Wells Branch Armada

We’re midweek and rolling full speed into the season! With our practice meet just around the corner, this issue is packed with everything you need to stay informed and ready. Here’s what you’ll find:

• Captain’s Log – A note from our board president on kicking off the season strong
• Coaches’ Corner – Meet prep tips, themes, and how swimmers are getting race-ready
• Volunteer Spot – Key roles, pit protocols, and how to help make meets run smoothly
• Red, White, & Blue Meet Info – Everything you need to know for this Saturday’s practice meet
• Pool Maps & Tips – Where to go and what to bring for a successful swim meet
• Austin FC Volunteer Opportunity – Learn how volunteering with the team at an Austin FC game can earn you perks while supporting the Armada!

Let’s make this an unforgettable season—see you at the pool! 💦💙

by Genevieve Bales, President

Parents—are you starting to wonder what you’ve signed up for yet? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Thankfully, the kids have hit the ground running, quickly settling into the practice routine and diving into the season with enthusiasm. It’s been inspiring to watch their energy and love for swimming shine through, even with the wild Texas weather we’ve had.

Thank you for making the effort to get your swimmers to the pool each day. Your support is what keeps this team strong.

I’m excited to see you at our Red, White & Blue practice meet this weekend—it’s a great way to kick things off and cheer on the kids in a fun, low-pressure setting.

Also, take a moment to check out our freshly updated record board! We’ve added all the amazing achievements from last season. Who knows—maybe your swimmer’s name will be up there next year!

by Maddie Wright, Head Coach

We’re midway through week two, and our swimmers are making great progress—we’re so proud of how quickly they’re picking up skills and routines! With our first meet just days away this Saturday, we’re confident they’ll be ready to give it their best.

It’s completely normal for swimmers—whether it’s their first season or their fifth—to feel a bit nervous before a meet. That feeling just means you care and want to succeed. Swimmers and parents, if you have any questions about strokes, starts, relays, or what to expect on meet day, please don’t hesitate to ask. Our coaching staff is here to support you.

This week, we’ve been preparing swimmers by:

• Practicing race starts and finishes
• Reviewing the strokes they’ll swim this weekend
• Understanding race pace
• Introducing relay races
• Running through what happens before and during a meet

Our practice meet is a special one—it’s relaxed, fun, and a perfect introduction to the swim season. Here’s why we love it:

• It gives swimmers a chance to experience a meet without the pressure of competing against another team
• Everyone can participate—even beginners can swim with coach support if needed
• Swimmers begin to bond more with teammates between races
• This is when the Armada spirit really starts to shine!

Meet Themes
We’re excited to share that we’ve already picked our meet themes for the whole season! Each Saturday will feature a different theme, and swimmers are encouraged to dress up to join the fun. We’ll take a group photo before each meet—and there might even be treats for those who go all out!

• 5/10 – Wear your team shirt to be picture ready!
• 5/17 – Superhero 🦸
• 5/24 – Outer Space 🚀☄️
• 5/31 – Back to the 80's 🎸
• 6/7 – Cowboy 🤠
• 6/14 – Camo 🟢🟤
• 6/21 – Tie-Dye ❤️
• 6/28 – Armada Pride 🇺🇸🐙

It’s been a great week so far—let’s finish strong. See you at the pool!

by Juli Tatcher

Hey there, Swim Team Superstars!

First off, a huge shoutout and heartfelt thank you to all the amazing folks who’ve already signed up to volunteer for our upcoming Red, White, & Blue practice meet. Your support means the world to us—and let’s be real, these meets wouldn’t run without you!

Let’s talk details. Because this is a practice meet and we won’t have a visiting team, we’ll need a little extra help from our home crew—especially our fabulous judges and timers. We’re asking some of you to consider covering double shifts to help keep things moving smoothly. The good news? This meet will be one of the shortest of the season. If you're able to step in for an extra shift, please reach out. Your flexibility and enthusiasm truly make a difference.

Former swimmers—this is your time to shine! If you have experience in the pool, we could really use your skills as a starter, stroke judge, or even both if you're feeling ambitious. These roles are critical to the success of our meets, and we’d love to get you trained up and ready to take the lead. Come chat with me or Catherine this week—we’ve got you!

Pit Protocol: Red, White, & Blue Meet – May 10
To help ensure a safe and smooth meet experience for everyone, we’re asking families to follow a few important guidelines regarding the swimmer pits:

• Sign-In: Each pit will have a sign-in sheet. Please list the adult responsible for your swimmer that day, along with a reachable phone number.
• Behavior Issues: After one warning, any ongoing issues will result in the responsible adult being contacted to manage the swimmer for the rest of the meet.
• Pit Etiquette: Swimmers should remain in their designated pit until all their events are complete. If you need to leave early and your swimmer has events remaining, notify the coaches.
• Communication: If you remove your child from the pit at any point, please notify the pit parent.
• Buddy System: When swimmers leave the pit, they must be accompanied by their designated pit parent.

Our goal is to keep things safe, fun, and organized so everyone can enjoy the day. Thanks for doing your part—we couldn’t do it without you!

Splash ya later!

by DJ Loberg, Meet Director

We’re excited for our first meet of the season—the Red, White, & Blue Practice Meet—this Saturday, May 10! This meet is designed to be fun and welcoming for all swimmers, no matter their experience level.

🏊 Younger swimmers may use kickboards or have a coach in the water to support them if needed. We encourage every swimmer to participate!

📍 Key Info:

• Location: Willow Bend Pool
• Arrival Time: 6:00 AM 
  • Please be ON TIME and check in as soon as you arrive
• Warm-Ups Begin: 6:20 AM
• Team Pictures: 7:00 AM
  • New plan for this year to take pictures next to the pool
• Meet Start: 7:30 AM
• Snackbar (Fruit) Donations: 
  • Requested from swimmers ages 13/14 & 15-17 
  • See info below. Also, a Snackbar Sign-up form/share doc will be sent out soon.

🧰 Meet Set-Up & Clean-Up:

• Set-Up: 
  • Friday, May 9th at 6:30-8 PM
    If you signed up for a setup role—or would like to lend a hand—please join us then!
  • Saturday, May 10th at 5:30-6:30 AM
• Clean-Up: Before heading out from the RWB Meet, we ask all families to help clean up the pit and pool areas.
  ➤ Pit parents should not release swimmers until their pit is clean and restored.

🚗 Parking:

Since this is a home meet for Armada only, you’re welcome to park in the lot next to the pool. Additional parking is available:

• Along Sauls and Crissom (next to the pool)
• In the elementary school parking lot
• On the street along Long Vista

❌ Do not park on Bratton or in business lots near Bratton and Long Vista—you may be towed.
✅ Overflow parking is available at the Rec Center on Shoreline Dr., but it’s a bit of a walk. We recommend dropping off swimmers before parking if needed.

🍎 Concessions Donations:

At each home meet, specific age groups are asked to donate (typically fresh fruit) to help stock the snackbar, which is used as a free, healthy option for all swimmers. For this meet, swimmers ages 13/14 & 15-17 are asked to contribute.

The most helpful donation? Individual bags of cut fruit—they’re in high demand and can’t be prepped in advance by our volunteers.

We can’t wait to see everyone poolside on Saturday for a fun and supportive kickoff to the season. Let’s make it a great meet—Go Armada!

Want to feel confident heading into Saturday’s meet? We’ve got you covered!

📍 Pool Maps are available under the Resources tab on our website. These maps show:

• Swimmer drop-off location
• Kids’ pit areas
• Volunteer check-in table
• Ready benches
• Concessions, Swim Shop, and more

🔗 Click HERE for a quick shortcut to the maps and resources.

📋 You'll also find:

• Tips for having a smooth and successful swim meet
• A parent and swimmer checklist with everything you should bring

Take a few minutes to review these resources before Saturday—it’ll help things go more smoothly for everyone, especially our newer families!

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