This is the tentative schedule of days of competition and will be distributed
and completed before the season begins.
Rule Changes and Amendments:
Greenwood YMCA introduced 5 proposals which were distributed to members present:
A proposal to score championship meets based on average points per swimmer
was rescinded by Coach Hutton.
Coach Hutton asked that the leadership reinforce cluster rules re:
submission of team rosters, posting of meet results, and distribution of meet
invitations. Coach Coffey did ask that each team try to meet the standards in
the cluster rules.
Coach Hutton asked that the standard per swimmer surcharge for regular
meets be raised from $2.00 to $3.00 in order to accommodate team awards at
those meets. After some discussion it was decided that the present rules allow
higher charges without modification provided that the host advises visiting
teams prior to the meet.
Coach Hutton suggested that training be held for stroke judges and
officials to preclude swimmers being disqualified at the Championships without
having been disqualified before. Coach Turner advised that Cherokee County
YMCA has plans in motion to offer coaches and officials training in October.
Coach Hutton suggested that meet information should be required to be in
the hosts hands prior to the Tuesday before a meet. After some discussion it
was decided to amend the rules to require entries be postmarked 8 days prior
to a meet.
Cherokee County YMCA introduced 6 proposals which were distributed to members
present:
Coach Turner asked that rules requiring team rosters and meet results to be
submitted to the league registrar be reinforced. See #2 above.
Coach Turner questioned whether the seasonal Championships were the best
time to conduct league meetings. After discussion of other possibilities and
their difficulties it was decided to leave the meeting at each Championship
meet.
Coach Turner suggested a penalty on coaches found to be willfully failing
to enforce age up dates. Coach Coffey advised that coaches with questions
about another teams ages should address the other coach about the issue. No
motion was made to impose such penalties though the league age-up dates were
reinforced.
Coach Turner proposed that event distances for 13/14 and 15/over swimmers
in the Back, Breast and Fly be increased to 100 yards and in the Individual
Medley to 200 yards. This is consistent with YMCA National competition
qualification and with collegiate swimming. After much discussion it was
decided to make that change for the Winter seasons only and leave the shorter
distances in place as they are now for the summer seasons. The change will
take effect with this winter season.
Coach Turner proposed that the 6/under age group be eliminated and that it
be combined with the 7/8 age group creating an 8/under age group. After much
debate and discussion it was decided that the age groups will remain as they
are, that 6/under swimmers will score for their team, and that they will be
subject to disqualification. Coach Coffey cautioned against entering young
swimmers in events that they cant properly perform.
Coach Turner proposed that the league rules include a recommendation for
minimum coaches qualification. That recommendation includes First Aid and CPR
certification, wtaer safety certification such as Aquatic Safety Assistant or
Lifeguard Training, and swim coaches education such as that provided in the
YMCA Swimming Coaches courses or by the American Swimming Coaches Association.
Coach Coffey cautioned against the league making this a requirement since such
training can sometimes be difficult to get. The proposal was taken to vote and
passed. The recommendation will be added to the cluster rules.
New Business:
There was discussion of the executive committee action regarding a protest by
Newberry YMCA against Cherokee YMCA with regard to attending meets not
originally scheduled to attend. Newberry YMCA also protested the attendance of
Greenwood YMCA at the meet hosted by Cherokee YMCA when Greenwood was scheduled
at Orangeburg that day. After considerable discussion, the protest was remanded
to the executive committee for further discussion and decision.
Coach Turner asked for clarification of cluster rule number 20 regarding the
number of teams required at a meet in order for that meet to be considered a
championship qualifier. That issue was also remanded to the executive committee
for further discussion and decision.
Being no further business the open meeting was adjourned.
The executive committee met in closed session to discuss three issues.
The protest of Newberry YMCA against Cherokee County YMCA regarding
competing in meets not originally scheduled for. This issue was voted on a
week earlier, the results of the vote were distributed by fax to each team.
The protest of Newberry YMCA against Greenwood YMCA regarding scratching a
meet and then attending another meet on the same day. The vote on this issue
was the same as that on issue 1. The committee then went on to clarify and
reinforce rule #19 of the cluster rules. Teams must receive prior approval of
the league officers before any change is made to the meet schedule in the
future. This includes teams attending, team hosting, and scheduled date.
Clarification of rule 20 in the cluster rulebook. Coach Turner contends
that it is unreasonable to not allow dual meets as championship qualifiers
when both teams are YMCA teams. The committee determined that the rule may
need to be rewritten and clarified and remanded discussion to the new
executive committee.
There being no further business of the executive committee, the meeting was
adjourned at 9:30PM
Carson Turner
Secretary (98-99)
