The BCYF Flaherty Dolphins need your help! With less than 1 month to go until our coach is transferred, the city has still not provided a feasible plan for the team. This means Boston will lose its ONLY affordable public competitive swim team.
Due to overwhelming community outcry, the city delayed BCYF Flaherty Pool Manager Louis Barnes’ transfer through our Metro League championships last Saturday, March 7th. However after April 11, our team will be without a coach or a clear path for how to keep this incredible public swim team together.
We are urging the city to:
- Stop dismantling the only affordable competitive swim team in Boston - private clubs cost thousands of dollars per year, which many families can’t afford
- Reconsider Louis’ transfer until there is a feasible plan in place
- Work with families to create a sustainable future for the WHOLE team
- Create a dedicated budget for competitive swim
Under Louis’ management for more than 20 years, BCYF Flaherty has been one of the most utilized and successfully run pools in the city. For over three decades, kids who learn to swim at BCYF, through lessons and developmental clinics and teams, have had the opportunity to move to a competitive team and still call BCYF home, often returning as summer lifeguards and working for BCYF more permanently. Don’t let this year’s Dolphins be the last!
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Thank you for signing the petition! There are a few more actions you can take to support the team:
- File a 311 Report: Go to 311.boston.gov, Use the pool address:160 Florence St. Roslindale, MA 02131, Share the impact the BCYF Flaherty Dolphins and Coach Louis have had on your family or neighbors. Ask the city to reconsider Louis' transfer, genuinely partner with team families to create a sustainable future for the team, and dedicate a budget for competitive swimming in Boston.
- Follow the BCYF Flaherty Dolphins on Instagram and Facebook and share our posts.
- Share this petition with 5 of your friends or neighbors.
Community voices made a difference once already. With your support, we can help protect this program for the swimmers and families who rely on it now and preserve opportunity for those in the future.