Team Reps and Coaches,

Summer is almost here! As we get ready to begin practice and start our dual and tri-meets, there are some upcoming dates to keep in mind.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Our mandatory Meet Director training will be held on Saturday, May 11 at the UT Student Aquatic Center at 9:00 a.m.

Our mandatory Coaches Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 14 at 6:00 pm at the AJCC. Following the meeting, we will elect representatives for the Coaches' Council and set the upcoming meetings.  

CERTIFIED OFFICIALS TRAININGS

Please check out the updated list of upcoming officials trainings, which have been posted on the website. Please encourage your parents to get certified.

OTHER IMPORTANT DATES

Meet Director’s Meeting- May 11, 2019, 9:00 A.M. @ UT SAC

Coaches’ Meeting- May 14, 2019, 6:00 P.M @ AJCC

Coaches’ Certifications Due- June 1, 2019

Certificates of Insurance Due- June 15, 2019

Smoky Mountain Invitational (SMI)- July 13-14, 2019 @ Springbrook Park in Alcoa

GKAISA City Meet Championships- July 25-27, 2019 @ Allan Jones Aquatic Center (UT)

Fall General Membership Meeting – October 22, 2019, 7:00 P.M. @ AJCC

IMPORTANT RULE CHANGE

At our Spring General Membership Meeting, the Membership voted to permit swimmers older than 18 to swim in the 15-18 age group under limited circumstances and with GKAISA Board Approval.

The new rule states:

Any person past the age of 18 (as of midnight, May 31) who has either graduated high school within the current year or who, because of disability, remains enrolled in high school past the age of 18 as approved by the State of Tennessee, may petition for a waiver to be allowed to participate in the 15-18 age division. Approval of the petition will be granted at the discretion of the Board.

A copy of the Petition for Waiver is attached. Please note that it must be submitted to the GKAISA Board at least FIVE DAYS PRIOR to the swimmer’s expected participation in a meet.

CITY MEET REGISTRATION, TENTS AND T-SHIRTS

We are working to set up a system so that we can accept entries and payment for City Meet fees, tent rental (all tents must be ordered through GKAISA this year) and t-shirt sales online (which will eliminate the need for a Meet Entry Meeting for most). We will update you as we know more.  

… AND FINALLY…

As summer approaches, remind your coaches that they are required to complete three trainings and sign two documents in order to be on deck. To avoid getting on Breckenridge Morgan’s “Naughty List,” be sure that they all complete either Redwoods or Safesport (Athlete Protection/ Child Sexual Abuse Prevention), Concussion Awareness (and sign the State-mandated form), and Sudden Cardiac Death Awareness (and sign the State-mandated form). Certifications can be emailed to Breckenridge at [email protected]

Happy Swimming!

Angelia Nystrom

GKAISA President