Palatine Park District’s Tiger Sharks Swim Team Fall Tryouts take place Monday, August 13 from 5:00-7:00pm and Tuesday, August 14 from 5:00-6:00pm at Birchwood Pool, 435 W. Illinois Avenue in Palatine. Early Bird Registration for the Short Course takes place August 20 from 6:00-8:00pm at Birchwood Gym, 435 W. Illinois Avenue. Participants registering August 20 receive $15 off fees and are guaranteed a team t-shirt. After Early Bird Registration, a limited number of t-shirts will be available while supplies last. Interested swimmers who are unable to attend the tryout times are encouraged to contact Coach Dustin Thompson at ddt1326@yahoo.com.
Palatine Tiger Sharks Swim Team is a USA Swimming, multi-ability-level program that offers competitive opportunities, technique development, and fun for swimmers ages six and older. The goal of the team is to provide members an opportunity to improve swimming skills and achieve success at their level of ability. The swim team is divided into progressive groups under the direction of Head Coach and Swim Team Coordinator Tony Gallagher. Dustin Thompson serves as Head Age Group Coach.
According to Patrick Griffin, Palatine Park District’s Aquatics Manager, the Tiger Sharks Swim team is a very strong organization, providing an excellent resource for competitive swimming in Palatine. The Tiger Sharks are celebrating 50 years of swimming in 2018. “It’s impressive for a park district team to be around this long,” Head Coach Gallagher said. He added the purpose of the team is to serve the community. All coaches are members of the American Swim Coaches Association and have access to comprehensive training and certification.
Families can offset the cost of swim team fees by participating in the team’s ongoing fundraising opportunities. Swim team parents for all groups except Pre-Competitive are required to volunteer during each of their child’s sessions at all swim team hosted meets. “The parents put in countless hours to make the Tiger Sharks the success that it is,” Gallagher said.
The Parent Advisory Board meets monthly at the Palatine Park District Community Center, 250 E. Wood St. Jennifer Bolger serves as President of the Board. “The Tiger Sharks Swim Team is the main feeder program to prepare our kids for swimming competitively at their high schools in Districts 211 and 214,” Bolger said. “We are really looking forward to the completion of the renovated pool at Harper College to use in conjunction with Fremd and Palatine High School pools. Our coaches are awesome and they are members of the Palatine Community,” she said.
Open tryouts are held twice a year in August and March. Team coaches make the final determination for group placement and advancement to the next level. Fees are payable to Palatine Park District by cash, check, Visa, Mastercard, or Discover.
“I think families should choose this team because there is a place for every kid at every ability on this team,” Bolger added. “Kids can start at the pre-competitive level and advance at the pace they are ready for. Our relationship with Palatine Park District is very positive. We have their support to grow together to become one of the best swim clubs in the state,” she said.
For more information about the Palatine Tiger Sharks Swim Team contact the Swim Office at 847.202.3240 or visit the website at ppdswim.org.