NOVA News
October 16th, 2023
NOVA turns 40 this year, and I've spent more than half of that time around this team. First as the little brother watching my older brother compete, then as a swimmer myself after joining NOVA at 14, and today as a coach.
This past spring, I really got to appreciate how much NOVA impacted my life. Ten of the 12 people at my bachelor party swam at NOVA with me, and only four of the other nine, including my brother, went on to swim in college. Yet the friendships we built have far outlasted our swimming careers.
Fifteen years later, we're spread out all over the country, from Texas to New York to Florida to Georgia, but we still find time to get together every Thanksgiving and Christmas. Last year we took it a step further. More than 20 of us crammed into one room for Friendsgiving, spouses, significant others, siblings, everyone. My wife has made great friends in the group too, and it just keeps growing. I still can't believe the people who bring so much fullness to my life all came from a sport about swimming back and forth across a pool as fast as you can.
As I took the next step in my life, they flew in from all over for the engagement parties, the bachelor trip, and the wedding. And of course, every get-together turns into some overly competitive round of golf, pickleball, or video games, but that's what drew us together in the first place. They're an extension of my family now, and I can't imagine my life without them.
I owe a lot to swimming, NOVA, and the people I met here. Now, as a coach, I get to watch the same friendships form in a new generation, and it's one of the great joys of my life.
So to today's swimmers, enjoy your time here. The value of NOVA doesn't depend on whether you swim in college or break the next record. It lies in the friendships, fitness, and discipline you build here, and those will stay with you long after you leave the pool.
Here's to 40 more years- Coach Matt
Raise Right is the gift card program that gives discounts on gift cards and those discounts are credited to your fundraising obligation.
The discounts vary with each participating retailer and range from 2% to 15% or more. You simply order your gift cards online from www.raiseright.com. Choose from hundreds of different options, such as iTunes, Amazon, Target, Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, Macy's, and restaurants. Hotel, cruise, and gas cards are useful for travel with sufficient planning.
You can get all your gift cards in one place! Directions for buying Scrip:
1. Go to www.raiseright.com
2. Find the orange login box and click "Not a Member - Click Here" to register.
3. Once registered, join our organization by using NOVA's Organization code. Contact the Business Office for this code.
4. SHOP! Browse through the hundreds of brand options.
5. Print your order confirmation page and bring it to the business office or red payment box with a check. We will release the order within several days of check receipt and will notify you when the cards have arrived, usually within 3-4 days. OR, Use PrestoPay to set up an automatic ACH payment so you don’t have to bring in a check to pay for your scrip cards. Sign in and look for PrestoPay, then set up your banking information. There is a $0.15 per transaction fee. You can order scrip from home, pay for it online, and get your cards sooner and without an extra trip to NOVA!
-Lori
AGDS Surge and Pizza 10/16
AGDG urban air and Pizza 10/16
Senior Silver Chick fil A and Pickleball 10/17
Senior Bronze Surge and Breakfast 10/17
Novice Trunk or Treat 10/17
NOVA Halloween Haunt 10/23-25
NOVA Senior Invite 10/30-11/1 entry deadline 10/19 commit HERE
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Team picture sales run through October 18th - don't delay - order your pictures today!
Link to Team Pictures
Password: c772609a
NOVA 12 & Under Kick Off
NOVA 12 and unders made a big splash October 3 & 4 at the NOVA Short Course Kick off. Swimmers raced hard, had fun and achieved many new best times and time standards! Congrats on a great start to the season coaches and swimmers!
Novice Bronze, Novice Silver, Novice Gold, Age Group Dev Bronze, Age Group Dev Silver, Age Group Dev Gold, Age Group Bronze, Age Group Silver, Age Group Gold, Senior Dev. Silver
NOVA VS TAC Dual Meet
October 9-11 NOVA's 13 and over swimmers traveled to Cary NC to race the TAC Titans for our third annual TAC/NOVA Dual meet. With both TAC and NOVA being top 10 ranked teams in the country, there were many new best times, time standards and new championship qualifying times in the head to head battle. NOVA's swimmers raced hard in the 4 session meet and while the home team was victorious it was a great way to start off the short course season!
Senior Dev. Silver, Senior Dev. Gold, Senior Bronze, Senior Silver, Senior Gold, National
We are excited to share that NOVA is hosting a Big Diaper Drive in support of Little Hands Virginia, a nonprofit that ensures young children in Central Virginia have the essentials they need to thrive. The Big Diaper Drive runs in the month of October with the goal of collecting over 400,000 diapers.
To support this initiative, please place donations in the bins either in the lobby at Regency or pool one at Gayton anytime between October 19-25th.
Together we can end diaper need!
12 & under PPOW
Our 12 and under Practice Performer of the Week is Age Group Gold's Leticia Barino Passos.
The beginning of the new swimming year brings an exciting opportunity to take a step forward, and Leticia has shown that to an impressive level. She has tackled weaknesses in technique and turns, shown massive toughness as the training intensity ramps up, and done it all with a positive attitude towards her teammates.
Leticia’s standout practice quality is consistency. She has slowed down to focus when asked, sped up when the opportunity arises, but most importantly, continued to do things right even when not asked.
Good leadership looks a lot like Leticia!
13 & over PPOW
Kellan has stood out in a good way multiple days this week, punching above his weight class in both distance and sprint sets. It's a great sign when other coaches point out a swimmer, and that happened twice!
He's been well supported by his teammates, who have pushed him and been pushed by him in return. If he keeps this up, his hard work will pay off in a big way for both him and his teammates.
A well-earned PPOW.
With the temperature dropping, it’s time to get cozy, stay warm & rep your team in style!
New Embroidered NOVA Sweatshirts from Boathouse, adult size crewnecks & youth hoodies available now.
Don’t forget to order your team parkas too for the cooler weather ahead!
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Don’t forget Think Pink this October!
Pick up your pink NOVA caps and gear today to wear all month!
