Bullying Policy
What are some guidelines for preventing bullying misbehavior?
- Zero-tolerance policy adherence means that misbehavior will not be ignored nor tolerated. Athletes need to understand that they must conform with acceptable standards of behavior and treat others with courtesy and respect. This includes teammates, opponents, sport officials, administrators, parents, and coaches.
- Open lines of communication mean NO SECRETS. Athletes are encouraged to speak up for themselves when being bullied. Athletes (bystanders) who recognize another teammate as being bullied are encouraged to report their observations to a coach. Athletes should understand that (a) they can play an important role in helping to maintain discipline, (b) you welcome their input, and (c) you will correct the problem.
- Coaches are encouraged to communicate immediately with head coach who will then contact involved parents, board members, and his entire coaching staff.
- Coaches and board members have the right and the responsibility to step in as we don’t assume that the kids will work it out themselves. As adult leaders, coaches specifically are responsible for modeling discipline, as part of their job.
Remedial actions to take in response to bullying misbehavior.
- Report of every incident to the head coach who then contacts the parents of involved athletes. The head coach will inform the board members and the coaching staff of the incident.
- Involved intervention by coaches and/or bystanders is immediate as misbehavior is not to be ignored. Separate the athletes involved, stay calm and in control. Response is quick and consistent; it sends a message that misbehavior is unacceptable.
- Admonish the misbehavior.
- Verbal warning with a stated consequence if persists or if any retaliatory behavior. Errant athlete told that you’re aware of what’s going on, and remind him or her of the zero-tolerance policy. Explanation of why the actions are wrong is given. The explanation is intended to promote understanding and (hopefully) shaping-up.
- Athlete to verbally acknowledge understanding.
- Titrated withdrawal of privileges, due to bullying behavior, by removal for a period of time.
- If incident during swim practice (deck or in pool) removal to a designated observable spot. A parent may be called to retrieve their athlete but are not allowed on deck or to interfere with practice.
- Loss of locker room privileges especially if this is where incident occurred (more than 50% of bullying episodes occur in locker rooms)
- If behavior continues; consequence is a temporarily removal(s) of the athlete from the team activities of a duration to be determined by coach/board agreement. Withdrawing the privilege of sport participation is considered an advanced form of response cost.
- Loss of meet privileges
- If behavior continues; consequence is the athlete to seek out a professional counselor, at their own personal cost, as a prerequisite for their return to team. This grace would allow the athlete to retain membership and hopefully motivate behavior change. A contract signed to 'not exhibit bullying or retaliatory behavior' written by counselor and signed by errant athlete as part of return. A highlight of this contract would include an understanding of the loss of their team membership if behavior reappears.
- Athlete membership termination as a last resort.
'Extreme' violence, sexual’ bullying/violence is on another level and would include an immediate suspension, mandated reporting to SafeSport and law enforcement, and counseling as first steps.
Club looking to report an incident;
*Log into USASWIMMING.ORG, tap Club tab, then tap My Club, then tap Team Management tab, next tap Reports tab, and finally tap Club Athlete Parent SSRP Progress
* To deal with a Safe Sport concern, contact USA Swimming at (719) 866-4578
*Contact the U.S. Center for Safe Sport to make a report; call (720) 524-5640 or use the online reporting form at https://safesport.i-sight.com/portal or find more information at http://www.uscenterforsafesport.org/
