News and Announcements
Registration for 8&U - OPEN NOW!!
Registration is now open for the following 8&Under groups:
- 8&U Dolphin: M/W 6p-645p @ Cranbrook; Sat 2p-3p @ Birmingham Y; Su 10a-11a @ Birmingham Y
- 8&U Blue: T/Th 6p-645p @ Cranbrook,; Sat 9p-10a @ Birmingham Y; Su 4p-5p @ Birmingham Y
https://www.active.com/birmingham-mi/water-sports/swimming-registrations/bbd-swimming-2021-2020
Dear Swimmers and Parents,
I am so grateful I get to coach in a warm pool area during these frigid winter weeks! As we navigate these trying times it is important to remember our good fortune in being able to do as much as we have, safely, while facing a pandemic. The YMCA values of respect, responsibility, honesty and caring are evident in the work the swimmers, coaches and board members are all doing to keep age-group swimming afloat in the Birmingham area.
We have many good things to report:
…Our eight and under have begun a series of clinics to re-acclimate them to the rigors of the team. The plan was to have four clinics in the hope that we will get outside pool time and be able to go into a program like we have had in the past. If that doesn’t happen we will extend the clinics until the situation changes. I really appreciate the Y keeping the costs reasonable for these sessions.
…We will have our intra-squad meet in a little under two weeks. In order to ensure safety the sessions are small and every swimmer MUST have a parent volunteering to run the meet. We can’t do it without everyone’s cooperation. Thank you to the board for creating this competition.
…We will have two Y competitions that take the place of the traditional meets——a zone meet and a National Festival Meet. The board has plans to recognize the participants that may be different than what they we have done in the past, but these competitions are different too. In no way are these competitions less——they simply recognize that swimmers have not all been able to train like they have in the past. My fervent hope is that we get some new swimmers to the Y Festival, because it will raise their aspirations for the future.
In spite of every obstacle that the team has faced the swimmers who have committed to the program by attending the 75%-80% of the practices we are offering are thriving. We have been able to send swimmers to a few out-of-state meets where they have been incredibly successful, Our older boys have broken team records in spite of a curtailed training regimen and that is indicative of what all of our swimmers are capable of accomplishing.
Maintaining a positive attitude during these times is difficult, but essential. We are creating a new reality for our athletes. These times will certainly be memorable for a lot of reasons, but together we can create positive memories. Think of the stories our swimmers will be able to tell their kids!! “I lived in a mask, trained in a five-lane pool, and I still managed to achieve my goals!” Our kids are showing their determination and resilience every day!
Stay well!
Kevin
Dear Parents and Swimmers,
It’s great to be back on deck with the swimmers! I am so proud of the way they have responded to every challenge that has come their way. With the vaccinations beginning to be administered and the infection rate decreasing in Michigan perhaps the end is in sight. In the meantime we will stick to every safety protocol to ensure that our swimmers stay healthy. Please remind them about their masks and keeping their distance at practice.
I am disappointed that we have not been able to get into Cranbrook and Derby. We are in regular communication with them. We are also seeking other venues. In talking to colleagues at other teams we are in the best shape of them all. We have one site on which we can rely, we have been able to send some swimmers to meets and they have done well, AND we have a great board and coaching staff who have worked diligently to do as much as we have.
Our practice groups are full, with the exception of 11-12. If you are not currently enrolled and you would like to be, e-mail me first kfogarty2018@gmail.com and maybe we can squeeze a few more swimmers into our practices.
Please stay optimistic. We are going to get through this and we look forward to a great spring and summer.
BBD Spirit wear shop
BBD families:
With an inter-club meet on the calendar, a group of swimmers headed to meets in Indianapolis and Naples, and plans for more competition this winter, we’re excited to open our online store for the 2020-21 swim season!
We have included many of the traditional styles and old favorites, but we’ve added some terrific new items as well. Swimmers can wear their BBD gear to and from the pool and around town to show off their BBD pride!
The online store will be open from Monday, January 11th until 11:59pm on January 24th.
The Varsity Shop has worked hard to provide our team with an amazing line up of merchandise that we are confident our swimmers will love! We suggest that you visit the shop to see the merchandise in person if you have any questions about style and sizing. While they may not have every item and size from our online store, they carry many of the brands (Arena, Pennant, etc.) and have a knowledgeable staff that can assist your swimmer to find the perfect fit.
The Varsity Shop is a family owned and operated business and a trusted BBD partner, we encourage you to support our local retail community, and to shop small for goggles, practice suits, caps, and more!
Additionally, every swimmer will receive a 2020-21 team t-shirt and mask at some point in the coming weeks. We are finalizing the design and distribution plan, so stay tuned!
We can’t wait to see everyone on the pool “decked” out in their new gear! GO BBD!