2024 NOVA Special Olympics regional Champs - volunteers needed!

Barry Marlin

4/15/24

Hello Potomac Marlins

The Potomac Marlins are happy to announce that the Northern Virginia Special Olympics has asked us to host their NOVA Region Swim Championships again for the 31st year.

The Special Olympics swim meet will once again take place at the George Mason University Aquatic & Fitness Center.  The date is Sunday April 28th, 2024 between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.  We are asking for as many volunteers as possible to help fill the necessary positions.  Historically, over 150 Marlins parents, swimmers and family friends have come out to help support this effort every year.  While the meet is slower paced than our typical USAS meets, it is one of the most rewarding experiences you will ever have and you will leave with a deeper appreciation and understanding of what it means to always do your best and to never give up despite your perceived challenges.  My favorite part of this meet has always been watching our Marlins swimmers, young and old, help, support, and encourage the Special Olympics athletes as clerk or course escorts, timers, in water assistants, and personal cheering squads.  I love it!

The Marlins provide FREE Volunteer T-shirts (pictured above) to all participants and we ask that they are worn at the meet in a unified display of support for the SO swimmers.  Make sure to provide your shirt size on the volunteer jotform sign up form.  Shirts sizes are needed by Friday, April 19th.  Use this link.

https://form.jotform.com/241023959259159

The meet is broken into 2 sessions of volunteer

  • Session #1: 9:45-12:45+- p.m.
              Meet on deck under the spectator seating near the officials/computer table end of the pool. 
     
  • Session #2: 12:30/112:45- 4:00 p.m.  (meet is usually over sooner)
              Proceed to the position for which you have signed up and coordinate handoff with the volunteer working the first session.    

Volunteers who would like to do more than one session should wait to see if there are open slots after about a week from the date the link is opened.

The volunteer sign-up sheet will include the following positions:

TIMERS (24 per session needed – 3 per lane, plus 1 HEAD TIMER)  11 & older min. age.

CLERK OF COURSE Managers ( we need 8 per session – 1 per lane – must be a parent).  This is the most vital position for running this meet efficiently.  Organize swimmers into heats and lanes based upon the meet program.  Stage escorts to take swimmers to their lane. S.O. coaches bring swimmers to the Clerk of Course.  Parents who have experience with this in the past are appreciated.

SWIMMER ESCORTS:  (24 per session) -  This is the best position for 12 & unders.  3 per lane assigned to each lane.  Beneficial/fun to work in family/friend units.  Responsible for escorting athletes from clerk of course to the starting end for each race and remaining there until the race starts.

IN WATER Assistants for SPECIAL NEEDS:  3 Lifeguard certified 15 & older swimmers.  Need to bring suits to be in the water (approx. 1 hour)  Previous experience is also a benefit for this position.   This part of the event is run in the “back’ 25 yd. REC. Pool during the second half of Volunteer Session #1.  ( approx.. 11-noon-ish)

OFFICIALS:  We will need the standard officials for the meet.  Starter, Referee, Stroke and Turn, Computer Workers.  Officials should contact Marlins Officials Rep., Angela Fu @  [email protected]
*It is also helpful to have 1 or 2 designated “STRONGMEN” timers on hand to assist with some swimmers who may need helped/lifted out of the pool after their races.

SERVICE HOURS:  Participating in this event qualifies for Community Service hours for students.  Please remember to bring your service hours forms to the meet for Bill or I to sign them OR send us the signature link after the meet. 

OFFICIAL SCHEDULE by SO director, Veronica C. Jennings

 

9:00AM-9:15AM               Athlete arrival time (except skills swimmers)

9:30AM                            Coaches report scratches and positive check-in for 400 and 800 events

9:35AM-10:15AM            Warm ups

10:00AM                          Coaches Meeting (Hospitality Room off of pool deck)

10:00AM                          Officials and Timers Briefing (Hallway outside of pool-near locker rooms)

10:15AM                          Opening Ceremony

10:25AM                          First three heats report to Clerk of Course

10:30AM                          First Heat in position

10:35AM                          First Event starts

11:15AM                         Skills athletes report to the recreation pool

11:30AM                         Skills competition begins

4:00PM                           Meet Ends usually ends sooner.

 

THANK YOU!

POTOMAC MARLINS ARE THE BEST of the BEST!  We are very, very proud to be part of this great community effort every year! Marlins PURPLE = Marlins PROUD!


-Coach Barry Marlin - Potomac Marlins USA Swimming Team

* attached.  PDF document of this letter.

 

P.S.  Volunteers are accepted from outside the Potomac Marlins family.  All are welcome! :)