Many students travel from around the United States and World to be a part of swimming at Bolles. The traditions of Olympic success, State Championships, and personal excellence continue to thrive in the swimming programs at Bolles. To support these student-athletes there are specific policies adapted from within the team handbook.
STUDENT-ATHLETE EXPERIENCE
We welcome student-athletes of all ability levels and we strive to provide an environment to support student-athletes committed to swimming regardless of their background. As students arrive to Bolles coaches will work with them to best direct them to the programs and groups that are appropriate for their long-term goals and current growth. The following programs are available to Middle and Upper School Boarding Students:
MIDDLE SCHOOL (Grades 6-8)
Jr Varsity Competitive Swimming: Students interested in competing in the JR Varsity program to represent the Bolles School will be able to practice Monday ? Friday from 3:35-5:35 alongside the Bolles Students Great White group. The only fees for this group are the $100 contribution to the team parents account and in some cases meet travel fees. The season will start on August 12th and finish November 9th. Athletes will be eligible for FHSAA competitions only.
Great Whites (Bolles School Sharks Club): Year-round club swimming for Bolles Middle School students is offered from 3:35-5:35PM Monday ? Friday with additional practices on Wednesday and Saturday morning. Participation in this group will include registration with the Bolles School Sharks and participation in FHSAA and USA Swimming meets.
UPPER SCHOOL (Grades 9-12)
Varsity Competitive Swimming: For students looking to enhance their academic experience at Bolles and be a part of the Bolles Championship team. Practices are from 3:30-5PM Monday-Friday and students are eligible for FHSAA swim meets only. Fees for this program are on the $125 contribution to the team parents account and in some cases meet travel fees.
Bolles Sharks Swimming (Senior Group): For students interested in committing to year-round swimming to pursue goals at the state, national, and international level. Student-athletes are expected to commit to the full swimming program and agree to the policies and procedures of the Bolles School Sharks. Up to 9 practices including on land training will be offered each week. Participation in this group will include registration with the Bolles School Sharks and participation in FHSAA and USA Swimming meets.
Student-athletes electing to participate in the Bolles Sharks Senior program will be placed in practices groups based on their experience in the sport, level of competition, and ability to understand and excel at practices. These practice groups will be communicated to them at the beginning of the season.
For student-athletes who come to the Bolles School to experience the swimming program, our coaching staff will expect them to remain committed to the program they choose. While parents may not be around to help oversee them, coaches will work with the dorm staff to make sure they are consistent with practice attendance and managing their academic schedules to be able to attend all practices.
For many of our club swimming members, competing in the NCAA as a collegiate student-athlete is a career goal. We help all our student-athletes seeking to pursue swimming beyond high school. For Bolles students we work closely with college advisors to help them navigate the college selection process. Student-athletes need to understand that for most (even small) college opportunities, commitment to the year round Sharks program is a basic expectation of college coaches.
BOARDING STUDENT MEMBERSHIP ADJUSTMENTS
Boarding students participating with the Bolles School sharks are expected to maintain membership with the Sharks club independently from the Bolles School. In other terms ? membership with the Bolles School sharks is not related to enrollment, financial aid, or tuition costs of the Bolles School. Below is the expected membership policies for Bolles Boarding Students.
REGISTRATION
Families will be contacted in August to register online for the year. At this time you will agree to team policies and pay the $150 registration fee.
There will be a separate registration process for Varsity swim team that will require a payment of $125 for the Team Parents account.
COACHING FEES
Boarding students are obligated to pay the $2025 annual coaching fees for the senior groups of the Sharks club. Boarding students will have a $184 installment charged to their account on the first of every month for 11 months. Should the swimmer decide to return home for the summer, please notify the swim office and they will not need to pay the May, June, or July fees. Swimmers staying in Jacksonville for the summer should expect to pay the full 11 months of fees.
MEET & TRAVEL FEES
For each Bolles Sharks competition (most of which start in the winter after high school season) families will eb asked to commit to the event via the team website. Student-athletes will NOT be entered in a competition without a commitment online. For any meets with associated travel costs (team travel options will be offered for any boarding students for out of town competitions) those costs will be sent to families prior to meets and a team travel commitment will be required to be included in the meet. The expenses for each trip will be billed to your team account.
MEET SERVICE COMMITTMENT
We understand it is difficult for parents of boarding students to commit to serving at our meets. In place of this requirement we ask boarding students to help with setup and breakdown of meets here at Bolles and to support our program by volunteering at the ?Ping Pong? meets for our non-competitive programs. This is a great way to get service hours and give back to the sport. We will ask that the students serve in these roles for 10 hours per season total or a $100 charge will be added to the swimmer?s account.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Many students who board at the Bolles School represent their home countries in competition. Communication is critical for a successful partnership to support each student I their goals of competing in or for their home country. Please provide in writing to the head coach the exact dates, meet information, and any other necessary travel information for possible competitions during the year. Bolles swimmers will be registered as foreign athletes in USA Swimming and will need to compete in USA competitions while here at Bolles. Boarding students will also be eligible to compete in FHSAA competitions and championships. In some cases athletes may not receive the same eligibility for FHSAA competition, please pay close attention to turning in the correct paperwork and transcripts to the Bolles School.
PAYMENT METHODS
For some international families, transactions with the team website may present problems with foreign credit or bank cards. In select cases and with ample communication, The Bolles Sharks may transfer your swimming fees and expenses to the Bolles School FACS system.
TEAM APPAREL
Boarding students are expected to purchase and wear team apparel consistent with the Bolles School team policies. Including wearing TYR technical suits at meets.
