THE CODE

Fox Mill Estates Swim Team

Parent and Swimmer Code of Conduct

Fox Mill Estates (FME) Swim Team seeks to provide an environment that best supports its swimmers as they strive to reach their individual goals. FME Swim Team encourages personal achievement via healthy competition, but not at the expense of fun, which it values above all else. To this end each swimmer must know that their conduct at practices and swim meets affects and should support every other swimmer’s ability to learn and the coaches’ ability to teach. Membership on the FME Swim Team is a privilege.

EXPECTATIONS

A swimmer should:

Remember that at practice, during swim meets and in public, he/she represents the entire FME Swim Club. He/she should represent FME with excellence, team spirit, good sportsmanship, and politeness.
Be respectful towards all teammates, opponents, officials and parent volunteers.
Support all team members regardless of their ability, gender, or age.
Attend regular practice sessions as determined by the coach and be on time.
Resolve differences through conversation and compromise. Disputes not successfully resolved verbally should be referred to the head coach.
Attend the developmental (so-called *B*) meets, held on Monday nights. The swimmer may choose which events (strokes) they will swim, following the *B* Meet rules.
Be available to swim in all competitive (so-called *A*) meets, unless the coach has been notified of the swimmer’s non-availability. The swimmer will swim the events assigned by the coach. *A* meets include the Saturday morning meets, Herndon Olympics and Relay Carnival.
Stay in the swim team area during swim meet. The coach must be able to quickly locate every swimmer, to tell them when to report to the clerk of course.
Be quiet for the start of each event or heat at all swim meets, so that all swimmers can hear the starter.
Cheer for team members while they are swimming.
Remain in the water to congratulate the swimmers in the lane(s) next to you at the end of your heat, before exiting the pool.
Use the trash receptacles in team area. Help to clean up the team area before leaving at the end of practice or a meet, even if you are not the last to leave.

A swimmer must:

Observe and follow the posted rules of FME Swim Club and those of the host pool during “away” swim meets.
Refrain from any conduct that is frightening, harassing or hurtful to others.
Refrain from throwing objects. Any items in the pool area can be dangerous if thrown.
Use appropriate language and behavior. Profane or abusive language, obscene gestures demeaning or derogatory comments toward another individual during swim meets or practice will not be tolerated.
Be respectful of each other. Intentionally striking another person will subject the swimmer to the most severe discipline.
Respect and care for the property of others. Vandalism, intentional damage to property or theft of property will not be tolerated.
Not possess or use weapons, alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs and/or legal drugs used in a manner inconsistent with the manufacturer's intended use at any swim team events. Violation of this rule will be grounds for immediate expulsion from swim team for the remainder of the season, with no refund of swim team fees.

Parents must:

Keep the absence schedule current so that coaches and volunteer coordinators are aware of your availability.
Check the weekly *A* “meet sheet”, to see whether your children are swimming. Even swimmers who are not regularly entered in *A* meets, may be on the list.
Be unobtrusive during practices and leave all coaching to the coaching staff.
Under no circumstance initiate a conversation with a coach during practice or a swim meet.
Be available to work a minimum of 3 A Meets (if your child is competing) and 3 B Meets.
If your child swims in both A and B meets, you must be available to work both meets.

CONSEQUENCES

The coach will handle behavior contrary to the Code of Conduct, section I. part B, during practices in a manner appropriate to the swimmer’s age.

Under no circumstance will the coach, while coaching on deck, engage in a conversation with a parent concerning an individual disciplined during a practice session.
If the behavioral infraction jeopardizes the safety of swimmers, or if a swimmer continues to violate the Code of Conduct after repeated and documented attempts to re-educate as to the Code, an immediate and temporary suspension may be imposed.
The coach will inform the parent following any 2nd infraction reprimand or, if the coach deems the violation to be of a serious nature, on the 1st infraction. This may be done verbally or in writing. The coach will maintain records of any serious violation or 2nd infraction violations to include the date, incident description, and swimmer's signature. A copy of this record should be forwarded to the Team Representative.
Violations of the Code of Conduct that occur on the pool deck during a swim meet will be adjudicated by the referee and/or the Team Representative. Under no circumstance will the referee be obligated to delay the meet to discuss the issue with parents. One of the assistant coaches will relay information to the parents, but discussion will be postponed until after the conclusion of the swim meet.
Parents who violate the Code of Conduct during practice will be asked to leave.
Swimmers whose parents do not volunteer in some capacity will not be allowed to participate in swim meets.

1^st infraction– reminding the swimmer of the Code of Conduct and redirection to the desired behavior.

2^nd infraction – a period of sitting out. The specified time of sitting out will be determined by the disciplining coach. The main focus of the coach remains with the group. Should a 2^nd infraction occur during a swim meet, while the swimmer is in the clerk of course, the swimmer will be removed from that event. The parent(s) of this swimmer will be promptly notified of the infraction.

3^rd infraction – dismissal from practice or swim meet. If a swimmer has been dismissed from practice, they may not leave the pool deck area until the practice session is over and the coach personally speaks with and dismisses the swimmer. Should the disciplined swimmer wish to call his/her parents for immediate pick-up, he/she may do so with permission from the coach. The swimmer must remain on the pool deck until the parent arrives and the coach is notified that the swimmer is now under parental supervision. The discussion of the incident must be postponed until a time that is convenient for the coach.

4^th infraction – suspension from the team. In the event of a suspension or expulsion from the team, the Team Representative will be notified as soon as possible, by the coach. A meeting time will then be set with the Team Representative, coach and parent(s) to discuss possible reinstatement to the team or permanent dismissal. The team representative(s) and coaches reserve the right to expel a swimmer for behavioral reasons at their discretion, without refund.

APPEALS

Prior to the first practice of the swim season, the Swim Team committee of the Fox Mill Swim and Tennis Club (FMSTC) will appoint a Code of Conduct Appeals Committee. This committee will consist of one (1) member of the FMSTC pool board, one (1) certified official from the FME swim team and one (1) FME swim team parent volunteer as well as an alternate for each position. Parents who are dissatisfied with the disciplining of their child have the right to appeal to this committee. In such an instance, the parent(s) will notify the Team Representative, who will assemble the Appeals Committee. The decision of this committee will be final. Should this committee find grounds for the expulsion of any swimmer for the remainder of the season, there will be no refund of swim team fees.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

2010 SWIM SEASON

We acknowledge receipt of the Fox Mill Estates Swim Team Parent and Swimmer Code of Conduct. We have read it and agree to abide by it.

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