Thank you for your help!

The Golden Marlin Parents Association is involved in the following activities:

• Serving on the Board of Directors.
• Assistance at Meets: Clerk of Course, Timing, Judging, Concessions
• Spirit Wear Sales
• Team Pictures
• Lap Counters at the Marlins Summer Swim Challenge
• Public Relations
• Fund-Raising

Our parents' fund-raising efforts, specifically, are essential in providing a quality program. Monies received are used for pool rental, equipment, entry fees for meets, awards and coaches' salaries.

Competitive swimming programs provide many benefits to young athletes. Competition allows the swimmer to experience success and to learn how to deal with defeat, while becoming healthy and physically fit. Those swimmers who are not interested in the competitive aspect of the sport, benefit from the aspect of developing self-discipline, good sportsmanship, and time management skills. There is room for both kinds of swimmers on the Golden Marlins Swim Team.

Support Your Child

As a parent, your major responsibility is to provide a stable, loving and supportive environment for your children. This positive environment will encourage your child to follow through with what is a major Summer time commitment. Show your interest by ensuring your child's attendance at practices, and by coming to meets.

Remember that your child is the swimmer. Let your child establish their own goals, and make their own progress towards them. Do not over-burden your child with expectations of wins and/or achieving best times. The best way to help a child meet his/her goals and reduce the natural fear of failure is through positive reinforcement. If your swimmer gave his/her best effort, you should make him/her feel like a winner.

Be a Good Role Model

Parents are not participants on their child's team, but contribute to the success experienced by the child and his/her team. Parents serve as role models and their attitudes are often emulated by their children. Be aware of this and strive to be positive models. Show good sportsmanship at all times toward coaches, officials, opponents and teammates.

Let the Coach, Coach

We are proud of the coaching staff available to us in the Golden Marlins Swim Team. Please let them do their work without undue interference.

Are You A Pressure Parent?

The following survey has been taken from the Amateur Swimming Association of Great Britain. If you answer "yes" to one or more of these questions, you may be in danger of pressuring your child. It is important to remember that the parents' role is critical and should be supportive at all times to ensure a positive experience for your child.

1. Do you want your child to win more than he/she does?
2. Do you show your disappointment if he/she has a poor result?
3. Do you feel that you have to “psyche” your child up before competition?
4. Do you feel that your child can enjoy the sport only if he/she wins?
5. Do you conduct "post mortems" immediately after competition or training?
6. Do you feel that you have to force your child to go to training?
7. Do you find yourself wanting to interfere during training or competition, thinking that you could do better?
8. Do you find yourself disliking your child’s competitors?

LET'S TALK

Good communication among coaches, managers, swimmers, and their parents is a high priority for the Golden Marlin Swim Team. As such, several different processes have been set up to make this communication effective. Please be aware that parents should not approach the coaches with questions or problems while the swimmers are stretching or swimming. Doing so would deprive all the swimmers of the coaches' time, plus it could prove to be a safety hazard.

Scholarships Are Available

A limited number of scholarships are available for financial need.  Download the form here