News

Welcome to Melrose Sharks news section.  Please check back on a regular basis for important practice, meet, and team information!

January 7th 2008

November 26th 2007

 

November 26th 2007

 

November 15th 2007

November 10th 2007

Santa Sprints Invitational Meet - As you know, we are hosting the Santa Sprints Invitational Meet on December 1st and 2nd at Malden High School.  In order to make this event a success for the team, we need lots of help.  We have formed a committee to oversee the organization of the meet, but we need additional help from all families.   We need many hands to help organize this event; from admission, announcer, bleacher clean-up, concession (set-up, worker, runner, clean-up), data entry assistants, deck clean up, meet referee, official, raffle, ribbons and timers.  We will post a sign-up sheet with associated points earned on the sandwich board for volunteers.  THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO EARN YOUR POINTS. 

We also need a few coordinators for concessions, program ads, and the raffle.  There will be a separate sign up sheet for these positions on the sandwich board.    In addition, we are developing a raffle calendar to be sold during the event as well as during the month of December.  Each calendar will be sold for $10.  The calendar will offer a different prize for each day in the month of January.  We need contributions!!!  If you are able to donate anything as a raffle item i.e. Red Sox, Bruins, Celtics or Patriots tickets, a vacation home weekend, movie passes, restaurant gift certificates or anything else, please let us know.  We would like each item to have a value of at least $25.  Each $25 in value = 1 Pt.  

We also would like to encourage solicitations of local businesses for raffle items, program advertising or concession donations.  Be creative; some businesses may be willing to donate to the raffle as well as do an ad for the program.  Others may be willing to donate cash, we’ll take it.  I have attached word documents which you can print and use for solicitation purposes.  They will also be posted on the web-site.  They describe the meet, the raffle and the various levels of program advertising (a gold Sponsor is worth 10 pts; a silver sponsor is worth 7 pts and a bronze sponsor is worth 3pts.)   This is a soft sell, and is generally well received.  It just requires a bit of leg work to make some phone calls, or personal visits.  We must be in a position to compile all sponsor contributions by the last week of the month!!!  

Please feel free to email or call me should you have any questions, and thanks for the help.   Ron Mastrocola (617) 387-5300

October 31st 2007

We are in need of Meet Managers from the 10 & Under parents.  Due to the division of the swim team this weekend and the weekend at Burbank-Reading, we are in need of Meet Managers from the 10 & Under parents.   We will be offering a refresher course during Thursday's practice, November 1st for any parents willing to help out. It is a very user-friendly program and is vital to any swim meet  we are lacking help in the younger groups for this job. We hope to see you at 5:30 pm.   If any parent already is comfortable with this position and willing to work the system at Saturday's meet, please let us know as soon as you can.   All other positions for this Saturday's meet will be posted today.
Practice for juniors is cancelled for Wednesday, October 31st.
HARD CORD SHARKS CLUB.   Starting this Friday, November 2nd, National Swimmer Alyssa Savarino, will be implementing a comprehensive core strengthening class using plyo-balls, medicine balls, cords and calestethics. This is a great class for swimmers not ready for the "Gun Club" with weights or as a supplement for those who already do it. The club is open to 11 & up swimmers who can commit to working hard every Wednesday and Friday for an hour before practice.   3RD FLOOR - MAIN STREET YMCA FRIDAY 5:00 pm (starting November 2nd) WEDNESDAY 4:30 pm (Starting November 7th)

October 15th 2007

Sharks Halloween Bash Saturday, Oct 27th 5-8pm (after Red/Blue meet).  Beebe School, W. Foster St, Melrose (just 3-blocks from the Y).  Pizza, snacks, desserts, drinks! Lots of fun games! Prizes for best costume!     $5 per swimmer/$10 cap per family For SHARKS swimmers only! (sign up at Y sandwich board in lobby).  Sorry, moms and dads you’ll need to volunteer to be there. Here are some ways to get involved and earn your credits:   Chaperones and volunteers needed for set-up and break down.  Donations are welcome for snacks, desserts, drinks, paper goods, decorations.  Sign up your Shark(s) on the Sandwich board in the Y lobby or contact Evelyn Swaim at 617-460-1061 or evswaim@yahoo.com.  Payments should be left in the SWAIM Mail Folder.  Get ready for a Howlin’ good time!
Effective Immediately  There will be no more Sunday Evening Practice due to low attendance. Those in Senior 2 are now invited to the Sunday Morning practice 9 am to 11 am.

October 4th 2007

Information on Hotel Rooms for Y-Invitational Meet in Wilton, Nov 16-18: There is a block of rooms reserved for us at $74/night. For each group of 10 rooms we get one room free. I have also booked the conference room for Saturday evening and trying to get Friday. Click here to go to our discount booking page.
The Salem State information has been updated.
It is that time of year again! Please read the information on the Cookie Sales fund raiser .
Please read the latest newsletter for important information.

September 21st 2007

New uploads of Dual Meet Overview information (doc, pdf), Lingo (doc, pdf), and Parent's Support (doc, pdf) documents - html version updates are still in the works.

September 19th 2007

NEWSLETTER posted here
Final Roster for Fall-Winter 2007 team posted here(excel)
Final results of 2007 Spring-Summer Season have been posted here

September 4th 2007

WELCOME BACK SHARKS!  First of all, we are back in the pool starting September 5th. ROSTER: The preliminary roster consists of returning Fall-Winter Swimmers. You are not officially on the team unless your deposit is paid at the front desk. so stop by the front desk to secure your spot. Summer Swimmers need to tryout again for the Fall-Winter Season.

TRYOUTS: based on your age on December 1st: September 10th - 5:30-6:30 for ages 11 and up September 11th - 5:30-6:00 for ages 8 and under, 6:00-6:30 for ages 9 and 10 September 12th - By Appointment ONLY NEW GROUPS: As in the past, we will continue to offer Mini-Sharks for 8 & under swimmers who aren't ready for the full experience. Classes are typically on Tues or Thursday. This year we are also offering a Pre-Competitive Group for ages 9-12 for those who aren't quite ready for the team. These swimmers will swim Monday's & Friday's and will be "coached" by our National Swim Instructors. In addition, they will compete at meets when they are ready. Feel free to share this information with those who are interested in trying out.

FEW NIBLETS OF INFORMATION: The Great Pumpkin Meet has been set for October 20th. The following weekend, we are trying to plan a Halloween Party as well as the 'Red & Blue" meet, which is back by popular demand. For those who don't remember, the Red & Blue meet is held at our YMCA and the entire team is split to compete against each other. It is a great experience for the whole team.

HELP WANTED: A few of our parent committees are in need of leadership. If you are interested, please email Rick as soon as possible. Each position listed is worth 10 credits each. Therefore, right off the bat, you will have satisfied your "credit obligation". It is fun to be involved and really enhances the entire swim team experience not only for your swimmer(s), but for the family as well. We look forward to hearing from you.

SOCIAL DIRECTOR: Plans a few social opportunities for the swimmers as well as the banquet. You will never stand alone as many people enjoy helping in this area.
FUNDRAISING DIRECTOR: Organize a few fundraising opportunities for the swim team. Last year, we were able to raise enough money to purchase lots of new equipment, fins, video playback systems as well as an underwater camera which will be quite useful for our team this year.
WEB PAGE COORDINATOR: This is a two-person job, which consists of updating the web page with news, information, meet results, etc. This job reports to the Communication Director (Judi Lombardi). Mike Thome has generously stepped up this summer to take on the job and will continue through the season but, as stated, it is a two-person job, therefore, we are looking for one more individual who can help us maintain the vital information that you all have come to rely on.