The York Y Rambler 

October 18, 2006 

HAPPY TO BE HERE

Welcome to the first issue of The Rambler, an occasional newsletter that will come out about once a week.  Once I can figure out the Mac to PC connections, we will have the Rambler on the website as well as paper copies in your family mail boxes.

First, I’d like to thank you all for welcoming me so heartily and for putting up with my “deer in the headlights” look this past week as I’ve tried to figure out how things are done, who the swimmers are, who’s related to whom, which parents belong to which kids, who’s in which group, what level the kids are on right now, what they can handle and what they can’t, who is registered and who isn’t, and a hundred other things that have left my head spinning.  Please bear with me.

That said, I am very happy to be back in York, and I have been very pleased with what I have seen so far.  I think we have the potential to be very very good.

NEW SCHEDULE

Now that the “new schedule” is announced, posted, and distributed, we can all settle into a routine, which in a week or two will seem entirely normal and comfortable. 

As a reminder to our seniors, we will have practice this Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.  Last week the attendance was good, but I look forward to seeing all your smiling faces at the pool.

GRADUALISM

As outlined in the new schedule, our seniors will eventually be swimming three mornings before school.  But we will be working into our full schedule, as follows:

This week, 10/16 to 10/21, only Friday morning practice.

Next week, 10/23 to 10/28, only Wednesday and Friday morning practice.

The week after that, and weeks following, our full schedule:  Monday, Wednesday, & Friday morning practice.

Morning practices will begin at 5:30 a.m. and run until around 7:00.  I understand that some kids attend schools quite a ways away and will need to get out of the pool a little earlier.  I also understand that certain girls need to get out earlier than the boys.

WESTSHORE Y MEET THIS WEEKEND

 Just a quick reminder that the Kick Off Classic is at the WSY this Sunday.  10 & Unders need to be at the pool around 7:30 a.m.; warmup starts at 8:00 a.m. and the meet at 9:00 a.m. 11 & Overs need to be at the pool around 11:30 a.m. for a noon warmup and 1:00 p.m. meet start.

Please note that it is important to be on time.  Leave home early enough so that the coaches aren’t having to spend their time looking for you at the last minute.  Also, remember to check in with the coaches as soon as you arrive at the pool.  We need to know you are present and accounted for.  Thanks much.

IN CHARGE – PLEASE!

Competitive swimming is by and large a family activity.  Without the parents helping out by driving kids to practice, paying the dues, and helping run the meets, there would be no swimming for the kids to excel at.

One of the most important “jobs” of all is officiating, making sure the competitions are conducted fairly and efficiently.  And it is very important that every club has a good number of officials.  One of the nice parts of the job is that you get by far the best view of the proceedings, that you understand what is going on much better than most, that you get fed, and that you get to be responsible and feel the satisfaction for making things run well.  If you are going to be at a meet anyway, this is a very good way to keep yourself occupied and interested from start to finish of a session.

            This coming Saturday there will be a YMCA officials clinic at the Laural Office Building next to the West Shore YMCA. 

The clinic runs from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., costs $25 which will be reimbursed by the team, and includes a rule book and patch after you pass the test.  You will also receive my undying gratitude.  Any parents who are interested are requested (and begged) to register and attend.  Register over the web by contacting Mike Gobrecht of WSY at mike@wsyswim.org.  Thanks.

Coach Michael’s Practice Rules

I like to keep things simple.  I’ve seen a number of teams with detailed practice policies outlining practically every contingency.  My list is more brief, to wit:

1. Come to practice.  (You don’t get faster if you’re not here.)

2. Be on time.  (Michael Time)

3. Pay attention:

          = To me.  (Listen well, then do what I ask you to do.)

          = To you.  (Listen to the signals your body is sending when you swim.)

4. Work hard.  Consistently.

5. Work smart.  Consistently.

6.  Leave better than you came.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

"A winner gets completely saturated with the desire to excel....  The greatest single thing that makes a championship player is his desire to be one.  The greatest single quality of a championship club is a collective, dominating urge to win."

Branch Rickey, baseball pioneer

Signing out, Coach Michael Brooks