GOALS OF THE PROGRAM
European Forces Swim League
Objectives and Philosophy of the European Forces Swim League
The European Forces Swim League is an outgrowth of Forces teams
throughout Europe. It is not meant to be competitive with, nor to draw
participants away from, the local competitive swim program. As is to be
expected, the objectives and philosophy are different with each team and may
vary with new coaches, or change when coaches change. It is very probable
that two coaches with the same team may even have divergent philosophies,
goals and objectives. Each team in this league has a different origin and a
different number of competitive swimmers to draw upon. However, all have
the common interests of providing a program of competitive swimming on the
local level and a healthy environment in which our children can grow
emotionally and physically.
Although higher levels of competition are the interests of some, the
league shall not be a farm system, but shall seek to provide a strong
foundation for those swimmers who receive their introduction to competitive
swimming through the local team and will continue into higher levels of
swimming excellence. Everyone won't become a great swimmer, everyone can't
become great; but this league has excellent potential for providing the
desire. At the same time, through dual and tri-meets, the novice - the
beginner - is given an opportunity to compete at their level and they can
progress as far as they are able and desire, right through to the highest
level of competition.
With the very high quality of swimming that can be developed in this
league, it is important that the teams and coaches not lose sight of the
basic purpose of the league and that is to provide an organized, somewhat
local, competitive swimming program for our swimmers stationed in Europe.
The individual teams must meet the demands of its local participants. The
league will provide an excellent dual/tri-meet and championship program to
satisfy the needs for competition for most of the members of the teams.
Those swimmers who especially excel in the program can continue their
competition through other programs offered in Europe with the assurance that
the local team and league experiences have provided the best and proper
preparation possible for their continued success.
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