2023-2024 FAQ
When is swim season?
October through January is the regular season. The season ends with the MTHSSA Championship meet at the end of January.
When are tryouts?
Thursday, September 28th or Sunday October 1st - location pending.
Tryouts? How do I make the team?
Middle school swimmers must be comfortable in the water and able to swim four lengths of the pool without stopping by the end of tryout week.
What is the practice/meet schedule?
Practice and meet schedules are linked on the google calendar on your team's page.
Do I have to swim in meets?
Yes. Part of being a team means competing with the team - We understand your first meet is hard but we know you can do it!
Swimming is not my primary sport - I'm just looking for offseason training.
Perfect. You won't find a better sport for getting fit with minimal risk of injury
My sport/activity doesn't end until ____?
You can join the swim team when your sport/musical/concert is over. Just keep us in the loop.
Communication:
The team, parents, and coaches use the GroupMe app as our primary form of communication.
Middle school parents will receive a link to sign up for their school's GroupMe
Meets:
Meet sign ups are available 1 week before the meet.
Coaching staff will determine meet entries. All swimmers are expected to attend meets, regardless of their skill level.
Registration
Before practicing, students must complete the online registration form found on your team's page.
Fees:
There is a participation fee per season. See your team's page for fee instructions.
Fees go towards pool rental, coaching, and meet fees.
Swimmers who are practicing with their club team (NAC, Ensworth, Excel) are eligible for a discounted rate per season.
Middle school swimmers will also need to buy practice suit, goggles, and fins.
Financial Aid
To apply for financial aid, please fill out the form linked here.
Parent Participation
Each team will need a parent to act as volunteer coordinator. Email us if you are interested.
A sign up will be sent out to sign up for volunteering at meets. Each family must provide a volunteer for at least one meet.
The swim team relies on parent participation in a variety of ways. Each family is required to volunteer during the season. The team is required to provide at least four timers each meet (no experience required). The swimmers love snacks and gatorade at the meets. Some swimmers need rides to the meets and practices. Swimmers love treat bags before meets. Sponsors for t-shirts and team travel are needed. And I am sure there are 100 other ways parents can help make the swim season great! Please reach out to April via email if you are interested in sponsoring the team or have helpful ideas.
Is swimming a school sport?
Yes and no. Swimming is not governed by TSSAA therefore some schools recognize swimming as a club rather than a school sport. Swimming is governed by Middle Tennessee High School Swim Association (MTHSSA), Tennessee Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association (TISCA), and the National Federation of High School Sports (NFHS). Some swim meets are sanctioned by USA Swimming and/or Southeastern Swimming. We do not receive any funding from MNPS because swimming is not considered a school sport in MNPS.
When is swim season?
October through January is the regular season. The season ends with the MTHSSA Championship meet at the end of January.
When are tryouts?
Thursday, September 28th or Sunday October 1st - location pending.
Tryouts? How do I make the team?
Middle school swimmers must be comfortable in the water and able to swim four lengths of the pool without stopping by the end of tryout week.
What is the practice/meet schedule?
Practice and meet schedules are linked on the google calendar on your team's page.
Do I have to swim in meets?
Yes. Part of being a team means competing with the team - We understand your first meet is hard but we know you can do it!
Swimming is not my primary sport - I'm just looking for offseason training.
Perfect. You won't find a better sport for getting fit with minimal risk of injury
My sport/activity doesn't end until ____?
You can join the swim team when your sport/musical/concert is over. Just keep us in the loop.
Communication:
The team, parents, and coaches use the GroupMe app as our primary form of communication.
Middle school parents will receive a link to sign up for their school's GroupMe
Meets:
Meet sign ups are available 1 week before the meet.
Coaching staff will determine meet entries. All swimmers are expected to attend meets, regardless of their skill level.
Registration
Before practicing, students must complete the online registration form found on your team's page.
Fees:
There is a participation fee per season. See your team's page for fee instructions.
Fees go towards pool rental, coaching, and meet fees.
Swimmers who are practicing with their club team (NAC, Ensworth, Excel) are eligible for a discounted rate per season.
Middle school swimmers will also need to buy practice suit, goggles, and fins.
Financial Aid
To apply for financial aid, please fill out the form linked here.
Parent Participation
Each team will need a parent to act as volunteer coordinator. Email us if you are interested.
A sign up will be sent out to sign up for volunteering at meets. Each family must provide a volunteer for at least one meet.
The swim team relies on parent participation in a variety of ways. Each family is required to volunteer during the season. The team is required to provide at least four timers each meet (no experience required). The swimmers love snacks and gatorade at the meets. Some swimmers need rides to the meets and practices. Swimmers love treat bags before meets. Sponsors for t-shirts and team travel are needed. And I am sure there are 100 other ways parents can help make the swim season great! Please reach out to April via email if you are interested in sponsoring the team or have helpful ideas.
Is swimming a school sport?
Yes and no. Swimming is not governed by TSSAA therefore some schools recognize swimming as a club rather than a school sport. Swimming is governed by Middle Tennessee High School Swim Association (MTHSSA), Tennessee Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association (TISCA), and the National Federation of High School Sports (NFHS). Some swim meets are sanctioned by USA Swimming and/or Southeastern Swimming. We do not receive any funding from MNPS because swimming is not considered a school sport in MNPS.
