Hello GKAISA Family,

Believe it or not, summer swim is just around the corner! As everyone begins planning for summer, we want to share key dates and reminders to help your team prepare for a successful 2026 GKAISA season. This message is being sent to all Coaches and Team Representatives from 2025 and posted to the GKAISA website.  Please ensure you disseminate this information to your team member families as needed and appropriate.

📊 GKAISA Internship and Leadership Program

The Greater Knoxville Area Interclub Swimming Association (GKAISA) is proud to announce the launch of its new Internship and Leadership Program, designed to cultivate the next generation of community and organizational leaders. This four-year program offers students a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience working within a not-for-profit organization while supporting and giving back to the local swimming community.

About the Program

The GKAISA Internship and Leadership Program is structured as a four-year commitment, with primary activities taking place during the summer months. Interns will play an active role in the administration and operation of GKAISA, developing professional and leadership skills through a range of organizational, communication, and event management responsibilities.

The GKAISA Internship and Leadership Program is an unpaid internship. However, in association with the GKAISA Internship and Leadership Program, GKAISA is also proud to announce the creation of a $2,500 scholarship. The scholarship will be open to applicants having completed the program in recognition of their service and contribution to GKAISA and its member clubs.

Program Initiation

In order to initiate the program and to ensure immediate impact and success the GKAISA Board will be accepting both a current high school freshman as well as a current high school junior in 2026. Beginning in 2027 applications will open for active high school freshman only.

Application

The deadline for applying for the internship program will be March 15th. Applicants can apply using this link: https://forms.gle/9pxLsrXPCv1s5JPVA

More information about the application process can be found on the GKAISA website, beneath the Association menu.  An overview flier for the internship is attached for easy dissemination.

📅 Important Dates

• Spring General Membership Meeting 7:00 PM | Tuesday, March 17, 2026 Microsoft Teams:https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/23306591630305?p=tvIFVUIwFnruxOCxVA

• Meet Schedules Due Tuesday, March 24, 2026

• Coaches’ Meeting 7:00 PM | Tuesday, May 12, 2026 Microsoft Teams:https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/29779329151450?p=fArCPoS9hoEXP5L5j8

• Meet Director Meeting 7:00 PM | Saturday, May 16, 2026 Microsoft Teams:https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/21016587616527?p=reLv5bbjDiQry5z9Hv

• Coaches’ Certifications Due June 1, 2026

• Certificates of Insurance Due June 15, 2026

• Smoky Mountain Invitational Meet July 11–12, 2026

• Tom Schumann Memorial GKAISA Championship Meet July 23–25, 2026

• Fall General Membership Meeting Tuesday, October 20, 2026 Microsoft Teams:https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/25329627675514?p=NKzASwwpJdWtWQwYOi

🏅 Officials – Start Planning Now

Each team must have the following certified officials available to host meets:

• 1 Referee
• 1 Starter
• 4 Stroke & Turn Officials

While two Stroke & Turn officials is the real minimum, we strongly encourage teams to certify additional volunteers to allow for shift rotations during meets.

Please visit the GKAISA website for details on the Officials Certification Process.

We are looking forward to another exciting and successful summer season. Thank you in advance for your preparation and commitment to making GKAISA a great experience for our swimmers and families.

As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.

See you on the pool deck!

Best regards,

Nick Hall

GKAISA President