Notes from the Team Rep
Welcome to the kickoff of the 2013 season! I’m excited to be your new Team Rep and look forward to a great season.
Coaches for 2013
Division 6
Concessions
Volunteers
Team Suits
Register!
Attention Seniors
‘Gator Only’ Access
This newsletter is intended to give you some key information to begin the year – how to volunteer, coaches, our division information, leadership changes and opportunities and much, much more. I am committed to provide you as much information as possible before and during the season. This year with our new website designed by our very own Ernie Halal I will be posting everything online (in addition to emailing links to some critical information regarding meets and events) – If you follow my links and read the online information you will be up to date and ready to fully participate in the Gator 2013 season! I have a new email address this year so please add teamrepfhsc@gmail.com to your address book as this is the email that I will be using for all Gator communications.
Registration is open as of April 1. We remain with ActiveX and our new website maintains the same address of www.foresthollow.com. Click here for Registration Details. (Reminder – if you do a Google search for our website, you might find yourself at Vikaza… or a Google site, these are no longer our sites…please redirect your browser as indicated above!)
Read on for more exciting news…it is good to be back to at least thinking of summer fun! Go Gators!
– Merari Chollette
You can download and read the whole newsletter as a PDF if you prefer: 2013 Spring Gator Newsletter (PDF)
[important]Register online by May 1 to get your FREE t-shirt and swim cap. Otherwise they cost $5 per shirt and $3 per cap – while supplies last.[/important]
Meet Our 2013 Coaching Staff
Forest Hollow has a great tradition of growing many young and responsible swimmers that have a strong desire to return their love of the team and swimming to others. For 2013 the quality of our Gator Coaching staff remains high and we are excited about the leadership, maturity, eagerness, and enthusiasm that our coaching staff will bring to our swimmers.
Head Coach Elvin Foreman returns for his Seventh season with the Gators continuing to provide fabulous professional coaching skills, a warm demeanor, and an ever present smile. Coach Elvin is a USA Swimming Level 2 Coach with over 10 years of professional coaching experience and runs his own year round swim team. He has led the Gators to two division championships, two team sportsmanship awards and in the last 3 years the Gators have only lost 3 meets!
I am pleased to announce Willie Labarca as our new Head Assistant Coach assisting Coach Elvin in leading the Gator coaching staff! Coach Willie has three years of Forest Hollow Gator coaching experience and has been a Gator for most of his life. He was our 2012 Todd Potts Award recipient and is very much respected and loved by the Gator community.
Feel free to ask Willie or Elvin your questions – but remember the best time for that is before or after a practice –not while they are coaching your kids!
Mini Gators
Our Mini Gator program continues to enroll our largest group of kids. And, we continue to devote significant coaching resources to this group to ensure they gain comfort in the water, learn to swim and learn to LOVE the Gators. In 2013 we will continue the three developmental categories described in the Mini Gator Guide and which guide our philosophy with this group.
Under Head Coach Elvin’s oversight, this program provides attention and resources to this fun group of beginning swimmers. Assistant Coach Caroline Peterson moves into this leadership role with the Mini Gator program in 2013– providing knowledge and expertise in developing our Mini Gators. Caroline will help organize Mini Lessons pre-season, take charge of the Mini Gator meet late in the season, and use her expertise in the oversight of the program.
Please welcome this strong group of coaches that will help your kids grow in their love of swimming throughout the summer. A group like this should continue to provide us many fun and memorable skits on Friday nights, as well as great swimming skills!
Head Coach: Elvin Foreman
Assistant Head Coach: Willie Labarca
Assitant Coaches:
Dylan Gore
Juan Carlos Clark
Andrew Boyd
Carolyn Fonzi
Alex Lash
Catherine Kennedy
Caroline Peterson
Faith Paletti
Elizabeth Manthos
Sarah Padrutt
Erin Johnson
Click here for practice times and age groups.
[important]Reminder – Time Trials and Picture Day: June 15 @ Forest Hollow
We’d love to have all Gators and Mini Gators in attendance for our team picture. Please mark your calendar now!
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Mini Gator Pre-Season Lessons
Over the past several summers, the Gators have offered our Mini Gator swimmers a pre-season opportunity to get in the water before Mini swimming begins on June 19. These lessons are offered for a two week period – Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday for 30 minutes each. Each registered swimmer gets FOUR pre-season sessions.
For 2013, we are once again offering these lessons. Click here for the details.
Division 6 for 2013
The Gator Success Story keeps us challenged each and every year! In 2012 The Gators went from Division 8 to Two divisions to Division 6. In 2012 we had a strong season and although seeded 6th we ended the season placing 3rd. This summer we are seeded 4th and in Gator tradition we will be ready to meet our competition once again in true Gator style – team spirit, determination, surprising finishes, great swims, and Gator pride! The teams and schedule are on the “Meet Schedule” page.
Don’t forget that we also host the Todd Potts IM Carnival – this year on Wednesday, July 3, 2013 and we’ll also have a Mini Gator Meet for our Mini-Gators towards the end of the season.
NVSL 2013 Rule Changes
Each year the NVSL has a Rules Meeting. In most years, a lot of these involve technical changes that have been insignificant to most meets. This year, on Sunday March 10 there were no rule changes that affect our parents or swimmers directly. The only changes were housekeeping issues and two other changes that affect your Team Rep and Data Coordinator (electronic meet results and clarification on Divisionals Seeding).
Concession News
We are delighted that Bill and Mary Kennedy are returning to the lead the Gator Grill with their warm smiles, their Gator spirit and their good cooking skills! The smiles will be plenty…the Gator spirit will be high…and the menu items will continue to delight and surprise with this dedicated and spirited team. THIS IS THEIR LAST YEAR IN THEIR 3 YEAR TERM… We are looking for some volunteers to shadow them this year and take on this role for the next term 2014-2016.
The Gator Grill is our biggest income producer, short of the registrations. It is a HUGE task that requires lots of help and support from all the Gator families. Signup to grill some burgers, wrap the sandwiches, sell some drinks, or serve the multitudes! Besides the pool itself, it is the most “happening” spot at Forest Hollow. Find a meet or two where you can help make this a success.
You can also donate dollars to offset costs of the grill when you register. Pick an amount and know your dollars are going to good use. (And, we find this much easier than asking you to bring donations of candy or drinks…let the Kennedy’s do the shopping with your support!!)
The Gators Need YOU! We need Volunteers!
Volunteers are truly what make the Gators one of a kind! We need YOU and your time to make the Gators a success!
This year, Karen Curtin has agreed to continue to assist in the Volunteer Coordinator role but SHE REALLY NEEDS A PARTNER to help her. When she asks for help, PLEASE respond by saying “yes”.
Every family should contribute at least 5 hours of tasks each year to take part in the excitement of Forest Hollow. We’ll be tracking your hours in 2013…hoping not to go the route of charging for “non participation” in the future. There are lots of opportunities to help…let us help you find the right fit as all hours are not just on meet days!
On the Gator Volunteer page, you’ll find a link to our volunteer registration site. It is an easy to use tool called “Jooners”. Karen Curtin has set it up logically in 2012 and we will continue to use this in 2013. We will also send out periodic e-mail “invites” to volunteer. This system is easy to use, similar to what many of you use in schools, and should enhance our process for filling vacancies. Please respond early…fill in as many positions as you are able…and support the Gators and your kids!
A reminder – there are several Gator traditions that cannot occur unless a parent is willing to organize these events. Splash Down and Bowling outings are two great examples. Let’s not lose these traditions – step up now and volunteer!
Gator Leadership Positions
Click here for a breakdown of the team leadership structure and positions.
2013 Gator Team Suits and Merchandise
I am pleased to announce that Cara Dalrymple will be our 2013 Merchandising Rep! A HUGE word of thanks to Cheryl Gregory for her work in this capacity last year. It is almost time to purchase this summer’s Gator Gear. The summer suit has been selected and our Gators will be hitting the pool in Speedo Vortex (Female all sizes $57.75 and Male all sizes $37.28 pricing includes tax). The suits will be on sale at the parent meeting (May 28) at the beginning of the season. Suits can also be purchased at Sports Fair in Arlington.
This year’s suit is made of special fabric – that is long lasting – but doesn’t stretch like normal suits. We highly recommend that each swimmer try on the suit at the team meeting or at Sports Fair to get the right fit.
Note: A team suit is NOT required, but it is highly encouraged. It helps promote team unity and spirit and it looks great in our team picture. Gators of all ages like to be part of the team – having the Gator suit helps them be part of the team.
As part of your team fees each swimmer will receive a t-shirt (guaranteed and receive special pricing on only one order. Thus, it is imperative if you Gator wants a t-shirt in a particular size, to REGISTER by MAY 1! It is online and it is easy. Extra adult t-shirts are also only available through ordering at the time of registration.
FREE of cost IF you register by May 1). If you register after May 1, and while our “extra supplies last” you will be charged a mandatory $5 fee for the t-shirt, no exceptions! Please understand the t-shirt process is labor intensive and one. We will have the same swim cap as last season.Every swimmer, registering by May 1 will receive a cap for FREE. Those that register after May 1 will be charged $3. Our supply of older caps from prior years will be on sale as practice caps. This year’s cap design but in silicone can be purchased for $10 and ordered pre-season when you register your swimmer.
Other merchandising options will be available in 2013. Ms. Dalrymple will be working to offer some great options for fun, for Gator Buddy gifts, and for styling Gator pride around the community! Look for news and updates on the website and through notifications as these options become available!
Register for the Club & Gators
Registration in 2013 is EASY – both for RETURNING team members and our NEW team members!
Click here for Registration Details. Forest Hollow works with a third party, Active Network, for registration. After you access the Active Network registration system, you’ll find links to the Swim Club, Swim Team, and Mini Gator Pre-season Lessons. Click on the registration link and the system will guide you through. If you are a returning member (you registered in 2013 for the team), then use your same “user name” (likely your e-mail address) and register as an “existing member.” If you’ve forgotten your password, there is a link at the bottom of the page to lead you to a reset process. If you have problems, you can always e-mail the Team Rep and we can walk you through or find your “user name.” The biggest benefit you’ll find as a returning member – your key information only needs to be updated, it is already populated into the system!
If you are a new swim team member, you simply need to register as a “new” member, enter a “user name” (suggest your e-mail) and a password you can remember. The system will walk you through some easy screens for getting your kids enrolled.
[important]You must be a member of the Swim Club to register for the Swim Team, so please complete that registration first.[/important]
Remember, the registrations for the Swim Club and the Swim Team are separate – that means you’ll have to register for the Swim Club separate from the Swim Team. Mini Gator lessons are also under a separate registration. But, once you’ve signed in, your same name and password will work.
For the Swim Team, all registrations are online – we don’t take your checks! You’ll have two options to pay – debit/credit or e-check. We encourage you to use e-check if you can as the fees are lower, giving more back to the team.
For the Swim Club, you can register online or pay the traditional way by filling out a paper form and paying by check. We strongly encourage you to register online! Why? You can either pay by debit/credit card or e-check, just like for swim team, but you can also click an option to mail in your payment by mail. The glory is – you can easily fill out the information electronically and it is part of Forest Hollow’s database. E-mail notifications about pool closings and other news will come from this database. So try something new and register online for both the Swim Team and the Swim Club!
Swim Team Registration Fees
- $92 for 1 swimmer
- $85 for the 2nd swimmer
- $78 for each additional swimmer.
Registration fees help to pay for the coaching staff, equipment, ribbons, awards and team activities. Each swimmer registered by May 1 will receive a free team t-shirt and swim cap. Swimmers registered after May 1 are not guaranteed a T-shirt or cap; the cost for these items after May 1 is $5 for the t-shirt and $3 for the cap – while supplies last. No exceptions!
Read All About the Gators…
Gator Handbooks and Guides for 2013 will be up on the website soon. We have a host of reading material for you: Gator Guide for 2013, the New Parent Handbook, the A, B, C’s of Developmental Meets and a Mini Gator Guide. Take the time pre-season to read up on our practices, traditions, rules, and processes!! For reference, last year’s guides are available here.
Attention All High School Seniors
Each year the NVSL award several scholarships to swimmers in the league. Criteria for the selection process includes:
- Swim/Dive team commitment and leadership
- School and community involvement
- NVSL Scholarship essay
The application form and details are posted here. The information is also posted on the NVSL website in the documents center.
The deadline is Friday June 28, 2012. We encourage our seniors to look into this opportunity and start planning for the submission now!
NVSL Training and Summer Fun
Click here for league training schedules, coach clinics and info on summer discounts.
‘Gator Only’ Information on the Web Site
The swim team provides information we’d prefer not to share with the public but which is accessible to our swimmers and parents. Two examples are team photos and swimmers’ times. In order to secure this information we display it on a web page that requires the site visitor to login. Therefore, in order to gain access to the page you will need an account.
To register for the site, look in the left sidebar, near the bottom. Click, ‘register’ and create an account with a Username, Email and Password. All accounts will be checked against the swim team roster before they are approved.
Once approved, simply login to see private gator content. Links to swimmer times and photos will appear in the gator menu on the left of every page. If you aren’t logged in, those links won’t appear. Please remember, this account is for access to private Swim Team information only. You do not need an account to access most of the site, and this account is not related to your account for paying dues.
If you have any questions, please contact Ernie at ForestHollowWeb@gmail.com.