Cherokee Stingrays Swim Team

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Frequently Asked General Questions

Welcome to the Stingrays! Swim meets involve hundreds of children and families and can seem overwhelming to a newcomer, but we have many volunteers and coaches to guide you! For meet-specific questions, click here. Here are some of our most common general questions:

When is practice?

Stingrays practice in their coach-assigned age groups. Practice times are listed on the Cherokee Swimtopia website here: https://cherokeeswimteam.swimtopia.com/practice-schedule.

Please note that practice times and may adjust over the course of the season.

Your swimmer does not have to attend every practice, but remember: the more a Stingray practices, the better a Stingray swims!

In what age group does my child swim?

The date used to calculate age for the season is May 20th. Whatever age your child is on May 20th, is the age they are for the season.

(Example, if your child turns 11 on June 1st, they will still swim with the 9/10 group for another year.)

What are the volunteer requirements?

Every family, new and returning is expected to volunteer for two meets during the season, there are lots of opportunities during the meets and outside the meets. Volunteer slots will be made available at least one week prior to the meet. Sign-up is online through the Cherokee Swim Team website via your Parent Portal. A description on the various volunteer positions and their requirements/arrival times is available here: https://cherokeeswimteam.swimtopia.com/parent-volunteers-requirements.

What if it rains during a practice or a meet?

Our facilities monitor thunder and lightning constantly through our Thor Guard system: https://cherokee.thormobile9.net/tc/

If poor weather is too close to the facility for safe swimming, the official will pause the swim practice or meet. Swimmers will be told where their safe lightning/thunder place will be and should stay with their bullpen to go to that location if necessary.

In understanding each of our roles and responsibilities we can work together as a team to provide our children the opportunity to participate, have fun, develop skills and enjoy the thrill of competition in a positive, safe environment.

The purpose of the Field of Play Policy is to establish the rules for access to the pool deck and field of play during practice and swim meets. The field of play is defined as the pool and the designated areas on the pool deck.

Swim meets (Home and Away)

• Field of Play policy is in effect for both home and away meets.
• The Head Coach has the final decision on meet line-ups.
• The Head Coach is the only person that can speak with swim meet officials.
• Swimmers not registered for a swim meet by end of the day on the Thursday before the swim meet will not be permitted to swim in that meet.
• All swimmers must be checked in by the bullpen before warmups, or the swimmer will not be permitted to swim in that meet.

The Field of Play is defined as the pool and the deck area surrounding the pool.

• Only swimmers and coaches are allowed in designated areas within the Field of Play during practices.
• Only swimmers, coaches, volunteers, and officials are allowed in designated areas within the Field of Play during a swim meet.
• Parents of children under 10 years MUST remain on CTCC property during swim practices.

*Please note this policy is like other Field of Play policies that your children are involved in, such as tennis, golf, soccer, basketball, football and baseball. For example, only players and coaches are allowed on the soccer field during your child’s soccer practice.

Communication

• Swimmers are encouraged to communicate with coaches to discuss practices, swim meets, concerns, questions or suggestions. Communication from our swimmers is highly important to help maintain mutual goals throughout the season with the coaches.
• Please do not attempt to communicate with the coach during practice times.
• If it is an urgent matter, please contact an assistant coach or other CTCC personnel.
• Coaches’ CTCC-assigned emails are available to those parents and swimmers who prefer to communicate via email.
• Contacting Cherokee employees (coaches) via their personal email or personal phone number is not permitted.
• Complaints or issues related to coaches are to be addressed directly with the CSTA President and/or FSF Director, and not the coaches.
• All communications should be open, honest, and conducted with respect.

Participation Policy

• All swimmers must have a CTCC Time Trial time.
• Attend as many meets and practices as possible, including Time Trials.
  • If you are not able to meet the CTCC time trial, you must set up a makeup swim with one of the coaches 8 days prior to the first meet.

Parents

Parents, you play a vital role in the success of our swim team. You attend and support the performances and efforts of all children, and you also provide the volunteer workforce that is essential to managing a successful swim season.

• Support the program by volunteering to assist the team in some way.
• Always model good sportsmanship during practices and competition.
• Encourage direct communication. If your child is having difficulties in practice or meets, encourage him or her to speak directly to the coaches.
• Communicate issues and concerns in a timely manner.
• Attend parent meetings and read the information disseminated by the coaches and club.
• Provide support for coaches and officials to ensure a positive, enjoyable experience for all.
• Use good sportsmanship as a spectator and conduct yourself in a manner that reflects well on both the team and our club.