NOVA News

As we start practices this week I want to update everyone on construction progress at Regency and highlight impacts to our operation.

First, there has been incredible progress since my last update - too much to list out today. Here are some highlights that will impact our athletes, parents, and coaches as we sprint to the October finish line.

1. 2 of the 3 temporary walls have come down this week! The remaining temporary wall is on the North side of Regency which means the large, on deck bleachers are still closed.
   
2. Team Rooms will remain closed. AM Senior groups and SDG swimmers will need to continue to take equipment bags home. No storage will be available at Regency.
   
3. The Lobby will be completed and re-open next week. Lobby bathrooms will reopen. [Please be aware of the stairs in the lobby. These will be closed and access will be restricted]. Lobby furniture for parent seating will return.
   
4. Large on deck bathrooms, changing rooms / single use bathrooms are open.
   
5. 4 bleachers will be available on deck for athletes and athlete’s belongings. 1 is located at the record boards and 3 will be set up on the West Course side of the Competition Pool.
   
6. Parent seating on deck will be limited. Signage will be posted to direct swimmers and parents to seating.
   
   

Please use the attached Regency map to familiarize your family with these details.

Construction is ongoing and there will definitely be noise and workers present on the 1st floor at times. We will do everything possible to keep impacts to a minimum and outside of practice times but in order to finish on time, we will need to co-exist. Please bring any questions or concerns to me or any NOVA employee.

We are always excited to start a new season but this year steps it into overdrive - we cannot wait to share this incredible project with you all!

Thanks,

Drew Hirth

Director of Operations

This month we celebrate the retirement of a true NOVA legend — Mary Anne Haulsee.

Mary Anne first came to NOVA in 2004 as a swim mom to her talented 11-year-old daughter, Alison. She began as a volunteer in the Virginia Swim Shop, and eventually NOVA had the wisdom to bring her on as our Team Sales Manager. In that role, she spent the next 21 years building not only a business, but also a legacy that has sustained NOVA and extended far beyond our walls. Through her dedication, the Virginia Swim Shop became a trusted resource for teams and families across Virginia — reaching hundreds of summer leagues, YMCA programs, and high schools throughout the state each year.

Mary Anne gave her heart to NOVA, to our swimmers, and to our families. Her warm smile and generous spirit made the shop more than just a place to buy gear. Every NOVA swimmer who has proudly earned their “A” jacket in the past 20 years knows how special Mary Anne made that moment. She celebrated those milestones as if they were her own, turning a jacket into a memory that swimmers and families will cherish forever.

Her love and commitment have been a gift to NOVA, and her legacy will live on in the Virginia swimming community for years to come. While we are sad to say goodbye, we are deeply thankful for her two decades of service and so excited for her to enjoy her well-earned next chapter. We are also grateful for the many “former NOVA moms” who have supported the Virginia Swim Shop for years and are now stepping up to ensure Mary Anne’s legacy continues. They are pictured above, celebrating her final month at Coopers Hawk.

If you would like to send her a note of thanks, or well wishes, you can still reach her at Simplystitched1@gmail.com, and we are hopeful that you can still catch her occasionally stopping by, and joining the ranks of our retired NOVAfit /Masters community!

Every NOVA family is responsible for fundraising based on the number of swimmers and their levels in the program. First-year families have a fundraising obligation of $100 per swimmer. After that, each Novice level swimmer will be responsible for $125 of fundraising. Each swimmer above Novice level will be responsible for $225 of fundraising. No family will be required to fundraise more than $450. Additional fundraising and donations are welcome. Only donations above the annual family obligation are tax-deductible.

Many fundraising opportunities are available throughout the year, including the Swim-A-Thon in the Spring, Va Diner peanut sales in October, a percentage back from purchases of grocery and other gift cards through our scrip program, and more. Using a combination of these programs makes fundraising manageable for our families.

NOVA Elevate capital campaign donations DO NOT count towards family fundraising obligations. These donations are for building out the second floor.

For more details about each of these options please contact the business office at 804-754-3401x2 or email novabusinessoffice@novaswim.org.

Congratulations to Mike Julian for being named ASCA and Fitter and Faster top 5 age group coach. He is at the ASCA conference this week in Reno NV, receiving his award and speaking at the conference.

The results for the award were compiled using a dataset provided by USA Swimming’s data scientists of swimmers ages 10-14 with qualifying time standards from the 2024 Long Course season and 2024-25 Short Course season. Coaches of record were collected for swimmers who achieved these times to populate the 2025 Top Age Group Coach lists.

In order to help with planning for the coming 2025- 2026 season here are the practice and meet schedules, these are tentative and subject to change.

2024-2025 Short Course Practice Schedule- Sept 2nd- March 28th

2024-2025 Short Course Meet Schedule- This includes specific group schedules and a master schedule for the whole team

NOVA is governed by a volunteer board of directors. We are looking for volunteers to join our Board of Directors effective February 1, 2026. As we complete the next phase of facility construction and continue our growth as an organization, an engaged active board is key to maintaining our progress.

If you are interested in contributing your time, skills and passion, please consider submitting an application by September 15 by clicking here. Volunteering on the NOVA Board is a three-year term and will allow you to play a key role in shaping NOVA's future. We rely on the support of our families to make this possible.

Thank you for considering volunteering on the NOVA Board of Directors.

Please click the links below.