Parent Participation and Responsibilities
The reason we are all here is for the benefit of our kids; they are the heart of the team. However, it is the parents that keep it going. It takes 35-40 parents to run a dual meet.
All parents share the responsibility of putting on a successful meet with another team. Home meets require a greater number of our parents while away meets require fewer parents. This is because the hosting team provides a snack shack as well as most of the skilled positions such as the starter or referee, etc. Most of the common assigned positions for parents are very easy. Many of the positions afford you a birds-eye view of the meet and the opportunity to meet other parents and to get to know the other swimmers on the team. All families will be asked at registration to sign up for a predetermined number of meets to work at for the season. Training and instruction for these assignments will be given at the beginning of the season during the pot-luck dinner.
It is very important to show up for your work assignments on time. The bottom line is that unless all the deck positions are filled (timers, recorders, runners, etc.) the meet cannot start. If, once a schedule is distributed, you cannot make it due to other commitments please find a replacement for your work assignment-finding a replacement is your responsibility. Work schedules will have “Alternate/Relief” positions assigned. It will help the meet run smoothly if you could contact one of these parents in advance and perhaps trade an assignment with them if unable to attend. Let the Meet Director know well in advance. Always check in with the Meet Director prior to taking your position so your attendance can be confirmed.
Invitational meets: If your child is to participate in an Invitational meet it will usually require a work assignment. That work assignment would usually be posted within a week prior to the Invitational.
Preparing your 8 and Under swimmer Before a Meet: For 8 and Under swimmers, parents MUST write the stroke, heat and lane on the swimmer's right hand (using a Sharpie Pen) prior to starting the meet (see example below). Please use only Sharpie Pens for this.
For Example:
FR 1 – 3
BK 2 – 4
FLY 1 – 2
This example above tells the Shepherds who are helping your children to get to their races, that your swimmer is in (Freestyle,Heat 1, lane 3) and (Back Stroke, Heat 2 lane 4) and (Butterfly, Heat 1, lane 2).
Job Description
The following are descriptions of the jobs required to run a swim meet:
Has overall authority and control of the meet, makes all decisions relating to the contact of the meet. The team will provide training sessions for this position
Assumes control of the swimmers from the Referee, directs them to "take your mark", and sees that no swimmer is in motion prior to giving the start signal.
Observes the swimmers to ensure that the rules pertaining to each stroke, turn, start and finish are followed correctly.
Operates the stop watches to time the swimmers.
Makes sure that 7 and under swimmers make it to their events and their assigned lanes on time. Great job for parents of little ones.
After each event, takes the timer slips from timers and DQ slips from stroke and turn judges and gives them to the computer desk
Operates the timing system tablet and/or the computer. This involves pre-meet work such as generating the meet and printing timer and referee paperwork. During the meet it involves running the timing system or running the computer to import the times. After the meet, the results are forwarded to the other team, reports such as popped times are generated and passed on. Some training ahead of time is required.
Announces each event and event result
Attaches award labels to ribbons for each event and places them into family files.
Cooks and sells food items at home meets.
Sells raffle tickets to attendees at home meets.
Sets up blocks on both sides of the pool, lane ropes, back stroke flags, ropes around the perimeter of the pool, timing chairs, 8 and under benches, and easy-up tents. Checks that garbage and recycle cans are set out and clean, and checks the bathrooms for cleanliness and that they are stocked with adequate paper products.
Removes blocks, lane ropes and backstroke flags. Removes the ropes from the perimeter of the pool and puts away the 8 and under benches, easy-up tents and timing chairs. Brings all the garbage to the dumpster and straightens and restocks paper products in the bathroom.
Checks in swimmers for their race.
What to Bring to a Meet
- Team suit, goggles, cap(s), extra towels
- Blanket or parka for cool mornings and evenings
- Something to entertain between races - cards, books, coloring, games
- Most meets offer food at reasonable prices, some people prefer to bring their own
- Law chair; umbrella/pop-up tent for the shade
- Sharpie-type pen to write heat/lane assignments and to record times