Dear Mako Sharks Families,

We are thrilled to kick off the Massey Mako Sharks Swim Team season on Monday, May 5th! Below is everything you need to know to prepare for the first two weeks of practice and beyond. This is a long email, but please read the ENTIRE thing as it contains very important information.

We can’t wait to meet all our inaugural swimmers and help launch a season filled with fun, growth, and team spirit!

🕒 May Practice Schedule (May 5 – May 31, Monday–Friday) Ages 6 & Under: 4:00 – 4:40 PM Ages 7 to 10: 4:45 – 5:40 PM Ages 11 & Over: 5:45 – 6:40 PM

Please arrive 10–15 minutes before your scheduled time to check in and provide emergency contact info.

✅ We are asking parents of all swimmers (including 10 and up) to stay for the first two days (May 5 & 6) to help set expectations and support the start of the season. ✅ After the first week, swimmers 10+ may attend independently.

🏊♂️ Come Swim-Ready Swimmers should arrive ready to practice.

What to wear: ✅ Competitive-style practice suit ✅ Goggles ✅ Towel

What we’ll provide: ✅ A plain white cap with your swimmer’s name (used as a name tag for the first week) ✅ Your pre-ordered team suit (for meets only — please don’t wear these to practice unless you ordered extras) ✅ Registration shirts (arriving later in the week — we’ll distribute as soon as they’re in)

🚗 Parking & Arrival Instructions

• Park in the pool parking lot.
• Enter through the main gate and check in at the table near the pool house/bathrooms to receive your cap “name tag” and confirm emergency contact information.
• Move to the second table to receive the team suits that were ordered or try on a suit for our second round of team suit ordering.
• Please do not enter the water before practice — coaches will meet with each group beforehand to review rules and expectations.

👨👩👧 Parent Expectations

• Parents of swimmers 9 and under must remain in the pool area during practice.
• Parents of swimmers 10 and up are asked to stay for the first two days; after that, they may drop off after providing emergency contact info.
• Parents who stay are welcome to watch, but please give coaches space to work with swimmers, especially during the first week. Please try to stay out of the seating area around the lap pool.
• Please keep siblings and non-practicing swimmers out of the pool — the pool officially opens to the community on May 10th.

💬 Meet Your Coaches & Support Team Head Coach: Nicholas Brunelli Assistant Coach: Laura (all age groups) Junior Coaches: Emerson & Julia (focused on 8 & Under swimmers) Lead Parent: Rachel Lead Parent Assistant: Kendall

Rachel and Kendall will be available during the first 15 minutes of each practice in week one to answer non-swimming questions (e.g., apparel, volunteering, officiating, missed practices). For swim technique or meet prep questions, please connect with Coach Laura or Coach Nick directly before or after practices.

📱 Communication & Weather Updates All team communication, including weather cancellations, will come through SwimTopia. ✅ Please ensure your SwimTopia account is updated and notifications are enabled.

🛟 Safety First All coaches are lifeguard certified. Coaches will review safety rules and expectations before entering the water each day.

🗓️ June Practice Schedule (June 2 – June 27) Swimmers can attend either session on a given day (based on your family’s schedule):

Monday & Wednesday Session 1: 7:15 – 8:15 AM Session 2: 8:15 – 9:15 AM Optional Skill Time: 9:15 – 9:30 AM

Tuesday, Thursday & Friday Session 1: 8:00 – 8:45 AM Session 2: 8:45 – 9:30 AM

If one session becomes overcrowded, we may ask families to adjust for balance. We will distribute a printed June schedule next week.

🏅 Swim Meet Info (Coming Soon!) A meet schedule and volunteer sign-up process will be sent out next week. Reminder: All families are required to complete volunteer hours — we can’t run successful meets without your help!

👕 Spirit Wear & Team Gear Pre-ordered spirit wear (including hoodies) will be available for pickup before the first meet. The online team store is now open for additional items! You can shop here:https://rhsp.chipply.com/massey-mako-sharks-swim-team/store.aspx?action=viewall The store closes May 12 at 9:00 AM — don’t miss it!

Every spirit wear purchase helps support the team as part of our fundraiser — thank you for showing your Mako Shark Pride!

🌟 Coaching Philosophy: Fun, Resilience & Confidence As Head Coach, I believe every child should come to practice excited — not just to improve, but to have fun, connect with teammates, and build confidence. This is a team where it’s safe to try, fail, and try again — because growth comes from overcoming challenges. We will support every swimmer’s mental and physical development, whether they start out shy or bold.

💙 First-Week Mindset We appreciate your patience and flexibility as we set routines, adjust protocols, and settle into the season. There may be a few first-week bumps, but we are confident it will be a great start!

Thank you for being part of the Massey Mako Sharks — a team built on community, courage, and commitment. We can’t wait to see all our Mako Sharks on deck!

Go Sharks! 🦈💙

Best, 

Coach Nick Brunelli 

Executive Director & Head Coach 

Massey Mako Sharks Swim Team [[email protected]]