Old Dominion Swim League

In order to provide ALL swimmers on our rapidly growing team an equal opportunity to compete throughout the season, the South Riding Swim Team (SRST) is joining a second league -- the Old Dominion Swim League (ODSL) -- while continuing our long-standing tradition of swimming in the Colonial Swim League (CSL).

We will still be the same Stingrays and the same Mini-Rays we always have been, but participation in the ODSL means our swimmers will have a greater opportunity to compete and further develop their enjoyment of the sport.

The ODSL (www.odsl.net) is a new swim league founded in 2004 to provide "developmental" style swim competition between communities in the greater Loudoun County area. With fifteen teams this year, we will swim against many of our neighboring communities such as Brambleton, Lenah Run and Broadlands, as well as Belmont Ridge and Sterling Park. The meet schedule is very similar to the CSL format; there will be Wednesday night and Saturday morning swim meets, a Relay Carnival and end of season Champs and All-Stars! Every swimmer is encouraged to swim every event in every meet. (Champs and All-Stars Meets will have qualifying times.)

Download the ODSL Meet Rules

Who will be eligible to swim in this new League? All Mini-Ray swimmers and ANY Stingray swimmer who chooses not to compete in the CSL Meets.

Is this a new team for South Riding? No. Swimmers will still be members of either the Stingrays or the Mini-Rays and will practice with their respective coaching staff. Our traditional practice format will not change.

What types of swimming events will there be? All your favorites: freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, breaststroke, individual medley, freestyle relays and medley relays.

Are there any extra fees? No. Swimmer registration fees cover everything regardless of league participation.

Are there any new Social Events associated with the ODSL? No. Swimmers will enjoy the traditional social programs offered by the Mini-Rays and the Stingrays.

As a Mini-Ray parent - what type of decision do I have to make? No decision is required. All Mini-Rays are by default registered in the ODSL. All Mini-Ray swimmers are eligible to swim in any ODSL meet.

As a Stingray parent - what type of decision do I have to make? For Stingray parents there is a decision required to express "intent" for which league your swimmer(s) will participate. The deadline will be Sunday, June 19th through a method TBA. The decision involves the following: the CSL allows all swimmers on the Stingray team the right to swim in a Wednesday night "Developmental" meet. However Saturday Morning Meets and all other "Competitive" type meets only the fastest swimmers are selected because these are "team" competitions for points and team standing. Unfortunately competitive meets have a fixed number of positions available. i.e., only three 9-10 age boys can swim freestyle. This typically leaves a significant number of Stingray swimmers who never get a chance to compete in a CSL competitive meet. We joined the ODSL to address this set of swimmers and offer them the chance to swim on Saturdays and special events. As a parent you will need to understand your swimmer's time-based ranking in each stroke to determine if he or she "could" be eligible to swim in a CSL competitive meet. If your swimmers clearly will not rank high enough to be selected for a CSL competitive meet them you should consider expressing your "intent" for them to swim on the ODSL. During the season, All Stingrays will practice together as usual, all swimmers will have a Coach and all swimmers will enjoy the same social activities and end of the season awards. The only difference will be some of the Stingrays will attend CSL swim meets and some will attend ODSL swim meets. Please feel free to take your time to understand the implications of this decision and feel free to consult with the Coaching Staff and/or the BOD members. The team will have an on-going informational campaign designed to educate all parents on the reasons why we have joined a second league and what it means for your swimmer(s). The campaign will include the Parents Meeting where you can ask questions and talk directly with the coaches.

Like any swimming league we will depend on parent support and participation to make these additional ODSL meets happen. Therefore we will be actively recruiting parent volunteers to help make the ODSL swimming experience a positive one for all our swimmers.

This is a great, new opportunity for all our swimmers!! GO STINGRAYS!!! GO MINI-RAYS!!!!

For further information please contact:info@gostingrays.com.