Good evening Marlin families,

Thank you to everyone who attended today’s parent meeting. The slidedeck from the meeting can be found here; please look through the slidedeck for information about our team’s philosophy and goals, team expectations, practice and meet information, and other important information.

Some of that information is highlighted in this week’s “Marlin Message”. Please read it through carefully and let me know if you have any questions.

Practice Expectations

As we move to our summer practice schedule, a refresher on some general practice norms and expectations.

Swimmers are expected to come to either the morning or evening practice each day, and are asked not to come to both practice sessions a day. At practice, swimmers are to bring their suit, goggles, cap, water bottle, and pre-applied sunscreen.

During practice, swimmers are expected to be respectful to every swimmer’s right to a cooperative learning environment. Swimmers should make sure that they stay on the wall and have their head above the water when not actively swimming during practice and that they are not talking when a coach is giving instructions. Swimmers are expected to encourage and uplift their teammates, and should not be roughhousing, splashing, or yelling at their teammates.

Parents, if you can please help our coaching staff reinforce these safety and behavior expectations to the swimmers as we move into the busier part of the season. With a large team this year, we want to make sure that practice is a smooth and safe learning experience for every swimmer and that the focus of the coaching staff can be on providing stroke instruction and feedback.

Additionally, we ask that parents not engage with the swimmers or members of the coaching staff. Please refrain from talking with and giving guidance/feedback to swimmers in the water and sitting away from the instructional area. If you have an issue that arises during practice, we ask that you speak with a member of the coaching staff after practice or you contact Coach Nick.

Thank you for your support in upholding these practice expectations with your Marlin swimmers.

Dual Meet Themes

Here are the spirit themes for each dual meet this season:

• Week 1 – Tuesday, June 9 – Vs. Tarrington | Beach
• Week 2 – Tuesday, June 16 – At Magnolia Green | Rodeo
• Week 3 – Tuesday, June 23 – At Harpers Mill | 80’s Glow Night
• Week 4 – Tuesday, June 30 – Vs. Waveriders | USA
• Week 5 – Tuesday, July 7 – At Hallsley | Tie-Dye
• Week 6 – Monday, July 13 – Vs. Woodland Pond | Green Out

Swimmers and parents are encouraged to dress according to the theme to bring our Marlin spirit and unified, fun team culture to every dual meet!

Swimmer Recognition and Incentives

We will be offering several incentives throughout the season to motivate our swimmers in giving their best efforts as competitors and teammates.

New this year are the gold/silver rubber ducks and caps! To recognize the hard work the swimmers are putting in and to celebrate those individual achievements, swimmers will have the opportunity to earn Silver & Gold Recognition Ducks.

As a swimmer makes a time standard achievement of Silver or Gold in a stroke, the coaches will award them with a duck of that color. As the swimmer achieves 50% of their available strokes in either Silver or Gold, that swimmer will receive either a Silver or Gold cap accordingly.

A huge shoutout to Kathi McCausland for working diligently to provide the ducks and caps for our Marlin swimmers!

Additionally, we will be continuing the weekly “Swimmer of the Week” and “Most Spirited” swimmer awards.

“Swimmer of the Week” will be awarded to one aged 10 and younger and one aged 11 and older after each meet. This award will be given to a swimmer whose dedication, determination, and impressive performance in the pool and on the deck stood out to the coaching staff. They will have brought incredible energy to practices, pushed through tough sets, and demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship. They will have shown leadership and positive attitude, both in and out of the water, and are respectful to their coaches and peers.

“Most Spirited” will be awarded after each meet to two Marlin swimmers who bring energy, enthusiasm, and heart to everything they do. Whether it’s cheering on others, participating with a smile, or lighting up the room with positivity, they never fail to lift the spirits of those around them. Their contagious energy and unwavering support inspire others to get involved and give their best. They truly embody the meaning of spirit in every sense and best represent what it means to be a spirited Marlin swimmer.

First Future Friday

This Friday, June 5th, will be our first “Future Friday” practice. “Future Friday” practice is when the older and younger swimmers practice together, with the older swimmers teaching the “future generation” of young athletes what it means to be a Marlin swimmer at all ages. These connect our team culture of all Marlin ages, provide opportunities for our older Marlin swimmers to pass on wisdom to the younger Marlin swimmers, provide opportunities for our younger Marlin swimmers to observe and learn from the older Marlin swimmers.

For this week’s “Future Friday” practice, all swimmers in Yellow, Green, Junior, and Senior Groups will practice from 8:00a-10:00a for a joint practice (Mini Marlins will still practice at their usual 10:00a-10:30a time slot). Popsicles and prizes will be provided for those in attendance.

Double Good Fundraiser

We are currently in the midst of a popcorn fundraiser through Double Good! Last year our FoxCreek Marlins raised over $2000 to help with expenses for our end of season team celebration and other expenses!

The fundraiser runs from today through Friday, June 5th at 5:00p. Our team gets 50% of all sales, and the highest seller will win a special FoxCreek Marlins prize!

To participate, download the Double Good Popcorn app. Use the event code DMCDWR and share on your social medias to start selling!

Deadline for Tarrington Meet

This is a final reminder to register for the first dual meet of the season, next Tuesday June 9th against Tarrington. The deadline is Wednesday, June 3rd at midnight; swimmers must set their status to "Attending" to be able to participate in the meet. Those who are left as "Undeclared" will be assumed to not be attending; we ask that swimmers who will knowingly not be at the meet have their status set to "Not Attending."

Those who have not yet registered would have received an alert from me by tomorrow afternoon to register by the deadline. Thank you for your attention to this matter in making sure all of our Marlin swimmers are accounted for as we get ready for our first competition of the season.

Thank you as always for all that you do to support our wonderful team. I’m looking forward to our first full week of outdoor practice in preparation for what will be a fun and fast swim meet next week!

Coach Nick