ASCA Board Sends Letter to USA Swimming with Suggestions for Future
This week, the Board of Administrators of the American Swimming Coaches Affiliation (ASCA) despatched a letter to USA Swimming regarding expectations for the subsequent quad, which is able to lead as much as a house Olympic Video games in Los Angeles. The letter was obtained by Swimming World and could be discovered under.
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Expensive USA Swimming Board Members,
On the conclusion of an Olympic Video games and quad, we really feel it’s a nice time not solely to mirror on the previous 4 years, but in addition to evaluation and plan for the long run.
We want to start by saying how proud we’re of all of the athletes who competed for Staff USA in Paris.
We’re equally happy with the management of our Staff USA teaching workers, and grateful for his or her time, effort, and sacrifice. Our appreciation can also be prolonged to the Staff USA assist workers. Their contributions are drastically revered and valued.
Our observations of the Paris Olympics present that parity is the brand new norm in worldwide swimming competitors. The remainder of the world has regularly raised their bar, investing in excessive efficiency and rising their assist of athletes. Whereas competitors is wholesome and brings out the perfect in our personal athletes and coaches, there isn’t any doubt that the USA is being challenged greater than ever.
The chance to carry out our best on the Olympic Video games in Los Angeles and improve our presence on the high of the medal desk begins instantly.
The American Swimming Coaches Affiliation is deeply involved with present USA Swimming membership traits, our perceived weaker efficiency on the world stage, and vital coach suggestions expressing dissatisfaction with our nationwide governing physique. We see the subsequent 4 years being among the most vital in our sports activities historical past domestically.
We’re calling for a well-designed and clear quad plan, from the grassroots to nationwide group ranges, that enables our sport to capitalize on the subsequent 4 years, culminating with a house Olympics. On the similar time, our sport faces vital uncertainty with the evolving NIL/NCAA panorama. Guaranteeing that American athletes proceed to have packages and assets permitting them to pursue their desires past highschool/membership swimming is important. How will USA Swimming membership packages have to evolve to fulfill these new challenges, and what is going to USA Swimming do to assist?
We’re asking for, and anticipating, reflection and alter. If we preserve doing what we now have all the time accomplished, why ought to we count on totally different outcomes and perceptions 4, 8, or 12 years down the highway? As you put together to make some vital choices within the coming weeks that impression our sport and career transferring ahead, we ask you to contemplate these suggestions:
1. Our leaders should be held accountable for membership traits and coach dissatisfaction which were properly documented.
2. We’d like an skilled and achieved coach to steer our Nationwide Staff, and we want an impressive, credible coach chief for the Junior Nationwide Staff as properly. The house Olympics require our greatest, and we really feel an athlete-centered and coach-driven method will permit USA Swimming to carry out at its finest.
3. The quantity of workers turnover beneath present management isn’t solely regarding, but in addition alarming.
4. There may be at the moment a scarcity of engagement and reference to coaches that’s inflicting our NGB to miss its most treasured useful resource for bettering efficiency. The NGB’s relationship with coaches should change into one in all respect, assist and collaboration.
5. USA Swimming wants leaders who’re keen to interact with ALL stakeholders and leverage their information to enhance each facet of the group.
6. The chief of the group must be an impressive communicator, listener, and somebody who can encourage a way of urgency and pleasure all through all ranges of the group.
7. Grassroots golf equipment, coaches and athletes have to be linked to the highest in a approach that not solely exhibits them the trail to get there, but in addition takes them by the hand and leads them there.
The American Swimming Coaches Affiliation is happy about USA Swimming’s future. We stand prepared to help in any approach. We’re assured that if we work collectively (protecting our focus athlete-centered, coach-driven, and administratively-assisted), we are able to forge a path that may separate Staff USA from the remainder of the World in Los Angeles and past.
Sincerely,
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CEO OF THE AMERICAN SWIMMING COACHES ASSOCIATIONMike Murray, The Albany Academy, PresidentEmily Melina, Lake Oswego Swim Membership Vice PresidentEllen Johnston, Westport/Weston Household YMCA Water Rats Swim Staff, TreasurerMohamed Abdelaal, Razorback Aquatic Membership AquaHawgs, SecretaryHerbie Behm, Arizona State College Swimming and DivingPaul Donovan, Jersey WahoosBill Dorenkott, Ohio State College Swimming and DivingTim Hill, Sharks Swim ClubMike Koleber, Nitro SwimmingIan Murray, Dynamo Swim ClubMacKenzie Novell, Fort Collins Space Swim TeamJennifer LaMont, ASCA CEO
