Please click on a question to be taken to the corresponding information.
Who are the Albert Lea Tigersharks?
When and where do the Tigersharks compete?
Are the Tigersharks connected to the Albert Lea High School swim team?
How much does it cost to compete with the Tigersharks?How are the team fees used?
Do the Tigersharks offer scholarships?
Why do I have to be an annual YMCA member?
How do I register for swim meets online?
What if I'm not sure my swimmer is ready for this?
When does the team practice?
Is transportation provided to practices or meets?
Who are the Albert Lea Tigersharks?
The Albert Lea Tigersharks swim team is a competitive swim program of the Albert Lea Family Y in Albert Lea, Minnesota. The team is made up of boys and girls ages 5-18. It's purpose is to provide youth with the opportunity to participate in a competitive swimming program where they can learn about the benefits of competing, working hard, and being part of a team effort. Practices are held at the Albert Lea Family Y.
When and where do the Tigersharks compete?
Team practice begins in October each year. Regular season meets begin in November, and continue through January. We compete with other YMCA and YWCA teams in Southern Minnesota. Other teams in our conference include Winona, Austin, Mankato, and Worthington. We usually compete in 7-8 regular season meets followed by a post-season. Post season meets can include a YMCA sectional meet, YMCA state meet, MYAS regional meet, and the YMCA national meet.
Are the Tigersharks connected to the Albert Lea High School swim team?
Though some of our swimmers also compete for the Albert Lea high school, the Tigersharks are not part of the school team; instead they are a program of the Albert Lea Family Y and part of the Minnesota YMCA state swim league. We do, however, strive to give swimmers of all ages the opportunity to experience competitive swimming, develop a love for swimming, and develop their swimming skills. By doing this we hope hope to provide Albert Lea with a reservoir of talented swimmers to allow Albert Lea to be as competitive as possible in the Big 9, and the Minnesota State High School League.
How much does it cost to compete with the Tigersharks?
The team fee for the Albert Lea Tigersharks is $130 for swimmers age 8 and over. Junior Tigersharks (swimmers age 5-7), pay $65 for the year since they only practice two days per week. Discounted rates are also available for swimmers who participate in the State High School League and the YMCA league. Contact Kelly Becker for fees. In addition to paying the team fee, all YMCA league swimmers must be annual members of the Y they swim for. This is a requirement set forth by the YMCA of the USA.
The Albert Lea Tigersharks are almost entirely self supported. The Albert Lea Family Y donates the pool time, lifeguard for practices and meets, and the time of the Youth Program Director as team administrator. All other costs are paid directly by the team. This includes all salaries and wages paid to the coaching staff, state YMCA league dues, meet registration fees for the sectional and state meets, equipment costs and improvements, such as swimming computers, etc., and other costs of running the team and meets.
Do the Tigersharks offer scholarships?
Scholarships for membership and program fees are offered by the Family Y, but program fee scholarships do not apply to the Tigersharks since the team is self funded. The Tigersharks do have a fund set aside to help swimmers in need with their team fee. Families requesting scholarship assistance should complete a scholarship application which can be obtained at the front desk of the Albert Lea Family Y. After the determination to award a scholarship is made by the Exectuive Director for the Family Y, the Tigershaks Executive Committee will award any needed scholarships to cover the team fees.
Why do I have to be an annual YMCA member?
The YMCA of the USA requires that all swimmers competing with YMCA league teams be annual members of the YMCA where they are competing. Swimmers who participate in USA Swimming programs will also need to be USA Swim members. The Albert Lea Tigersharks is not a dual-swim program.
How do I register for swim meets online?
Online meet registration offers swimmers the ability to register for meets via the internet. Click on the link at the left side of the homepage to be taken to the meet registration form. By selecting your swimmer's age group you will see the events that are available for the appropriate age group. After clicking SUBMIT your registration information will be forwarded to the team coach.
What if I'm not sure my swimmer is ready for this?
We understand that committing to a swim team from October through February is a large commitment. As a way for help swimmers and parents decide of participation in the Tigersharks is right for them, we offer a two week trial period. A non-refundable deposit of $50 is required.
The Tigersharks practice from 3:15-4:45 Monday through Friday. Swimmers age 8 and over practice five days per week. Though coaches are present five days per week, the practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the older swimmers consist of the swimmers completing a workout on their own. Swimmers ages 5-7 practice only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They are overseen by the team coaches and highschool swimmers brought on as assistant coaches.
Is transportation provided to practices or meets?
The team does not provide transportation to practices or meets. We have team members who attend almost every school in Albert Lea and students are able to carpool with other parents. Coaches or the Youth Program Director are available to help find carpools.
Though parents are encouraged to attend meets with their swimmers, we do understand that schedules do at times prohibit this. Carpools can be arranged for meets as needed. The team usually arranges for a motor coach to one meet per season as well.
