Dear Editor:

Last week’s article in the Scarborough Leader (“Groups seek to ensure play open to all”) made some very strong points regarding High School sports in Scarborough.  However, it failed to mention that at least two teams at the Varsity level already have significant financial burdens.

Scarborough obviously doesn’t have the facilities to support this program, yet the school offers to pick up only half of the very expensive pool time.  As a result, the 71 member team (which has only just 2 coaches) is split up daily and bussed off to separate facilities in Portland.

What does this mean for our athletes?  Each swimmer or diver is expected to pay or fundraise $150 dollars just to be part of our team.  Additionally, our athletes are expected to purchase their own equipment and team gear.

So while other athletes and families are now facing fees and fundraising, let’s not forget that there are already programs at Scarborough High School who face these financial burdens and have been doing so since the program’s inception 14 years ago.

As Scarborough’s the largest sport with more than 70 athletes, and arguably one of the most successful (both the Boy’s and Girls’ team finished Runners Up at this years’ Class A Swimming Championship), I hope that members of the school board and our community understand that pushing the burden on our swim team any further would spell even greater hardship to a program that has had already faced tremendous obstacles and yet always finds a way to be successful.

State Rep. Sean Flaherty
District 127 (Scarborough)
Head Varsity Swimming and Diving Coach