About MST
The Manchester Swim Team was first founded in 1959 by three community-oriented families: Fred Severence, Sam Phillips, and Emile Van Der Beken. At that time the boys swam at the YMCA in a 15-yard pool now covered over by the Y's weight lifting room. The girls practiced at the YWCA in a 20-yard pool. The team swam through the AAU organization and competed throughout the Northeast and hosted one of the region's largest meets at the 50-meter Raco Theodore Pool when it opened in the early 1960s.
As of May 15, 2003, the team has been re-established by one of its original swimmers and long time coach in Manchester- Steve Van Der Beken. Andy Bonte, and Jeannie Mitchell have joined the coaching staff. Moreover, some 45 families have joined the Manchester Swim Team.
The Manchester Swim Team is a USS registered team with New England Swimming and will compete in USS meets throughout the Northeast and beyond, as meets become available. Dual meets with other teams is also an avenue of competition that will be pursued as well as the possibilities of joining a winter league and a summer league. The team will strive of attain the highest possible level of championship competition available for each swimmer.
The MST philosophy and main goal is to give every swimmer the opportunity to succeed at his/her level and to improve. Improvement is the main key. If each individual improves then the team becomes better. This effort will build and the levels of success will advance. The coaching staff strives to be goal oriented their swimmers because, in this way, we can help with one's growth as a person as well as an athlete.
We look to take individuals who can swim and develop their sills at almost any level from ages six on through high school and we have many collegiate swimmers who practice with us during their breaks at college. In addition, all our coaches have proven abilities to develop swimming skills, promote team spirit, and have fun along the way. The friendships that have developed through mutual hard work have lasted through college and beyond.
Each swimmer has opportunities to practice with his or her ability level. Our coaching staff focuses on individual attention and works to promote a healthy spirit, mind, and body. The swimmers provide each other with a strong support network and they work hard and appreciate each other's efforts. They learn to get along with one another, become more self-confident, and build a healthy spirit, mind, and body. Hopefully this develops the "Big Picture" for the swimmer and the experience develops some life-long lessons.
As of May 15, 2003, the team has been re-established by one of its original swimmers and long time coach in Manchester- Steve Van Der Beken. Andy Bonte, and Jeannie Mitchell have joined the coaching staff. Moreover, some 45 families have joined the Manchester Swim Team.
The Manchester Swim Team is a USS registered team with New England Swimming and will compete in USS meets throughout the Northeast and beyond, as meets become available. Dual meets with other teams is also an avenue of competition that will be pursued as well as the possibilities of joining a winter league and a summer league. The team will strive of attain the highest possible level of championship competition available for each swimmer.
The MST philosophy and main goal is to give every swimmer the opportunity to succeed at his/her level and to improve. Improvement is the main key. If each individual improves then the team becomes better. This effort will build and the levels of success will advance. The coaching staff strives to be goal oriented their swimmers because, in this way, we can help with one's growth as a person as well as an athlete.
We look to take individuals who can swim and develop their sills at almost any level from ages six on through high school and we have many collegiate swimmers who practice with us during their breaks at college. In addition, all our coaches have proven abilities to develop swimming skills, promote team spirit, and have fun along the way. The friendships that have developed through mutual hard work have lasted through college and beyond.
Each swimmer has opportunities to practice with his or her ability level. Our coaching staff focuses on individual attention and works to promote a healthy spirit, mind, and body. The swimmers provide each other with a strong support network and they work hard and appreciate each other's efforts. They learn to get along with one another, become more self-confident, and build a healthy spirit, mind, and body. Hopefully this develops the "Big Picture" for the swimmer and the experience develops some life-long lessons.