Weldon Ridge

All parents and swimmers are expected to abide by the adopted Codes of Conduct, which is agreed to during registration.  Parents should ensure swimmer understaning of these expectations.

PARENT & SWIMMER CODE OF CONDUCT

As a member of the Weldon Ridge Barracudas Swim Team (“Weldon,” “ Barracudas,”), I am part of a swimming organization that believes teamwork, integrity, respect and good sportsmanship are more important than winning. By signing this Code of Conduct, I agree to follow the rules for behavior and sportsmanship while I am a member of the Barracudas. The following guidelines state the principles expected of all members to demonstrate and uphold.

Weldon is fortunate to have experienced coaches working to develop our children into better swimmers, and more importantly, teaching and instilling important life skills. These skills include time-management, self-discipline and sportsmanship. Your child will reap the benefits of swimming long after his/her participation with the Barracudas ends.

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 and the Head Coach oversees the direction of the staff.

PART I – PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT

• Set the right example for our children by showing respect and common courtesy at all times to the team members, coaches, competitors, officials, parents, and for all facilities and other property used during practice or competition.
• Respect the integrity of swim officials by assuming decisions are based on honest, objective evaluations of performance. Only coaches or the team TSA Representative may approach meet officials for clarification of rulings.
• Understand that opposing teams, including their swimmers, coaches, and fans, want the same positive experiences for their swimmers as we do. Help Weldon achieve our goals by avoiding criticism either verbally or by gesture. Look for opportunities to build rapport with teams that we compete and work with.
• Demonstrate good sportsmanship during all practices, competitions and team activities. Weldon wins gracefully, loses graciously and congratulates their opponents either way.
• Support your coaches as they strive to do what is best for each swimmer. Our expectations and methods are based on USA Swimming, the American Swim Coaches Association and other recognized swimming authorities. Realize that swimmers become easily confused when coached by parents and benefit most from positive reinforcement of the professional coaching staff’s instructions and advice. Your unconditional love and support before and after races will help them best.
• Represent Weldon with excellence, respect, team spirit, good sportsmanship, and politeness.
• If you have coaching concerns, address it with the appropriate coach in private. If you have club concerns, address it with an Weldon Ridge Swim Team board member in private.
• Ensure that responses on any of the team's communications channels (voicemails, Email, GroupMe) remain professional and considerate.
• Insist that your child refrain from using prohibited substances, violence, abusive or foul language, inappropriate sexual conduct or any other behavior deemed dishonest, discourteous, offensive or disrespectful of others.

PART II – PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist the coaches in conducting effective practices by ensuring swimmers arrive and leave on time, and bring the proper equipment.
• Arrive at meets in time for volunteer or swimmer check in, stretching and warm-ups.
• Know your role. Swimmers – Swim / Coaches – Coach / Officials – Officiate / Parents – Parent (and cheer)
• Do not interrupt or confront the coaching staff on the pool deck during practice or meets, including not being present on deck during practice or competitions unless you are working at the meet. Coaches are available before or after training, meets and competitions for feedback or to discuss issues.
• Assist the coaches by not talking with or motioning to swimmers during practices unless clearing it with a coach first.
• Do not speak harshly or directly to a child who is not your own. Please contact a coach or a board member if you have an issue with another parent's child. The Weldon Ridge Swim Team Board member or coach will approach the child's parent, if necessary.
• Maintain self-control at all times. Refrain from inappropriate behavior that detracts from a positive image of the team or is detrimental to our performance.
• Be an active participant in all fundraising events and other team activities and encourage and support your child by ensuring your child is timely for all events.
• Trust and support your swimmer’s and coach’s decisions around goal-setting, training commitments, swim event entries, and meet schedules. Do not impose your ambitions on your child.
• Any questions about disqualifications, judging, etc. should be directed to your swimmer’s coach.

PART III – SWIMMER CODE OF CONDUCT

The undersigned athlete participating with/for the Weldon Ridge Barracudas agrees to abide by the guidelines outlined below in addition to those established by the staff.

• Swim for the fun of it, not just to please your parents or coach.
• Make every team practice, meet participation and activity an opportunity to learn.
• Represent the Barracudas with excellence, respect, team spirit and politeness.
• Follow the directions of the coaching staff, respect official instructions and designated chaperones. Disrespect or failure to obey instructions will not be tolerated from any athlete.
• Practice good sportsmanship at all times to the team members, coaches, competitors, officials, parents and for all facilities and properties used during practices, competitions and team activities.
• Be punctual and arrive on time for all practices, meets and team events. Pool time is very valuable.
• Attend all team meetings, practice sessions and swim meets (if registered for meets), unless excused by staff or have made special arrangements with a coach.
• Be an active participant in all team practices, competitions, fundraising events and other team activities.
• Swimmers must notify the coach, in advance, if they are planning to leave practice or swim meets early.
• Wear Weldon team caps at all practices and appropriate team swim suits and team caps at all swim meets. This displays team pride and also makes it easier to identify swimmers on the starts and in the water.
• Focus on every drill and every set. Be committed to putting forth your best effort every day. An honest effort does not include cutting laps, pulling on lane lines or missing send offs/sets.
• Disruption of practice by an athlete will be grounds for removal. Continual cheating in a practice will be considered a disruption of practice.
• Pay attention and follow all of the coach’s instructions completely and exactly. If clarifications are needed, ask questions politely.
• Use appropriate language. Use of profane or abusive language or obscene gestures will not be tolerated.
• Dishonestly, theft, and/or vandalism will not be tolerated.
• Indiscreet or destructive behavior will not be tolerated.
• Every effort should be made to avoid guilt by association with such activities as those listed above.
• Swimmers are expected to respect each other. Fighting, intentional touching or striking another athlete will subject the swimmer to the most severe discipline, including removal from the team.

Swimmers are expected to follow the spirit of the rules as well as the specific rules. The coach must adapt this philosophy to an infinite number of situations. Swimmers are asked to respect the coach’s directions and give their full cooperation. Cooperation with teammates and staff will produce a productive practice environment and competitive environment for all.

PART IV – VIOLATION OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT BY SWIMMERS

The following penalties for violating the Club's Code of Conduct include, but are not limited to, the following penalties:

• The swimmer will be given a verbal warning.
• The swimmer will be pulled out of practice in addition to a verbal warning and the coach will contact the parent.
• If the swimmer continues his/her bad behavior, he/she will be suspended for one (1) week (there will be NO prorated fee). If the swimmer's disciplinary problem continues, the swimmer and parent will meet with the coach to discuss the problem further.

PART IV – VIOLATION OF THE CODE of CONDUCT BY PARENTS

Violation by parents who fail to abide by the code of conduct, will be discussed and voted by the Board and may include, but not limited to, the following penalties:

• The Board will give the parent a written warning.
• The Board will inform parent that swimmer will not be allowed to practice in next four practices or next upcoming meet.
• The Board will remove the parent and swimmer from the roster.
• Parent/swimmer will be banned from joining Weldon Ridge Swim Team in the future.

Your acknowledgement during registration indicated, you have reviewed the Weldon Ridge Barracudas Swim Team Code of Conduct with the registered athlete(s) and the athlete(s) understands the Weldon Ridge Barracudas Swim Team Code of Conduct. You (the parent/guardian) and the swimmer(s) agree to abide by this Code and accept the penalties for not abiding by these rules. Any non-compliance may be subject to disciplinary action determined by the coaches and/or the Board, which may include expulsion from the team.