CIA General Information

For CIA to continue being a successful swim program it requires understanding and cooperation among parent/guardians, athletes and coaches. The following guidelines will help your athlete reach their full potential as a swimmer.

  • Please make every effort to get your swimmers to practice on time.
  • Parent/guardians supply the love, recognition and encouragement necessary to make athletes work hard during practice and perform well in competition.
  • The coaching staff guides, motivates and constructively criticizes the performances of our swimmers.  When parent/guardians offer coaching advice to athletes it may confuse them especially if it conflicts with instructions given by coaches.  If you have a problem, concern or complaint about training please discuss it with a coach.
  • Almost all swimmers have meets where they do not swim well. These plateaus are a normal part of swimming.  Remember that you can always find something positive about your athlete's performance.

Team and coach communication

Communication among members is vital to CIA! We use several channels to reach our membership.

  • The CIA website is the main communication tool for the team. It includes current announcements, practice schedules/changes, meet entry information and financial accounts for each family. New members can register online through the website.
  • Email is primary means coaches communicate with members and athletes. Please ensure your email contact information is correct during registration.
  • CIA also has a Facebook page and a Twitter account that we encourage all members, athletes and their family and friends to follow for team information and pictures.
  • General questions or comments can be sent to the coaching staff or board members and they will do their best to answer promptly.
  • The coaching staff always welcomes input from parent/guardians and are available to answer questions before or after practice.  Please do not ask questions during practice as this is the swimmers' time.

If you have questions, concerns or issues with the coaching staff we encourage direct communication with the coaching staff or a board member. Please bring any concerns to the coaching staff and we offer these guidelines for discussing issues.

  • Remember that you and the coaches both have the best interests of your athlete at heart.  Focusing on this shared goal should produce good rapport and constructive dialogue.
  • Keep in mind that coaches must balance what is best for your athlete with the needs of the team or training group.
  • If your athlete swims for an assistant coach always initially discuss the matter with that coach.  If the assistant coach cannot satisfactorily resolve your concern, then ask the head coach to join the dialogue as a third party.
  • If another parent/guardian uses, you as a sounding board for complaints about coaching performance or club policies listen empathetically but encourage the other parent/guardian to speak directly to a coach.

Parent/guardian code of conduct 

As the parent/guardian of a swimmer and member of Central Iowa Aquatics, it is expected all parent/guardians abide by our code of conduct.  Registering with CIA assumes an agreement to comply with our parent/guardian code of conduct below.

  1. Practice teamwork with all parent/guardians, swimmers, and coaches by supporting CIA's core values of team loyalty, integrity, competition and hard work.
  2. Practice restraint by not coaching or instructing the team or any swimmer at practice or meets, and by not interfering with coaches on the pool deck.
  3. Demonstrate good sportsmanship by conducting myself in a manner that earns the respect of my athlete, other swimmers, other parent/guardians, volunteers, officials and coaches at meets and practices.
  4. Understand that non-constructive criticism, name calling, use of abusive language, gossip, and/or gestures directed toward the coaches, officials, other parent/guardians, and/or any participating swimmers will not be tolerated.
  5. Enjoy involvement with CIA by supporting the swimmers, coaches, and parent/guardians with positive communications and actions.
  6. Assimilate into the Central Iowa Aquatics culture and actively participate in a volunteer role supporting the team and our athletes.
  7. During competitions, any questions or concerns regarding decisions made by meet officials or our coaches must be directed to the CIA head coach.
  8. Bring any problems, concerns, or constructive criticism to the board president.
  9. All parent/guardians must also abide by the USA Swimming Code of Conduct and the applicable portions of the following USA Swimming/CIA Policies below.
    • Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (MAAP)
    • Anti-Bullying Policy
    • Photography Policy