This post hits home because it highlights a truth many of us are living: when there’s no clear, consistent, and inspiring message from leadership, the vacuum gets filled with fear, frustration, and burnout at all levels.
IMHO, the root of the issue lies with those in leadership who either can’t or won’t recognize that they’re the source of the problem. Their resistance to more modern, effective team management isn’t about ignorance, it’s about comfort. They benefit from the current structure (or lack thereof), so they have no incentive to change, even as the rest of us absorb the fallout.
The result? A sport that feels closed off not because of what it is, but because of how it’s presented. When the words used at the top are either outdated, completely missing, or self-serving, they don’t create a world of belonging. They instead create confusion, disconnection, and distrust, the exact opposite of what many coaches on the deck are actively trying to build.
These opposing forces aren’t just causing tension at the local level, they’re holding the sport back as a whole. Grassroots efforts can’t thrive when leadership continues to undermine them, whether intentionally or through inaction. We can’t grow if the people at the top refuse to acknowledge they’re standing in the way. Until they’re willing to take a hard look at their role in the problem, no amount of bottom-up momentum will be enough to create real, lasting change.
So the real question becomes: how do we give those in charge the space to sit in their own discomfort when the system is built specifically to shield them from it? More importantly, are they even capable of change if it threatens their sense of control? Or will they resist to the point of implosion?
Plus, when in the pool, head in the water, hearing is hard if not impossible. So, speaking softly in our environment is not going to get the messages to resonate.
Truly, though, swimming needs a new narrative for these things to be expressed about our sport again. The narrative we have is out-of-touch and driving rational parents and families away. In 2025, what sane parent wants their young children to be forced to do one activity at least 4 times a week from Sept to March?
This post hits home because it highlights a truth many of us are living: when there’s no clear, consistent, and inspiring message from leadership, the vacuum gets filled with fear, frustration, and burnout at all levels.
IMHO, the root of the issue lies with those in leadership who either can’t or won’t recognize that they’re the source of the problem. Their resistance to more modern, effective team management isn’t about ignorance, it’s about comfort. They benefit from the current structure (or lack thereof), so they have no incentive to change, even as the rest of us absorb the fallout.
The result? A sport that feels closed off not because of what it is, but because of how it’s presented. When the words used at the top are either outdated, completely missing, or self-serving, they don’t create a world of belonging. They instead create confusion, disconnection, and distrust, the exact opposite of what many coaches on the deck are actively trying to build.
These opposing forces aren’t just causing tension at the local level, they’re holding the sport back as a whole. Grassroots efforts can’t thrive when leadership continues to undermine them, whether intentionally or through inaction. We can’t grow if the people at the top refuse to acknowledge they’re standing in the way. Until they’re willing to take a hard look at their role in the problem, no amount of bottom-up momentum will be enough to create real, lasting change.
So the real question becomes: how do we give those in charge the space to sit in their own discomfort when the system is built specifically to shield them from it? More importantly, are they even capable of change if it threatens their sense of control? Or will they resist to the point of implosion?
Branding 101 stuff, right?
There are thousands of good options.
Agree that words need to have deeds as well.
Plus, when in the pool, head in the water, hearing is hard if not impossible. So, speaking softly in our environment is not going to get the messages to resonate.
Well done, Matt! I hope folks are listening.
My wish for the words expressed:
“Fun” expressed by swimmers.
“Enjoyable experience” expressed by parents.
“Worth it” expressed by everyone involved.
Truly, though, swimming needs a new narrative for these things to be expressed about our sport again. The narrative we have is out-of-touch and driving rational parents and families away. In 2025, what sane parent wants their young children to be forced to do one activity at least 4 times a week from Sept to March?