Bullpen volunteers work with the Hanarry West swimmers in the team’s bullpen (where swimmers sit during the meet) and help get the correct swimmers to the staging area at the correct time. Staging volunteers work in the staging area (located next to and behind the starting blocks) to help swimmers from both teams line up in the correct lanes and swim in the correct race. Both volunteers work off heat sheets.

Important because: Swimmers, especially young ones, need help navigating a long meet
Timeframe: First half (Events 1-36) and Second half (Events 37-82)
Volunteers needed: 6
Best for: People who like a fast-paced job and have a strong voice

COACHES

• Coaches work at both ends of the pool, encouraging swimmers and helping to make sure the correct swimmer is on the starting blocks (or ready for a relay) at the correct time.
• 6 & Under Coaches will be helping specifically with 6 & Under swimmers as they move from the Bullpen to Staging to the Starting Blocks
• Remember all coaches (except head coach) are also swimming in the meet as part of Hanarry West’s team. So, if you don’t see them, they are likely in the water or in staging area themselves.

6 & UNDER BULLPEN VOLUNTEERS

• Parent volunteers with this assignment sit with the 6 & Under swimmers during the meet

BULLPEN VOLUNTEERS

• Bullpen volunteers move Hanarry West swimmers in the 6&U, 7&8, 9&10 age groups from the bullpen area to the staging benches.
• They will encourage swimmers not to leave the bullpen area except for bathroom breaks. And as they sit with swimmers, provide encouragement and answer questions.
• 6 & Under swimmers swim only freestyle & backstroke. Some may only swim freestyle. This means most of the swimmers will be able to go sit with their parents or leave the meet at the conclusion of Event #24
• A few 6 & Under swimmers may swim in a 7&8 relay. Please ask those swimmers to remain in the bullpen.
• Swimmers in the 11&12 age group will likely need a Bullpen volunteer to call out which event is currently being staged. Example: “If you are swimming 11-12 backstroke, please go the staging benches.” If you notice the benches aren’t filling up, keep calling out for swimmers.
• Swimmers in the 13-14 and 15 & up age groups are responsible for getting themselves to the staging area at the correct time.

STAGING VOLUNTEERS

• Staging volunteers are responsible for lining up swimmers from both teams in order on the staging benches. Then, at the appropriate time, move swimmers to the white staging chairs behind the blocks.
• One volunteer should be responsible for turning the “Now staging Event #” sign when the staging team is ready for the next group of swimmers.
• Familiarize yourself with a heat sheet before the meet begins, especially understanding that each event can have several heats.
• If children are missing, asking their teammate is usually a good place to start (kids often know if someone has gone to the bathroom, is sick, etc.). If no one knows, flag down a coach or Bullpen volunteer to find the swimmer.
• Instruct swimmers, especially young ones, to pay attention to who is sitting on either side of them.

RELAYS

• Relays can be the most complicated part of the Bullpen & Staging, but fortunately our Head Coach takes the lead on distributing Relay Cards (cards that list which swimmers are swimming together in which lane) and assistant coaches will help as well.
• Bullpen volunteers will get swimmers to the staging area.
• Staging volunteers should make sure the relays are in the correct lanes behind the blocks.
• For 7-8 and 9-10 relays, coaches will help swimmers get to the correct lane on both sides of the pool and remain by the pool to assist swimmers.
  

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