Today we’d like to introduce you to Ron Forrest.
Formed in 1989, (through predecessor programs – Fort Worth Swim Club, Frog Aquatics, Texas Aquatics, Fort Worth Water Works and Tarrant County Aquatic Team-TCAT, and now Fort Worth Area Swim Team) “FAST” has been providing professionally coached swimming since the 1970’s. As FAST has grown, so have the superlatives our program has developed. Since its formation, FAST has produced several Top 10 team finishes at both the Texas State Age Group Championships (TAGS) and the USA Swimming Southern Zone Sectional Championships. In addition, FAST has been and continues to be represented well at major National and International caliber meets as illustrated in our “Superlative” section below.
Highlighting our FAST history of excellence, in 2004 Dana Vollmer became FAST’s first Olympic Finalist and Champion and World Record Holder in Athens, Greece. Four years later, in 2008, marked our return to the Olympic Games as FAST swimmer Camilo Becerra represented Colombia in Beijing. Then, in 2012 Summer Olympics, Dana Vollmer set the world record on her way to the gold medal in the 100-meter butterfly.
In 2005, FAST was the first USA Swimming club not directly affiliated with an NCAA Division 1 team in the state of Texas to be named a USA Swimming National Club Excellence “Gold Medal Club”. This designation was bestowed on only 20 teams in the country based on high performance, contributions to the administration and governance of the sport, and best practices in team business. Currently in 2012 FAST is a Bronze Medal team and has also covered the entire spectrum of the medal stand in the last several years being named a Silver Medal team in 2011.
FAST SUPERLATIVES
* FAST has placed an athlete at EVERY major International swim meet conducted on Earth from 2000-2011. A feat very few swim teams have done in America.
* Had current athletes represent their country and FAST at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games (in 2004 resulting in 1 Olympic Gold medal and World Record).
* 4 athletes for FAST have competed at the World Championships.
* 6 athletes have competed for FAST at the Pan-American Games (including 3 finalists and 1 medalist and 1 Champion).
* 2 FINA 18 and Under World Championship qualifiers (both medalists – 1 Gold Medalist).
* 2 NCAA Champions since 2004 swam for FAST during their age group/high school years.
* Top 15 “TAGS” team in 7 of the last 15 years.
* The First USA Swimming Club not directly affiliated with an NCAA Division 1 team in the State of Texas to be named USA Swimming Club Excellence “Gold Medal Club” (Top 20 Swim Clubs in USA were given this distinction in 2005).
* In 2011, FAST was named a USA Swimming Club Excellence “Silver Medal Club” and in 2012 a “Bronze Medal Club” (Top 100 and Top 150 Swim Clubs in USA).
* From 2001 to 2015, FAST has had an athlete on either the USA National or Junior National (18+Under) Team for 10 of the past 14 years.
* FAST has aided its athletes to athletic scholarships at a wide variety of universities at all competitive levels to the tune of millions of dollars in athletic aid.
* And many, many swimmers, both young and old, had and have a LOT of FUN being part of FAST!!!
We at the Fort Worth Area Swim Team take pride at our elite athletic accomplishments that help FAST to arguably be the # 1 amateur sports team in Fort Worth over the past decade. We continue to strive to continue a tradition of excellence and performance that can also place FAST in the conversation for being the # 1 International caliber High Performance “club” swim team (non-NCAA or NCAA affiliated) in Texas from 2001-2013 based off its direct accomplishments.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being involved in youth sports at any level always has it challenges and struggles.
Mostly, being able to stay competitive and relevant is trying to keep membership growing in a competitive youth sports market with many other sports to compete for families interest and time.
Also making sure we have competitive facilities to train in and foster strong relationships with owners of quality facilities (FAST rents the facilities we train out of, as on average the cost of a full size Olympic facility runs into the millions of dollars to build).
Being able to build a stable, financially sound organization that can actively recruit new membership is a constant focus since swimming does tend to follow other amateur sports where a high turnover rate can be a challenge.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Fort Worth Area Swim Team – what should we know?
FAST is a year-round USA Swimming and USMS Masters (adults) competitive team with ages ranging from 5 to 65 and host ability levels from beginners to Olympic level to World Champions. We offer Age Group swimming programs (elementary through high school age) that compete locally and state wide, and continue on to elite level competitions on the national and international level. We also have adult swimmers in the Masters group.
The Mission of the Fort Worth Area Swim Team is to encourage participation, fitness, health and the lifelong pursuit of excellence through competitive swimming.
FAST’s Team Goal ultimately is to produce athletes that will help to make FAST a competitive team at the Local, State, and National/International level through the development of skills, values, and work ethics which are indicative of both an elite swimmer and a well-rounded person. FAST strives to develop self-confident, goal oriented young people, who will become productive adults in society with a lifelong love for the sport of swimming.
While “winning” can be important, the striving, planning, and learning that leads to the overall competitive experience is of greater importance. Championships, trophies, medals, and records do not begin to compare with the valuable lessons and personal growth that will take place as a result of participation by both swimmers and parents. These lessons can be applied to situations that occur later in life.
The hardest worker does not always win the race, just as the hardest worker does not always earn the most money or success. When one is committed to individual excellence for the good of a team, they are virtually unstoppable. This “teamwork” is important in the business world.
Youngsters are encouraged to learn and progress at their own rate through several different training groups based on age and ability. Younger swimmers are taught basics through “low key” instructional methods, including games. Swimmers are encouraged to learn because they choose to do what is in their best interest, never to avoid punishment for breaking the rules.
Throughout the program the swimmers are taught with varying emphasis the importance of striving to be the best they can be. Along the way, we strive to instill a positive self-image, goal setting skills, basic time management skills, determination, commitment, dedication, and “team support” in each athlete. We like our young athletes to learn and mature at their own rate in a positive and safe climate. The long-term interest of the athlete is kept in mind at all times.
Other Notable FAST Facts:
FAST is very proud of other notable aspects as our program tries to encourage and aid both our athlete members and reaching out into the community. FAST has long been a vehicle to helping the youth of Fort Worth improve themselves through an aquatic vehicle.
In the Class Room
Swimmers tend to carry very high GPA’s and consistently have some of the highest GPA’s of all student-athletes on both High School and College campuses through their learning and mastery of many of the philosophies we encouraged listed above.
Scholarships
One of the areas FAST takes very seriously is the ability to aid student-athletes and their families by opening avenues through sport-based athletic scholarships and performances to a wide variety of top Universities throughout the United States. Giving an athlete a chance to a wide variety of college choices is something FAST is very proud of. FAST high school swimmers have gone on to such institutions as: Harvard, Stanford, Notre Dame, Cal-Berkeley, the University of Texas, Texas A+M, the Air Force Academy, TCU, and SMU just to name a small few.
In just over 20 years, FAST families have received athletic scholarships for their swimmers worth millions of dollars. This is a point of pride to the FAST program, that such awards are now an expectation for each graduating Senior class if the student-athlete plans on pursuing their swimming into the collegiate level.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Over the years, probably the ability to have multiple layers to our program which can enable an entry level swimmer to be able to enjoy the sport, learn and have fun while making new friends, but also our ability to provide a high level competitive environment which can lead to success at all levels, including the International and Olympic caliber.
In doing this, we have fostered an expectation of stability in our parent-volunteer base which is needed to be able to allow success at any level of our team.
Pricing:
- Average price is $90.00 per month (entry level lower, elite level is higher).
Contact Info:
- Website: www.fastswimming.org
- Phone: (682) 309-8630
- Email: https://www.teamunify.com/ContactMe.do?act=new&team=ntfast
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fortworthareaswimming/
- Twitter: @FAST_swim
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