Mid Valley Swim League

BYLAWS AND RULES OF THE MID-VALLEY SWIM LEAGUE 2023F

ARTICLE INAME, HISTORY, PURPOSE

Section 1. NAME

The name of this organization shall be the MID-VALLEY SWIM LEAGUE hereafter referred to as MVSL, which is a summer swim league running under AAU rules and guidelines (USA Swimming per AAU).

Section 2. HISTORY

The first written record of MVSL was recorded June 19, 1975, at a meeting held at the Sunnyside Pool. The league was originally formed as an association of six swim teams which included: Selah, Wapato, Toppenish, Sunnyside, Grandview, and Prosser. Prior to this time there was a loose association of Yakima Valley teams that participated in swimming and diving competitions.

The first record of a MVSL championship was in 1972. On a rotating basis, each team has hosted the yearly league championships.

Some of the original members instrumental in organizing the MVSL were: Dale and Kay Olsen. Carolyn Wilson, and Bernadine Paganelli of Wapato; Francis and Arlene Hull and Joyce Clark of Toppenish; Brian and Val Hammons, James Brackins, and Dave Chaplin of Selah; Jim Rice, Glen Manley, and Dick Diener of Grandview; John Burgett, Phil Blakney, and Bob Early of Prosser; Frank Filicetti. Larry Budden. and Dennis Quisinberry of Sunnyside.

Phil Blakney was the first temporary President and Carolyn Wilson was the temporary Secretary/Treasurer. The first elected officers were Frank Filicetti, President; Phil Blakney, Vice President; Carolyn Wilson, Secretary-Treasurer.

Naches was admitted to the league in 1985. Othello was admitted to the league in 2010.

Section 3. PURPOSE

To promote, supervise, and conduct the sport of swimming in MVSL.

1. To administer and coordinate the competitive swimming program.

2. To formulate and establish all swimming policies and consider procedures and problems relating to the MVSL.

3. To provide support to the respective member clubs within MVSL.

4. To promote and encourage strong positive parental support for and assistance with all facets of MVSL swimming programs.

5. To maintain effective communication with the member clubs, their sponsoring organizations, and their communities.

ARTICLE IIOBJECTIVE

The primary objective shall be to promote and develop swimming for the benefit of swimmers of all ages and abilities in accordance with the standards and rules adopted by the MVSL, ensuring that all interested and/or qualified swimmers shall be encouraged to participate.

ARTICLE IIITERRITORY AND JURISDICTION

Section 1. TERRITORY (Revised 1995, 2001, 2015)

The territory of each member swim club shall be comprised of each community’s school district boundary, and those adjacent (common boundary) school districts without established teams that are members of a summer swim league.

Criteria for inclusion of swimmers, ages 15-18, from common boundary school districts on an MVSL team are as follows:

1. MVSL teams can add a maximum of two non-year-round swimmers of each gender per age group (i.e. two girls age 15-16 and 2 boys age 15-16). Swimmers beyond 2 per gender per age group must petition the MVSL board for approval.

2. Any non-resident year-round swimmer age 15 and up must meet the “Dry Rule” and petition the MVSL board to be allowed to swim on an MVSL team. (Revised 2015)

3. Rules A and B do not apply to swimmers who have swum the last two consecutive years prior to their age 15 competition year and who participate continuously from that point forward. (To participate shall be defined as meeting the minimum requirements to participate at championships.)

4. There are no limitations on swimmers from common boundary school districts except those in the 15-18 age groups as listed above.




Any variance will be subject to board approval. Variance requests shall be written, submitted by the team president or vice president , emailed to the league vice president and/or Variance Committee Chairperson June 1. The Committee will meet to deliberate by June 7, and decisions will be sent to the petitioning team by June 10. A variance submitted after June 1 will still be considered, but will not be guaranteed the same time lines. Year-round swimmers must provide a letter from their year-round coach verifying the date of the last formal practice of attachment with a year-round team. (Revised 2024)