Dear South Riding Stingrays and Parents,

On behalf of the South Riding Swim Team Board of Directors and the 2012 coaching staff, I want to thank you for participating in our community’s largest organized group. This season marks the fourteenth anniversary of competitive swimming by the South Riding Stingrays. We expect to again have well over 500 swimmers this summer in our three distinct swimming programs – CSL/ODSL/Mini-Rays – practicing and participating in meets in three of our community pools. Lasting memories will be created throughout the Stingray swim season for our swimmers and their families, both at our swim meets and various team-related activities.

The cost of running such a large program is high, and we have been fortunate to have financial sponsorship from many loyal organizations over the years. We encourage you to support our sponsors, both with your appreciation and your business, as these organizations contribute substantially to the well-being of our program. Their financial support not only helps to keep registration fees comparatively low, but also assists with team expenses such as coaches’ salaries, social activities, an awards ceremony, a team barbecue, spirit wear and tee shirts, trophies, ribbons and computers/software needs.

I also want to acknowledge the on-going support of the South Riding Proprietary Board of Directors and staff, as they continue to support our pool requests, swim meets, and social activities. We are very fortunate to live in a community that enthusiastically supports such a large program.

Summer swim team programs are only able to exist because of parent volunteers and their commitments of time and effort. It takes involvement from every parent and child to have a successful year. Our swim team is an all-volunteer group except for our coaches, who are paid for their expertise. A home swim meet requires at least 40 parent volunteers in order to fully staff all positions, so your involvement is critical. Every time a parent volunteers, they help to move our swim team forward in the journey to make the South Riding Stingrays the best swim team around. I guarantee that you will feel enriched through your involvement, and you will have helped to brighten our athletes’ swim team experience. Please remember that when you sign your athlete up for swimming, you are also asked to commit to volunteering. In the coming months when you are asked to help, keep in mind that we wouldn't ask if we didn't need your assistance. As with any community-based summer swim program, we simply could not function effectively without volunteers. Not only do we need you but your swimmers need you!

In these trying economic times, we realize that the expenses required by families for the swim team experience are not always discretionary. There is again no increase in the registration fees this year, but be assured that the quality of coaching and experiences will not be diminished in any way.

Please come out to the meets to cheer our team, both as a volunteer and parent, and come to the events to experience firsthand our excitement and energy. Our mission is to advance individual and team skills; develop sportsmanship; foster teamwork; experience competition; and create memories; but most importantly, to have fun.

On a personal note, I am entering my tenth year as a Stingray swim team Dad.  I have had children participating in all three Stingray programs. There are simply not enough words to describe all the positive experiences that our family has had with the South Riding Stingrays.

Stingray Life…is Good!

John Winkert

President