Why have a swim team?

by Jimmy Simmons

pool water Recently a student at our school asked me, "Why do we have a swim team here?" I laughed and then very patiently answered with the rationale behind the team. Swimming is one of the best activities to develop a maximum number of the body's important muscles. Swimming, diving and sports such as water polo help promote general health, reflexes and fitness in young people. My school is very fortunate to have an olympic size pool that is available to students year-round, and it's put to the best possible use by the swim team.

The purpose of school swimming teams is to support the athlete swimmers, divers and water polo players in their activities through donations of time, energy, and when necessary, fundraising to meet monetary needs.

Membership in our school's team is open to individuals who are interested in promoting and supporting competitive swimming, diving and water polo at the secondary level. Members are considered in good standing and have voting privileges when they pay their dues and participate in activities on a regular basis. Dues or fees are generally paid on an annual or semester basis. Our student athletes get a lot of benefits from the competitive swim meets. Not just physical fitness, but social benefits as well, learning to work with others on a common goal.

Please support youth swimming as an organized activity in your school or community.