My view and opinions of recent regrettable goings-on at the Dane County Y that involve the Swim Team. My opinions only. If you want to contact me, know that the email associated with this blog is unreadable (it's a netscape.net address, For God's Sake). Google me and you shall find me.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Another article in the Paper
From the Cap Times. I also think the 85 number quoted is inaccurate, so I agree with Sharon Baldwin, the spokesperson for the Y.
I think the actual number is greater. 65 to SWAT, 20 to BAC, 5 or 10 to MSS, and a few that I know of to Waunakee.
It is disappointing that the organization we trust our kids with doesn't even know how many they have, within 100.
As you note, the actual number is much greater. The YDC team unify site, if you still have your login, shows about 330 swimmers. All of the kids I know have left are still listed there, so that's a good estimate for the "before" number. MikeR believes they are down to 190. I know that SPAC and DFAC also took kids. The real sadness is all the kids who have completely left swimming. There are a lot of the 8&U swimmers in this category.
...and included in that number of people who haven't left are many with High School boys, who don't have to decide anything right now. My own HS boy is never going to practice at 515 AM. But who knows what things will be like in late February when HS season is over.
The end of the article is inaccurate; swimmers are not barred from competing after switching teams. They may still swim for a new team but they must swim unattached which basically means that they may not swim relays but can still swim individual events.
Now that the dust has settled somewhat with YDC, lets talk more about those numbers of swimmers at YDC. I would be curious to find out of the 330 swimmers there once were at the YDC what percentage of those were girls? USA swimming sites that 57% of its membership is comprised of girls. I would guess those numbers at YDC were much higher. Would the YMCA have done this to a predominately male sport?
The Women's Sports Foundation has discovered that sports offer some extra benefits for girls in addition to having fun and getting fit. I listed some of those below. So not only do we have girls leaving swimming altogether as a result of the YMCA's actions, we have fewer opportunities for girls to participate in swimming in the Madison area. All at a time when studies are showing the benefits to girls and sports. Was there gender discrimination here as well?
Here are a few benefits: 1.Girls who play sports do better in school. You might think that athletics will take up all your study time. But research shows that girls who play sports do better in school and are more likely to graduate than those who don't. Exercise improves learning, memory, and concentration, which can give active girls an advantage when it comes to the classroom. 2.Girls who play sports learn teamwork and goal-setting skills. Working with coaches, trainers, and teammates to win games and meet goals is great practice for success later in life. Being a team player can make it easier to work with others and solve problems, whether on the field or in the workplace. 3.Sports have hidden health benefits. Some benefits of sports are obvious — like improving fitness and maintaining a healthy weight. But girls who play sports are also less likely to smoke and have a reduced chance of getting breast cancer and osteoporosis later in life. Sure, you can get these benefits from any type of exercise. But if you have trouble getting to the gym, there may be more incentive to show up and play if you know your coaches or teammates depend on you. 4.Playing sports builds self-confidence. Girls involved in athletics feel better about themselves, both physically and socially. It helps to build confidence when you see your skills improving and your goals becoming reality. Other esteem-boosting benefits of sports participation include getting in shape, maintaining a healthy weight, and making new friends. 5.Exercise can cut the pressure. Pressure is a big part of life. Playing sports can help you deal with it, since exercise is a natural mood lifter and a great way to relieve stress and fight depression. Plus, when you are on a team, you have friends who support you both on and off the field.
It is disappointing that the organization we trust our kids with doesn't even know how many they have, within 100.
ReplyDeleteAs you note, the actual number is much greater. The YDC team unify site, if you still have your login, shows about 330 swimmers. All of the kids I know have left are still listed there, so that's a good estimate for the "before" number. MikeR believes they are down to 190. I know that SPAC and DFAC also took kids. The real sadness is all the kids who have completely left swimming. There are a lot of the 8&U swimmers in this category.
...and included in that number of people who haven't left are many with High School boys, who don't have to decide anything right now. My own HS boy is never going to practice at 515 AM. But who knows what things will be like in late February when HS season is over.
ReplyDeleteThe end of the article is inaccurate; swimmers are not barred from competing after switching teams. They may still swim for a new team but they must swim unattached which basically means that they may not swim relays but can still swim individual events.
ReplyDeleteNow that the dust has settled somewhat with YDC, lets talk more about those numbers of swimmers at YDC. I would be curious to find out of the 330 swimmers there once were at the YDC what percentage of those were girls? USA swimming sites that 57% of its membership is comprised of girls. I would guess those numbers at YDC were much higher. Would the YMCA have done this to a predominately male sport?
ReplyDeleteThe Women's Sports Foundation has discovered that sports offer some extra benefits for girls in addition to having fun and getting fit. I listed some of those below. So not only do we have girls leaving swimming altogether as a result of the YMCA's actions, we have fewer opportunities for girls to participate in swimming in the Madison area. All at a time when studies are showing the benefits to girls and sports. Was there gender discrimination here as well?
Here are a few benefits:
1.Girls who play sports do better in school. You might think that athletics will take up all your study time. But research shows that girls who play sports do better in school and are more likely to graduate than those who don't. Exercise improves learning, memory, and concentration, which can give active girls an advantage when it comes to the classroom.
2.Girls who play sports learn teamwork and goal-setting skills. Working with coaches, trainers, and teammates to win games and meet goals is great practice for success later in life. Being a team player can make it easier to work with others and solve problems, whether on the field or in the workplace.
3.Sports have hidden health benefits. Some benefits of sports are obvious — like improving fitness and maintaining a healthy weight. But girls who play sports are also less likely to smoke and have a reduced chance of getting breast cancer and osteoporosis later in life. Sure, you can get these benefits from any type of exercise. But if you have trouble getting to the gym, there may be more incentive to show up and play if you know your coaches or teammates depend on you.
4.Playing sports builds self-confidence. Girls involved in athletics feel better about themselves, both physically and socially. It helps to build confidence when you see your skills improving and your goals becoming reality. Other esteem-boosting benefits of sports participation include getting in shape, maintaining a healthy weight, and making new friends.
5.Exercise can cut the pressure. Pressure is a big part of life. Playing sports can help you deal with it, since exercise is a natural mood lifter and a great way to relieve stress and fight depression. Plus, when you are on a team, you have friends who support you both on and off the field.