By Donna Dass
SOMERSET VALLEY YMCA SWIM COACH, MATTHEW DONOVAN, SELECTED
TO ATTEND SPECIALIZED TRAINING CAMP
AT THE UNITED STATES OLYMPIC TRAININGCENTER
It’s every swim coach’s dream to participate in the Olympics in some fashion – preferably by having one of their very own athletes representing the United States. This dream became close to reality for the Somerset Valley YMCA competitive swim team’s (Team SVY) Director of Competitive Aquatics and Head Coach, Matt Donovan. With the 2012 Olympics looming in the near future, Coach Donovan along with three other coaches were selected by the YMCA Coaches Association to assist at the specialized Altitude Training Camp they sponsored at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs held August 15 – 21, 2010. The Altitude Training Camp exposes the most successful and respected YMCA coaches and forty of the most elite YMCA swimmers in the country to experience the sport of swimming on a completely different level to aid in the further development of their swimming careers.
“Spending the week in Colorado was one of the most exciting opportunities I’ve experienced as a swim coach. I am honored to have been on a pool deck at such an amazing facility, and work with some of the finest coaches and swimmers in the nation, some of which I knew separately on different levels. The athletes and coaches who attended this camp were provided an opportunity of a life time.” said Coach Donovan. “Events like this are ones not to be taken lightly. As I coach, it is my responsibility to assist in the further development of swimmers and help them discover their true potential as athletes, no matter for who and where I am coaching. Additionally, new insights gained from this experience will be brought back to the athletes and coaching staff of Team SVY as enhancements to our current youth development program.”
The coaching staff and swimmers were selected to attend this unique altitude training experience based on their performance during the recent short course season. In addition to the training experience, participants were exposed to an in-depth review of the USA Swimming Organization, specialized testing, analysis and education around the sport of swimming. Some of the topics reviewed were the USA swimming levels and anti-doping rules.
“Motivational videos were also shared with the group in an effort to show these elite young athletes that hard work and dedication are important to achieving the success they desire, but once achieved – how sweet it is!” said Coach Donovan.
Under the leadership of Head Coach, Matt Donovan, Team SVY won the 2010 New Jersey State YMCA Championships this past March, placed 7th overall at the 2010 Long Course National Championships in July, and are proud to say they have a National YMCA Champion in that of Sean Johnson, who won the 100 Breast Stroke at the 2010 Long Course National Championships. These results along with the recommendation letters submitted on his behalf to the YMCA Coaches Association, aided in the selection of Coach Donovan for his attendance at the 2010 Altitude Training Camp.
The Somerset Valley YMCA provides the opportunity for more than 350 young athletes to train at the Somerset Valley YMCA facilities located in Bridgewater, Somerville and Hillsborough. As the nation’s leading nonprofit for youth development, the Y provides kids the opportunity to discover their true potential and attain their goals as swimmers in a nurturing, safe and enjoyable environment.
To learn more about Team SVY, visit their website at www.svynj.org.

