News
UPDATE: Our permit for the Fall/Winter 2024-2025 season has been finalized! We will be returning to Sci-Tech for all home-based activities! All available registration links are now live on our "Registration" page.
Sharks Fundraising Updates
Spring/Summer 2024 Fundraising Plans
As we all know, we live in a time of rising costs. To keep afloat, the Springfield Sharks must have the funds to cover the cost of our permit (which includes paying the lifeguards' wages in full), insurance costs, and coaches compensation, as well as incidental expenses. The Sharks are looking to engage in four team fundraisers this spring and summer in an effort to maintain or bring down future costs. While details such as dates, times, and required input are still being worked out, the four major fundraisers will be:
- September Fundraiser: Dining Out Night at Hot Table
- October Fundraiser: Butterbraid
- November Fundraiser: Savers end-of-year cleaning and donations
- December Fundraiser: Dining Out Night at Hot Table
Sharks Apparel Order
The link to our online apparel store is now live!
The store will include apparel (t-shirts, hoodies, sweatpants, etc.) and competition suits.
Please get all orders in by Friday, 10/18 if you wish to receive your items by 10/31. The store will remain open after 10/18, but please be aware that orders placed after that date will take longer to receive.
Link: https://www.ftcustomprinting.com/springfieldsharks/shop/home
Sharks SwimOutlet Link
The Sharks have a page on SwimOutlet. Any purchases made through this link will give credits to the team, which will be helpful towards large scale gear purchases in the long-term future. If you need to get new caps, goggles, suits, or other swimming accessories, please consider using this link.
Link: https://www.swimoutlet.com/collections/springfieldsharksswimclub
Sharks Programming: Fall/Winter 2024-2025
Sharks Competitive Season Practices:
Our practices for the Spring/Summer 2024 season are being held at the High School of Science and Technology pool, Monday through Friday from September 30, 2024 through end of January, 2025 (end date TBD pending Champs date from our league).
Before attending your first practice please:
- Be sure you have registered your returning swimmer on TeamSnap (please go to the "Registration" page for links).
- Be sure you have met with a board member and Coach Teresa to review expectations (note: swimmers will NOT be allowed to practice until a parent/guardian has met this requirement)
- Be sure that your registration fee is paid in full ($250 for the season)
- Make sure you know your assigned practice group and plan to arrive at least 10 minutes before the start of your practice session (practice group assignments can be viewed on TeamSnap)
- Make sure your child arrives already dressed in their swimsuit and has everything they need in order to participate (filled water bottle, cap, goggles, towel, change of clothes, etc).
Reminder: NO drop-offs for children 12 or younger. Parents/guardians are expected to be ready to pick their swimmers up immediately upon the end of their practice session.
New swimmers and any swimmer who is returning after a hiatus of more than one year will need to complete a swim test with the coaching staff prior to registration (see below).
Competitions will begin in November and will culminate with our Championship meet on a date to be determined in late January or early February 2025
Our competition schedule and meet results for the Fall/Winter 2024-2025 season will be posted on our "Schedule" page.
Fall 2024 Swim Lessons
The Sharks will be running 3 separate, 3- to 4-week sessions of our Learn-to-Swim program this Fall 2024. Any child 18 and under who is not able to swim a complete, non-stop 25 yards without assistance qualifies for swim lessons.
Children under the age of 5 must be fully potty-trained (NO swim diapers – NO exceptions), able to listen to instruction, and able to sit on edge of pool with limited supervision (guardians are welcome to enter the water with their own child if they are not able to meet the listening requirement)
Programming:
- Instruction of floating, breathing (bubbles) and overall comfort with the water
- Instruction of basic swim techniques for rudimentary freestyle and backstroke – including kicking and pulling
- Instruction of safe underwater swimming, submerging techniques, and jumping from edge of the pool into the water
Programming Involves instructors being hands-on with students and making use of flotation devices; progress is student-led and focused and will center the student’s comfort with the water and belief in their abilities, with appropriate challenges provided by instructors (especially for more reluctant or anxious students).
During each session, lessons run daily from Monday-Friday with the exception of federal holidays and Springfield Public Schools professional development days (these will be specified in your registration link and on the TeamSnap calendar). We highly recommend that students attend as many lessons as possible during their session to maximize their learning.
Please visit our "Registration" page for more details about dates, times, and pricing for each of our three learn-to-swim sessions this fall.