Connecticut Swimming

Program Development Meeting
Minutes of November 9, 2010
Orange, CT

In Attendance: Jeff Gray (Chair), Bill Ball, Cooper Kearns, Kaeley Steinnagel, Lexi Koukos, King Lee, John Spadafina, Mike Huffman, Joanne Lindberg

Also in Attendance: Jim Robison, member of the Age Group Committee

Absent: Dan Mascolo and Chris Hug

Meeting called to order at 7:35 p.m.

Motion made to approve agenda. Seconded. Motion approved.

Chair Jeff Gray asked members for review of the October 13, 2010 minutes. No further discussion needed. Motion made to approve minutes. Seconded. Motion approved.

Announcements:

Chair Jeff Gray reminded Committee Members that according to the bylaws, meetings need to be scheduled with enough advance notice to the membership; agendas need to be posted to the website, with meeting logistics noted, and most recent minutes have to be posted once approved (drafts can and should be posted as appropriate when substantive items and changes are being discussed.
The meeting agenda items will be taken out of order, owing to the schedules and availability of those present.

Committee Reports:

Senior Committee: the Senior Committee posted their meeting announcement on Monday November 8^th and met that night via teleconference. The Committee discussed the proposed changes to the Short Course Senior Open championship format, and the meet announcement, both of which will be reported on later in the agenda.

Age Group: The Committee met to discuss the upcoming short course season time standards for Age Groups and Regionals, and the meet announcement for Age Groups. The committee also discussed the proposed changes coming forward from the Technical Planning Committee.

Owing to the schedules of those in attendance, the committee moved to review and approve the 2010-2011 short course time standards for Age Groups and Regionals, as well as the 2011 meet announcement for Short Course Age Groups.

Motion made by King Lee to approve the 2011 SC Age Group meet announcement as promulgated for 2010, with appropriate changes to the scratch deadline (a specific time will be noted for scratches vs 15 minutes after warm-ups), 2011 dates and deadlines, and necessary personnel changes. Seconded. Motion approved.

Motion made by King Lee to approve the 2011 SC Age Group and Regional time standards as promulgated for 2010. Seconded. Motion approved.

It was noted that long course time standards for Age Groups and Regionals will be reviewed and approved at a later date by the Age Group Committee. For LC Age Group Championships, the SCY standards need to be adjusted. The Age Group Committee is looking to wait until after the SC season in March to tighten the SCY standards.

Technical Planning: Committee discussion focused on encouraging teams to run different types of meets vs. the same ones they are comfortable running; possible financial incentive of waiving the CT Swimming surcharge.

Old Business:

Adapted Swimming Committee Chair: Candidates were discussed. Mike Huffman will pursue some candidates for the Adapted Swimming Committee Chair.

Proposed Changes to the SC Senior Championships: the Senior Committee presented proposed changes to the SC Senior Championships.

Lengthy discussion ensued with the following points being highlighted:

The format change was offered to rectify perceived deficiencies in the SC Senior Championship, and in particular to encourage fast swimming in prelims and finals as the ultimate goal. The format is also expected to generate excitement at the meet..

Concern was expressed about the reduction of four spots in each A Final, and two spots overall in each event.

Different members reported that casual conversation has resulted in uneven reaction to this proposed change, with generally positive reaction in some corners, and concern and reservation in others.

It was noted that there may be a sense of indifference in some corners because of a general lack of understanding regarding the changes.

At the conclusion of the discussion, a motion was made by Bill Ball to accept the proposed changes which are: run the A final as Top 4, B final as 5-13 and C final as 14-22. Top 16 still score. Motion Seconded. Five approvals; three opposed; no abstentions. Motion approved.

New Business:

Program Development Committee Goals for 2010-2011: A general discussion of shared goals for the year then ensued, with the following emerging from general consensus:

Program Development Committee Goals for 2010 will be:

To improve the Connecticut Swimming Championship season and create an atmosphere of excitement;

To explore and review the progression of the championship season, with the objective of making it sequential (from lowest to highest level of championship meet)

To encourage fast swimming through possible circuit of senior meets.

To clarify the definition of Age Group Swimming in Connecticut

The creation of reasonable time lines for championship meets.

Review and examine the finals opportunities for each level of competition.

Review and Analysis of the 12 month swimming calendar, with a comprehensive focus on Short Course, Long Course and Open Water Swimming.

Outreach and Diversity:

Determine on a percentage basis how many kids in CT fall into the diversity category as outlined by USA Swimming (African-Americans, Latinos, American Indian, etc.) Establish a benchmark.

Promote programs and/or events (Make a Splash, Diversity Camps, etc.) to encourage kids to learn to swim and become involved in the sport.

Identify and promote specific meets organized by USA Swimming or other LSCs specifically targeting kids falling in the diversity category. Promote the participation of our swimmers in these events.

SC Senior Meet Announcement: Changes noted to format for 500 free and 400 IM events (top four heats for women and men first, followed by fastest to slowest alternating heats), and order of events were changed based on Speedo Sectional format. Proposed changes to championship finals incorporated. No time standards changed. Motion made by Bill Ball to approve the SC Senior Meet Announcement as presented, with verbiage to clearly state changes. Motioned seconded. Approved.

Technical Planning: is seeking input for new direction to the 2012 LC Age Group Championships. Among the proposals:

Eliminate Regional Championships in the Summer. Open up that weekend for other meets so kids can swim 6 events vs. four.

Create a 14/Under Championship Meet.

Set up Senior Championships so only 15-19 year olds can make C Final. More discussion is needed. Kaeley to continue discussions with other committees.

Criminal Background Screening – Mike will take this item back to Officials Committee to determine if CT Swimming should subsidize costs for officials to complete the required screening.

Motion made, seconded and approved for meeting adjourned at 9:35 pm

Submitted by Jeff Gray
Program Development Vice-Chair

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