Katz JCC Swim Team

JCC Swim Team

The Sharks Swim Team is a fun-filled, social and competitive swim team open to boys and girls who have achieved at least a beginner level of swimming. The program is designed to bring out the best in each swimmer. Participants will be taught how to become proficient in all competitive swim strokes and will be given the tools to take their swimming to the next level, as well as learn the culture of the sport. Our swim team promotes physical health, friendship building, positive self-esteem, dedication, commitment, and teamwork and is designed to develop each child physically, mentally, and emotionally in a safe and caring environment.

The JCC Sharks Swim Team competes against other competitive South Jersey swim teams (Greater South Jersey Swim League) and JCCs in the Mid-Atlantic region (in the Mid-Atlantic Swim League) including Baltimore, Delaware, Harrisburg and Allentown along with other teams in the area. The season runs October through March and culminates with our end-of-season Championship meet and end-of-year celebration.

This coming winter, we plan to have a maximum of 8 swimmers per lane at our practices and plan on returning to normal with JCC-league dual meets, and championships. We are asking everyone interested in joining the swim team to pre-register before September 12, 2021.

Our experienced coaching staff works with each swimmer throughout the season on swimming fundamentals, techniques, endurance and cultivating a great team environment! Children with disabilities will receive additional coaching opportunities.

We encourage and welcome all swimmers to try out for the team. Participants must be able to swim at least 25 yards on their stomach or back and must be 16 years of age or under. Swimmers will be evaluated based on their individual ability to swim Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Butterfly. The ability to dive is preferred but not mandatory to make the team.

If you have any questions, please contact Svetlana Barker, Aquatics Director at 856-424-4444, x1144 or [email protected]

Tryout Registration is now open:

JCC Sharks Pre-Team

The pre-team will serve as an introduction to the swim team environment and help swimmers develop their strokes, technique, endurance and speed through smaller group training. Our coaching staff will work with these swimmers once per week in a positive and encouraging environment and help to transition these swimmers towards the competitive team. By the end of the season, it will be the goal of the program to have these swimmers compete in 1-2 meets towards the end of the season.

Cost: JCC Full Facility Member: $250 / JCC Basic Member: $335 / Guest: $455

Register for Sharks Pre-Team

Winter Swim Team Season 2021-2022 – October 4-March 13

Sharks – Ages 8 and Under (Mako Sharks)

Sharks - Ages 9-10 (Tiger Sharks)

Sharks - Ages 11+ (Great White Sharks)

Meet Our Coaches

Alison Brick – Head Coach I

Alison has been with JCC as a member for over 20 years and we are excited to welcome her as the Sharks Swim Team Head Coach this season.

Coach Alison has a lifelong dedication to the sport of swimming as an International and USA Senior National level competitor. For over thirty years, she has been the head coach for a National USA age group team and head coach for local A Division Teams. The goal is to inspire a love for the sport in all the JCC Sharks swimmers while improving their skills. Coach Alison was our Head Swim Team coach during spring session 2020-2021. She is incredibly excited to join the JCC Sharks this winter swim season 2021-2022 and the return head swim coach and watching all of the swimmers improve all season long.

Coach Alison is looking forward to sharing an exciting and rewarding journey with the JCC Shark Team where your swimmers will improve and love to swim. Go Sharks!

Veronica Refela – Head Coach II

Veronica grew up in Philadelphia, PA and started swimming at the age of 12, where she fell in love with the sport. She attended Philadelphia High School for Girls where she joined their swim team and her passion for swimming continued to grow. She became certified as a lifeguard and also taught swim lessons and also taught swim team. She studied electrical engineering at Temple University and now works as an engineer with the Department of Defense.

“In my past experience, I loved training the swim team, developing relationships with kids and parents. It was what I loved to do, a reason why I wanted to get up in the morning. This is why I can’t wait to start here at JCC Sharks Swim Team. I’m so excited to be here!”

Natalie Vans – Assistant Swim Coach

Natalie began swimming competitively for the JCC Sharks when she was 8 years old, and has since swam for different club teams throughout her life including The Jersey Wahoos Swim Club, SJAC Swim Club, and The ECCC. Natalie has always loved the excitement of swimming competitively and enjoys helping others grow as swimmers. She now attends Moorestown Friends School, where she swims for their team. Natalie went on to become lifeguard certified and is a lifeguard at the JCC pools.

Abbey Doherty – Assistant Swim Coach

Abaigeal (Abbey) brings a lifelong love of swimming into her passion for coaching. She started swimming as a child and enjoys swimming now as an adult. She has coached competitive summer swim teams and Masters in Virginia and Massachusetts. During the day, Abbey practices social work in the community and enjoys spending time with her partner and their cat. She believes that swimming brings people together and looks forward to coaching the Sharks!

Visit the Katz JCC Sharks TeamUnify Website