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 from October through March and culminates with our end-of-season Championship meet and end-of-year celebration.
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 sbarker@jfedsnj.org.
Sharks 2022-23 Season Try Outs
The 2022-23 season runs October 2022 through March 2023. All swimmers, new and returning, must attend one tryout on Tuesday, September 13 or Wednesday, September 14 from 4:30-6pm.
What should I expect on the day of tryouts?
When you arrive at the pool, please wait for our coaching staff to address the group. They will instruct each swimmer where to go to begin his or her tryout. Parents can observe our tryouts from the pool gallery. You are free to leave after your child’s tryout, and you will be contacted within one week of your tryout date to inform you if your child is able to join the team at this time.
Tuesday, September 13:
Register for Tuesday 4:30-5pm tryouts
Register for Tuesday 5-5:30pm tryouts
Register for Tuesday 5:30-6pm tryouts
Register for Tuesday 6-6:30pm tryouts
Wednesday, September 14:
Register for Wednesday 4:30-5pm tryouts
Register for Wednesday 5-5:30pm tryouts
Register for Wednesday 5:30-6pm tryouts
Register for Wednesday 6-6:30pm tryouts
Pre-Team 5 to 12 Years Old:
Tuesdays, 5-6pm.
Cost: JCC Full Facility Member: $275/ JCC Basic Member: $355 /Guest: $475
Sibling 10% discount provided
Mako Sharks – Ages 8 & Under:
Mondays: 4:30pm-5:15pm
Thursdays: 4:30pm-5:15pm
Sundays 4pm-4:45pm
Cost: JCC Full Facility Member: $440 / JCC Basic Member: $560/ Guest: $660
Sibling 10% discount provided
Tiger Sharks – Ages 9 & 10:
Mondays 5:15pm-6:15pm
Wednesdays 5-6pm
Thursdays 5:15pm-6:15pm
Sundays: 4:45pm-5:45pm
Cost: JCC Full Facility Member: $455/ JCC Basic Member: $595/ Guest: $685
Sibling 10% discount provided
Great White Sharks – Ages 11+:
Mondays 6:15pm-7:30pm
Wednesdays 6pm-7:15pm
Thursdays 6:15pm-7:30pm
Sundays: 5:45pm-7pm
Cost: JCC Full Facility Member: $455 / JCC Basic Member: $595/ Guest: $685
Sibling 10% discount provided
What to Bring:
All swimmers should arrive ready to swim with their swimsuits on and arrive 15 minutes prior to your tryout time. Swimmers should bring swim goggles, a towel, and a water bottle. A swim cap is also recommended.
Please Note:
Full payment is due at the time of registration. Once the registration process is complete, there are no refunds for any reason, regardless of how many practices the swimmer attends (even if that number is zero practices attended).
All spring warm-up groups are non-competitive.
We cannot move swimmers to different practice groups to accommodate different schedules or missed practices. We apologize in advance for this, but it is not possible due to the size of our program and the number of swimmers per lane and group size will be limited. Swimmers cannot attend practices on days other than their scheduled group times.
The cost of the groups will not be prorated for any reason, including late registration.
Registration Information:
You can register online, in person, via email or over the phone.
Full payment for the entire session is due at the time of registration. Dues cannot be prorated or refunded for any reason, regardless of how many practices the swimmer attends (even if that number is zero practices attended).
- Registration/Payment
Payment can be completed over the phone at 856-341-9862 x1150 or x1144
In-person at the Fitness & Wellness control desk
or on this web page
Via email: Swim coach Veronica Refela: vrefela@jfedsnj.org, Aquatics Director Svetlana Barker: sbarker@jefdsnj.org
Sibling Discount:
10% Discount will be available for additional siblings.
If you are registering siblings you must call the Fitness & Wellness desk or come into the JCC to complete payment in person or via email. The sibling discount will not get applied via online registration. We apologize for that inconvenience. Payment plans can be available upon request.
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!
