Team Handbook
Parent Handbook
Welcome to the Muirfield Marlins swim team, and thank you to all the swimmers, parents, and volunteers for contributing to our team. Our season consists of six (6) league swim meets (typically three at our 'home' Muirfield Pool).
Marlins Mission Statement
To provide an organized family activity focused on supporting our youth that promotes team spirit, sportsmanship, thrill of competition, and development of swimming skills while enhancing the Muirfield community and neighbor relationships. Participants will be both encouraged and expected to maintain a team attitude and contribute to team goals through individual effort. Our swimmers will be rewarded for teamwork, effort, and performance throughout the season and at our year-end awards celebration. It is our objective to celebrate our swimmers and ensure they grow from their time with the Muirfield Marlins.
Meet Eligibility
Practice will be held every weekday throughout the season. Our coaches will encourage swimmers to make as many practices as possible. The league requires a minimum of two (2) practices a week (not including vacations) to remain eligible for meets.
Swimmers may not be older than 18 as of June 1st of this year to be eligible to swim. All swimmers must be able to swim at least one length of the pool unassisted before swimming in any swim meets. Beginner swimmers will be allowed to work up to this requirement within the sole discretion of the coaching team.
Parents/Swimmers Must Give Advanced Notice of Meet Attendance
All Swimmers are required to declare in Swimtopia by the Thursday prior to EVERY swim meet if they are ATTENDING or DECLINING to attend the following swim meet. The ability to declare (and therefore attend) for the swim meet closes on the Thursday prior to the swim meet, and league rules prohibit late signups. League rules also require that we submit/exchange our team swimming entries 72 hours before the swim meet, and our coaches need one day (Friday) to set relays and etc. Sometimes swimmers may be asked to swim events that they have not requested for the good of the team.
NOTE: Unexpectedly absent swimmers create havoc and sometimes disappointment for other swimmers. Please notify coaches ASAP if your child can’t attend the meet at the last minute.
Swim Meets
Please be on time (30 minutes before the swim meet warmups) and keep track of your children. The Marlins operate automated swim meets, and we use Meet Manager software by Hy-Tek. This software is the most commonly used swim meet software and streamlines/simplifies swim meet operations. Prior to the swim meets, programs are distributed (via email & Facebook) with swimmer assignments for every swimming event/heat/lane.
Please use a Sharpie to write your child’s hand their Event/Heat/Lane/Swimmer information PRIOR to taking your child to the swim meet. The 'Swimmer' number will only be included (S1, S2, S3, or S4) for relay events. The order is shown on the swim meet program and this is how they also know which stroke they’re swimming in medley relays. Writing this on the swimmer’s hand reduces confusion in the bullpen and at the starting blocks.
Example of what should be written on your child's hand:
- E2 H1 L4 100 IM
- E8 H1 L2 S3 200 Free relay
- E30 H1 L2 S1 200 Medley relay
- E45 H1 L4 100 Back
- E53 H1 L6 100 Free
Coaches carry printed copies of the meet program should any questions arise.
Swim Meet Checklist
- Swimmers should be ready to swim at the designated warm-up time (usually 5:30 PM)
- Mark swimmer’s hands with event information BEFORE arriving at the meet
- Parent workers pick up their name tag with worker assignment from the Worker Assignment Board as soon as you arrive, which will be located near the event cardholder. This helps Swim Team Managers locate/fill jobs of those that are running late or fail to show up for the meet. All volunteer jobs HAVE to be worked!
- Swimmers warm-up are led by the coaches
- Swimmers report to the Bullpen when event number is called
- Swimmers perform your best and support your teammates during all events
- Parents look for ways to help, always be pleasant, and have fun!
Parent Worker Responsibilities & Penalties for Failing to Work
Successful swim meets require parent volunteers; both Home and Away. The requirement and minimum expectation is that one parent representing each swimmer works one shift (half) each meet to achieve the minimum 6 volunteer worker points per family.
We need about 25 people for each half for 'Home' meets and about 20 for each half at 'Away' meets. After committing to your parent worker schedule, it will be up to you to find a substitute. If you are substituting for another parent, please pick up that parent’s name tag at the beginning of the meet.
When you (or your substitute) arrive at a swim meet, pick up your name tag(s) from the Worker Assignment Board immediately and check in. If you (or your substitute) do not pick up your name tag and work as assigned, you will be counted as a “no-show.” The $150 check collected from each family with your swimmer's registration will be cashed if your worker shifts are not completed. A second “no-show” from the same family will result in all swimmers from that family being excluded from meets for the remainder of the season. No refunds of registration fees will be given.
Parent Worker Assignments
Parents will be asked to work in one of the following roles:
AWAY Meets:
HOME Meets: (All the same jobs as AWAY meets, and additional jobs below)
TEAM SUITS
B & B Aquatics is the official merchandise supplier for the St Charles County Summer Swim League, and therefore that of the Muirfield Marlins. Please refer to the Online Store section of the team website to purchase swim team apparel and supplies. Purchases made through our online store help support our swim team.
EVENT PARKING - Muirfield HOME meets
Parking for practice or meets is only permitted in the pool parking lot and the West side of Muirfield Drive. Please be considerate of our neighbors and do not block their driveways or drive on their lawns. If you live in Muirfield, please try to walk or ride bikes to practices and meets.
We are excited that you are part of the Muirfield Marlins! We are your Marlins Leadership Team...and we are working to make the Marlins a great experience for your swimmers!
