Below are some points of information I thought would be important for you all to have regarding parent protocol, communication, contact information, practices, the website, swim suits, meets and the championships.

Access to Pool Deck
 

Only coaches, timers, and swimmers are permitted on the pool deck. This is a Hicksville Aquatic Center Regulations, as set forth by the Board of Health. Failure to abide may result in a loss of our facility use permit.

Once Swimmers enter the pool deck via the locker room, they are not permitted to enter the stands. Swimmers must change into and out of swim suits in the locker rooms. This is a Hicksville Aquatic Center Regulations, as set forth by the Board of Health. Failure to abide may result in a loss of our facility use permit.
 

Division Classification - all participants are classified with maximum age limitations. If a Participant exceeds the maximum age as of December 1st of the program year, they must participate in the next higher division.

The divisions are 8 and under, 10 and under, 12 and under, 14 and under, 18 and under (high school student only).

Eligibility - Note that interscholastic and club swimmers are eligible to swim with the CYO program, Varsity swimmers, public and private may participate in program. Relays are to be followed by Composition of Relays allowing athletes’ to swim up one division. (One age group) If there is an ineligible swimmer, regardless of when reported, the event shall be forfeited or disqualified.

Participation in Regular Season and CYO Championships:

Contestants may swim in only three events in the regular season Dual Meets as well as in the CYO Championship Meet.

• A swimmer may participate in three (3) events per meet, no more than two (2) of which may be individual events.
• If a swimmer swims more than the allowed amount of races (3 events) they shall be disqualified from their last events

Swimmers

In order to compete

1. Swimmers age 10 & under must be able to complete one (1) length of the swimming pool, or 25 yards, without grabbing on to the lane ropes, walls or touching the bottom of the pool.
2. Swimmers age 11 and over must be able to complete two (2) lengths of the pool – or 50 yards, in the same manner.
3. All swimmers must be comfortable enough to dive into the water from the starting block, as opposed to the side of the pool.

During the Dual Meet

1. There will be 8 Dual Meets scheduled – 4 home and 4 away. Ribbons will be earned for placing 1-3.
2. All swimmers must be on the pool deck ½ hour prior to the posted starting time of the meet.
3. All swimmers are expected to remain on the pool deck with their teammates throughout the competition. Swimmers are not permitted in the stands, as this violates pool regulations.
4. No food or drink is permitted on the pool deck or in the stands.
5. No phones may be used on the deck during meets. This is a distraction and will cause swimmers to miss their events.
6. No toys, decks of cards, books, etc. onto the pool deck during competition. This time should be devoted to cheering on their teammates and watching the more experienced swimmers.
7. Only swimmers, coaches and scheduled volunteers are permitted on the pool deck. All Coaches / Timers / Scorers MUST wear a shirt identifying their parish at all CYO Meets while on the pool deck.
8. NO JEWELRY ALLOWED TO BE WORN BY SWIMMERS – this includes practices and meets
9. All swimmers are expected to remain on the pool deck until the conclusion of the final race. Unless you have made prior arrangements and there are extenuating circumstances, this is an important request. It is my hope that all of the swimmers will embrace the idea of teamwork and teammates and cheer each other on. The younger swimmers benefit from the cheers of close to 100 teammates and their fans, I would like the older swimmers to experience the same.
10. At the conclusion of each meet, we will all participate in a team cheer for the opposing team (another reason it is important to remain together as a team).

I welcome any and all comments now and throughout the season. As a CYO sport, our primary focus is on the children. We want them to not only succeed and improve, but to enjoy themselves. If you have any concerns with regards to anything regarding your swimmer during practices, at meets, etc., please do not hesitate to bring it to my attention. 

As members of both CYO and the Town of Oyster Bay, we also abide by the Fair Play Agreement. So if you have any, please feel free to contact me or our Board via the website at www.holyfamilycyo.org.