Known by different names, such as the Prattville Stars and Stripes and the Prattville YMCA Sea Lions, competitive year-round swimming in the City of Prattville has existed since 1969.

Since 2004 the competitive year-round swim team in Prattville has been the Prattville Swim League (PSL); renamed PSL to correspond with the partnership that was officially created that year between the City of Prattville and the Prattville YMCA. PSL has dual affiliations competing annually throughout the Southeast as both a YMCA Association swim team as well as a USA Swimming (USA-S) swim team. At its earliest inception the program offered a well-balanced approach to the pursuit of competitive sports. That tradition continues today offering the children (and they are children) on our team an opportunity to grow as individuals in “spirit, mind, and body” while they master stroke technique and swim competitively.

The entire PSL staff as well as the larger Prattville YMCA stress religious, educational, civic, and personal development before swimming. PSL encourages all swimmers to participate in other activities to include YMCA Leaders Club, Boy and Girl Scouts, and all of the various school and church programs in which our swimmers participate. We even encourage our swimmers to explore other sports such as gymnastics, basketball, football, and running. We strongly feel these recreational and civic endeavors lead to better rounded citizens. PSL swimmers are continually achieving higher standards in school and the larger Prattville community as well as in the pool. In addition, becoming a PSL swimmer gives each child the opportunity to create lasting friendships throughout the Prattville area. These long-lasting friendships extend beyond the lanes lines and past the meet schedule.

Over the past five years, PSL has seen tremendous growth in both numbers and the overall quality of the program. In 2002, the PSL team consisted of around 30 swimmers mostly under the age of 12. Since 2003 the active roster number grew to 70+ over the course of a season; and since 2004 the number has remained constant at 80+ swimmers. A large number of those joining and staying with PSL are drawn by the quality of the coaching staff. A staff, that in 2002 numbered 2.5, is now 6 motivated and trained coaches with several additional part-time dryland coaches.

The PSL coaching staff is a team within the PSL Team. At present the coaching staff is comprised of individuals who actively coach on a continual basis. Each coach brings unique skills and coaching methods to the pool. What the staff lacks in swimming pedigree is far outweighed by a sincere drive to improve the program for the children by enhancing what they themselves bring to the pool. Each of PSL’s coaches continually strives to improve their skill set, a personal commitment which is supported with a structured and evolving training program. In addition, the Prattville YMCA is energized to support the community with first-rate facilities and sustainable vibrant programs. The combination of a self-motivated coaching staff and an energized YMCA allows PSL to continually improve the quality of the entire program.

During the colder months, PSL practices at the indoor 4-lane facility, which rather than limiting our program, provides the impetus for finding creative ways to improve outside the lane lines. As the weather warms, PSL practices in the Prattville City 50-meter pool and the YMCA’s Don M. Smith outdoor pool in addition to the 4-lane facility.

Over the summer months, a very large portion of PSL short course swimmers compete as Prattville Flying Fish. The number of PSL swimmers changing to the Flying Fish swim caps is understandable as the PSL coaching staff switches caps as well to create the adult nucleus of the coaches for the city’s swim team.

Every potential member joining PSL is evaluated by the coaching staff and placed in the appropriate practice group. The minimum requirements are for swimmers to swim 25 yards each of backstroke and freestyle. For those swimmers not able to swim the required strokes, the Prattville YMCA has a developmental swim team, private swim lessons, and group swim lessons; all available year round.

If you want your child to belong to a team dedicated to the child’s personal growth you should visit the Prattville YMCA and talk to any of our coaches. Again, PSL’s purpose is to provide each and every child the opportunity to grow first as a citizen and secondly as a swimmer. Hope we will see you soon.