FCST Newsletter - Sept 25, 2017

News & Team Information:

Coaches' Corner: USA Swimming Official Bonnie Finnigan

Why do swim Officials disqualify (dq) kids? Why don't they just let them swim?

 This is a frequent question by parents when their swimmers experience disqualifications at meets.  The role of an official is two-fold.  First, officials are tasked with providing a safe and fair competitive environment.  The second role is in educating swimmers – both those learning the strokes and those who may have become complacent in practice.  For both of these reasons, consistent enforcement of the rules is important.
 
However, what happens if your swimmer has been incorrectly disqualified?  What if there are extenuating circumstances – like crowd noise during a start?  Officials are trained to give the swimmer the benefit of the doubt – and if they aren’t sure, a good official won’t make the call.  However they are also human and can make mistakes.  For that reason, there is always the right of a respectful request to review disqualifications by asking the meet referee to  interview the officials involved in making and accepting the call.  As a parent, if you have a question about the legitimacy of or reason for a dq, instruct your swimmer to ask their coach.  Often the coach also saw the infraction and can clarify the call for the swimmer.  But in the case of an error, this is the role of the coach as an advocate for their swimmer.  A parent or swimmer should never approach an official to request review of a call.  A coach will know the protocol required to give the swimmer the best opportunity for a fair review.  Encourage communication between your swimmer and your coach and foster trust in that relationship.  The coaches are invested in your swimmer – trust them to act in your swimmer’s best interests and to grow your swimmer through all of their experiences.  
- USA Swimming Official Bonnie Finnigan 
  • Red Team outlasts Blue Team in first meet of season! Great job to all the swimmers that participated at the RWB Intrasquad Challenge Meet. Thank you to all the parent volunteers! CLICK HERE for a summary of the meet!

 

  • Equipment Lists for ALL FCST swim groups: Remember to purchase all of your swim equipment needs at D&J Sports. They just opened up a new store in Katy, TX.   CLICK HERE for the list.

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  • We Are Family - Hurricane Harvey Relief: We have many resources, including assistance from Gulf Swimming, to provide for you in this time of need. Anything we can help with, including providing general home supplies, cleaning supplies, contractor information, practice equipment or swimsuits for your athlete(s), or anything else- please let us know here:   CLICK HERE for more details. 

 

  • 2017 USA Swimming Swimposium & Gold Medal Clinic with Elizabeth Beisel: The 2017 Gulf Swimming  SWIMposium is right around the corner, and the registration page is now active.  This year's event has something for everyone!   CLICK HERE for more information.

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  • 2017 Gulf Swim Banquet with Elizabeth Beisel - Registration is now open for the 2017 Gulf Awards Banquet.  The Banquet is open to all members of Gulf Swimming.  Our speaker this year is Elizabeth Beisel who is entertaining and inspiring. CLICK HERE to register.

Important Dates:

Oct 1:

Fall Splash N' Dash

Oct 14 & 15:

Oct. Gulf Open; Developmental

Oct 21 - 22:

FCST/ DADS Dual Meet

Nov 4:

Nov. Developmental Meet

Nov 10 - 12:

FCST, FLEET, TWST Tri Meet

Main

League/Lessons/Tri

Synchro

Masters

Social Media

Time Standards

Parent Education

Parking at FCST Pools

Contact Enrollment

 

Meet Entry Timelines and Information*:

Meet Webpage, Dates, & Location:

Athletes eligible:

Prelim and Final entry deadline:

Volunteer opportunities:

Fall Fun Splash N' Dash!

Oct 1, Aquatic Center

14 and under swimmers Sept 28 N/A

October Gulf Open Meet; Developmental

Oct 14 & 15, Emmons Natatorium

Red, White, and Blue 1 Sept 14 and 21 N/A

FCST vs. DADS Dual Meet  HOSTED by FCST 

Oct. 21 - 22, Lamar CISD Nat.

Blue 2, All Age Group, All Pre-Senior and All Senior groups Sept 28 and Oct 5 Coming soon!

November Developmental Meet HOSTED by FCST

Nov 4th, Lamar CISD Nat.

Red, White, and Blue 1 Oct 19 and 26 Coming soon!

FCST, FLEET, TWST Tri Meet HOSTED by FCST

Nov 10 - 12, Training Pool

Blue 2, All Age Group, All Pre-Senior and All Senior groups Oct 19 and 26 Coming soon!

*Families are responsible for communicating meet entry issues with their athletes respective coach, as their primary coach is most responsible for their athletes training and competitive plan.

**Once the final entry deadline has passed, no changes may be made on FCSTs' end. Athletes can deck-enter at the meet (if allowed by meet management) at their own expense and with coachs permission. This is not the most ideal way to enter a meet having schedules planned ahead of time is very beneficial to the athlete.

FCST Contacts^:

^If you are no longer affiliated with the team and would like to be removed from the distribution list, please email fcstadmin