Happy New Year, Marlins!

I hope that you are all having an awesome school year so far!   I am writing to just update everyone on all the plans and happenings for the upcoming season!  As always, this has turned out to be a long email.   Please persevere and read to the end!

• Our new board is hard at work, already!  We are planning an awesome season for the Marlins!   In case you don't remember, the board for this season is:

Monique Close, President

Caroline Bolz, Secretary

Kathleen Grand, Operations (timing, scorekeeping, awards, data entry)

Kristine Niznik, Social (EOY party, social media, mock meet, coaches breakfast)

Brendan Farrell, Merchandise (all things you can buy)

Lisa Turner, concessions and Meet Director

Vicky Alvarez, volunteer coordinator

• Registration for returning swimmers is March 1 - 15.   It will open for new swimmers March 16-30.   Please make sure you register as soon as possible.   Last year, we had wait lists in almost all age groups.   Please note, if you want to be on the swim team, do not register for the practice team.   Please put your name on the wait list.   Last year, we were able to move all people who wanted to onto the competitive team.   The only way we know you want to be on the competitive team is if you are on the wait list.  If you register for the practice team, we assume you don't want to be on the competitive team.   SO PLEASE DO NOT REGISTER FOR THE PRACTICE TEAM IF YOU WANT TO BE MOVED ONTO THE COMPETITIVE TEAM.  
• To kick off the registration process, we are going to have a spirit day at Tapester's Grill on Tuesday, February 26.   Come in all day.  A portion of the sales from Maplewood Marlins for the day will be donated back to the team.  I am attaching a flyer.  Make sure you mention the Maplewood Marlins when you are ordering.  This applies to dine in, drive thru, and to go order for the entire day. 
• This year, we will be trying a new way of signing up for volunteer slots.  When we register in March, the final schedule, indicating our opponent and whether the meet is home or away, is not decided.   Last year, we signed up for volunteer slots, but had to change a lot of slots once the final schedule was decided.  So, this year, we are going to have volunteer sign-up and registration separate.   We will register in March.   Then in late April - early May, we will open up sign-up for the volunteer slots.   In order for your child to be heated for the first meet, you must have signed up for your volunteer slots (3 for one swimmer, 6 for 2+ swimmers). 
• This year, we are adding 2 floater slots for each meet.  This position will be available to fill in for whatever job is needed during the meet.   One of these slots will require you to be certified as a stroke judge.   We will have more on these spots before we open sign up.
• The Mock Meet last year was a huge success!  We are going to continue with the Mock Meet this year.   We ask that everyone work and chip in to make this a huge success.  The volunteer slots worked at the Mock Meet are in addition to your required slots for the regular season.  We ask that you work in slots at the Mock Meet that you are normally working during the regular swim season.
• Here are the dates for the swim meets this season:
  • June 3
  • June 10
  • June 17
  • June 24
  • July 1
  • July 8 (Monday) - Meet of Champions
  • July 12 (Friday) - All Stars
• This is the schedule as determined by the league.  We cannot change it.   The tentative date for the Mock Meet is May 31 (HISD last day of school).   
• We are exploring the possibility of having practices earlier in the month of May this year.   We will keep you posted on this.   We are allowed to begin practice at the beginning of May.  
• Lastly, as you all know, we have been supporting the Crow family as their husband and father, Mark, is battling lung cancer.   Mark is fighting hard.  The boys will be swimming with us this summer.   Mark has always been an incredible volunteer for the team, frequently covering more than the required number of shifts.  The team stands firmly with Mark and Nancy.  We thought that some of you might like the opportunity to cover one of the Crow's volunteer slots for the season.   This will just be another way that we will show support to them.     If are interested, please email [email protected].   The family has been very touched by the outpouring of support from the team. We will continue to keep you posted of ways that you can help the Crows during this difficult time.  

As always, we love to hear your thoughts and ideas.  We will do our best to incorporate your suggestions.  Please let us know your thoughts.   We are looking forward to another awesome summer! 

Go Marlins!

Monique