USA Swimming Stages U.S. Recruitment Events
While U.S. swimmers are going for medals in Beijing, USA Swimming is staging viewing parties at its affiliate clubs around the country to encourage fresh talent to jump in the pools.
USA Swimming, the governing body for amateur competitors, started staging large scale parties at swimming clubs in 10 major markets over the weekend as Olympics swimming events got underway in Beijing. The viewing parties, which also include DJs and giveaways, will continue through the conclusion of the Olympics swimming events on Aug. 16 as a recruitment tool.
U.S. swimming stars of past Olympics, including Brooke Bennett, Ed Moses, Kaitlin Sandeno, Carly Piper, Kristy Kowal and Amanda Weir, are making appearances at the parties being held in Miami, Baltimore, Washington, Omaha, NB, Indianapolis, Houston, San Antonio, Chicago, and Irvine and Concord, CA.
“We want them to share their Olympic experiences and the benefits of joining a swim team,” said Jim Fox, USA Swimming marketing coordinator, who said the events are timed to “ride the waves of Olympics excitement.”
Smaller events will be staged at some of the other 2,800 local swimming clubs that currently count nearly 300,000 members. Members can invite up to 100 guests for each party with the objective of drawing them into the clubs that participate in local and regional competitions to ultimately produce candidates for the Olympic squad.
Those attending can also enter a sweepstakes at the parties or online at www.usolympicssplashbash.com to win a chance to attend the USA Swimming Foundations’ annual “Golden Goggle” Awards show in New York this fall that honors athletes who competed in this year’s summer games. Coaches and club members use e-mail to spread the word, with local NBC affiliates also helping to spread the word about the events.
The first 500 club coaches who responded to e-mail blasts inviting them to sign up to stage the “Insider Parties” received a pack of prizes for themed games, branded premiums to be given away at the parties and branded equipment for their pool sites. Giveaways include ‘thunder sticks’ and collectible cards featuring members of the current USA Swimming team.
Alloy Media ‘s Amp Agency is handling execution of the swim club parties.
