last updated 07/22/09

Information for New Swimmers

THANK YOU for your interest in BNSC.  Our swim team provides a positive environment where all swimmers are encouraged to reach their maximum potential as athletes and individuals.  Our structured training groups and coaching philosophy flow directly from our Mission Statement.  Our mission values the use of sound teaching principles while focusing on the importance of athletes developing character, personal responsibility, and self-discipline in the pursuit of excellence in swimming and life.  Our program is based on the coaching philosophy of teaching proper technique of all four competitive strokes and providing a progressively challenging workout that is appropriate for each swimmer’s level of physical and social development.  Swimmers are divided by training group in order to provide a quality training environment.  Each training group has specific goals and corresponding skills that are designed to provide a smooth transition to the next training group, and a progressive approach to training that is important to each individual’s long-term development.  We understand and support the fact that many age-group swimmers participate in other sports and school activities throughout the year.  For that reason, it is important to group the swimmers according to their skills and levels of commitment to the sport.

MISSION STATEMENT:

To build and maintain a highly successful community-centered competitive swim program using sound business, teaching, and training principles; while focusing on the importance of the athletes developing character, personal responsibility, and self-discipline in the pursuit fo excellence in swimming and life.

Philosophy:

• Swimmers and families will decide their level of commitment to the sport, and results will vary accordingly.  Coaches will always encourage swimmers to compete at their highest potential.  The harder the swimmers work, the more they will get out of it!  Work ethic, attitude, practice intensity, health and diet are all factors that contribute to a swimmer’s success. 

• BNSC has various training groups to service your level of involvement. We will not compromise quality of all training groups by moving swimmers up to the next level for convenience purposes.

• Competition is expected and is the measure of all your hard work.  If you are part of the team, you are expected to represent the Team.  Swimmers will learn how to deal with success, disappointment, and other challenges which make them more mature and confident in life.

• We are one TEAM. We do not separate the Summer Rec League Team and the USA (Short Course) School-Year Team.  If the Team reaches high capacity, BNSC will give priority to swimmers who plan to participate year-round.

•  Swimmers may participate in our Summer Program if they: 1) represent BNSC in our Summer Rec. meets, and/or  2) represent BNSC in our scheduled USA Swimming long course meets. Long Course competition requires the highest level of training and attendance since competitions are swum in 50 meter pools.  If swimmers choose not to compete for BNSC in the summer, we welcome you to begin practice with us in late August when we begin Short Course season.

Guidelines and Policies:

• Practices are open for parents to observe their swimmer; however, communication of any kind between parents and swimmers is not recommended. Coaching your child from the stands at practices or meets is not beneficial to your swimmer.

• Arriving at least 10-15 minutes before practice is expected, so practice begins on time. We are a TEAM and like to start practice as a TEAM. When swimmers are habitually late, it compromises the quality for everyone.  There is a fair amount of explanation from the coaches prior to beginning practice. Without that information, it is difficult for the swimmers to know what is expected in that day’s practice.

• Your swimmer should communicate any concerns directly to their coach. We are happy to facilitate issues but cannot help resolve those issues without feedback directly from the swimmer.  Parents are welcome to communicate with us (briefly) before or after practice. However, there is often not enough time to answer lots of questions from parents, so in some cases an email or phone call would be more appropriate.  We need to start practice on time, and in some cases at the conclusion of one practice, coaches travel to another pool to start practice. 

• Parents are not allowed on the pool deck during practices or swim meets.  The only parents on the deck at swim meets are Volunteers.  Thank you.

Interested in Joining the Team?

1)  General Information:  Please read all the information on the website.

2)  Skills Evaluation:

a)      Swimmers must be evaluated before attending practices.

b)      Email Coach Paul or Coach Rob to set up a time.

c)      Bring the Registration Form to the evaluation since it has valuable information about your previous skills.

d)       Every skill evaluation varies in time.

e)      Participation on BNSC is NOT guaranteed, and will be determined on training group and space availability.

f)      Communication regarding joining the team will be delivered via e-mail, phone, or during the skills evaluation.

3)  RKSA Swimmers:

a)      Swimmers who move from the RKSA organization to the BNSC organization will usually begin in the Developmental Training Group unless their age and skill level exceed Developmental. 

b)      Criteria are listed on the web (Click here).

4)  Team Trial:  All new prospects are welcome to a free trial that gives the swimmer an idea of the workout and routine. It’s a great way to get a feel for the team members and the commitment required.

5)  Payment/Insurance:  Once you’ve decided to join!

a)       ISI/insurance check for $60 made out to Illinois Swimming, Inc.  ISI form may need to be filled out if you join the team mid season. The payment will register you with Illinois Swimming through the BNSC organization. You might want to photocopy the team registration form before you return to us. Our Team Controller will E-bill you for tuition once he processes the form. Tuition may be prorated if beginning in the middle of a month. Training group monthly payments are posted on the web (Click here).

b)      BNSC Team Registration Form (print off and return to Coach.)

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Bloomington Normal Swim Club
510 E. Washington
Bloomington, IL 61701
Phone: (309) 828-7946

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