NST Parent Code of Ethics

To have a successful program there needs to be an understanding and cooperation among parents, swimmers, and coaches.  The progress your child makes depends primarily on the quality of this triangular relationship.  Research has consistently shown that the leading cause of swimmer burnout is when this relationship is not cooperative. 

The coaches understand the trust you have given in allowing them to teach your child.  We appreciate and respect your role as a parent.  You primarily control the environment in which your child is growing up, and thus your child is a product of your values.  When your child enters athletics, under the direction of a coach, the parent loses some of his/her ability to remain objective in matters concerning their training. 

Please recognize that the coach is the Coach.  We want your swimmer to communicate with his or her coach as soon as possible concerning swimming matters.  Respecting and encouraging this relationship between coach and swimmer produces the best results.  When parents interfere with opinions as to how the swimmer should train it causes considerable, and sometimes insurmountable, confusion as to whom the swimmer should listen to.  If you have a problem, concern, or complaint please contact the coach and try to privately resolve those issues.  The parent’s role is to provide the support and recognition necessary to encourage the child to work hard in practice, which will in turn give him/her the confidence to perform well in competition.  It is the coach’s role to set the training standards and guidelines.

During practices and during a swim meet is not the appropriate time to discuss your swimmers progress, group advancement or race results. Please arrange a separate time.

One of the traditional swim team communication gaps is that some parents feel more comfortable discussing their disagreements over coaching philosophy with other parents rather than taking them directly to the coach.  Not only is the problem never resolved, but also often results in new problems being created.

• Keep in mind, that the coach is committed to this sport and has your child’s best interest in mind.  If you trust that the coach’s goals match yours, even though his/her approach may be different, you are more likely to enjoy good rapport and a constructive dialogue.
• Remember that the coach must balance your perspective of what is best for your child with the needs of the team or a training group that can range in size from 10-20 members.  On occasion, an individual child’s interest may need to be subordinate to the interests of the group, but the long-term benefits of the entire group compensate for an occasional short-term inconvenience.
• 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 concerns, ask the head coach to join the dialogue as a third party.
• If another parent uses you as a sounding board for complaints about the coach’s performance or policies, encourage the other parent to speak directly to the coach.  He/she is the only one who can resolve the problem.
• Like everyone else, coaches are not perfect. Mistakes, oversights, and miscommunication happen. The NST coaching staff sincerely wants the best for your swimmer.

Parents/guardians will...

Review the Athlete Code of Ethics with my swimmer(s) and also abide by all ethics. 

Lead by example and display positive sportsmanship for all swimmers, coaches, officials, and other team parents at every swim meet, practice, or other team related events.

Place the emotional and physical wellbeing of my child ahead of my personal desire to win. Swim meets are for the swimmers not for the adults.

Insist that my child swim, compete or engage in club activities in a safe and healthy environment. Therefore, I will not use drugs, tobacco, or alcohol during any club sponsored activities.

Have my swimmer to practice and to meets on time with all his/her gear and ready to participate.

Pick my swimmer up promptly at the end of practice.

Make sure my swimmer and family understand the Newport Rec and Aquatic Center rules. If they arrive early, they are not to be in the water or on deck before the designated practice start time. Should my swimmer arrive early, my swimmer(s) is to sit in the designated area and refrain from running around and causing a disruption or distraction. 

Will be responsible for the other friends and family members who come with me/my family to support the swimmer and make sure they also abide by the code of ethics.

Will remember that my child participates not only to experience and develop competitive swimming skills, but also to learn new life skills, make friends and have fun!

Will treat other swimmers, team parents, coaches, fans, and meet officials with respect regardless of race, religion, creed, or ability and will demand this in my swimmers as well.

Will refrain from team/Coach bashing and venting to other team parents on the bleachers or at any events.  I understand there are ways to solve issues and talk with team staff respectively through the team communication app, email, and/or scheduling meetings.  

Will NOT interfere with any regularly scheduled swim practices or swim meet warm- ups. I will refrain from disciplining, admonishing, correcting, and or "coaching" my swimmer or other team swimmers.

Not use practice times to discuss issues or problems concerning the "coaching" of the swimmer. Instead, we will use the appropriate team communication app and/or schedule a separate time to talk, privately and respectfully, with the coaching staff. 

Anyone who is not USA Swimming registered are not to be present on deck during practice. If the parents/guardians’ presence or the presence of anyone who is with the family becomes a distraction the coaching staff will notify the board, and the board will address the issue. If an amicable resolution is not reached or the problem continues the individual causing the distraction will not be allowed to attend practices.

Parents/guardians understand that the Newport Swim Team shares publicly about its swim team and programs with the community. This includes press releases to the news media, postings on the team's web page and social media sites. Parent/guardians understand that my signature gives permission for my child's first and last name and photo/image to be used by the Newport Swim Team staff and the news media for non-commercial purposes. 

Bullying is prohibited. The severe or repeated use by one or more NST parents/guardians of an oral, written, electronic or other technological expression, image, sound, data or intelligence of any nature (regardless of the method of transmission), or a physical act or gesture, or any combination thereof, directed at any other swimmer/staff member that has the effect of:

• ​Causing physical or emotional harm to the other member or damage to the other member’s property.
• Placing the other member in reasonable fear of harm to themselves or of damage to their property.
• Creating a hostile environment for the other members at any NST/USA swimming activity.
• Infringing on the rights of the other member at any NST/USA Swimming activity.
• Materially and substantially disrupting the training process or the orderly operation of any NST/USA Swimming activity.
• Falsely accusing anyone of the above actions.

The coaching staff and the NST Board have the final word on any rule. Failure to comply with this Code of Conduct may result in, but not necessarily be limited to, any of the following actions:

• Coach talks with parent/guardian
• Written letter from the Board 
• Suspension from specified length of time to be determined by the Board.

For a broken Code of Ethic or concern please report to the Head Coach. If there is no resolution is reached, please contact the Board of Directors.