MCAT Parent Swimmer Contract, Code of Conduct and Team Rules for Swimmers (revised 10.2012)

·      Swimmers shall respect and show courtesy to their teammates and coaches at all times.

·      If a parent /swimmer have a problem with a coach, it is their responsibility to communicate the problem with that coach.   If the problem escalates or can’t be resolved in this manner, the parent/ swimmer is to take the issue up with the head coach, who will help to resolve any issues.

·      Be on time.  Be ready to get in the water on time for practice and meet warm-ups.   Be prepared to swim.  Have your equipment ready.  Bring extra caps and goggles

·      Be respectful of your teammate’s feelings and personal space.   Swimmers who exhibit sexist, racist or inappropriate behavior towards another person will be excused from the practice or meet and will be subject to a disciplinary process as determined by the head coach depending on the severity of the infraction.  Any coach at any time has authority to ask a swimmer to exit the pool for disciplinary reasons.

·      No dunking, foul language, hanging on lane lines, splashing, spitting, hitting, trash talking, belittling or any other behavior deemed as horseplay is allowed in a practice venue or meet venue.

·      Swimsuits are required for practice.  No bikini’s as a primary practice suit, no cut offs or under garments are allowed to be used as primary swim wear in the pool. Deck changing is forbidden as is shaving at swim meets.

·      Swimmers are expected to wear a team cap for practice, except on casual cap Wednesday.

·      Skateboards, scooters, glass, tobacco, alcohol, roller blades, pets, electrical appliances,  and bicycles are not allowed on deck.

·      Swimmers are expected to exhibit good sportsmanship at practice and meets.

·      Swimmers and Parents shall not ever confront an official or stoke and turn judge at a meet about a disqualification.  This is the coach’s responsibility.  Swimmers and parents will be respectful and courteous to meet volunteers at all times.  If you have a problem, come get your coach.

·       Destruction of locker rooms and theft of property will be prosecuted under the law.  The swimmer and family of swimmer will be responsible for all damages and fees incurred upon collection or prosecution of damages.

·      Parents and Swimmers are responsible for keeping track of their times swum at meets.   Parents and swimmers agree to enter accurate and correct times at meets.  Correct times for your swimmer can be obtained through www.swimconnection.com.  There is a small online membership fee for this service.

·      Swimmers who are ill with contagious viruses and open wounds must tell their coach before entering the water.

·      A swimmer who is injured at practice or a meet must report this to their coach immediately following an injury.  Concussion policy applies to any head injury, Swimmer may not return to practice until cleared by written notice by a medical doctor

·      Swimmers are responsible for checking in, checking postings, and heat and lane assignments, reporting to their coach and for being behind their block prior to their race.  A swimmer will suffer the consequences ( fees, removal from an event or the meet, no show or disqualification) as per the meet sanction or the directive of your coach for missing an event.

·       Swimmers must be at practice a minimum of two days during the week before a meet.   A coach has the right to scratch a swimmer from a meet if the swimmer has not been excused for their absences prior to the meet.

·        I understand that USA Swimming and Pacific Swimming is an organization of trained volunteers.   Meets are operated by volunteers.   I agree to treat volunteers with respect.     

 Specific Team Parent Rules

·      Practice teamwork with all parents, swimmers and coaches by supporting the values of discipline, loyalty, commitment and hard work.

·      As a parent, I will not coach or instruct the team or any swimmer at a practice or meets (from the
stands or any other area) or interfere with coaches on the pool deck.

·      Demonstrate good sportsmanship by conducting myself in a manner that earns the respect of my child, other swimmers, parents, officials and the coaches at the meets and practices.

·      Parents shall refrain from disrupting the practice in any way.  Parents are not allowed to talk to their swimmer or interrupt practice unless it is a life and death emergency, as this disrupts the entire group and focus of the practice session.

·      Parents are expected to keep non-swimming siblings from running around on the deck unsupervised during practice, as this is a distraction and of safety concern.   Non-swimming children shall be supervised by a responsible adult while on any USA swimming sanctioned activity

·      Parents are encourages TO COMMUNICATE WITH THEIR CHILD’S COACH.  The appropriate time is well before practice.  Communicating with coaches during practice disrupts the workout for the entire group.  We want to talk with you.  You can call us, email us or visit with us after practice.

·      Parents are expected to time and volunteer for jobs as needed by our club at swim meets

·      Parents are encouraged to join our board, volunteer for activities , to participate in our team fundraising (bingo), and to learn to be a USA Swimming Official.

·      Maintain self-control at all times. Know my role: Swimmers - Swim; Coaches - Coach; Officials
Officiate; Parents - Parent.

·      I , as a parent, I understand that criticizing, name-calling, use of abusive language or gestures
directed toward the coaches, officials, and/or any participating swimmer or their family will not be
permitted or tolerated.

·      Enjoy involvement in MCAT  by supporting the swimmers, coaches and other parents
with positive communication and actions

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

·      I agree to let the coach know of any other activity that involves rigorous physical activity that my child may be involved in order to prevent injury, exhaustion or illness.  It is especially important to notify the head coach and coaching staff any other swimming related activity and or weight training program.  I understand that swimmers 13 and under, are not to be involved in a weight training program.

·      I agree to provide my child with a sensible nutrition before and immediately following practice.  I understand that swimmers have a special carbohydrate and calorie intake need.  Soda, sugar and foods high in fats are not the best choices for a swimmer.

·      Share the burden among parents by volunteering to time at meets at which our children are swimmers; volunteer to help at swim meets our club hosts,
whether our children participate or not.

·      Support my swimmer in making the minimum number of practices per week, plus one swim meet per month.

USA Swimming Code of Conduct

• I hereby agree to abide by and follow section 305.5D of the USA Swimming Code of Conduct stipulations in the USA Swimming Rulebook.  A signature on this document constitutes an unconditional agreement to comply with the team rules and the USA Swimming Code of Conduct.
• Team managers and chaperones must be members of USA Swimming and have successfully passed a USA Swimming administered back ground check. (305.5B)
• Regardless of gender a coach may not share a hotel room or other sleeping arrangement with an athlete (unless the coach is a parent, guardian, sibling, or spouse of that athlete) (305.5A)
• When only one athlete and one coach travel to a competition, the athlete must have his/her parents (or legal guardian’s) permission  in advance to travel alone with the coach (305.5C)  As a general policy MCAT coaches do not travel alone with MCAT athletes.
• MCAT Coaches are not allowed to transport or drive any athlete, at any time without the express written consent of the legal guardian (parent) and the written permission of the Head Coach.  This must be filed in advance of transportation with the head Coach at the MCAT office. Coaches who drive athletes assume liability, must provide proof of insurance, and understand that they are not indemnified by the club.  MCAT parents are not allowed to transport other athletes without a written consent from the swimmer’s parent or legal guardian.   The MCAT club assumes no liability for transportation of athletes, and all parties agree to hold harmless and indemnify MCAT . and its agents and directors from liability arising out of any and all claims. As a general Policy, MCAT Coaches and chaperones do not transport or provide transportation for swimmers.  This is a parent responsibility.
• During overnight team travel, if athletes are paired with other athletes the athletes should be of same gender and should be similar age. Athletes who are 13 and over will have chaperones staying in rooms that are of close proximity.  Athletes, who are 12 and under traveling on MCAT team meets, must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. LSC meet conduct and policy shall be followed when team members attend those meets.
• Curfews shall be established by the staff each day of the meet.  Athletes agree to abide by curfews.
• When visiting public places, swimmers must stay in groups of no less than 3 and must be accompanied by two chaperones.
• The Head coach shall report any code of conduct violation to the appropriate club/LSC leadership and legal guardian of any affected minor.
• Athletes are to refrain from any inappropriate physical contact at team activities and events.
• Team members and staff will refrain from any illegal or inappropriate behavior that would detract from a positive image of the team or would be detrimental to its performance objectives
• Parents and swimmers agree to follow team rules while traveling.
• Team members and parents are reminded that when they are traveling on trips, competing in team meets, and attending other meet-related functions, they are representing both themselves and MCAT. Athlete and parent behavior must positively reflect the high standards of the club and pacific Swimming.
• Failure to comply with the Honor Code and team rules as set forth in this document may result in disciplinary action.  Such discipline may include but may not be limited to:
  1. Dismissal from the trip and immediate return home at the expense of the athlete and their parent.
  2. Disqualification from one or more events of a competition.
  3. Disqualification from future team travel meets.
  4. Dismissal from the team
  5. Proceedings for a LSC or USA Swimming Board of Review

I agree that my child (swimmer) and I will follow USA and Pacific Swimming procedures and rules. Failure to abide by these guidelines will result in the termination of my swimmer's membership with MCAT 

Swimmer signature____________________________________date______

Parent signature____________________________________date_______

 Coach witness______________________________________date________