Forming a team

RE: Forming a team

Former Member — Sat, 15 Oct 2005 14:21:34 GMT

Maybe it's different in the US, but as far as I know I'd have to pay fees to the masters club here to be associated with them even if I didn't plan to swim with them. As I already pay fees for pool access, I don't want to pay more just to be able to say I'm on their team. Heather

RE: Forming a team

michaelmoore — Sat, 15 Oct 2005 12:19:40 GMT

Heather you could check with the Canadian Masters and see what it takes to form a local team. You might have the same a Local Masters Swim Committee in Canada, talk to them then form a team - the Heather Team. In Pacific, we charge each team a a fee to join, so you may have to pay that fee too. Or you could join one of the cyber teams that are out there. No dues, and they dont swim together at practice. michael

RE: Forming a team

Former Member — Sat, 15 Oct 2005 06:31:17 GMT

Heheheh... I like the idea of being the queen of my own team. :) I will look into all of your suggestions - many thanks! Heather

RE: Forming a team

Former Member — Fri, 14 Oct 2005 16:46:40 GMT

Beanie, I sent you a PM

RE: Forming a team

Former Member — Fri, 14 Oct 2005 16:30:41 GMT

I would say do eenie-meenie-minee-mo, and just pick a team and e-mail the coach. Check the places to swim section of the website, that has all the teams in the country listed, and just start e-mailing.

RE: Forming a team

Former Member — Fri, 14 Oct 2005 14:00:04 GMT

Betsy: thanks for your reply. I never swam for a Masters team in the U.S. before I went to Japan. I registered for the Japan Masters through my local fitness club in Tokyo after I moved here. Since then I participated in 3 competitions through this registration: The all Japan Masters in Osaka in July, the Kanagawa Masters and the Nagoya Masters competitions. Any advice for which team I could move my registration to in the U.S. ? Thanks a lot.

RE: Forming a team

Former Member — Thu, 13 Oct 2005 16:49:02 GMT

Maybe you can register with a team even if you don't train with them? My USMS card says I"m a part of a team that I've never swam with, ever, but my registrar said to just put unattached on my meet sheets, or if I really wanted I could put the team anyway. Check with some teams here in the states, maybe if they agree to let you us them as a team (so you can do World's), then you can swim in some of their relays, or they get your points or something.

RE: Forming a team

Former Member — Thu, 13 Oct 2005 16:05:36 GMT

You need to be associated with a team in order to swim at worlds, you cannot swim unattached.

RE: Forming a team

Former Member — Thu, 13 Oct 2005 15:56:06 GMT

You should be able to register yourself as unattached. I competed in a couple meets as an unattached swimmer. I don't see why World's wouldn't let you compete as an unattached as long as you meet qual times.

RE: Forming a team

Former Member — Thu, 13 Oct 2005 10:26:46 GMT

Thank you for the replies. Since I have been in Tokyo for 5 years, I am out of touch with swimmers in the US. I don't even know anyone swimming Masters there now. Is there any team that would let me use their name for World Masters next year? I wonder if there is any small team that is looking for another person for relays. The other question is - if I get 3 friends in Japan who want to make a team with me, is it hard to register my team? What is the actual process involved in making a team. I noticed that there are 100's of small teams here with a small number of members. Thanks!

RE: Forming a team

Betsy — Thu, 13 Oct 2005 07:02:38 GMT

Where/how are you registered now? USMS renewal for 2006 starts Nov 1. A copy of your registration card is submitted with your entry for all USMS meets and for Worlds. Your card must indicate the team you have registered with. Teams are registered through the Local Masters Swim Committee. If you do not have a mailing address within the LMSC's area, I am not sure you can register a team. Your best bet is to register with an existing USMS team. You do not have to live in that area. Your problem is what team...Do you know anyone currently swimming? Did you swim with USMS before going to Japan? Betsy Durrant

RE: Forming a team

Former Member — Thu, 13 Oct 2005 06:03:07 GMT

I think a team is required to have four members. I suppose that you could sign up three of your friends, swimmers or not, and use that as a qualification to start a new team. Why are you so determined about not being a member of a team? You don't actually have to practice with them. Shoot, I don't think you even need to know any of them.

RE: Forming a team

Former Member — Thu, 13 Oct 2005 05:21:12 GMT

I swim unattached for a variety of reasons, mostly because I want to. I had halfways planned on going next summer - guess not! I looked at the rules for FINA Masters Worlds and it does say you must be attached to a team, but then it says that you can't swim for a country or federation. OK, fine... so if I make up a team name, I can swim for it? I'm not USMS, as I'm Canadian... I am registered with Masters Swimming Ontario as an unattached swimmer. Weirdness, and disappointing. Oh well, the World Masters Games are in Australia in 2009, and that might be fun. :) Heather