Summer League 2012: General Information

	General Information Summer League 101: Parents' Guide Info for High School Athletes Our Summer League Coaches Practice and Meet Schedule Registration and Fees

Last Updated on Sunday, March 25, 2012 02:33 PM

Summer League News and Updates

Questions about practice and swimming in general? Contact Head Coach Steve Franklin at 573-986-8155 or coach@gatorswimteam.org

Questions about registration and fees? Contact Greg Schmidt, Treasurer, at gschmidt@gatorswimteam.org

Any other questions (swimsuits, forms, etc)? Contact Jena Mabry, Parent Liaison, at 573-576-9593 or jmabry@gatorswimteam.org

The Gator Summer League Program

Summer is right around the corner, and with it comes an opportunity to get kids involved in a fun and low-cost structured sport that is known for being one of the very best all-around ways of keeping fit: SWIMMING.

The Gator Swim Team is now enrolling kids ages 4-18 to participate in the Southeast Missouri Swim Conference (SMSC). The Gators' summer-long program is a fun and instructive introduction to the world of competitive swimming in a safe and supportive family environment. Our team's knowledgeable coaches will work alongside parents in practice sessions and swim meets, providing the young athletes all the support and confidence they need to start and maintain healthy habits that will last a lifetime and define winning in their own personal way.

Why Swimming?

"Each year more people participate in the sport of swimming than in any other sport. Swimming is the nation's number one activity because no other sport or activity produces as many or as varied benefits for the individual throughout one's life, from early childhood onward. It is safe, with less risk of injury than most other activities and promotes a clean, healthy lifestyle." ¹

Swimming is a great sport for people of all ages. It is also great fun to perform, especially during the summer. In fact, in summer time, swimming serves as an excellent exercising choice to beat the summer heat. Many experts believe that swimming is the ideal all-round exercise. Here are some other benefits of swimming:

Swimming provides growth in self confidence and discipline which is unmatched by participation in any other kind of sport or activity.
Swimming teaches kids important life skills such as time management, self-discipline, honesty, dedication, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, trust and pride.
Swimming is one of the best whole-body workouts and can be an integral part of achieving and maintaining fitness and decrease the risk of developing future health problems such as diabetes and heart disease.
Swimmers and their parents can participate in events together as a family.
Swimming engages kids in a sport that they will be able to continue with throughout their lifetime without concern for damaging joints, breaking bones, or placing undue stress on our bodies.
Perhaps the best reason for getting your children involved in competitive swimming is the friendships that they will develop. "Swimming Buddies" often become lifelong friends.
Swimming is a skill that can save lives.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends swimming lessons for children ages 4 and up.
Swimming is accessible for some people for whom other forms of physical activity are difficult, like those who need low impact exercise.
Nothing beats splashing around a pool with friends, and swimming offers the benefits of a full-body workout for kids of any age.
Recent research shows that participation in an organized sport such as swimming improves academic and occupational outcomes, lowers school dropout and deters delinquency.
If you and your kids have participated in other organized sports in the past, you will be pleased to know that THERE IS NO BENCH IN SWIMMING: EVERYONE PLAYS.

The Gator Swim Team

The Gator Swim Team is a parent-owned competitive swim team organized to teach swimmers of all ages and abilities. We are the longest running swim program in Southeast Missouri and the four-time defending champions of the SMSC Summer League. By joining the Gator Summer League team, kids will be part of daily practice sessions with a knowledgeable and talented coaching staff that will work diligently to make sure that swimmers:

Learn and apply the basic swimming skills needed to practice the sport and maximize its health benefits;
Do stroke drills and games that make learning fun, while developing good stroke technique and making friends;
Build self-confidence and self-esteem through swimming;

Summer league swimming is a great starting point for anyone who wants to
get involved in the sport of swimming and harvest all its benefits.

No Previous Swimming Experience Necessary: Anyone between the ages of 4 and 18 who is interested in being active all summer, staying in shape, learning, competing and having fun can join the Gator Summer League team. Swimmers are placed in groups according to their age and ability, and everyone has a chance to learn and improve, regardless of previous swimming experience or ability level.

1. Quoted from the North Texas Swimming web site.