also available in the East Parking deck for $1 per hour, or you may purchase a pass at the Eisenhower Parking Office for $5 per month to park in selected lots that are enforced until 9 PM. DO NOT park illegally behind the Natatorium. |
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When dropping off or picking up your swimmers behind the Natatorium please drive slowly and watch for pedestrians and other cars. |
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General Policies:
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Swimmers should come to practice on time and ready to swim. |
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Swimmers should bring all necessary equipment, as well as extra goggles and caps. |
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Swimmers should use the restroom before practice. |
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Swimmers should treat coaches and peers respectfully at all times. |
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Swimmers should be present for the majority of the workouts if they expect to see improvement. |
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Group Placements and Advancement
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Coaches will make all decisions regarding as to the best group for swimmers to train with. This decision may include the swimmer’s mental maturity, workout consistency, skill level, and commitment to the sport. |
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Coaches, in consultation with swimmers and parents, will initiate the move of a swimmer from one training group to another. |
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Equipment, Suits, Caps, and Goggles
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Each training group will use some specific training equipment. The coach of your child’s group will recommend equipment for your child to have for practice – Parents should not spend money on equipment without first consulting with the coach. |
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All swimmers should wear appropriate competitive swimwear. If you have questions, please ask your child’s coach – Parents should not purchase high quality competition suits, such as Fastskins or Aquablades without first consulting with the coach. |
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Swimmers must provide their own caps and goggles and should have backups for practice and meets – caps and goggles break regularly. At swim meets, Big Cat swimmers will be charged for any team caps that they request from the coach. |
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3. Competition
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General policies:
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Most swimmers compete withNittany Lion Aquatics, a United States Swimming Club, as a part of the local chapter Middle Atlantic Swimming. |
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Swimmers who participate at meets with Nittany Lion coaches available should sit with the team. Parents should not be on the deck extensively unless working the meet and should not coach their children at these meets. Swimmers are expected to follow the coach’s guidelines at meets. |
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NLAC Registration and Information
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NLAC Swimmers must be registered with USA Swimming. There is an annual fee and the team does the bulk of the registrations in the fall for the following year (swimmers may still register throughout the year). |
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Regional meet information and a meet schedule are available at the Middle Atlantic Swimming website - www.maswim.org. |
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Meet Entries
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Meet entries are done through the Team Unify website. We will send out registration reminders with entry deadlines for all meets that NLAC will attend. |
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Meet entry fees are non-refundable once the entry deadline has passed (host teams must send a percentage of the collected fees to Middle Atlantic Swimming). Please plan ahead! |
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Nittany Lion Aquatic Meets & Your Role
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Nittany Lion hosts several meets during the year. |
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These meets are the team’s major source of funding. |
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NLAC parents are expected to donate their time to the club to help run smooth, efficient meets. |
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