Parent Code of Conduct - found in RAYS Family Handbook

Our organization highly encourages the following parental behavior:

• Open communication between coaches, swimmers and parents emphasizing goal-setting and focusing on the performance expectations of both the swimmer and the parents;
• Positive reinforcement of all swimmers in all situations - team spirit, team loyalty;
• Parental involvement on the Parent Advisory Board and in organizing and running of meets, fundraisers and other team events.
• Our organization will not tolerate the following parental behavior:
  • Coaching your children at practice or during meets; that is the coach's job;
  • Interrupting or confronting the coaching staff on the pool deck during practice or meets;
  • Abusive language towards coaches, swimmers, parents, officials and your own children;
  • Any behavior that brings discredit or disruption to our swimmers and our organization.
  • To this end, RAYS expects and requires parents of swimmers and members of the Workout Club to abide by the following guidelines:
  • Practice teamwork with all parents, swimmers and coaches by supporting the values of Discipline, Loyalty, Commitment and Hard Work.
  • As a parent, not to coach or instruct the team or any swimmer at practice or meets (from the stands or any other area) or interfere with coaches on the pool deck.
  • Any parent communications with on deck coaches during any practices, must take place before or after practice, unless parent is approached by a coach.
  • In the event that there is a disturbance amongst RAYS personnel the issue must be handled in a calm, and respectful manner. At no time, is it acceptable to escalate the conversation or make any parties feel uncomfortable.

• Any issues amongst RAYS personnel must to be addressed via email to the head coach within 3 hours of occurrence, to be sure those issues are resolved in a timely manner.

• If issues cannot be resolved by both parties, the Workout Club, along with the head coach(es)we will take appropriate action. In some cases, that may mean immediate removal from the Workout Club and permanent loss of Workout Club privileges.

• We ask parents to let the coaches handle any swimmer issues during practice. If any on deck coach(es) feel they need parents’ assistance, they will ask the parent or PAB member for his/her help.

• Demonstrate good sportsmanship by conducting themselves in a manner that earns the respect of their children, other swimmers, parents, officials and the coaches at meets and practices.

• Maintain self-control at all times. Know their role: Swimmers – Swim, Coaches – Coach, Officials – Officiate, Parents – Parent

• As a parent, they understand that criticizing, name-calling; use of abusive language or gestures directed toward the coaches, officials, and/or any participating swimmer will not be permitted or tolerated.

• Enjoy involvement with RAYS by supporting the swimmers, coaches and other parents with positive communication and actions.

• During competitions, questions or concerns regarding decisions made by the meet officials are directed to a member of our coaching staff. Parents address officials via the coaching staff only.

• Should a parent of a RAYS swimmer conduct themselves in such a way that brings discredit or discord to the RAYS or USA Swimming, they voluntarily subject themselves to disciplinary action.

• RAYS maintains the right to terminate any membership with/without cause in the interest of our vision, mission and objectives.

• Please refer to the Workout Club agreement signed during registration for specific information.

• The coaches’ responsibility only extends to the pool and pool deck area during prescribed practice. Once the child exits the pool area the coaches can no longer be held responsible for the child’s actions, behavior, or whereabouts.

• It is the responsibility of the parent to provide proper supervision of their child(ren).

The RAYS are fortunate to have highly experienced, professional coaches working to develop our children into better swimmers and more importantly, disciplined people. As parents, it is absolutely essential that we give our coaching staff the respect and authority they deserve to run our swim team. Our coaches are hired for that purpose.