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Our comprehensive guide to help our parents navigate the fast paced world of swimming.
FAST Parents
Event Support Information
FAST is renowned for organizing top-notch competitions that draw teams from across the Midwest. Hosting these meets not only provides our athletes with high-quality competition but also reduces training dues for FAST families and minimizes travel expenses.
Event Support Requirements
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For the Monster Splash and FAST 500, all families are required to contribute event support for 2 sessions.
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For the Santa Claus Classic, Mudsock and Summer Jam meets, families with swimmers in Tiger Cubs 1, Tiger Cubs 2 or Tiger Cubs 3 are asked to contribute event support for 3 sessions. Families with swimmers in all other training groups are asked to provide event support for 4 sessions.
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If your family has swimmers in multiple training groups, the event support requirements are not additive, the family is responsible for the larger of the swimmer requirements.
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The requirement for each meet are subject to change throughout the season.
Regardless of their swimmers' participation in the swim meet, families must fulfill event support requirements. The Event Support Coordinator will email details and sign-up information before each meet. FAST offers an "Unavailable to Work" option for each shift at a meet if a family is not able to provide Event Support. For each "Unavailable to Work" session used throughout the year, a $25 fee is accessed to the family's account. After three "Unavailable to Work" sessions are used in a given competition year, the fee is increased to $50 for three additional sessions. After those three sessions (a total of six sessions per competition year) the fee is $75 per session.
Those who do not sign up, indicate "Unavailable to Work" or attend their event support shifts face a financial penalty of $75 per session. This ensures proper staffing at meets, helps achieve budget goals, and keeps dues low.
If a family's swimmer participates in a higher-level event conflicting with a FAST-hosted meet, the "Hire a Sub" fee is waived, and if the swimmer competes partially, the event support obligation stands.
Event Support Position Descriptions
Admissions: Sell admissions and heat sheets; may also sell and distribute meet spirit wear.
Head Timer: Supervise timers and operate extra stopwatches as backup.
Timer: Run a stopwatch and plunger, manually recording times.
Relief Timer: Fill in for timers needing a break.
Clerk of Course: Line up 8 & Under swimmers and ensure timely arrivals at starting blocks.
Security: Enforce pool deck restrictions and maintain order.
Announcer: Operate the public address system, announce events, heats, and results.
Concessions: Sell food and drinks at the concession stand.
Hospitality: Maintain the hospitality area for coaches, volunteers, and officials.
Deck Runner: Collect timer sheets and deliver them to the head table.
Copy / Post: Assist with copying and posting heat sheets and meet results.
Awards: Work the awards table, label awards, sort, and distribute them.
Computer Daktronics Timing Equipment Operator: Operate timing console and computer at the head table.
Computer Operator / Meet Manager: Work on the computer to run meet software.
Scratch Table: Monitor scratch sheets during prelims sessions for swimmers wanting to scratch from finals.
Meet Set-up and Clean-up: Set up and/or break down meet equipment and clean the pool deck.
Floater: Work any position as needed.
Event Support Check In: Check in people arriving for their event support shifts.
Officials: Referee for swimming, must have current certification with USA Swimming.
Deck or Warm-up Pool Marshal: Monitor warm-up lanes and/or pools to ensure swimmers abide by rules.
Every fall, FAST will convene the annual parents meeting, providing a comprehensive review of the annual budget, discussing highlights and changes, conducting elections for new FAST Board Members, and addressing various pertinent matters. It's an invaluable opportunity for our community to stay informed and actively participate in the ongoing development and success of our program.
Annual Parents Meeting
Swim Articles of Interest
We express our sincere gratitude to all FAST parents for their unwavering dedication to their children, demonstrated through volunteering, service, and steadfast support of our program. This section serves as a resource hub, offering additional information and insights to aid in the holistic development of outstanding athletes and individuals, both within and beyond the pool. If you come across articles that you believe could benefit fellow parents, kindly share them with us for consideration. Your active involvement is crucial to the collective success and growth of our FAST community.
Item One
Five Sneaky Things That Happen When You Start Journaling Your Practices - Olivier Poirier-Leroy
Item Five
The Real Culture of American Swimming - Don Heidary, Board President, American Swim Coaches Association
Whitney Gingerich, MA, RDN
The Fishers Area Swimming Tigers had the privilege of meeting and learning from nutritionist Whitney Gingerich, MA, RDN. She dedicated time to each training group, providing valuable insights into how dietary choices impact performance, both in and out of the water. This opportunity not only enhances the athletes' understanding of nutrition but also contributes to their overall well-being and success in the pool. We appreciate Whitney Gingerich's expertise and the positive impact it brings to our swimming community.
Fueling for Performance
Parent Code of Conduct
As a parent of the Fishers Area Swimming Tigers, I pledge to adhere to the following code of conduct:
1. Commit to the FAST Tiger Mission and Tiger Vision, embodying the values of Team, Integrity, Grit, Excellence, Respect, and Sportsmanship.
2. Practice teamwork by supporting cooperation, loyalty, commitment, and hard work among parents, swimmers, and coaches.
3. Refrain from coaching or instructing the team or any swimmer during training sessions or meets, avoiding interference with coaches on the pool deck.
4. Demonstrate good sportsmanship, earning the respect of my child, fellow swimmers, parents, officials, and coaches at meets and training sessions.
5. Enjoy involvement with the FAST team by fostering positive communication and actions in support of swimmers, coaches, and parents.
6. Maintain self-control at all times, understanding the roles of swimmers, coaches, officials, and parents.
7. Communicate with coaching staff either before or after a training or meet session.
8. Hold questions or concerns regarding decisions made by meet officials or coaches until the end of the meet session, directing inquiries to a member of the FAST coaching staff only.
9. Express problems with any coach, swimmer, parent, or official within FAST immediately to your child’s coach. If unsatisfactory, escalate to the head coach and, if necessary, submit a formal complaint to the FAST executive board in writing, with all issues documented, signed, and dated.
10. Refrain from using audio or visual recording devices in changing areas, restrooms, locker rooms, or on the pool deck.
11. Abstain from consuming alcohol, tobacco products, or illegal drugs at any FAST event.
12. Comply with the FAST social media and electronic communication policies outlined in the FAST Policy Handbook.
13. Recognize that FAST does not tolerate sexual harassment or any form of intolerance, including harassment based on race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, and/or sexual orientation/identification.
Parent's Code
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