Truro Swordfish

Practice Policies

The success of the Truro Swim Team depends on swimmers attending practice daily! More importantly, regular attendance helps swimmers build their skills and enjoy our team community. Please follow these guidelines throughout the season:

• Swimmers must come prepared with a swimsuit and goggles to every practice.
• Swimmers must attend their age group practice.
• The entire baby pool area is CLOSED during all team practices - children may not be in the water, and caregivers may not sit inside the fenced-in baby pool area. This is required per THA rules and NVSL insurance safety regulations.
• Parents may not talk with coaches or swimmers during practice. Coaches need to give their full attention to conducting a safe and productive practice.
• Reach out to the Team Reps to answer any questions during practices, and they can relay messages to the coaching staff as needed.
• No child who is not a member of the swim team can be left at the pool during the hours of team practice without a parent present, per THA rules and NVSL insurance safety regulations.
• All swimmers age 8 and younger MUST have a parent or guardian (age 14 or older) remain on pool grounds AT ALL TIMES during 8 and under and Mini practices. NO EXCEPTIONS! If there is another adult present who is responsible for your child, please make sure that we have contact information for that person. Parents must provide accurate contact information in their registration / team web account, in case of emergency.
• Any swimmer new to the team or who has not previously had a season as an 8 and under must be evaluated for placement. Coaches conduct evaluations the first week of afternoon practices and the first week of morning practices. If you believe your child will qualify for 8u, attend the first week of afternoon practices for evaluation. 

Standards

While ultimate placement is at the coach's discretion and conveyed by the Team Reps, the fundamental requirements are as follows:

8 and under:

• Must separate easily from parent/guardian/responsible adult
• Must be able to take oral instruction from coaches
• Must be able to swim 25 meters/one length of the pool with minimal stopping
• Must be able to propel oneself confidently through the water
• Must have the endurance to safely practice in at least the slowest lane of the 8 and under practice

Mini Swordfish

• Must separate easily from parent/guardian/responsible adult
• Must be able to take oral instruction from coaches
• Must be able to put his/her/their face in the water without holding nose
• Must be able to propel oneself at least 3 feet without touching the bottom; this does not need to be done as any official stroke

Sportsmanship and  Standards of Conduct

Truro & NVSL Standards of Conduct

As proud members of the Northern Virginia Swim League (NVSL), all Truro Swim Team athletes, parents, and volunteers must follow the Standards of Conduct that guide swimming and conduct within the NVSL.

The following Standards of Conduct guide swimming within the NVSL. The Standards of Conduct promote respect, fairness, civility, honesty, responsibility, and appropriate behavior. These standards foster a positive environment at all swim meets; establish an atmosphere of respect for all participants, officials, and spectators; produce positive learning outcomes for all; build participant and team spirit; and enhance the sport of swimming.

All Athletes, Coaches, Team Representatives, Officials, Parents/Spectators, & NVSL Leadership will:

• Abide by the established rules of the NVSL.
• Respect all officials at all times and address them in a courteous manner.
• Avoid using inappropriate language, profanity, humiliating or intimidating remarks or behavior, verbal or physical assault toward any athlete, coach, team representative, official, NVSL leadership, or spectator.
• Follow applicable management, pool, and facility rules, respecting others’ property at all times
• Display respect, courtesy, and good manners toward athletes, coaches, team representatives, and spectators. Team representatives will assist officials in maintaining control of spectators during meets.
• Demonstrate humility in victory and courtesy in defeat.

Spectators will also:

• Maintain an appropriate distance from the competition area by remaining in established viewing areas and will not encroach on the pool deck or interfere with any officials.
• Not engage in loud, intimidating, disrespectful, or negative behavior towards officials, athletes, other spectators, support personnel, or pool staff (including lifeguards).
• The NVSL stresses the importance of safety and sportsmanship. Please keep in mind that both swimmers and their parents are representatives of our Truro neighborhood and are expected to conduct themselves in a responsible and respectful manner.

Truro has established the following additional standards:

• Warm-up time should be used seriously. Horseplay is not allowed.
• Swimmers may not leave the team area without the permission of the coaches. This ensures that a swimmer will not miss scheduled events.
• Only current coaches and swimmers are allowed in the team area. Parents are not permitted in the team area during practices and meets.
• Swimmers must report to the Clerk of Course on time and remain in the Clerk of Course area until they are directed to their event.
• All swimmers should report to their coaches before and after they swim.
• At the conclusion of the meet, swimmers are responsible for cleaning up the team area by helping to remove any trash.

SafeSport

The USA Center for Safesport is “an independent nonprofit organization responsible for responding to and preventing emotional, physical, and sexual misconduct and abuse in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement.” In addition to many other youth sport organizations, USA Swimming and the NVSL have implemented mandatory SafeSport training for coaches 18 years and older, team reps, and are encouraging training for those adults who frequently come into contact with athletes as officials and volunteers.

We highly encourage you to review the website at https://uscenterforsafesport.org and become informed about how you can help protect our swimmers.

This is the 2nd year of this 2-year suit:

Dolfin Breaker Blue Prices:

• Girls DBX $39.99 (w/tax $42.39)
• Boys Jammer $31.99 (w/tax $33.91)
• Boys Racer (Dolfin Solid Royal) $26.25 (w/tax $27.83)
• Girls Cut-Out (Nike Solid Royal) $54.00 (with tax $57.24)

Swimmers are encouraged, but not required, to purchase the team suit, but for all A and B Meets, swimmers must wear a plain suit with no other pool affiliations or logos on it (a plain blue suit is preferred) or a previous season Truro suit.

**Suits that have been worn in the water cannot be returned or exchanged.

Purchase options:

• SuitUp online store: https://shopumall.com/collections/truro-swordfish
• Retail store location: University Mall 10627 Braddock Rd Fairfax, VA 22032
• Size charts: https://www.dolfinswimwear.com/pages/size-charts?s...