Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Tri-State Coalition Creates Programming for its Athletes
The Tri-State Coalition was created out of necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic, when pools closed in Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
To address their shared concerns, Allegheny Mountain Swimming (AM), Middle Atlantic Swimming (MA) and New Jersey Swimming (NJ) Local Swimming Committees (LSC) joined forces to create a coalition seeking to educate state and local governments on the reality of swimming as a life skill and the precautions members were taking to keep everyone involved safe.
The three LSC General Chairs worked together to craft a letter detailing the importance of developmental swimming as a lifesaving endeavor and then sent it to the governor of each state, aiming to facilitate a positive dialog with local officials.
Since the initial letter was drafted, the Coalition has expanded its mission to sport preservation by creating an age-group all-star meet and a senior athlete camp at the United States Olympic and Paralympic Training Center (USOPTC).
In January 2023, the Coalition held the second annual Tri-State Cup at the Graham Aquatic Center in York, Pennsylvania. This age-group event brings together talent from Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania for a weekend of championship-level competition.
This mini, Olympic Trials-like atmosphere consists of a parade for each heat and an on-camera interview for each event winner. Combined with some of the best 13 & under swimmers in each LSC, this event creates memorable moments and valuable experiences.
“The three LSCs overlap almost logically, with some athletes already knowing each other,” Jamie Platt, Executive Director of Middle Atlantic Swimming, said.
In April 2023, the Coalition created a camp opportunity for senior-level athletes (15-18 years old) to learn and train in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Each LSC offered camp spots to 10 athletes and two coaches from their respective memberships. Campers were selected based on Winter Junior Championships qualifying times.
Athletes and coaches arrived at the USOPTC for the start of the camp on April 27. Participants got to experience high-altitude training including two two-hour long course meter (LCM) swim sessions each day, dryland exercises and classroom presentations on health and nutrition.
The Coalition provided each athlete attendee with a camp shirt and swim cap. Each LSC subsidized the trip for its members to ensure a minimal financial obligation for each attendee and all meals were hosted on site at the USOPTC Athlete Dining Hall.
“Our goal is to create opportunities for our athletes to grow closer together within and outside our LSCs with athletes they see locally while growing as swimmers through positive events and memorable moments,” Platt said. “By investing in athlete experiences, we feel we are creating a stronger connection to the sport, our LSCs and with all the athletes.”
The Tri-State Coalition aims to continue to foster positive experiences for its swimmers through the Tri-State Cup and Camp in 2024. In the coming years, they are also looking to bring in speakers and facilitators to work directly with their member clubs.
To address their shared concerns, Allegheny Mountain Swimming (AM), Middle Atlantic Swimming (MA) and New Jersey Swimming (NJ) Local Swimming Committees (LSC) joined forces to create a coalition seeking to educate state and local governments on the reality of swimming as a life skill and the precautions members were taking to keep everyone involved safe.
The three LSC General Chairs worked together to craft a letter detailing the importance of developmental swimming as a lifesaving endeavor and then sent it to the governor of each state, aiming to facilitate a positive dialog with local officials.
Since the initial letter was drafted, the Coalition has expanded its mission to sport preservation by creating an age-group all-star meet and a senior athlete camp at the United States Olympic and Paralympic Training Center (USOPTC).
In January 2023, the Coalition held the second annual Tri-State Cup at the Graham Aquatic Center in York, Pennsylvania. This age-group event brings together talent from Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania for a weekend of championship-level competition.
This mini, Olympic Trials-like atmosphere consists of a parade for each heat and an on-camera interview for each event winner. Combined with some of the best 13 & under swimmers in each LSC, this event creates memorable moments and valuable experiences.
“The three LSCs overlap almost logically, with some athletes already knowing each other,” Jamie Platt, Executive Director of Middle Atlantic Swimming, said.
In April 2023, the Coalition created a camp opportunity for senior-level athletes (15-18 years old) to learn and train in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Each LSC offered camp spots to 10 athletes and two coaches from their respective memberships. Campers were selected based on Winter Junior Championships qualifying times.
Athletes and coaches arrived at the USOPTC for the start of the camp on April 27. Participants got to experience high-altitude training including two two-hour long course meter (LCM) swim sessions each day, dryland exercises and classroom presentations on health and nutrition.
The Coalition provided each athlete attendee with a camp shirt and swim cap. Each LSC subsidized the trip for its members to ensure a minimal financial obligation for each attendee and all meals were hosted on site at the USOPTC Athlete Dining Hall.
“Our goal is to create opportunities for our athletes to grow closer together within and outside our LSCs with athletes they see locally while growing as swimmers through positive events and memorable moments,” Platt said. “By investing in athlete experiences, we feel we are creating a stronger connection to the sport, our LSCs and with all the athletes.”
The Tri-State Coalition aims to continue to foster positive experiences for its swimmers through the Tri-State Cup and Camp in 2024. In the coming years, they are also looking to bring in speakers and facilitators to work directly with their member clubs.