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OUR
KIDS INITIATIVE Many people have asked the question "Will there
ever be one set of rules for swimming?" The various governing bodies, over the years,
developed rules that accommodated the beliefs and philosophies of the
athletes involved in their specific programs. Most rules were the same or
very close to being consistent through the different organizations but
quite a few were not. The leadership of the different governing
bodies has periodically communicated the differences but the public
perception was that each group was very territorial. In early May of this 2000, the OUR KIDS INITIATIVE was
created. The rationale for the INITIATIVE is based on each governing body
consistently stating "we
are in it for the kids". This is the commitment of the leadership in
each organization but, unfortunately, four separate rule books prohibit
the possibility of serving ALL KIDS.
The concept of the INITIATIVE is to have all five governing bodies
look at ways to truly be in it for ALL KIDS, not just those in each
respective group. Each organization plays a strong role in the positive
development of their swimmers. Respectfully, each group has gotten closer
to standardization than ever before but with the INITIATIVE, the dialogue
between the leaders will be greatly increased to actively seek ways for
uniformity to occur. On August 26, 2000, Carol Zaleski (FINA), Wayne
Burrow and Susan Petersen-Lubow (NCAA), Dick Wildey and Claudia Multer
(YMCA), Sterling Apthorp (NFHS), and Pete Carney and Pat Lunsford (USA
Swimming) met in Pittsburgh to see if the INITIATIVE
had any merit. Each person shared the history and philosophy behind
their organization's technical rules and answered questions accordingly.
The rule change protocol was also explained and discussed in order to
determine what length of time would be involved in creating rule changes.
A discussion of the current differences in the technical rules then
occurred that covered the forward/backstroke start, freestyle, backstroke,
breaststroke, butterfly, and individual medley. The rationale of each
difference was explained and thoroughly discussed with each group
identifying areas where potential changes could occur. With the open
discussion, it was amazing how close the group became in the
interpretation of the rules. Egos
and personal agendas were non-existent. It truly was a meeting of the
minds that solidified the potential of the INITIATIVE. Although inter-committee involvement and
communication had partially been in existence, all attendees committed to
completing the circle of maximum participation in order to
bring the groups closer yet. Leadership from the various coaches
organizations have also endorsed the INITIATIVE and now have
representatives on he committee. The INITIATIVE
committee is planning to meet again next year after each governing
body's rules committee has an opportunity to look at the suggestions that
were developed. All participants were extremely open -minded and committed
to the belief that we can do more. There were no guarantees that one
rulebook will ever be developed or even considered but the commitment was
established to pursue an environment of cooperation that the different
groups have not seen in many, many years. The charge to all coaches, athletes, parents and
volunteers is to become actively involved in working within your
organization to support the OUR KIDS INITIATIVE by creating an atmosphere of cooperation
that is parallel to what was experienced at the August, 2000 meeting. By
cooperating with each other and shelving egos and agendas, the benefits
will be phenomenal and the beneficiaries will be "OUR
KIDS".
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