"The mission of the Fort Worth Area Swim Team is to encourage participation, fitness, health and the lifelong pursuit of excellence through competitive swimming."

While "winning" can be important, the striving, planning, and learning that leads to the overall competitive experience is of greater importance. Championships, trophies, medals, and records do not begin to compare with the valuable lessons and personal growth that can take place as a result of participation by both swimmers and parents. These lessons can be applied to situations that occur later in life.

The hardest worker does not always win the race just as the hardest worker does not always earn the most money or success. When one is committed to individual excellence for the good of a team, the result is virtually unstoppable. This "teamwork" is important in the business world.

Youngsters are encouraged to learn at their own rate through several different training groups based on age and ability. Younger swimmers are taught basics through "low key" instructional methods including games. Swimmers are encouraged to learn because they choose to do what is in their best interest, not to avoid punishment for "breaking rules".

Throughout the program the swimmers are taught with varying emphasis the importance of striving to be the best they can be. Along the way, we strive to instill a positive self-image and teach goal setting skills, basic time management skills, determination, commitment, dedication, and "team support" in each athlete. We like our young athletes to learn and mature at their own rate in a positive climate. The long term interest of the athlete is kept in mind at all times.

The primary goal of FAST is to provide Tarrant County's youth with the opportunity for developing a positive self-image through appropriate training and competition at all age and ability levels. Employment of qualified professionals contribute to reaching the following objectives for FAST:

1. Provide opportunities for positive social and emotional development of the individual and encourage peer and family involvement within the framework of group dynamics.
   
   
2. Create a positive training environment that promotes high self-esteem, and demonstrates the values of hard work, perseverance, self-discipline, and dedication.
   
   
3. Provide opportunities to learn good health habits that last a lifetime.
   
   
4. Contribute to the goals of USA Swimming, Inc. in its efforts to build a broader base of experienced athletes and to develop those who aspire to Olympic levels.
   
   
5. Participate in the leadership, direction and administration of USA Swimming on the local, regional, and national level. Coaches and parents fulfull these goals by serving in the administration of North Texas Swimming, Texas Swimming Association (TSA), Texas Senior Circuit, and United States Swimming national committees.
   

Successful competitive swimming programs rely on volunteer support by the parents of the swimmers who participate. The meet officials, board of directors, and those who assist in the day-to-day operations of the team are all interested parents dedicated to providing our youngsters with an outstanding program.

FAST hosts many meets at our home pool for several reasons. First, it provides a service to the North Texas Swimming community to host competition in a good facility such as WGAC. Second, it reduces travel expense for our athletes. Third, it helps raise revenue for the continued growth of our program. Parental support is crucial in providing the fair competition our young athletes deserve.

To encourage equitable distribution of work amoung our families, FAST has established a requirement for each family to contribute 10 hours of service each 6 months. The calendar periods are September-February and March-August. Familes who have a swimmer on the active roster for 3 months or more in the 6-month period are required to complete the entire 10 hours of service or pay a $100 opt-out fee. Details of this requirement are listed in our Volunteering webpage.

[ Fee information revised December, 2006 ]

[ Fees for Lessons are separate and covered on our Learn-to-Swim webpage. ]

A signup fee of $50 is required for each new swimmer joining FAST, with a family limit of $75. Swimmers returning after leaving FAST pay a reinstatement fee [$50 individual/$75 family]. A monthly statement is mailed for each account, either by email [preferred] or by US mail. Payments may be made by mail or by dropping a check into the Training Fees file folder at the pool. We also allow members to pay by Visa or MasterCard either as a one-time payment or with authorization for recurring charges noted on the form.

Fees are considered late after the 15th of the month, and swimmers whose accounts are not current by the 20th of each month may be denied pool privileges.

Other fees: FAST will do Fundraising and requires Volunteer Service or payment of an opt-out fee.

Practice Group	Monthly Fee	National Registration
Marlins	$55.00	USA Swimming, $54
Barracudas	$60.00	USA Swimming, $54
Makos	$60.00	USA Swimming, $54
White	$65.00	USA Swimming, $54
Red	$75.00	USA Swimming, $54
Blue	$85.00	USA Swimming, $54
Bronze	$85.00	USA Swimming, $54
Silver	$95.00	USA Swimming, $54
Gold	$110.00	USA Swimming, $54
Seniors II	$95.00	USA Swimming, $54
Seniors I	$130.00	USA Swimming, $54
Masters	$70.00	USMS, $32

Fees will increase effective May 1st, 2008. The new amounts are posted.

FAST offers discounts for prepayment of training fees: 5% for 3 months; 7.5% for 6 months; and 10% for 12 months in advance.

Additional swimmers in a family are charged a reduced rate. The maximum charge for a single family is $225 per month total training fees. Swimmers who join FAST after the 15th of the month may have their first month's fees reduced.

Swimmers who have contributed to FAST over the years and have advanced to the Senior National level may be eligible for a special fee plan. This is coordinated by the Head Coach and Program Director.

Associate memberships are available for college swimmers. Generally these swimmers will train with the Seniors group. They will pay a flat rate for the summer season. These memberships are geared towards college athletes home for the summer. Training fees must be prepaid at the beginning of the season, and an escrow account must be established to cover meet entry fees.

Seniors swimmers at the level of Texas Senior Circuit cuts may qualify for a special post-collegiate $40 per month training fee. The athlete must conform to attendance and other criteria and receive permission of the Head coach. This is intended for elite athletes who wish to train and compete at a high level in USAS meets and who are no longer supported by parents.

A limited number of scholarships are available to help swimmers cover training fees. A contract must be signed, and proof of financial hardship must be provided along with meeting other requirements. Eligibility for free school lunch programs is one criteria. Cases are considered individually by the FAST board. USA Swimming also has an "Outreach" reduced athlete registration fee. Swimmers are still responsible for costs of swimwear, transportation, meet entry fees and registration fees.

If you decide to leave the team either permanently or temporarily, you must inform the FAST Treasurer in advance and in writing. If you do not inform the treasurer ahead of time in writing you are responsible for all fees charged to your account. Verbal communication about your departure from FAST to a coach or to any board member is not accepted. Also, please remember if your child is in the water just one day of a month you are responsible for training fees for the entire month. It is part of the North Texas LSC rules that your account must be in good standing upon departing any USA Swimming team or your swimmers(s) will not be allowed to swim with any other team. If your account is not current within 30 days from the date on your last invoice, your account information may be turned over to the treasurers of all North Texas USA Swimming member teams and to the officers of the North Texas LSC.

• Swimmers must be registered with either USA Swimming or United States Masters Swimming (USMS) to participate in FAST workouts or competitions. Registration forms are available at the pool. [ This does not apply to swimmers enrolled only in Learn-to-Swim lessons. ]
  
  
• Training fees are payable 12 months a year regardless of practice schedule, minor illness, or vacations. The first month is paid upon joining the team as well as a one-time registration fee.
  
  
• Off Campus Physical Education Credit
• Competition Attire
• Inclement Weather
• "FAST Facts" Team Handbook