Wells Branch Armada

We’re excited to kick off another fantastic season with you. This newsletter is packed with important updates from our Head Coach, Meet Director, Volunteer Coordinator, and the Wells Branch MUD, along with weekly reminders to keep you on track. Inside, you’ll also find everything you need to know about the first week of practice, our communication tools, the Red, White & Blue Practice Meet, and team photo day.

Be sure to read through it all so you don’t miss a thing—let’s make this season our best yet!

by Genevieve Bales, President

As we dive into another summer together, I hope this season brings unforgettable memories for you and your swimmers—and marks just the beginning of many great years with the Armada.

A heartfelt thank-you goes out to our incredible head coaches and dedicated volunteer board members. Over the past several months, they’ve worked tirelessly behind the scenes—coordinating with the swim circuit, hiring new coaches, collaborating with the amazing folks at Wells Branch MUD, and so much more. Their passion and commitment are what keep this team running strong.

I also want to recognize the many families who have already stepped up to fill volunteer roles as we prepare for our first splash—your support is essential and deeply appreciated.

As we ease into the first few weeks of practice, expect a bit of organized chaos—it’s all part of the process! Rest assured, we’ll quickly find our groove, swimmers and parents alike.

If you need to reach our head coaches with any questions, please use the file boxes at the pool to leave a note or email [email protected]. While on deck, the coaches are focused on swimmer safety and instruction, but they’ll follow up with you as soon as they can.

Thank you for being part of the Armada family—let’s make this a summer to remember!

by Maddie Wright, Head Coach

A few things to keep in mind as we kick off the start of our season.

• The first week will appear very chaotic…this is normal. We will spend a lot of time getting the swimmers into a lane that best fits them according to their abilities. We are still adjusting lanes and finding the best match for each swimmer.
• As coaches, we want the opportunity to get to know all the swimmers and for them to get to know us. Therefore, our coaches will move to different lanes some days to work with different groups. We consider this a positive because we all know that kids learn differently, and we are fortunate to have coaches with different swimming backgrounds and coaching techniques.
• May is a very busy time, and the coaches totally understand that many of you have other commitments during the week. Three practices a week are recommended, but please feel free to speak with either of us if you are concerned about this.

At the start of each session, coaches will call swimmers to the deep end of the pool for stretching. Prior to this, please use the restroom and shower and wear your goggles and cap, if applicable. Have swimmers ready to jump right in after stretches!

For health reasons, the MUD has asked that each swimmer shower before entering the pool, so please help us comply with that request. Shower nozzles are outside by the deep end of the pool and in each restroom.

• Please make sure your swimmer has appropriate swimwear for the first few weeks. You can review our parent orientation deck if you need a refresher on what can be worn.
• Bring water, sunblock, towels, and a well-fitting pair of goggles.
• Please remember that many swimmers haven't been in the pool for several months. It will take them a while to regain technique and stamina. Be positive and encouraging.

This week at practice, we will be getting back into the swing of things with streamline, freestyle, and backstroke techniques. We will introduce and practice diving as well.

We will learn names and determine swimming ability in the first week. The 6 and under swimmers will spend a lot of time sitting on the side of the pool while the coaches work one-on-one with them. If it is chilly, they can have a towel wrapped around them.

Please don't read too much into the lane assignments. We will be grouping the swimmers so we can work with them most effectively. They may be changing lanes throughout the season.

We are happy to answer questions and address any concerns you have. It would be best to speak with one of us before or after practice, through email or a written note in the coach’s folder, right next to the family file boxes. This will help us focus on keeping eyes and attention on all our swimmers, as safety is our first priority.

We encourage you to check out our coaches and their bios on our team home page to get familiar and put a face to each coach. We are looking forward to and so excited for an awesome season and cannot wait to begin! See you all at the pool!

by DJ Loberg, Meet Director

Registration for swimmers and volunteers for our Red, White & Blue Practice Meet on 5/10/25 is now open.

To register, go to https://wellsbranch.swimtopia.com/. You should register your swimmers' events and also your volunteer job choice.

Entry deadline is 1:00 pm on Tuesday, May 6th.

A few notes about our Red, White & Blue Meet:

This is an important meet for several reasons:

• We will take our team photo – be sure your swimmers wear their team T-shirt. (Please pick up your T-shirts at the pool if you have not already.)
• It is an opportunity for swimmers and parents to learn how a meet is run. It prepares everyone on the team for our season opener the following weekend.
• Swimmers will establish times that will get them seeded in the correct heats and relays in the regular meets.

ALL swimmers can participate in this meet – even the little ones that aren't swimming yet. For this one meet only, we will have coaches and kick boards in the water for the swimmers who need assistance. We encourage them to participate in this meet because when they are ready to swim across the pool in a meet, both the swimmer and the parents will know what to expect. Non-swimmers should sign up for the 25 free only.

Most swimmers should register for all 4 individual strokes (freestyle, back, breast, and fly). Normally there is a limit of three individual events, but for this practice meet we'd like them to swim all 4 so they can establish times for heat seeding and relay seeding purposes. They should only sign up for strokes they can swim legally. But if you're not sure, ask your coach, or, sign them up and the coaches can scratch them if they're not ready.

There will be no medley relay, individual medley (IM), or long freestyle events in this meet.

To register, go to our website, https://wellsbranch.swimtopia.com/, and log in with your user name and password (the email address and password you used at registration). Then click on the Job Signup and Meet Entry links on the right hand side.

Register your swimmers' events, and also your volunteer job choice. For the RWB Practice Meet, we would like for new parents to be able to try different volunteer jobs, if possible, so we might ask parents to move around during the meet. Stay tuned.

Finally, here are some early estimates on important times for the practice meet (subject to change):

• Arrival: 6:00 a.m.
• Warm-Ups: 6:30 a.m.
• Team Picture: 7:00 a.m.
• Meet Start: 7:30 a.m.

by Juli Thatcher, Volunteer Coordinator

Our swim meets wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support of our Armada families. Every role—from timers and judges to pit parents, concessions helpers, and setup crew—is essential to making each event a success. Your energy and commitment help create a fun, safe, and well-organized experience for our swimmers.

🏊 Volunteering is required for all families.

Each meet relies on 90–100 volunteers, and we ask every family to sign up for at least one shift per meet your swimmer participates in. With a wide variety of jobs available, there’s a role for everyone—whether you prefer being poolside or behind the scenes.

💬 Not sure which role to pick?

No problem! I’m here to help. If you have questions or want help finding the right fit, don’t hesitate to reach out. I want you to feel confident and excited about your volunteer experience.

🙌 Let’s work together to make this an unforgettable season for our swimmers—your support truly makes a splash!

📱 Need help? Feel free to email Juli Thatcher if you have any questions.

Volunteer at Austin FC Games – Earn Credit Toward Your Family Sponsorship Looking for a fun and flexible way to meet your WBA sponsorship requirement? Volunteer at an Austin FC home game! A great way to raise your family $100 fundraising requirement.  Each game adds funds to your families swimmer(s) funds raised for drawing, and $50 credits can be shared to other families. Interested in Austin FC Volunteering? Stop by our table at the Red, White & Blue Meet! We’ll be there to share details, answer questions, and help you get started with this fun and rewarding opportunity.

• $50 minimum credit per shift toward your family’s sponsorship fee
• Credit can be earned by you, a family member, or a friend (age 18+)

Volunteer Perks

• Free WBA volunteer shirt and hat (please reuse them for future shifts)
• Free lunch provided at check-in (typically a sandwich)
• Free parking and shuttle service to and from Q2 Stadium
• Enjoy the electric atmosphere of an Austin FC game while giving back to the team!

This is a fantastic way to fulfill your volunteer requirement while having a great time at one of Austin’s most exciting venues. Spots fill quickly, so don’t wait to sign up!

WBA Volunteers Needed for Following games (Must be 18+ years old).

Please email [email protected] if you can participate or have any questions. Your training certificates must be uploaded 10 days before any game day for Levy to confirm your eligibility.

Austin FC 2025 Home Schedule:

Must sign up and have training completed 10-days before the game. Learn more here: https://wellsbranch.swimtopia.com/Austin-FC-Volunteer

Please be aware that the restroom flush buttons can be difficult for younger swimmers to push. The MUD has lubricated the mechanisms, but they still may require more force than little ones can manage. Parents, we kindly ask that you assist your children with flushing when needed. If you notice a restroom issue, please alert a lifeguard right away.

To help with this, the MUD aims to have one male and one female staff member on duty during practices and meets to check the restrooms every 30 minutes. However, in some cases only male or only female staff may be available. If that occurs, and an issue is reported, the MUD will clear the restroom and ensure it is addressed promptly.

Thank you for helping us keep our facilities clean and welcoming for all swimmers!