I believe that being a part of the Swim Team of Placentia is a privilege. To better understand the importance of what the team role is, you must think about what it would it be like without it. Few people ever get the wonderful opportunity to experience the support of teammates and friends in the competitive arena. A team lifts and elevates the performance of an individual to heights never before achieved. Each family must also recognize their responsibility to the team.

Our team is a collection of families who have chosen to pursue one or more common goals. One of these goals, by agreement of all concerned, is the improvement of each individual within the team, which can result in improvement of the team’s performance. We compete individually, but preparation for competition is best accomplished in the team environment. No individual can create this environment for excellence on their own

There is no such thing as a free lunch. If an family wishes to benefit from the team, they must give to the team. STOP is successful because we nurture the individual, and expect the individual to respond by also nurturing the team. Individual sacrifices on behalf of the team, are just as much a part of the team environment as team accommodation of the individual. To continue STOP’s growth and level of success, we must continue to uphold these characteristics which has proven to be successful:

1. We must adhere to the core values of the team. Outside these core values, we allow freedom of individual expression. But the core values are absolute, and not to be modified or bent for the individual.

2. We must recognize that not every individual’s every need can be met, but we must try to bend over backwards to accommodate the most important needs of each individual.

3. We must react positively to the idea that each individual involved with the team first takes care of their own responsibilities, then assists others in their needs.

Specifically, swimmers who contribute to the success of the team will have these characteristics:

1. They give back. If they want to be cheered for, they cheer for their teammates. If they need special attention, they provide special attention to other swimmers.

2. They recognize that the fastest swimmer and the slowest swimmer are both part of the same team. Although the team will go no higher than the fastest, and will be limited by the efforts of the slowest. Both individuals must put special effort into assisting each other to maximize their potential.

3. They know that rules do not make teams, but traditions based on what it takes to achieve groups goals do. The swimmer recognizes the power of peer pressure when the object is right behavior.

4. Swimmers recognize that a rising tide lifts all the boats, and that it is better to make the pie bigger than to fight for their small piece of the pie.

TEAM has been described as "Together Everyone Achieves More." Anyone who has been on STOP will agree with that acronym. So, be thankful that you are apart of our team. If you are not, what are you doing to create a good teamf rom the one you are on today?