Trying to find out how to start a new United States Masters Swim team in my area...?

Question

I am in Oxford, MS, attending University of Mississippi. I am 20, want to join a swim team or club, and I am interested in the USMS teams. The nearest one I can locate is in Memphis, about an hour drive for me. I wondering if anyone knows of one closers to Oxford or knows what the procedure would be to start a new USMS team in my area. Any suggestions would be great!

Answer 1

I'm not really sure where Oxford is, and there isn't a listing for a masters team directly in Oxford. But you can check here for all the places that are in your masters region: http://www.usms.org/placswim/placswimform.php?LMSCID=24

Also, to start one there is a good booklet here that tells about what the requirements are. We just officially joined USMS at the pool where I work in California, and it wasn't too difficult. Mostly filling out the proper forms, listing what pool you will be based at, proving proper insurance, etc. It will be much easier to start a masters team if you actually work at a pool or if you can get a local pool to agree to host the team. The booklet with more information on how to do it is here:
http://www.usms.org/admin/building.pdf

Other things that you might want to do is to find where the local USS club teams practice. Sometimes they also have "unofficial" masters groups that swim together. Or if you are attending the college and they have a pool available to the students you might want to try starting an informal swim club of folks who just like swimming together for motivation and exercise.

Best of luck with whichever route you take!

Answer 2

GOOD LUCK. I'M SURE U NEED A LOT OF IT. BUT DON'T GIVE UP.