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Sunday, 03 May 2009 10:22 |
The Broadlands Community is very fortunate to have 2 teams that have accomodated nearly all of the families interested in enjoying the great sport of summer swim. Four years ago when the interest in swimming for a Broadlands team grew beyond what 1 team could accommodate, the Broadlands Swim Team Board sought the best solution. The result was to create 2 teams so that all community members could hopefully be part of great summer activity that is fun, rewarding, builds camraderie, and provides both exercise and opportunity to improve swimming techniques. When creating the second Broadlands Swim Team the board decided to affiliated itself with the Colonial Swim League. "CSL" has been in operation for 46 years and is a well established organization where the principles upon which the league is based match the basic foundation for what we were seeking here in the Broadlands. This Broadlands CSL team is focused on providing a positive, enjoyable environment where all ages and swimmer levels can flourish, have fun, and improve while competing a great league. Some comments from prior seasons:- "The camaraderie makes the swim team feel like a family. A really fun family that is always one of the highlights of my summer." 16yr old- "The Nachos! And racing, especially if I beat my time." 9yr old- "I get a lollipop from the coaches when we have our meets, and getting ribbons." 6yr old- "Running around with my friends in the grassy area chasing each other. I also like it when we get to push the coaches in the pool!" 9yr old- No age for this one (from a female Parent) - "The kids always enjoy summer swim and get so much out of it. They have made good friendships over the course of our years with the Piranhas. Between practices and meets they are busy having fun and staying active. Our daughter is already talking about how she is looking forward to summer swim! That says it all."ABOUT THE LEAGUEThe Colonial Swimming League is a community based swimming organizaion founded in 1962. As one of the older leagues in Northern Virginia it is has changed to accomodate the growing needs of increased populations and incorporate improvements that come as a result of years of experience. Many of the younger leagues that have been formed in the past 10-15 years as Loudoun County has grown, still are facing challenges and changes to meet the new demands.League objectives include developing a love for the sport among the swimmers involved; and to advance skills, team-work, and the principles of good sportsmanship, while also offering a chance to to represent your community in both developmental and competitive meets.Additional objectives of the Colonial Swim League are: (1) develop the potential of individual swimmers of different ages and abilities by sponsoring a full summer dual meet season which concludes with divisional qualification meets and a league all-star meet (2) provide the opportunity for developing swimmers to enjoy and compete in meets and offer the more advanced the chance to distinguish their community and their skills while swimming on Saturday meets (3) foster a higher level of fair competition by grouping teams of comparable strength in the same division.
The CSL is comprised of four Divisions (Red, White, Blue and Gold) which consist of 6 teams each that are are grouped by prior year results. The league does not force a cap on the size of the teams in this league although communities may decide to do so based on their goals and objectives.
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