Issue 1: February 1, 2024
2024 Registration Opening
Online registration opens
- For RETURNING Armada swimmers/families - Mon, Feb 12th at 9 pm. An email containing a registration link will be sent out the day prior to registration.
- For NEW swimmers/families - Mon, Feb 26th at 9 pm.
Our swim team will need to cover an additional $13K+ for required lifeguard fees due to a new Texas state law, as well as other increased costs. Due to this, the registration and swim-a-thon fees have increased.
Registration fees: The EARLY BIRD fee for returning families is $175.00 for the first swimmer and $150.00 for additional swimmers in the same family. On April 1st, 2024, registration fees will be $195 for the first swimmer and $175 for additional swimmers. Please register your swimmer(s) as early as possible to avoid age brackets filling up.
Swim-a-thon Fees: The minimum fundraising amount is $100.00 per family. We are working to provide a variety of options for families to cover the amount through volunteering or raising funds.
We look forward to seeing everyone back this summer!
Looking for a Board Treasurer
Want a way to cover your volunteer requirement? Our treasurer, who has held the same board position for eight years, will be stepping down after this season. We can't thank Mike Zayas enough for all he has done for the team. While we have a season before he departs, we have an opportunity for someone on the Armada team to step in and share Treasurer with Mike this year to learn the ropes.
This is a critical position so we wanted to reach out now. Board members get to register early and work with the board to build an incredible team experience for all our swimmers each season.
To learn more or to let us know you are interested, contact Mike or Deanna.
Cover Your Families Sponsorship Requirement by Working at Austin FC Games
The Wells Branch Armada [WBA] Swim team has been invited to participate in selling concessions at home games for the Austin FC Soccer team. As one of the local non-profits participating, we will help serve food and alcohol at open-air self-checkout markets (think Target self-checkout).
In return, 10% of sales will be donated back to our non-profit. This is an amazing opportunity to fundraise for our swim team to help cover required lifeguard fees. We need as many volunteers as possible before the Austin FC season starts on February 24, 2024.
We had Armada volunteers work one shift in 2023 to get an idea of how successful we can be if we can get participation. In one shift, the Armada made $1461 for our team. If we could have 5-7 volunteers for a dozen shifts, we could close our budget gap. But we need volunteers.
What's In It For You
For each Austin FC Armada shift you, a family member, or a friend volunteers (must be age 18 +), a $50 CREDIT will be earned toward your family's sponsorship fee requirement.
- Free shirt and hat: You will get a shirt and hat to wear while serving. The WB Armada will pay the fee for your shirt and hat.
- Free meal: Volunteers will grab lunch (typically a sandwich) when checking in upon arrival. IMPORTANT: This meal must be eaten and disposed of before gates open. No personal food is allowed inside the stands.
- Free volunteer parking and shuttles will be available for volunteers. You will receive a text reminder the day before the match with a link to the pass and access instructions for your parking location.
- Be a part of the experience around Austin’s professional soccer team!
Dates We Need Volunteers
PARTICIPATE by completing and submitting training 3-weeks prior to a game:
STEP 1: COMPLETEVIRTUAL COMBO COURSE: Texas ANAB food handler & TABC CERTIFICATION [approx. two hours]. The total cost of this virtual combo course is $18.99. This breaks down to $16.99 for the combo course plus a mandatory $2.00 state filing fee. [Download completion certificates, which are good for 2 years.] The WB Armada will reimburse volunteers if they work two shifts and provide a receipt.
STEP 2: COMPLETE LEVY TRAINING VIDEO AND PAPERWORK (Required 1x season).
- Watch the Levy Orientation Video (30 minutes) and download the certificate of completion.https://npo-training.videoshowcase.net/login
- Review and sign PDF 'Levy Volunteer, Temp, Subcontractor Orientation Paperwork' by filling in blue boxes. Save the completed version to upload.
STEP 3: BEFORE THE VOLUNTEER DEADLINE, UPLOAD PROOF OF TRAINING 3 CERTIFICATES &LEVY PDF ORIENTATION PAPERWORK at Wells Branch Armada Volunteer Registration.
STEP 4: EMAIL [email protected] SO WE CAN CONFIRM YOU ARE ON THE AUSTIN FC SCHEDULE (Before the volunteer deadline)
- Date of games you can work
- Confirm that you are 18 years old or older
- Confirm training was completed and uploaded
- Your Email (to receive parking pass)
- Mobile Phone Number