Why write the Kangaroo Rules on the website...
To make the Meet Rules and Awards Criteria clear.
So swimmers know what to do to work towards winning an award.
The Coaches have to balance trying to win points for the team, trying to win points for individual swimmers, and giving swimmers opportunities to swim. If your swimmer has a goal or preference, tell the Coaches. The goal is for swimmers to have a positive Kangaroo experience, though we may not be able to accommodate everyone's wishes.
We have one team for both A and B meets. For age groups with lots of kids, not everyone will be able to swim in every A meet. We email a lineup (and volunteer assignments) before each meet, so you’ll know in advance if you’re child is swimming (and if you’re volunteering).
Meet Rules
1) The Coaches decide who swims in each event for both A and B Meets. Swimmers should tell Coaches their preferences.
2) For A Meets, if a swimmer swims-up in 1 event, he/she must swim-up in all events at that meet.
But for B meets... A swimmer may swim in some events for his/her age group and swim-up for some events. Mix and match age groups.
3) If a swimmer places 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in an event at an A Meet, then he/she cannot swim (earn points) in that event at the next B Meet. He/she can swim-up an age group, swim an exhibition swim in that event (no points), or swim in other events.
4) At B Meets, the Coaches may enter as many swimmers as desired in each event. So a swimmer may ask to swim in as many events as he/she wants.
5) Rules may change for a particular B meet if we have a different agreement with the opposing team. Sometimes teams agree to limit the number of swimmers to ensure that the B Meet doesn't last too long OR make other changes.
6) For A Meets, we follow MCSL rules (because we're part of the league).
Awards Criteria
We will have High Point Awards for each age group for both A Meets and B Meets for both girls and boys.
1) A swimmer may only win 1 award (plus an Overall High Points award), not more. For example, if a swimmer wins the A Meet High Points award for his/her age group, then he/she is NOT eligible to win any B Meet High Points or Rising Star or Coaches awards.
2) A Meet High Points awards are based on points earned in that age group at A Meets only.
3) B Meet High Points awards are based on points earned in that age group at B Meets only.
4) A swimmer is eligible to win a High Points award in his/her age group or in an older age group. For example, if a 14 year old swimmer swims-up in many events at many meets, he/she could earn the most points in the 15-18 age group and win that A or B Meet High Points award.
Rising Stars, Coaches & Paper Plates
Rising Star Awards - for swimmers who have made significant improvements.
Coaches Awards - to recognize dedicated swim team members who, in addition to regularly attending practices and meets, also made contributions to the team such as helping the coaches or team rep, improving team spirit, helping clean up after meets, etc.
Paper Plate Awards - a fun award for each swimmer