NOVA News
October 16th, 2023
It is a rare thing when an award feels big enough to match what someone has given to their profession. Last week, I was incredibly happy to see that happen.
I began working and coaching with David at NOVA in 1999. Since then, he has coached all three of my daughters, each with varying degrees of love and talent for the sport. But my reasons for wanting them to swim for David had very little to do with whether he would help them become better swimmers.
I knew they would be challenged and held accountable. I knew they would be taught, over and over again, what it means to be a good teammate. I knew they would be believed in and invested in. I knew David would fight for them, and teach them to compete with that same fierce conviction.
It has been a privilege to work alongside someone who, more than 26 years later, remains just as passionate about and committed to his swimmers, his coaches and NOVA’s mission. For at least the last decade, I have introduced David Schreck to families, coaches and community partners as the best age group coach in the country. I knew that something like that was nearly impossible to quantify; but I also knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that it was true.
Last week, the American Swim Coaches Association gave our head coach, David Schreck, an award he could have earned for more than a decade: National Age Group Coach of the Year.
Everyone at NOVA is incredibly proud. David, of course, will be quick to point to all of our age group coaches and the work they do with NOVA swimmers to create the depth and strength of our team. What makes me equally proud is that David’s example; humble, faithful, passionate and compassionate, is now being poured not only into our swimmers, but also into NOVA’s next generation of coaching talent.
David loves a good quote, and I know he has referenced Theodore Roosevelt’s “Man in the Arena” many times. So, as we begin a new season, it seems especially fitting to take a moment to recognize our team’s fearless leader, a man who, for more than three decades, has chosen to be in the arena, investing himself fully in his swimmers, his coaches and this team.
Congratulations, David. This one was well earned.
Leigh Peterson, CEO
The American Swim Coaches Association, ASCA, holds a clinic for coaches across the country each year and this year NOVA sent 3 coaches. David, Sean and me, Kevin. The clinic offers an extremely diverse slate of presentations, covering all aspects of the swimming world, as well as holding an exhibit hall featuring swimming outfitting companies, the newest swimming tech, and coaching exhibitions at an endless pool. There was something always happening for every level of coach in attendance.
Night one of the clinic started off with some excitement for NOVA as our head coach, David Schreck, was awarded Age Group Coach of the Year in the extra large team division! This is not as much of an individual award as it is a collective achievement of our program. David is always preaching that each step in the program is vital to the success of the next and that without great coaching at every level, achieving something like this wouldn’t be possible.
One of the most valuable sessions focused on stroke technique and skill development, led by renowned coach Russell Mark, often known as the "Stroke Guru." He shared insights from successful swim programs around the country and highlighted drills and skills that help swimmers develop strong technique in all strokes, including the often-overlooked "fifth stroke," underwater kicking.
Our coaches returned with new ideas and training tools that we're excited to bring back to our swimmers in the months ahead.
-Coach Kevin
Senior Retreat 9/18-19
AGG Pizza, Popsicles, and Pickleball Party 9/19
ISCA East Coast Open Water 9/26 entry deadline 9/21 commit HERE
SDS Whitewater Rafting 9/26 RSVP by 9/18 commit HERE
NOVA 12 & Under Short Course Kick Off 10/3-4 entry deadline 9/21 commit HERE
AGB Tie-Dye and Italian Ice Social 10/9 RSVP by 9/27 commit HERE
NOVA/TAC Dual Meet 10/9-11 entry deadline 9/27 commit HERE
NOVA Picture Day - September 28 and 29th - Regency Community Room
WHAT? An opportunity to take an individual NOVA picture which will also be used to create NOVA Group photos
WHEN? Monday Sept 28th 10 am - 8 pm and Tuesday Sept 29th 2:30-8pm, Come when it is convenient for your family.
WHERE? NOVA Regency Community Room (2nd floor across from the swim shop)
WHO? ALL NOVA team members - The photographer will have group rosters and check in your swimmer when you arrive.
What does my swimmer wear? Any red, white or blue NOVA shirt
**Information from the photographer -
Each swimmer will be photographed in three individual poses, plus one additional pose for the group composite photo. Even if parents are not planning on purchasing photos, we would love for everyone to be part of their group composite photo. All photos will be available for viewing and purchase online, following the link you can find all our team and
individual photo prices
https://www.sport-photography.com/team_and_individual_price_list/
NOVA’s drylands are composed of various exercises that our swimmers do out of the water on “dry land”. In other sports, it is commonly referred to as conditioning or sometimes strength training. The benefits of dryland for swimmers are numerous. Stability and core work are incredibly important to swimmers. The most efficient way to achieve this is on land which serves as excellent injury prevention.
Starts, turns, and sprinting all heavily rely on core strength, explosive power, and coordination/balance. Although these elements can be refined in the water, the opportunity to train against gravity, presents a more successful and efficient pathway to success.
All this aside, drylands are FUN!
It allows swimmers to have interactions with both their fellow teammates and coaches without constantly having their face in the water. We play games that sneakily work on the skills described above, and also incorporate important flexibility training.
Since making drylands a priority in our team's training regimen, NOVA has seen faster starts, turns, and more success overall in the pool.
Don’t leave this training on the table! All swimmers 9 years and above have the opportunity to do drylands. Swimmers age 15 & overs now use the Farrell Family weight room at Regency.
Building the basic skills now will provide a strong foundation for those wishing to progress into our weight program.
I look forward to seeing everyone in drylands - Coach James
Every Family has a Fundraising Obligation. Let Virginia Diner Help You Get Started!
The Fall Virginia Diner Peanut Sale is here, and it’s one of the easiest ways to support your swimmer while stocking up for the holiday season! To keep things fresh we have added several new items this season, and a limited amount of TERVIS branded cups (but once those are gone they are gone!).
This fundraiser runs for just two weeks, so don’t wait to start sharing with family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. The best part? Families receive 40% of their total sales as fundraising credit, making this a great opportunity to offset team expenses while supporting NOVA.
Our goal is simple: if every NOVA family sells just 4 items, we will meet our team fundraising goal! Whether you're purchasing for holiday entertaining, hostess gifts, teacher gifts, client appreciation, or simply enjoying some of Virginia Diner’s famous peanuts yourself, every order helps.
Orders will be delivered to NOVA in early November, giving you plenty of time to distribute items before Thanksgiving and the holiday gift-giving season.
Thank you for helping make this fundraiser a success. Click the link to see the amazing product list and detailed instructions on how to sign up.
