Keeping the pond stocked

Hannah Gross
NLJ Correspondent
 
The Newcastle Stingrays swim team jumped into the water two weeks ago with both new and returning swimmers. According to head coach Teresa Gross, the team has 11 new swimmers, half of whom are elementary age. Gross said four other kids, who have
had experience in the pool, joined the team this year after several years of not swimming competitively.
 “I was very excited to have new kids; most of them show great potential,” Gross said.
Gross explained that the Stingrays program offers a free two-week trial for new kids who want to check it out. So far, all nine kids who participated in the trial want to move forward, which says they must enjoy it, Gross said. Among the returnees, she said, are new swimmers from last year.
Retention was also better for the Stingrays this year, with the program having 43 swimmers, a number higher than in other years. The Stingrays had 38 competitors last year. Some of the older boys no longer with the Stingrays are swimming on the high school team, whose season runs at the same time. 
New swimmers build up both the Stingrays and high school programs, according to Gross. Starting kids at a young age helps them to develop the technical skills they need, which potentially leads to qualifying for state when they reach the high school level, said Gross.
“I want to help any child who has a desire to swim, to not only improve in swimming but also develop them with a positive self-image. Swimming’s a great sport in the sense you can do it ’til you’re old, and you’re always racing against yourself,” Gross said. She later noted that the Stingrays program is great because it works with other sports. Kids can try out swimming while still participating in the other sports they may be exploring. She also said new swimmers don’t have to know all four strokes because they will learn the technique through the swim team.
Because of the fundraiser the team does every year and the privilege of not having to pay a fee for pool usage, monthly dues are lower than that of other swim teams and participants don’t have to pay meet fees, a benefit other teams typically do not enjoy. 
 “I want them to have fun. I want them to learn to compete, and to set goals which can also help them set goals in other areas of their life,” Gross said.