UPDATE IN PROGRESS....

WELCOME!

Welcome to the Naples Tiger Sharks (NTS)! Our team is a year-round, competitive swimming organization offering instruction, training, and competition. The NTS is a member of the European Forces Swim League (EFSL) which is comprised of swim teams from the U.S. and Allied Forces communities. The team competes in local, regional, and EU competitions sanctioned by the EFSL, the governing body for amateur swimming in Europe. The team is non-profit and operated by volunteer Coaching staff. NTS is financed and supported by the Tiger Sharks families, and community fundraising. The NTS is self-sustained primarily through dues, contributions from fundraising, service charges, and fees. The head Coach/Aquatics director, coaching staff, and executive board supervise the management and operation of the NTS. We look forward to working with your swimmer(s)!

The EFSL

The European Forces Swim League is made up of swimming teams of the US Forces, Nato and European Union. They include young swimmers of the primary and secondary cycles of education. The EFSL is not competitive with, nor does it draw participants away from, local competitive swim programs such as national or regional championships. Presently there are 19 swimming teams affiliated to the EFSL, representing more than 1,000 swimmers throughout Europe. These Teams are in: Belgium, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. The NTS are in the Southern Division.

OUR MISSION

To promote the teaching, development, and practice of competitive swimming in the Southern EFSL area. We aim to achieve this by providing a friendly, and welcoming atmosphere that inspires swimmers to achieve their maximum potential through a strong work ethic, discipline, self-motivation, and self-esteem; and to work in a team-building atmosphere that produces long-term success.

COMPETITIVE PROGRAMS

Swimmers are typically placed into a group based upon age and ability level. The NTS strives to ensure there is a place for all athletes who want to swim competitively, whether new to year-round swimming or preparing to compete at a higher level. The coaching staff is also careful to maintain a swimmer-to-coach ratio that allows for an optimal teaching environment. Quality coaching focuses on progressing athletes and introducing training concepts at a higher level.

STUDENT-ATHLETE EXPECTATIONS

Student-athlete members of the Sharks program are expected to strive for competitive swimming improvement. The value of our program and expertise of our coaches are designed for the growth of a competitive swimmer and expectations are set accordingly. Student-athletes who use their time with the shark’s program for reasons other than competitive growth may be asked to find an appropriate program elsewhere. These are the expectations of the swimmers in the Sharks program with respect to their age-appropriate groups. These expectations are meant to establish minimum acceptable behaviors for achieving the goals of the swimmers and of the NTS as a club.

1. Be POLITE – to your teammates and coaches, listen when a coach is speaking.
2. Be PROMPT – to practice and all activities, respect others by respecting their time.
3. Be PREPARED – to practice with the right equipment, suit, clothes, and attitude.
4. Be PURPOSEFUL – in all that you do. To do any of these you must be PRESENT! We strive to have all athletes attend practices as consistently as possible.

SWIMMER’S CODE OF CONDUCT

The overriding principle governing the code for Naples Tiger Sharks is that our swimmers are representing the Naples Military community and should always conduct themselves accordingly. The following policies reflect the rules for student-athletes of the NTS. Disregard for the rules listed here are grounds for termination from the club or suspension from practices/competitions, as necessary.

1. The MWR gym, aquatics center, and bus transport rules are always to be followed, in all facilities including during travel or away competitions. Instructions from any coach are always to be followed.
2. The consumption or purchase of alcohol, smoking or chewing tobacco, or use of any other illegal drug or substance of any kind is prohibited. Team members involved with or in the presence of others using these substances will be considered as participating.
3. Disrespectful, indiscreet, or destructive behavior will not be tolerated. Each swimmer is responsible for making every effort to avoid others engaging in these activities.
4. Use of proper language is always expected.
5. All athletes will treat team members, coaches, staff, and competitors with respect, support, and kindness. These expectations apply to all forms of conduct and communications, whether physical, verbal, written, or electronic.
6. Inappropriate displays of affection between swimmers have no place on the pool deck. Public romance, physical expressions of mutual attraction, or behavior deemed inappropriate by NTS are not allowed.
7. Thievery is not allowed in any facility, campus, or outside of the program. Each swimmer is responsible for replacing accidentally lost or damaged equipment.
8. ALWAYS represent the team positively in your behavior, appearance, and sportsmanship.

VIOLATIONS OF THE SWIMMER’S CODE – SANCTIONS

Coaches have the authority to impose the following penalties for violation of the Code of Conduct. The penalties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• 1^st offense: The swimmer will be given a verbal warning.
• 2^nd offense: The swimmer will be pulled out of practice in addition to a verbal warning and the coach will contact a parent.
• 3^rd offense: Swimmer must leave the pool for remainder of practice. Coach will contact Parent and will be asked to pick up swimmer.
• 4^th offense: If behavior continues, a swimmer will be suspended for one (1) week and will not be allowed to attend practice, meet, fundraiser or team activity that occurs during the period of suspension.
• 5^th offense: If behavior continues, the swimmer and at least one parent will meet with the Coach and a Board member to discuss the swimmer's further participation on the team.

ATTENDANCE EXPECTATIONS

Each training group has specific attendance expectations appropriate for the objectives of that group. The least possible interruption in the training schedule will produce the greatest amount of success. The expectation level of coaches is that practice attendance increases as swimmers move to older groups. We believe each swimmer should strive to attend all practices offered based on the goals and desired outcomes for that swimmer. Please ask your group coach what to expect in any individual circumstances. For the safety and protection of swimmers, they should arrive at the pool no more than 15 minutes before practice starts and be picked up immediately after practice. It is imperative that the swimmers arrive on time so that the coaching staff can efficiently use the allotted time; however, it is also extremely important that children not be left unsupervised at the pool prior to or after practice. The coaching staff is NOT responsible for supervising athletes prior to or after a practice session. Each swimmer should plan to stay the entire practice as each practice is designed to be most beneficial when completed in its entirety. If your child needs to be dismissed early from practice, please notify the coach via email before practice begins. This ensures that the coaching staff is aware of the location of all athletes during a workout session. All practice groups are expected to be at their designated starting place with their practice equipment ready to start practice on time. Swimmers must notify their coach if they leave the pool and/or pool deck at any time during the practice.

WEATHER

Practice is only cancelled if the team is informed, otherwise parents are expected to use their best judgement whether to bring their swimmer to practice. If severe weather is imminent, we ask that parents stay on site in the event swimmers are dismissed. Communication regarding potentially severe weather and all-clear are communicated through SMS texting and social media updates. Parents are asked to update their SMS contact information in their Team Group Account.

SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY

The NTS recognizes the prevalence of electronic communication and social media in today’s world. Many of our swimmers and their parents use these means as their primary method of communication. While the NTS acknowledges the value of these methods of communication, NTS also realizes that there are associated risks that must be considered when members use these methods to communicate with minors and other members. Athletes and parents should remember that being a member for the NTS is a privilege, and they are expected to portray themselves, their team, and their community in a positive manner or risk club expulsion.

1. NTS members will not use derogatory language, including sexist, racist, homophobic, obscene, or profane material of any kind.
2. NTS members will not use social media to degrade, demean, or attack any person, team, or organization.
3. NTS members will not use social media to contact team coaches.
4. NTS members will only post appropriate material to the club’s profile, or any other Swimming website.
5. All communication between swimmers and coaches will be related to the team's activities and should be limited to communication as outlined in the communication policies in this handbook.

COMMUNICATION EXPECTATIONS

We strive to communicate as effectively as possible with all members while also balancing policies that protect our staff, families, and young swimmers. We welcome conversations with parents and student-athletes even if the content of the conversation can be difficult. The content and intent of all electronic communications must adhere to the EFSL Code of Conduct regarding Athlete Protection. Upon notification of any violation of the Code of Conduct, the coaches and/or the NTS Board shall investigate the circumstances of the violation (as necessary) and notify the swimmer and his or her parent(s). The swimmer(s), coach(s) and or parent(s) shall promptly be given the disciplinary action decided upon by the NTS Board for the violation based on the specific case. 

1. Communication from the coaching staff regarding most general topics (upcoming meets, practice changes, etc.) will be sent via email and or Team Group application.
2. Communication specific to your swimmer will come in an email or phone call from a coach.
3. Coaches will not communicate directly with student-athletes unless another adult member and a group of student athletes are copied on the message thread.
4. Coaches will strive to respond to emails within 48 hours. Please be aware that Coaches are volunteers and are likely to work a full day. We try to avoid scheduling meetings with Coaching staff during practice times to prioritize our focus on the swimmers in the water. Coaches are also asked to avoid communication between the hours of 8PM and 8AM to focus on their families and selves, please respect their privacy during those times.
5. Emails and messages with the use of foul language, insults, or inappropriate content will not be considered worthy of responding to and may result in removal from the team. Be respectful and calm even when bringing forth frustrations so that we as a staff may assist in resolving the issue with you.
6. If your child swims for an assistant coach, always discuss the matter first with that coach, following the same guidelines noted above. If the assistant coach cannot satisfactorily resolve your concern, then ask that the head coach join the dialogue as a third party.
7. If another parent uses you as a sounding board for complaints about the coach's performance or policies, listen empathetically, but encourage the other parent to speak directly to the coach. He/she is the only one who can resolve the problem.
8. Discussions with the coaching staff ARE NOT/WILL NOT be held during practice or competitions.
9. Athletes will not call or text their coach unless a parent/guardian or another coach is included in the communication. Likewise, coaches will not call or text their athletes unless another coach is included in the communication.
10. Email: only used for communicating information related to team activities, and a parent/guardian or another should be included. No exceptions
11. Members may additionally request, in writing or by email to the Executive Board, that their child not be contacted by coaches through any form of electronic communication.

PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT

The following rules apply to parents of the NTS program. We consider our parents to be part of our team and if needed, may ask for parents to align their behaviors with the goals of our program. In extreme circumstances, families may be dismissed from the team for parent conduct.

1. During workouts, the pool deck is for coaches and swimmers. If you need to speak with the coaches, please contact them before or after practice. Swimmers and parents are discouraged from disrupting the coach or other swimmers with unnecessary communication, unless of course, an emergency.
2. Parents are responsible for a swimmer's behavior before and after workouts. This extends to carpool members, and bus riders as well.
3. Parents may observe practice from the designated bleacher area. At no time are parents, siblings, or non-registered people allowed on pool deck for liability reasons. Any siblings or guests must always have adult supervision. The pool deck, space outside of the Swim Office, the gym, locker rooms, and jacuzzi area shall remain clear of all patrons.
4. Do not coach or instruct the team or any swimmer at a practice or meet (from the stands or any other area) or interfere with coaches on the pool deck.
5. Demonstrate good sportsmanship by conducting oneself in a matter that earns the respect of your child, other swimmers, parents, officials, and the coaches at meets and practices.
6. Criticizing, name-calling, use of abusive language or gestures directed toward coaches, officials, and/or any participating swimmer will not be permitted or tolerated. These expectations apply to all forms of conduct and communications, whether physical, verbal, written, or electronic.
7. Always maintain self-control.
8. During competitions, questions or concerns regarding decisions made by a meet official are directed to a member of our coaching staff via email or after the session. Parents may address Swimming Officials via the coaching staff ONLY.

MEET SERVICE COMMITMENT

To ensure that the NTS swimmers can participate in team activities, swim meets, as well as supplement operating expenses, the NTS must host swim meets throughout the year. All team affiliated events are staffed totally by parent volunteers and cannot run without family participation. The NTS are fortunate to have an incredible group of very committed members who have volunteered generously; however, it is necessary to implement a Service Hour Obligation policy to ensure that ALL families participate. The intent of this policy is not to raise money, but to ensure that NTS swimmers can participate in competition, as well as emphasize how especially important it is that as members of a team, the volunteer effort required is shared equally among its members. We need help from everyone to continue to support the mission and vision of our team.

1. 1.All families are required to meet a minimum of (40) team support volunteer hours. Failure to meet such requirements will result in a penalty fee of $10.00 for every unfilled hour. Failure of payment will result in immediate removal of membership until payment is received. Swimmers will also be ineligible to receive letters and awards. For $400, you may choose to opt out of your volunteer hour commitment.
2. In the cases of hardship for families with a healthy history of volunteerism, and communication prior to the event will allow the Executive Board to collaborate with you on a reasonable solution.
3. Volunteering at away meets (hosted by other teams) will count towards volunteer requirements and is often welcomed by the host team.

HOW TO SIGN UP FOR MEET SERVICE

Each event is posted on the team group application under the Meet & Events section. Look for “Job Sign Up” next to the title of the event. When clicked, the user is directed to a page that offers the different jobs available, with various time slots to sign up for. Job slots will be available to sign up for one week prior to the event.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

• Award Coordinator- Responsible for labeling, sorting, and distributing awards to teams. Receives data from Statistician for the awarding of the team's "Most Improved" awards. Ensures team has the necessary awards (medals/ribbons) for upcoming meets, and works with EFSL if additional awards are needed, or need to be shipped. Provides awards information to the Executive Board for the ordering of end-of-year awards.
• Assistant Statistician- Responsible for assisting the Statistician. Responsibilities include assisting with the maintenance of a list of current Naples Tiger Sharks swimmers and their official times, management of the statistics for all swimmers at home swim meets and forwarding required statistics to the host team at away swim meets, inputting swimmer data for roster and emergency data and providing the coach a copy of emergency data for pool use. Must attend Statistician Training course. This is a two-year commitment as the Assistant Statistician will assume the role of Statistician the following swim season.
• Clerk of Course- Responsible for all paperwork at the meet before the swimmer’s swim. This includes check-in, seeding, preparation and distribution of cards or lane timing record forms.
• Concessions- Responsible for the coordination of food donations for the concession stand during home meets. Oversees the setup and take down of the stand and check in of food donations. Responsible for tracking food handler certifications.
• DJ- selects music, and controls sound system during the sessions.
• Head Timer – responsible for ensuring that valid times are obtained for each competitor. Specific duties include familiarity with the timing equipment, competency of the timers for all lanes, operation of watches is satisfactory, utilize backup watches for replacement of any watches that malfunction, and testing of the timing system and timers prior to the meet.
• Head Officials – these volunteers run the meet, assure fairness to ALL swimmers, and have completed the requirements to be a USA Swim Official by attending an information meeting, completing an open book online test, background screening, and Athlete Protection test. All parents are encouraged to consider becoming an Official.
• Meet Director- Responsible for organizing and coordinating all meet activities. Responsibilities obtaining a meet sanction, preparing, and distributing meet invitations, organizing meet committees, and distributing results. The primary goal of the meet director is to host a well-organized and efficiently run meet.
• Public Relations- The Publicity Coordinator is responsible for publicizing the team activities and its accomplishments through various means to include but not limited to the Panorama, AFN and other forms of social media. The Publicity Coordinator will also coordinate presentation of the Naples Tiger Sharks information/trifold board at the Area Orientation open house throughout the summer. Responsible for managing all team social media outlets. Coordinates with Team Photographer.
• School Liaison- verify student eligibility to participate in sport, responsible for making sure the high school has a roster of all MS/HS swimmers and the meet schedule. Attends all HS Booster Club meetings for team representation. Get meet results to HS administrator responsible for the weekly Wild Cat News. Turn the HS roster into the Athletic Director of those swimmers lettering.
• Statistician- The Statistician is responsible for maintaining a list of current Naples Tiger Sharks swimmers and their official times. Manage the statistics for all swimmers at home swim meets and forward required statistics to the host team at away swim meets. Manage and input swimmer data for roster and emergency data. Provide the coach a copy of emergency data for pool use. An Assistant Statistician will be appointed by the Executive Board by June preceding any season. The Statistician and Assistant Statistician shall work in concert to ensure continuity of service to the team. Must attend Statistician Training course. The Statistician is also considered a "Member at-large" position and may be called upon to break tie votes by the Executive Board.
• Team Photographer- Responsible for taking swim team pictures. Responsibilities include head shots of swimmers in water, group shots, team picture, meet pictures, team event pictures, and slide show at the end of year banquet. Follows all USA Swim guidelines regarding photographs on deck.

SWIM MEETS

 A schedule of swim meets will be posted on the team website and listed in emails from the coaching staff. These are updated as often as needed and can be subject to change throughout the season. Each coach has a competition plan for every student-athlete in a practice group, and any question about which events a student-athlete should participate in should be directed to the lead coach. NTS swimming is a competitive swimming program and while all levels of competition are supported, every athlete is expected to compete throughout the. All qualified swimmers should plan to attend championship meets as scheduled. Swimmers can expect to participate in 3 to 10+ meets each season. Swim Meets require fees per student-athlete and per event swum. For the host team, this provides revenue to cover the event costs and support the team. These fees are included in your swimmer’s registration fees. Each meet requires a meet surcharge (flat fee to enter), plus a per-event fee. The amounts for these fees can be found in the meet information document posted on each event page. The following policies and procedures apply to Swim Meets and Meet Fees.

• Swimmers (or their families) will be asked via email and by their coaches to “commit” to an event by using our team website or group application. We will only enter swimmers who have committed to be entered to an event. Each meet will have a commitment deadline and we ask that you be aware of the deadline.
• For each event posted a student athlete/family may indicate events they prefer or would like to swim. If there are conflicts with the event order of the competition a family should indicate the conflict in the meet commitment page at the time of sign up.
• Coaches at all levels reserve the right to finalize which events the athlete will swim at each competition. Any student-athlete entered in a competition is eligible for relays in that competition and should plan accordingly.
• Entry in an event past the posted commitment deadline on the team website may not be possible. Families must contact a coach to request late entry. Within a week of the meet start time, any adjustments will be at the discretion of meet officials. Coaches can advise next steps for late entry.

Team Travel Swim are one of the best parts of a swimmer’s experience. Many times, these trips offer a chance to bond with other teammates, make new friends, build great team chemistry, and connect with other parents. We encourage athletes to enjoy travelling with NTS as much as possible. With travel comes additional expenses. If a swim meet requires travelling (staying overnight) you can expect these expenses to cover the following: lodging, meals, parking, and other spectator costs. Please look up the meet location and select accommodations and travel plans appropriate for your athlete. Coaches will provide a schedule and other information to make the trip as organized as possible. Families will incur the expenses for any travel related costs of the meet. Often a team hotel will be designated, and that information will be posted on the event website.