Welcome to the Team!

 

SWAT was designed to encourage advanced aquatic skills, teamwork, and to teach the principles of good sportsmanship through both competitive and developmental swimming.  SWAT is dedicated to providing a safe and supportive environment that allows its swimmers to pursue their goals and fully develop their competitive swimming potential. We instill a sense of pride, accomplishment, and competition so that each swimmer can experience the rewarding aspects of the sport while acquiring life-enhancing qualities such as self-esteem, integrity, discipline, citizenship, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

A successful swim team season consists of both time and dedication from the parents, the pool staff, and the coaching team.  While at times it may seem difficult to find the time for everything, always keep in mind that we all must work together to create the most successful and enjoyable SWAT season for our children.  

We strongly believe that each swimmer, regardless of age or ability, is an important part of our team. We are committed to providing personalized instruction that teaches the value of individual merit and team competition. We want everyone to have fun, realize their personal potential, and enjoy the life-long benefits of competitive swimming.

Any time is the right time to swim, so make a splash and Sign up today!

 

It is important to keep in mind the following:

Swimmers –> SWIM

Coaches –> COACH

Officials –> OFFICIATE

Directors –> DIRECT

Parents –> PARENT
 

Parent Code of Conduct

The essential elements of character-building and ethics in sports are embodied in the concept of sportsmanship and six core principles: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship.  The highest potential of sports is achieved when competition reflects the “six pillars of character.” (Arizona Sports Summit Accord) 

The greatest contribution you can make to your swimmer’s progress is to be a loving, supportive parent. A parent’s role is to supply encouragement, mental and moral support.  Parents are welcome at practice.

The coaches’ attention needs to be focused on the swimmers during practice.  The coaches will be available before and after practice each evening to discuss concerns or suggestions.  The coach’s job is to motivate and constructively criticize the swimmer’s performance.  It is the parent’s job to supply the love, recognition, and encouragement necessary to make the child work harder in practice, which in turn gives him/her the confidence to perform well in competition.  Each of our coaches has a different style of coaching.  Some coaches are loud and some are quiet.  No matter their style, they are seeking to motivate your swimmer to reach for their full potential.  Please make every effort to have your swimmers at practice on time.  Realize that your child is working hard and give all the support you can.

 

Therefore, I agree to:

1. I will inform the coach of any physical disability or ailment that may affect the safety of my child or the safety of others.  
2. I (and my guests) will be a positive role model for my child and encourage sportsmanship by showing respect and courtesy and by demonstrating positive support for all swimmers, coaches, officials, and spectators at every meet, practice, or other swimming event.  
3. I will demand that my child treat other swimmers, coaches, officials, and spectators with respect.  
4. I will teach my child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.  
5. I will respect the officials and their authority during meets and will never question, discuss, or confront coaches on the pool deck (from the stands during practice or meets), and will take time to speak with coaches at an agreed-upon time and place.
6.  I will resolve conflicts with other parents, coaching staff, and board members in an open and amicable manner.
7. I will keep communication open with all parties involved.
8. I will pick my child up from practice no later than 15 minutes after practice has ended.
9. I also agree that if I fail to abide by the aforementioned rules and guidelines, I will be subject to disciplinary action that could include but is not limited to the following: 1) Parental meet suspension with written documentation of the incident kept on file.  2) Verbal warning by official, head coach.  3) Written warning.  4) Parental season suspension.

 

Athlete Code of Conduct

Sothern Water Aquatic Team (SWAT) strives to promote the following opportunities for its members:

1. The development of basic and advanced swimming skills
2. The enhancement of physical and mental abilities through individual effort and teamwork.
3. An environment which supports and encourages all members of the club, regardless of age or ability.
4. An atmosphere that encourages friendships and social activities among the swimmers, parents, and coaches.

As a member of the Sothern Water Aquatic Team, each athlete will be expected to conduct himself/herself in accordance with the following provisions at practices, meets, social activities, and all other occasions where the member is representing the club:

1. All SWAT members shall exhibit good sportsmanship in and out of the pool.
2. All SWAT members shall arrive at practice with all gear; suit, goggles, and cap.
3. All SWAT members shall make every effort to attend all practices.  If a member cannot make it, the member or parent shall contact a coach.
4. All SWAT members shall follow the coaches, officials, and other administrator's rules and instructions at all times.
5. All SWAT members shall behave in a responsible manner, including not using or possessing alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco, or other banned substances.
6. All SWAT members shall respect and take care of all property and facilities whether the property belongs to the member, a teammate, an opponent, or any other person.
7. Bullying (as defined in the USA Swimming Code of Conduct) by any SWAT member is prohibited.
8. All SWAT members shall not use profane language or be disrespectful to another person.  
9. No form of photography or videotaping of any kind (including cell phones and social media) shall be allowed in locker rooms.
10. All SWAT members shall not participate in horseplay, running on deck, or any other activity that would create a danger to themselves or others.

 Failure to comply with the Code of Conduct will result in the following disciplinary actions:

1. A disciplinary letter will be sent home which explains the misconduct. Prior to the member returning to practice and/or competition, the disciplinary letter must be signed by the member's parent/guardian and returned to the Head Coach.
2. In the event of repetitive and/or excessive misconduct, the Head Coach, the coaching staff reserve the right to decide upon and enforce an appropriate consequence for the member's misconduct.
3. If the Head Coach believes that suspension or expulsion from the team is an appropriate consequence based on the member's misconduct, the member's parents/guardians, the member, and the Head Coach must meet to discuss the misconduct prior to the suspension or expulsion being enforced.  Any expelled swimmer will not receive a refund.

The SWAT coaching staff endorses and support this Code of Conduct.  Any questions concerning the policy or actions that result from this Code of Conduct shall be directed to the Coaches.

 

Competitive/ Non-Competitive Swimming

Competitive – Swimmer has a desire to achieve time-related goals for their age group by competing in USA-sanctioned swim meets.

Non-Competitive – Swimmer has basic swimming skills and would like to improve stroke, speed, and swimming ability without the desire to compete.

 

Team Unify Website – Team Communication

Communication is vital to any organization, and it must be a two-way street.  Coaches will make every effort to convey information to swimmers and their parents through TeamUnify.  Likewise, team members and their parents need to communicate with coaches in order to avoid misunderstandings and to inform them of things that may affect a swimmer’s training and competition.  The responsibility for maintaining effective communication rests with all parties.

• Please sign-in and create an account through TeamUnify
• Verify E-mail and cell information is correct, as this is our way of communicating

 

Payment of Fees

Monthly meet fees may be invoiced on Team Unify.  Parents will be emailed a link that will take them to their account information.  Billing may include but is not limited to meet fees, which are based on the number of events your swimmer swims.  The entry fees vary for every meet.  Payments may be made electronically or a check placed in the box outside the coach’s office.

 

Weather Policy

The safety of our swimmers is our top priority. In the event of inclement weather, which leads to the closure of the pool, with our best efforts, we will try to give parents at least fifteen minutes notice by the time practice is scheduled to begin. 

It is the coaches’ judgment as to whether practices will be postponed or canceled due to inclement weather. Parents should also use their own judgment when sending their children to practice. In the event of a cancellation, the Coaches will remain at the pool until all children are picked up.

 

Swim Meet Etiquette

Your child’s first swim meet is very exciting accomplishment, but we ask you to be mindful of not only the other parents, but what is being asked of you by the coaches. 

SWAT Meet  Checklist

Planning for the Meet

• Swim cap
• Team Swimsuit
• Goggles
• Sharpie and Highlighter
• 2 or more towels
• Parka or Blanket
• Snacks and drinks (healthy foods and water/sports drinks)
• Meet Heat Sheet (purchase at the meet)
• Folding chairs
• Entertainment (magazines/books/portable video games)

 

DO’S & DON’TS 

Do: Be courteous to others trying to watch their swimmer swim.

Don’t: Be impatient and disrespectful because you don’t want to lose your place.

 

Do: Have your swimmer near the “bullpen/clerk of course” at least six events before your child is to swim

Don’t: Make the coaches have to run around searching for your swimmer.

 

Do: Feel free to watch your swimmer from the sides of the pool deck.

Don’t: Be behind the blocks for you are more than likely in the way of a coach and or volunteer who is trying to place swimmers in correct lane. 

 

Do: Have your swimmer “marked up” and aware of what they are swimming before it is time for their event.

Don’t: Approach a coach and or volunteer asking what event you child in competing in when races are actively going on.