You are probably aware from a previous post that Georgia Southwestern University in Americus, Georgia has announced it will close the pool which has been the home of AAAA swim team (aka Quad A/Americus Blue Tide). The supporters of this swim team, community member, alumni, etc. are trying desperately to get GSW to change its plans. You can help us in two ways.
Find the thread titled, “Don’t Let This Swim Team Drown” and follow one of the links and write a short note to GSW asking them to keep the pool open. It doesn’t matter where you are from, just let the powers that be know how important aquatics are.
I would also like everyone who has a child/teen on a swim team, or who was on a swim team as a child/teen, to answer these questions.
In addition to the physical benefits (strengthening, endurance, coordination) how does being on a swim team benefit a child/teen?
And, how does a children’s/teen’s swim team benefit the community?
Thanks in advance,
Lainey
Former Member
Sorry to hear of another pool closure. Pardon me for being political, but here’s the unfortunate truth.
People are demanding too much from government and government is also spending big $$$ on nonproductive programs.
There’s only so much tax $$$ to go around and it has to be split up umpteen ways.
Here in California, we’ve got a Black Hole brewing in every city and it is feared that many of them will have to cut every nonessential service or declare bankruptcy. Here are a few examples of the messes we’re dealing with:
S.F. is spending $850 Million on a transit system that has an average speed of only 8-1/2 MPH and spending another $1.5 Billion on a 1-1/2 mile subway to virtually nowhere. And the state is spending $ Billions on a high speed rail from S.F. to L.A/ that has no useful connecting transit at either end. And the list goes on and on………………………………………….. Etc. Etc. Etc. Etc. Etc. Etc.
It’s obvious that keeping a swimming pool open is at the bottom of the pile. :badday:
In this day and age it comes down to $$, nothing else matters. You need to show economic impact of the club. Here's a list.
1. Avg income of family and they spend the money on the facility versus spend on other private complexes if swimming is cancelled.
2. Revenue from meets - include those travelling in who spend locally
3. Apparel sales to local merchants
4. Show net zero to operate pool
5. You should also have a contingency plan for taking the facility private.
If there is minority use of pool consider contacting Make A Splash for input. They can be a great ally.
I will try to respond with some more detail later, but some quick thoughts on your questions
In addition to the physical benefits (strengthening, endurance, coordination) how does being on a swim team benefit a child/teen?
Teaches goal setting, persistence, etc. ... many of the qualities they'll need to succeed in school, jobs, life
Keeps them "off the streets" / out of trouble and engaged in a positive activity
Is one of the few mixed-gender sports where boys and girls get to compete and train together: I think this makes for stronger and healthier relationships and attitudes amongst teens
Though I don't have data to back me up, I think there's a lot of evidence that kids who engaged in structured sports like swimming have higher graduation rates
Teaches a LIFE-SAVING skill
Former Member
Thank you for your reply.
When I first joined this forum many years ago, a thread like this would have drawn many responses.
Elaine
...
I think I saw a study that looked at GPA by sport and :bliss::bliss::bliss:
swimmers were at the top of the list followed by cross country runners! ...
Also, girls who participate in organized sports have a lower rate of out of wedlock births.
Do you have the reference? I'd like to see that study.
It is also equally important to not overstate your case. If you assume 350 swimmers per meet that is over $700 spent per swimmer. I think that is not even close to reality. I've gone to a ton of out of town three day meets with my kids and never been within eyesight of a figure that high. And, people aren't flying into rural S. Georgia for a meet.
I wholeheartedly agree ... but, in the interest of saving a team, there's no harm in learning How to Lie with Statistics: Darrell Huff,Irving Geis: 9780393310726: Amazon.com: Books
What is Make a Splash?
This. Have you not watched a single second of swimming the past 24 months?
I'll be honest, every sport or activity can conjure up great stats about GPA, family cohesion, etc. I think it is so overused as to be basically irrelevant. You have to prove your finances with the other stuff as asides.
Let's say it costs $800K annually to operate the pool and you have 100 kids on your team. That is $800 per swimmer to get good grades. That doesn't fly these days. Show them the money.
The group who is trying to save the pool has done a brief enconomic impact. Each meet is estimated to bring $250,000.00 to the businesses around the area.
It is also equally important to not overstate your case. If you assume 350 swimmers per meet that is over $700 spent per swimmer. I think that is not even close to reality. I've gone to a ton of out of town three day meets with my kids and never been within eyesight of a figure that high. And, people aren't flying into rural S. Georgia for a meet.
Former Member
Thanks you two.
I think I saw a study that looked at GPA by sport and :bliss::bliss::bliss:
swimmers were at the top of the list followed by cross country runners! (granddaugher=swimmer, grandson=cross country :bliss:). So I wouldn't be surprised if swimmers had the highest graduation rate.
Also, girls who participate in organized sports have a lower rate of out of wedlock births.
The group who is trying to save the pool has done a brief enconomic impact. Each meet is estimated to bring $250,000.00 to the businesses around the area.
Thanks again. Hope others will join in with their ideas.
Lainey
