MONTEREY BAY SWIM CLUB (MBSC) TEAM TRAVEL POLICY

MBSC Team Travel Policy pertains to any designated travel meet that is NOT deemed a Family Travel Meet by MBSC Head Coach and/or Board of Directors

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

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

• 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)

• 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)

• 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.

• During overnight team travel, if athletes are paired with other athletes they shall be of the same gender and should be a similar age.

  1. When athletes are age 13 & Over, chaperones and/or team managers would ideally stay in nearby rooms.

  2. 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 must be given by athlete’s parents (or legal guardian).

• 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.

• 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).

• The athlete and his/her parent or legal guardian must sign a copy of the Club Code of Conduct.

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

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

• The team or LSC staff shall establish curfews each day of the trip.

• 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.

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

• 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.

• 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.

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

  Safety and Behavior

o Club will only use hotel rooms with interior entrances.
o Swimmers and members must wear seat belts and remain seated in vehicles.
o Be quiet andrespect the rights of teammates and others in hotel
o Respect the privacy of each other
o Be prompt and on time
o Respect travel vehicles
o Abide by established travel dress code – TBD prior to the meet by the

Head Coach
o Use appropriate behavior in public facilities
o Abide by the two different curfews which will be coach directed during the meet; in own rooms curfew and lights out curfewo Must stay in assigned hotel room

Financial

General

• Designated meets may include; Sectionals, Futures, Jr. Nationals, Nationals, Time Trials, etc...

• Any MBSC Athlete that has qualifying times and has been approved by the head coach may attend.

• Parent(s) are responsible for getting swimmer(s) to stated departure point and picking them at stated arrival point on time

• Families may attend Team Travel Meets however athletes are bound by the team travel meet policies and rules set forth in this document.

• No room service without permission

• Swimmers are responsible for all incidental charges

• Swimmers are responsible for all damage or thievery at hotel

Code of Conduct / Honor Code

• All team members, team staff, parents and chaperones are apprised in writing of this Code of Conduct and the attached USA Swimming Code of Conduct.

• A signature on this document constitutes unconditional agreement to comply with the stipulations of both documents.

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

• 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.

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

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

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

• Team members are reminded that when competing in meets, traveling on trips, and attending other meet-related functions, they are representing both themselves and Monterey Bay Swim Club. Athlete behavior must positively reflect the high standards of the club (or LSC).

• Swimmers are to refrain from inappropriate physical contact at team activities and events. Swimmers are to refrain from use of inappropriate language

  Failure to comply with the Honor Code 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 athlete’s expense

2. Disqualification from one or more events, or all events of competition

3. Disqualification from future team travel meets

4. Financial penalties

5. Dismissal from the team

6. Proceedings for a LSC or USA Swimming Board of Review

THIS FORM MUST BE FILLED OUT AND RETURN TO THE COACHING STAFF PRIOR TO ANY TEAM TRIP

I, ____________________________________________, have read and agree to this document. Date: _______________________________
Swimmers Name (please print): ____________________________________________________ Swimmers Signature: ______________________________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Name (please print): _______________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature:

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