Team Travel Policy for Accokeek Stroke Technique Swim Team

 

Purpose: Athletes are most vulnerable to misconduct during travel, particularly overnight stays. This includes a high risk of athlete‐to‐athlete misconduct. During travel, athletes are often away from their families and support networks, and the setting – new changing areas, locker rooms, workout facilities, automobiles and hotel rooms – is less structured and less familiar. Team Travel is defined as overnight travel to a swim meet or other team activity that is planned and supervised by the club or LSC. 

 

Section 1 ‐ USA Swimming Required Policies   

Club and LSC travel policies must include these policies. These items are Code of Conduct stipulations in the USA Swimming Rulebook.

a. Club travel policies must be signed and agreed to by all athletes, parents, coaches and other adults traveling with the club. (305.5.D)

b. Team managers and chaperones must be members of USA Swimming and have successfully passed a USA Swimming‐administered criminal background check. (305.5.B) 

c. Regardless of gender, a coach shall not share a hotel room or other sleeping arrangement with an athlete (unless the coach is the parent, guardian, sibling, or spouse of that particular athlete). (305.5.A) 

d. When only one athlete and one coach travel to a competition, the athlete must have his/her parents’ (or legal guardian’s) written permission in advance to travel alone with the coach. (305.5C).

 

Section 2 ‐Safe Sport and MAAPP Specific Policies 

a. During team travel, when doing room checks, attending team meetings and/or other activities, two‐deep leadership and open and observable environments should be maintained. 

b. Athletes should not ride in a coach’s vehicle without another adult present who is the same gender as the athlete, unless prior parental permission is obtained.

c. During overnight team travel, if athletes are paired with other athletes they shall be of the same gender and should be a similar age. Where athletes are age 13 & over, chaperones and/or team managers would ideally stay in nearby rooms. When athletes are age 12 & under, chaperones and/or team managers may stay with athletes. Where chaperones/team managers are staying in a room with athletes, they should be the same gender as the athlete and written consent should be given by the athlete's parents (or legal guardian). 

d. When only one athlete and one coach travel to a competition, at the competition the coach and athlete should attempt to establish a “buddy” club to associate with during the competition and when away from the venue. 

e. To ensure the propriety of the athletes and to protect the staff, there will be no male athletes in female athlete’s rooms and no female athletes in male athlete’s rooms (unless the other athlete is a sibling or spouse of that particular athlete). 

f. A copy of the Club Code of Conduct must be signed by the athlete and his/her parent or legal guardian. 

g. Team or LSC officials should obtain a signed Liability Release and/or Indemnification Form for each athlete. 

h. Team or LSC officials should carry a signed Medical Consent or Authorization to Treat Form for each athlete.   

i. Curfews shall be established by the team or LSC staff each day of the trip.

j. Team members and staff traveling with the team will attend all team functions including meetings, practices, meals, meet sessions, etc. unless otherwise excused or instructed by the head coach or his/her designee. 

k. The directions & decisions of coaches/chaperones are final.   

l. Swimmers are expected to remain with the team at all times during the trip. Swimmers are not to leave the competition venue, the hotel, a restaurant, or any other place at which the team has gathered without the permission/knowledge of the coach or chaperone. 

m. When visiting public places such as shopping malls, movie theatres, etc. swimmers will stay in groups of no less than three persons. 12 & Under athletes will be accompanied by a chaperone. 

n. The Head Coach or his/her designee shall make a written report of travel policy or code of conduct violations to the appropriate club or LSC leadership and the parent or legal guardian of any affected minor athlete.

 

Section 3 ‐ Team Specific Policies and Expectations

 

  1. Safety   

    1. Additional guidelines may be established as needed by the ASTS coaches and will be communicated to all individuals participating in the team travel when established. 

    2. All individuals are expected to respect the privacy of each other.

    3. All individuals are expected to comply with state laws while traveling including the use of seat belts and remaining seated in vehicles.

 

  1. Behavior

    1. Be quiet and respect the rights of teammates and others in the hotel

    2. Be prompt and on time

    3. Follow the team’s cell phone policy and USA Swimming Safe Sport Policy in regards to cell phone usage.

    4. Follow the team’s electronic communication policy and USA Swimming Safe Sport Policy in regards to social media

    5. Respect travel vehicles

    6. Follow the team’s travel dress code

    7. Use appropriate behavior in public facilities

    8. Follow the announced “in own rooms” curfew and “lights out” curfews

    9. Stay in your assigned hotel room

 

  1. Financial

    1. No room service without permission

    2. Athletes are responsible for all incidental charges from their assigned room

    3. Athletes are responsible for any damage or thievery from their assigned room.

    4. Athletes must participate in contracted group means unless written permission is given by the ASTS Team Owner.

 

  1. General

    1. Team trip eligibility requirements will be announced at least one month in advance (typically earlier). Coaches will contact the parents of the athletes who meet the trip eligibility requirements once their athlete achieves the requirements.

    2. Each team trip has specific age guidelines based on the meets age guidelines or event age requirements.

    3. Parents are responsible for getting athletes to the stated departure point and picking their athletes up from the stated arrival point unless they provide written approval for another parent to provide transportation.

    4. Each team trip will have specific guidelines for chaperones and whether athlete’s families are welcome to attend the Team Travel Event. 

 

Code of Conduct

Accokeek Stroke Technique Swim Team has developed an Athlete’s Code of Conduct. This code of conduct is published on the team website with the USA Swimming Code of Conduct. A written acknowledgement of receiving and reading the Athlete’s Code of Conduct and USA Swimming Code of Conduct  is required for all team travel and constitutes unconditional agreement to comply with the stipulations of both documents. 

 

Code of Conduct and Sportsmanship reminders:  

a. Team members will display proper respect and sportsmanship toward coaches, officials, administrators, teammates, fellow competitors and the public at all times.

b. Team members and staff will refrain from any illegal or inappropriate behavior that would detract from a positive image of the team or be detrimental to its performance objectives. 

c. The possession or use of alcohol or tobacco products by any athlete is prohibited. 

d. The possession, use, or sale/distribution of any controlled or illegal substance or any form of weapon is strictly forbidden. 

e. No “deck changes” are permitted. Athletes are expected to use available change facilities. 

f. Team members are reminded that when competing in meets, traveling on trips, and attending other meet‐related functions, they are representing both themselves and the Accokeek Stroke Technique Swim Team. Athlete behavior must positively reflect the high standards of the club and Potomac Valley Swimming. 

g. Team members are to refrain from inappropriate physical contact at team activities and events. 

h. Team members are to refrain from use of inappropriate language.

 

Consequences

Consequences of failing to comply with policies including the code of conduct as set forth in this document may result in disciplinary action. Such discipline may include, but may not be limited to: 

i. Dismissal from the trip and immediate return home at the athlete’s expense; 

ii. Disqualification from one or more events, or all events of competition; 

iii. Disqualification from future team travel meets; 

iv. Financial penalties; 

v. Dismissal from the team; and/or 

vi. Proceedings for an Eastern Zone Board of Review or USA Swimming National Board of Review.