There are two paths to become an assistant coach:

1) Volunteer Assistant Coaches

Contact us at [email protected].

2) Paid Assistant Coaches

• Who? Staples Boys and Girls swimmers and divers
• How? Selected by Coach Mike and Coach Kuku
• Pay?
  • 9th graders: $16/hr
  • 10th graders: $18/hr
  • 11th graders: $20/hr
  • 12th graders: $23/hr
• Schedule?
  • Now to the end of the school year
    • Mon Wed Fri 5:15-7:15 pm
    • Sundays 11:45-1:45 pm and 1:45-3:45 pm
  • You do not have to come to every session and can sign up for the dates that work for you.
  • What about summer? There will be more hours in the summer! Probably 3-4 hours each day, 5 days a week.

Requirements

1. Experience in coaching or swimming instruction (One way to gain experience is through volunteering.)
2. A great attitude towards learning, teaching kids how to swim competitively, taking initiative and asserting yourself!
3. Watch two Waterproof Kids videos by Coaches Mike and Gaylene. "Toddlers" module and "Kids 5-12 years" module.
4. After coaches confirm your position, get an AAU membership. Pay $24 for an annual membership with the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), for insurance coverage, for which WSC will reimburse you. This is required even if you got one last year. The membership expires every August 31.
   • "Get Started" and then create a new account.
   • Coverage = Extended
   • Term = 1 year
   • Club code = U52UNZZSV Very important!
   • Club name = Westport Swim Club

Expectations

1. Reply to coaches' messages within 12 hours: Whether the answer is “yes” or “no,” acknowledging the message is mandatory. Silence is not an option — communication is part of being a reliable teammate.
2. Sign up at least one week in advance. Before signing up, check your family, social, and academic calendars for trips, tests, quizzes, parties, concerts, or meets. Coach Mike and Coach Kuku really dislike cancellations within five days of a session. If you’re going to bring a scheduling problem, bring a scheduling solution. If you must cancel, please find a suitable replacement before doing so. As in life, those who show they’re reliable are the ones who get jobs and referrals.
3. Show that your main commitment is to Staples Swimming. Our focus is on the long-term success of the team — which includes developing, mentoring, and bringing new swimmers into Staples Swimming.

• Keep up your club swim practices and continue competing in meets during the off-season. Volunteering with WSC is encouraged, but it should never take the place of your club training or competitions.
• Do not engage in activities that will negatively affect your swimming. For example, water polo often develops body positions and stroke habits that can be detrimental to competitive swimming technique.

Benefits to you

1. Earn volunteer and service hours: WSC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. You time counts toward school or community service requirements and looks great on college and scholarship applications.
2. Paid opportunities: With your permission, we can share your name with WSC families looking for babysitting, lifeguarding, tutoring help, and private swimming lessons, especially in the summer. Some former WSC assistant coaches have also landed summer internships through WSC families, including a cancer lab at Yale and hedge funds such as Fermat Capital Management and Initium Management.
3. Receive hands-on training: We provide 2 hours of dedicated instruction to prepare you for your role as an assistant coach, so you’ll feel confident and ready to lead. The rest you already know from SGS practice!
4. Build leadership and coaching skills: Learn how to motivate, communicate, and guide younger swimmers—experience that benefits you in and out of the pool.
5. Be a role model: Younger swimmers look up to you! Inspire them through your positivity, responsibility, and enthusiasm for the sport.
6. Give back to the team: Help younger athletes improve their technique, confidence, and love for swimming while strengthening our team community.