GPS SWIMMING INFORMATION

From the Director of Swimming

Dear Swimmers and Parents,

On Behalf of St. Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace I would like to welcome all Swimmers and their families to the Terrace GPS and CIC Swimming Programmes for the coming year. I only hope that each swimmer can achieve all that they strive for in Swimming for Terrace in 2008. At this point in time there are several matters I would like to draw to your attention, which will help prepare everyone for the 2008 season.

1. Levy:

A Swimming Levy was introduced in 2001 to provide funds to support the swimming program at Terrace. This levy helps pay for: breakfast on a Wednesday morning, bus hire, pool hire, coaching personnel, pool upkeep and training resources. The current levy structure in place is –$60 per GPS swimmer and $40 per CIC swimmer.

This Levy will be added to your son’s school fees at the end of Term 1.

2 . Training Sessions:

Terrace swimming recorded some impressive results last season especially in the relay events. These performances were the result of many hours of dedication and determination in the training pool. If the college is to remain competitive at Chandler on March 7 then an effort needs to be made by the squad to begin training sessions. Many swimmers have begun their personal quest for an individual swim or a relay spot.

One of the many benefits we gain from swimmers within age groups, competing against each other in the training environment, is the improved times and performances across the entire squad.

Many swimmers may choose to belong and train in club/squad programs outside the college. Squad swimmers may also be participating in other co-curricular activities. The Coaching staff acknowledges this fact, however ALL GPS swimmers must attend training at the College on Wednesday morning. This session is vital to build team unity and to prepare relay teams for GPS. This has been a critical part of our success and it will continue to be the foundation for the Team in 2008. Directors of Sports and music co-ordinators are aware that this session has priority over other activities for the first six weeks of the year. This compulsory team training session will be followed by the committee breakfast, which is organised by the Swimming Supporters Group. The cost of this is included in the Swimming levy.

3. Holiday Training:

The Terrace Swimming squad will resume training in the holiday period on January 15. If swimming squad members are in Brisbane, it is expected that they attend these 3 training sessions per week (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings). For families going away during the holidays, it is important that swimmers complete some training sessions at a pool near the holiday destination. Any missed training sessions will only detract from performances at GPS. When school commences in 2008 GPS is only 7 weeks away. We strongly believe that a properly prepared team is the basis for any success in the short season that we have. Check the web site for training times and dates.

4. Uniform For Friday Night Carnivals:

The correct uniform must be worn to all school meets:

• black racing togs
• red/black cap or official Terrace cap (no club caps allowed)
• swimming shirt or house shirt
• black rugby shorts
• sports shoes (bare feet and Thongs etc are NOT acceptable)
• NO HATS/CAPS TO BE WORN
• Swimmers are encouraged to purchase a Terrace Towel with their name embroidered on it. (Ask at the Terrace Shop)

 5. Friday Night Invitational Carnivals: Calendar

All swimmers wishing to be selected in the GPS team must attend all Invitational swimming meets as outlined in the calendar. Year 8 swimmers please beware that you are expected to swim on the Friday night that you return from camp. We only have a limited preparation time in term one and it is essential that all swimmers attend and swim. A programme for each carnival will be posted on the swimming noticeboards outside the PE staffroom and on the website. All swimmers are to check for times, events and any other carnival information.

In 2008 all swimmers will sit as a team during the Friday Invitational carnivals. All swimmers are to be in the team area at the carnival venue 30mins before the start of the first race. This will assist in the preparation of warm-ups, divisions, relays etc on the night.

6. Squad Meetings: Every Wednesday morning during breakfast (8am after team training session) all GPS swimmers must attend a swimming meeting. Attendance at this meeting each week is vital for the running of the week’s business. Please ensure that you attend this meeting each week and that you are on time.

7. Parent Officials:

At all swimming meets the school requires parents to assist with Time-keeping and Recording. Without the help of parents the swimming program could not function effectively. If you are available to help out on any night, please do not hesitate in notifying a member of the Swimming Supporters Group of your willingness to take one of these role s. All help at the Carnivals, especially the College Championships is greatly appreciated by all involved.

8. College Championships:

This season the College will hold the Swimming Championships at the Centenary (distance events) and Chandler (sprint events) pools. Dates for these two separate carnivals are listed on the Calendar. Every student in the College is able to nominate for these Championships, which determine the College Age Champions. Each student in the Swimming Squad is required to enter this meet as this is also the last selection trial for the GPS team.

College Championship Forms

9. Day Trip 2008 Swimming Clinic- Sunday 3rd February:

Once again the entire GPS squad will travel to south. Training will occur at The Southport School and will be followed by a bbq and beach afternoon. More information will be made available in 2008. The day enables the squad to bond together and to create a team atmosphere which will help produce the best results from ALL in training and competition. SWIMMING is a TEAM sport. The cost for this day will be added onto your son's school fees in term 2.

10 . Swimming Dinner-Friday Night 14 th March (Ballymore)

To celebrate the achievements of the swimmers and those that support Terrace swimming a dinner is held at the conclusion of the school season. This is organised by the Swimming Supporters Committee. During the night the CIC and GPS teams will be presented and Age Champions will be recognised. This night will play a vital role in the lead up to the CIC and GPS Championships.

11. Age Groups Cut Offs 2008

Open aged boys may not compete in any sport in the year that they turn 19.

Open - boys born between 1st November 1990 and 31st October 1991.

U16 - boys born between 1st November 1991 and 31st October 1992.

U15 - boys born between 1st November 1992 and 31st October 1993.

U14 - boys born between 1st November 1993 and 31st October 1994

U13 - boys born between 1st November 1994 and 31st October 1995

U12 - boys born between 1st November 1995 and 31st October 1996

U11 - boys born between 1st November 1996 and 31st October 1997

U10 -boys born between 1st November 1997 and 31st October 1998

12. Selection Criteria for GPS:

• Swimmers times recorded from Friday night Carnivals and the College Championships are used as selection criteria for the final team to compete at GPS.
• Times recorded electronically will be the only times used in the selection process. Hand held times will be considered as a guide only. (Distance events at the College Championships will be hand held times.)
• GPS rules state that any one swimmer is limited to swim 3 individual events and 1 relay leg. As there are 6 individual events and 2 relays (4 x 50m Medley relay and the 6 X 50m F/S Relays) in each of the 5 age groups, at least 10 swimmers per age will make the final team.
• The Final team consists of 55 swimmers. Each GPS team member will be presented with a team shirt and cap. It should be made clear, that at all times every member of the swimming squad is considered part of the team until the team is announced. The Open representatives and Seniors swimming in U/16 will only be presented with a team shirt on assembly if they have contributed sufficiently to the Swimming season. (Attendance at Wednesday sessions, Friday Carnivals and squad activities)
•  The Swimming Director in consultation with the Sports Director and Principal selects the final team. The team selected will be the team that can score the most amounts of points-irrespective of individual swimming strengths.
•   Any protests about a selection need to be made in writing addressed to the Swimming Director & Sports Director.

13. Frequently Asked Questions?

A. Q: Can a student play cricket or volleyball or row and still swim for the College?

A: Yes. Many swimmers combine swimming with another sport in term 1. Students are to attend as swimming sessions where possible. It is a requirement that they attend the Wednesday morning session, Friday night carnivals to swim the 50m freestyle and relays if needed and the Swim Clinic day trip.

For those wishing to row and swim please find some more information below.

Parents and students please note that the swimming program is open to all students and complements other activities in Term 1. Those boys wishing to swim and row in 2008 can do so. In fact a number of the half of the U16 1 st VIII in 2007 competed in relay teams at the 2007 GPS Championship. Boys who are new to the rowing program will attend the compulsory Wednesday morning swimming session fortnightly as per the schedule outlined below.

B. Q: Do I have to train with the school squad if I train with an outside coach?

A: NO. Many swimmers choose to remain with their club coach. The only requirement is that you attend the Wednesday morning session, Friday night carnivals and the Swim Clinic day trip.

C. Q: Is transport provided to the carnivals?

A: NO. Swimmers need to find their own transport to and from the Carnivals unless stated. (A bus is provided for the Swim Clinic Day trip).

D. Q: Are swimmers expected to attend the Swimming Dinner?

A: YES. All swimmers are asked to attend this dinner, which includes the presentations of awards for the season.

E. Q: Do I have to stay till the end of each meet?

A: This season swimmers may leave after the relays, which will occur earlier in the evening (After the backstroke events). Those wishing to record times in the 100m freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly and 200m freestyle events must stay until the end of that event.

F. Q: Who do I see if I cannot attend a meet or training etc?

A: You need to inform Mr Stewart at school or your parents can contact them by mail or phone.

G. Q: Is breakfast supplied after training?

A: NO. Swimmers need to bring their own breakfast to have after training except on WEDNESDAY morning when the committee provides a good breakfast, which is included in the levy.

I hope that the above information will help you settle into the hectic season that confronts us in 2008. Terrace swimming has a magnificent tradition and a very strong Swimming team, which is made up of a large number of individuals who strive for the same result, Terrace victory in GPS and CIC. The success of Terrace in swimming hinges on the understanding that there are no special groups or individuals in swimming. We, as a team, must focus on working together for a common goal-Swimming to the best of our ability.

Please do not hesitate to contact me for further information regarding Swimming at Terrace on 3214 5200.

Yours sincerely

Mr Michael Stewart

Director of Swimming.

Email: michaelstewart@terrace.qld.edu.au

Phone: 3214 5200

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