Recruiting

The 3-Dec-05 is the deadline for NGB (national governing bodies) to submit the proposal for review. Suggested changes have to come from the FINA affliate Member, in the case of USA, is NOT USMS, but United State Aquatic Sports (USAS). The USMS Rules Committee considered a number of issued and will be submitted 4-5 suggested Rules changes to USAS, who then makes final decisions on what to submit to FINA. FINA will review the suggestion at an upcoming meeting in 2006 after the rules are appropriately translated into at least French, and perhaps other languages. Unfortunately, the current FINA rule on having masters athletes and relays represent a club is consistent with most NGB - it was not considered an issue at this time. Again, with no residency restrictions on clubs, anyone can register with any club within any LMSC, and create any "national" relay. If you feel strongly about this needed change, you will first need to convince USMS Rules Committee. Either attend the next convention, corresponded with your LMSC to be sure you issue is advocated, or better yet - contact our new USMS President and asked to be placed on the USMS Rules Committee. The USMS Rules commmittee does have representation by Zone as well as some at-large members. I hope this clarify this one issue. Once we have a list of rules that USAS will submit to FINA, I'd be happy to provide information to the USMS discussion theads. Anthony Thompson, USMS Rules Committtee Member

The 3-Dec-05 is the deadline for NGB (national governing bodies) to submit the proposal for review. Suggested changes have to come from the FINA affliate Member, in the case of USA, is NOT USMS, but United State Aquatic Sports (USAS). The USMS Rules Committee considered a number of issued and will be submitted 4-5 suggested Rules changes to USAS, who then makes final decisions on what to submit to FINA. FINA will review the suggestion at an upcoming meeting in 2006 after the rules are appropriately translated into at least French, and perhaps other languages. Unfortunately, the current FINA rule on having masters athletes and relays represent a club is consistent with most NGB - it was not considered an issue at this time. Again, with no residency restrictions on clubs, anyone can register with any club within any LMSC, and create any "national" relay. If you feel strongly about this needed change, you will first need to convince USMS Rules Committee. Either attend the next convention, corresponded with your LMSC to be sure you issue is advocated, or better yet - contact our new USMS President and asked to be placed on the USMS Rules Committee. The USMS Rules commmittee does have representation by Zone as well as some at-large members. I hope this clarify this one issue. Once we have a list of rules that USAS will submit to FINA, I'd be happy to provide information to the USMS discussion theads. Anthony Thompson, USMS Rules Committtee Member