FCST Newsletter - Jan 22, 2018
FCST Team Newsletter:
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
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Important Dates: Jan 27: FCST supporting Alumni at Collegiate Meet Feb 3: Long-term progression planning w/ Coach Pete Feb 16 - 18: SC Champs II Feb 23 - 25: SC Champs III |
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Meet Entry Timelines and Information*:
| Meet Webpage, Dates, & Location: |
Athletes eligible: |
Prelim and Final entry deadline: |
Volunteer opportunities: |
|---|---|---|---|
| SC Champs II, Feb 16 - 18th. TBA | 9-10, 11-12, 13-14 Qualified swimmers | Jan. 18 and Jan 24 | Coming soon! |
| SC Champs III, Feb 23 - 25. TBA | 13-14 Qualified swimmers and 15 - 18 swimmers | Jan. 25 and Jan 30 | Coming soon! |
| TAGS, Mar 1 - 4. Woodlands | 14 and under qualified swimmers | Feb 8 and Feb 18 | Coming soon! |
| SC Champs I, Mar 3, TBA | 8 and under swimmers | Feb 1 and Feb 7 | 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^:
- FCST Office: (281) 969-8759; Mon.- Thurs: 9:00am - 5:00pm; Fri: 9:00am - 12:00pm
- Team Accounts & Billing: Hillary Martinez ([email protected])
- HR & Administration: Christina Hollar ([email protected])
- Volunteer Cordinator: Lisa Kolluri ([email protected])
- Team Merchandise: Janet Blowers ([email protected])
- FCST Coaches & BOD: Contact Page
^If you are no longer affiliated with the team and would like to be removed from the distribution list, please email fcstadmin@swimfcst.com
