1. What is the difference between
Rockville Rays is a summer
swim team belonging to the Montgomery County Summer League (MCSL, http://www.mcsl.org). Rockville Montgomery Swim Club is a year round
swim club registered with US Swimming Organization. For more information about
RMSC, check out the website http://www.rockvillemd.gov/swimcenter/rmsc/index.html. Although both teams are competitive, Rockville Rays
is more oriented for fun and social.
2. Can you join both RMSC and
Yes.
3. Why are there different levels of
registration fees? What does the registration fee cover?
The registration fee covers the MCSL team dues, team newsletter, coaches’
gifts, and other incidentals. The program fees cover coaches’
salaries, the use of the pools and other things.
4. If a swimmer or swimmer parent has a
problem, who does he or she contact?
It depends on the type of
the problem. For facility related problems, contact the front desk. For swim
related technical questions and concerns, contact the coaches through email or
before or after practice, NOT during. For swim team administrative issues,
contact A Rep or B Rep. If you are not sure, ask the A or B Rep.
5. How the parents get directions to
the swimming sites?
Our web site provides
directions to all the pools in the A division (click the directions icon to
bring up the directions page). For directions to other pools, go to http://www.mcsl.org/teamdiv/directions.html
6. What is all star qualifying time?
Check with the MCSL website,
http://www.mcsl.org under All-Star Information, e.g. for 2004 all-star
nominating times, go to http://www.mcsl.org/allstar/2004/nomin.html
7. How are the swimmers assigned to A
or B meets?
Our program consists of a
series of dual meets divided into two levels of competition - the faster ‘A’
meets are limited in the number of competitors per team; the ‘B’ meets are open
to any swimmer not competing in the ‘A’ meets. Parents are responsible for
signing up their swimmer for the ‘B’ meets. The signup sheet will be posted or
the Rockville Rays bulletin board, please sign up by the end of practice on the
Tuesday before each ‘B’ meet. The
fastest 6 swimmers under 12 for the free style events and the top 3 swimmers
for all other styles and age groups will compete in the ‘A’ meets. Each swimmer
is limited to 3 individual events plus the Individual Medley per meet. The
lineups will be posted at EARLIEST the Thursday before each ‘A’ meet.
8. Where can I find the A meet and B
meet schedules?
You can find our meet
schedule on our website under Calendar. “A” meet
schedule is also on the MCSL web site.
9. How is the swimmer complaints
resolved?
All complaints
should be expressed to the team rep. Each compliant is addressed and resolved on its merits.
10. What are the Rays social events?
You can find Rays social
events on our website under calendar or in our home page under news.
11. I just want my child to learn
swimming, should the child join the swim team?
Yes. Many of our 8 &
under swimmers are still learning swimming. However, your child must be able to
swim minimum of 25 Meters in order to join the team.
12. What kind of swimming instruction
should I expect from Rays coaches?
In general the Rays coaches
teach swimmers on how to swim competitively. We also have certified
stroke coach/parent available at the swim center to give special instructions
to individual swimmer. It is not the intent of the swim team to
teach swimmers on how to swim.
13. What are the expected roles of
swimmers, parents, coaches and others supporting the team?
The expected role of a
swimmer is to follow instructions from the coaches, team reps and other team
event reps. The coaches are expected to work with all swimmers to make
swimming a fun, organized and enjoyable event for the kids. The swim team
organizers are expected to make summer swimming competitive and fun for the entire
family. Parents are expected to participate and lend their support to
swim team events. During practice the coaches would greatly appreciate if
parents stay off the pool deck and wait until after practice or before practice
to ask any questions. The level of parental support required varies from
participating as timers and officials during the swim meet, to participate in
computer work or team fund raising events. Please contact the team reps
and swim team event organizers on your specific interests.
14. How do we spend the money we raised
at snackbar or parking?
We use the money to buy equipment and things like laptop computer
and printer for meet automation, stop watches, starter equipment, tents, coffee
pots, coolers, Friday afternoon party supplies, trophies, bonus for coaches,
and many other things.