May2009
New in 2009
There are several changes this year that are worth
noting! Some are in response to inputs from last year,
and other changes were just facts of life.
1. The County Board of health rediscovered swim teams. We need to get a $200 permit and be more
careful with food preparation and cleaning.
2. MVF’s new insurance Company requires that we now have 2 “Deck Parents” to monitor the deck during practices (so we need more parent helpers!). We’ll be enforcing the “talk to coaches after practice” rule more strictly. Please help us do this!
3. Pre-Team – We’re trying to lengthen the session and practice times for you! The first week will still
be hectic due to evaluations (5/26-29) and pool space.
4. MVF’s new insurance company is also requiring that we have a certified lifeguard at all practices and
meets, even though the coaches are all certified. We’re looking for volunteers to do this for 2009.
5. We’ll be doing some fundraising activities to help balance our budgets! Likely projects include “Larry’s
Cookie Dough” and “Joe Corbi’s Pizza”.
6. Our cost increases this year were so great that we asked the MVF Board offered to help cover some of
our increased insurance costs for the year. They graciously agreed, and this helped keep the rates from
going up even further. (Please thank MVF Board if you see any of them this summer!).
7. The result of all this is that team Fees had to increase to cover the extra costs, namely 1) providing
our coaches with Worker’s Compensation Insurance, 2) the Board of Health Concessions Fee, 3) other
increased insurance costs, and 4) higher coaching fees for the pre-team. Please let us know if you have
ideas to help us raise money
Can You Become an Official !?
We need more parent officials to officiate a meet! The following Clinics are at Olney Swim Center:
Tuesday, May 26 at 7:00pm - 9:30pm- Adv Ref Clinic Sunday, June 7 at 8:00-11:00am (Ref. S&T, Starter)
Sunday, June 14 at 8:00-11:00am (Ref. S&T, Starter)
Sponsorship/ Advertising!
Do you know of any local businesses that might want to advertise this year? Contact Jim Watkins if so!
We need more ways to generate revenue and help to hold down the team fees.
Meet the Coaches!
The Neptunes were lucky to hire three outstanding coaches this year! Please take a minute to read about
them, and say hello at our next family social event.
Head Coach: Jenn Martin Returns! Coach Jenn spent the winter teaching 1st grade at Glenn Haven Elementary School in Silver Spring. She swam competitively in MCSL in the 90s in her younger days, and graduated with a degree in Education from Duquesne in 2007.
Assistant Coach: Craig Cravath! Craig is attending James Madison University to study Finance, and swam for several local swim teams including Hadley Farms, Lake Marion Lasers, Magruder High School (Team Captain 2007, 2008), Upper Montgomery County YMCA, and the Rockville Montgomery Swim Club. Craig was also a paid instructor, and former Magruder HS Mascot!
PreTeam Coach: Laura Richards! Laura is attending West Virginia University majoring
in Pre-Athletic Training. She was a Neptune swimmer herself for 11 years, but also swam for the
UMC-YMCA and Curl Burk Swim Team. Laura was a swim instructor for Montgomery Village
Foundation and the Jewish Community Center Summer Camp, and was a private instructor for several years.
Volunteer Opportunities!
The Neptunes are looking for teenagers that want to make a difference and help others learn the value of
safe and competitive swimming. Lifeguards: Needed for all practices and meets. Pre-Team Instruction Helpers: AM&PM opportunity! Concession Stand Help! Help at the Neptune Café!
See Dave or Barb for more info! Earn SSL Hours!
2009 Neptune Team Contacts
(removed to protect privacy)
Web Site: www.goneptunes.com
NORTH CREEK NEPTUNES 2009 SCHEDULE
Tues 5/26 Practices Start at NC (530 & 630 pm)
Sat 6/13 All Comers Meet at North Creek
Wed 6/17 AM Practices Start at NC
and PM Practices start at Hurley Park
Fri 6/19 Pasta Night Family Social
6/20 A Meet at NC, vs. Old Farm
6/24 B Meet at NC, vs. Plantations
6/27 A Meet at NC, vs. Hillendale
7/1 B Meet @ Flower Hill
Fri 7/3 MVF Parade
7/4 A Meet at Kenmont
7/7 Tentative, B-Relay Carnival Meet
7/8 B Meet at NC, vs. Lake Marion
7/11 A Meet at Quail Valley
Sun 7/12 A-Meet Relays at Quail Valley
7/15 B Meet @ QV
7/18 A Meet at NC, vs. Fallsmeade
Sun 7/19 Long Course Meet at NC
7/22 B Meet at NC, vs. Whetstone
7/25 Divisional A-Meet (Away)
Wed 7/29 Awards Party at NC
8/1 All Star Meet in Rockville
Notes:
Dual A-Meets are on Saturdays. Starting times vary.
Dual B-Meets are on Wed. nights, normally warmups
start at
TEN COMMANDMENTS OF GOOD PARENTAL BEHAVIOR
(These commandments are adapted from an article by sports psychology expert Rick Wolfe, author of Good Sports, The Concerned Parent's Guide to Competitive Youth Sports.)
Unfortunately children's extracurricular activities today are often marred by the involvement of parents
who lose their perspective of what is important and how to behave appropriately. Here is a reminder of
how grown-ups should act at kids' swim meets and practices.
1. Talk about the other kids on the team –in fact, on other teams as well - in the same manner that you
would want parents to talk about your own child. This is the golden rule applied to sports. Sitting in the
stands watching the meet is a social affair. When you are making conversation, think about what you are
saying before you actually say it. To be on the safe side, only voice praise for the other children. That
way, you'll never go wrong.
2. It's nice to give the coach a pat on the back when your child swims well or the team is doing great. It is
even nicer when you give the coach a pat on the back when your child is swimming poorly.
3. Give officials a pat on the back too. The officials are volunteers who sacrifice their time to provide
safe, fair competitions for your child and help them learn their strokes correctly. Consider being an official yourself.
4. Remind your child that it is the effort that counts. We know all the kids want to win. Everyone wants a best time. But if there are winners, there will be losers, and times will not improve every swim. Be prepared to cushion your child's disappointment by pointing out how proud you are of their hard work
and effort.
5. Avoid the post meet analysis. When the meet is over and your child climbs back in the car, avoid AT ALL COSTS the detailed, excruciating analysis of everything they did right or wrong. Just let them chill out, savor the fun of having swum, and relax. The absolute worst time for "friendly criticism" is immediately after the meet.
6. Smile. A lot. Kids' sports are about having fun, and because kids take their behavioral cues from you, try at least to look like you are enjoying yourself.
7. If you aren't a good sport at the meets then your child won't be either. If you blame the coaches, the
other swimmers, the officials for your swimmer's performance, then they will copy your behavior and
won't accept responsibility for themselves.
8. Learn the rules. Know the schedules. Read your newsletter, ask questions, make it your job to know
what is going on.
9. If you must yell at the meets, shout only praise and encouragement. There is never any place for
derogatory, snide or sarcastic remarks at a children's swim meet.
10. Above all, be there for your children. Support them, praise them, and let them know you can always
be counted on for unconditional love, regardless of the times they swim.