PRO SWIMMING CODE OF CONDUCT

As the Northwest’s premier center for health and wellness, PRO Club is much more than a gym.  It is a resort-style destination dedicated to your family’s whole health, with the region’s most expansive offerings of fitness, luxury, and family fun.

PRO Club and PRO Swimming organizations are committed to providing a safe, caring, and nurturing environment for all Members and their families. We have prepared these guidelines to assist all concerned in understanding what is expected of them in their role as an athlete, parent/guardian, or as a PRO Swimming coach or employee. This document and relevant attachments will be updated annually and at the beginning of every season.

Program participants are expected to display good sportsmanship in support of PRO’s Vision, Mission and Values and should be aware of the non-negotiable guidelines detailed in this document before choosing to join. Additionally, all participants on our team are subject to PRO Rules and Regulations and to the USA Swimming (USAS) Code of Conduct.

The Director of Aquatics or PRO’s Director of Safety & Security have the authority to remove any member or guest from the Club premises for conduct that is determined to be opposed to the Club and PRO Swimming. Additional consequences are outlined below.   

MISSION, OPERATING PRINCIPLES

MISSION STATEMENT

PRO Swimming is a competitive swim team inside of PRO Club which exists to promote the development of character in our member athletes by encouraging healthy choices, discipline, integrity, confidence and courage, regardless of level, both in and out of the pool through the vehicle of competitive swimming. 

OPERATING PRINCIPLES

  • We are committed to sharing the values of our sport with young people who may discover that swimming is an activity they can enjoy for their entire life.
  • Whole heartedly support each swimmer as a well-rounded individual
  • Improve through hard work, focused learning, and fun at every practice.
  • Work together to achieve more than possible as individuals
  • Have fun supporting and being supported by team mates
  • Create a space where the desire and the realization of improvement is celebrated
  • Increase knowledge and awareness of each stroke and race
  • We develop our swimmer’s technique, competitive skills, and abilities through high quality appropriate instruction and coaching
  • We are committed to providing a safe, healthy and positive environment for athletes. We have athlete protection policies and guidelines in place that align with USA Swimming's Safe Sport program.

SPORTSMANSHIP

Program participants are required to exhibit a high level of sportsmanship at all Club-related events at all times. They should promote mutual respect, display positive behaviors, engage in open and constructive communication, and support program coaches, officials, volunteers, and administrators.

As a swimmer, I understand that swimming is a privilege and not a right. I will display positive behaviors at all times as a representative for PRO Club. I will demonstrate respect for other teams before, during, and after meets; respect the judgment of meet officials and volunteers; abide by the rules and avoid behavior that might incite conflict. I will accept favorable and unfavorable decisions, as well as victory and defeat, with equal grace.

As a parent/guardian/supporter of PRO Swimming, I will demonstrate respect for all swimmers, coaches, officials, other participants, as well as other parents/guardians. I will accept decisions made by meet officials, even when they favor the other team; recognize outstanding performance from all participants; avoid derogatory or inflammatory remarks about other team’s members or officials; and I will be an exemplary role models by positively supporting all participants.

Coaches of PRO Swimming will set a good example, exemplifying the highest moral and ethical behavior.  They will treat other teams’ coaches, participants, and parents/guardians with respect, thereby teaching swimmers the responsibilities of good sportsmanship. The coaches will demand good sportsmanship and team-oriented behaviors from all swimmers, in swimming and in life.  

CONFLICT RESOLUTION PROCEDURE

PRO Swimming members/participants address conflicts or concerns in the following manner:

Swimmers (age appropriate) are encouraged to learn responsibility by speaking with their coach directly. If a swimmer feels that the situation has not been resolved after speaking with their coach, they should arrange to communicate with the parent/guardian and coach. Direct communication is the most effective way to solve conflict or resolve concerns. There are additional resources in Aquatics available for additional resolution if needed.

LOCKER ROOM CONDUCT

  1. Pick up towels and clean up after yourself in the locker room. Leave the locker room in better condition than you found it.
  2. Soap and conditioner dispensers should be used only as intended.
  3. Disrespectful behavior, foul language, horseplay, and destructive behavior in the Locker Room will not be tolerated and will result in immediate disciplinary action.
  4. As a member using the locker room, loitering, running, excessively loud conversations, and space monopoly in the locker room should not occur.

CLUB PROPERTY

  1. Club property shall not be removed from the Club or premises without written approval from Executive leadership.
  2. Any cost of expense resulting from damage to Club property by a member or guest shall be charged to the responsible member.

EMPLOYEES

  1. No member or guest shall reprimand any employee. Comments regarding poor service or discourtesy should be directed to Club Management

MINOR TRAVEL & MASSAGE

  1. Minor athletes will not travel alone with an unrelated applicable adult. Minor athletes will not share lodging overnight with an adult athlete on official team travel. Minor athletes will not recieve any massage or athletic training modalities performed by a coach or unrelated applicaple adult outside of formal massage therapists/physical therapists scheduled by a parent. 

PARENTS/GUARDIANS

Parents/guardians contribute to the success experienced by the athlete and the entire team. Adults serve as role models and their children emulate their attitudes. We ask all PRO parents/guardians to be aware of this important opportunity and strive to be positive role model for all the swimmers. Remember that you are teaching your swimmer/athlete at all times. As a parent/guardian, we expect you to:

  1. Demonstrate for your child the values of respect, team work, good sportsmanship, loyalty, and hard work along with other parents, coaches, and PRO staff members.
  2. Enjoy involvement with PRO Swimming by supporting the swimmers, coaches, and other parents with positive communications and actions.
  3. Provide support to your child, no matter how they perform either at practice or in competition. It is important to encourage and reward effort, not just results. They might need to work through and “figure things out for themselves.” This includes the ability to not compare one swimmer’s progress to another.  
  4. Help your child recognize their dreams and support their ambitions. Acknowledge your swimmer’s fears and encourage their goals, not just ‘the win’. Do not impose your ambitions on your swimmer.
  5. Ensure that your child eats nutritiously balanced meals, gets plenty of rest, and balances their academic requirements with their other activities.
  6. Understand the parent role in volunteering to make team events successful.
  7. Demonstrate appropriate conduct in regard to specific behaviors, language, and conduct while at practice and swim meets. This includes addressing your swimmer’s poor behavior choices swiftly and constructively to reduce the likelihood of it happening again.
  8. Allow the coach to do the coaching and honor your coach. Inform your coach of any relevant issues at home that may affect your swimmer at practice. You can also inquire on the progress of your child.  The coaches are your allies.
  9. Be loyal and supportive of the team and their development.
  10. In keeping with PRO goals of providing an optimum training environment for all swimmers, we strongly encourage parents to limit their time on deck watching workouts. Parents are welcome to view workouts from the pool side benches directly at the shallow end of the pool, but are not allowed to walk up and down the deck, following their coach or swimmer. All conversations with coaches need to happen outside of practice times. Please note that coaches generally go directly from one practice session to another and conversations may need to be handled via email.

EXPECTATIONS FOR ATHLETES

As a member of PRO Swimming, I will abide by the following code of conduct:

  1. I will treat my coach and all other staff at the PRO Club with respect at all times, and use proper channels to address any problems or complaints.
  2. I will adhere to the coaches’ rules governing practice sessions and PRO Club’s facility rules.
  3. I will arrive at practice and swim meets with the mind-set of working hard to improve myself and encourage my teammates to always do the same.
  4. I understand that I am expected to wear a PRO Swimming cap at all meets and practices (if I am wearing a cap) and a team shirt at all meets, as this displays team pride and makes PRO Swimming more visible.
  5. I will support PRO Swimming and all of my teammates by helping to create a positive environment.
  6. I understand that I am a valuable part of PRO Swimming and that my absence from any one practice has a negative effect on my team’s training environment and that my presence at practice and meets contributes to the overall success of our team.
  7. I will use social media responsibly in support of my team and teammates both in and out of PRO Club.

UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT, HARASSMENT AND BULLYING

Unsportsmanlike conduct, harassment, and bullying will not be tolerated at PRO under any circumstances and may result in immediate suspension from the team, pending further review by PRO staff. 

UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT: Displaying behaviors inconsistent with the Vision, Mission and Values of the Club such as disrespecting another individual or group, being discourteous to others, displaying bad temper, using inappropriate language, raising voices, being unfair or knowingly violating the rules, cheating, etc.

HARASSMENT: Harassing behaviors of any nature that have the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an employee's or coach’s work performance, with a swimmer’s participation in the program, or in any way creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment, may result in immediate suspension from the team, pending further review by Aquatics Management and PRO Safety & Security. 

BULLYING: Bullying is considered a form of harassment and is potentially devastating to the victim, counterproductive to team spirit, and may result in immediate suspension from the team, pending further review by Aquatics Management and PRO Safety & Security. 

The USA Swimming Code of Conduct specifically prohibits bullying. Should anyone become aware of a bullying incident, he/she is expected to immediately report the matter to his/her coach, the Head Coach, or the Aquatics Manager.  PRO considers the act of bullying as defined in this document to include and apply to all PRO members, guests and swimmers.

RULES AND CONSEQUENCES

At no times will the following be tolerated:

  1. Use or possession of any illegal substance (i.e. alcohol, drugs, tobacco)
  2. Destructive behavior
  3. Inappropriate or unruly behavior on deck, in the locker rooms, in the club, or at team events
  4. Inappropriate language (swearing or derogatory comments) or lying
  5. Stealing/vandalism
  6. Bullying or isolating another swimmer
  7. Interference with the progress of another swimmer during practice or at any other time

Consequences of Failing to Comply with PRO Swimming’s Code of Conduct:

Failure to comply with the Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action issued by the Head Coach and/or Aquatics Management after consultation with PRO Club Staff.  Such discipline may include, but may not be limited to:

  1. Verbal reprimand, suspension, or dismissal from the team for current season or ongoing
  2. Proceedings for a LSC or USA Swimming National Board of Review
  3. If traveling, dismissal from the trip and immediate return home at the athlete’s expense
  4. Disqualification from one or more events, or all events of a competition
  5. Disqualification from future team travel meets
  6. Financial penalties associated with meet or team cancellations
  7. Gross misconduct could result in loss of PRO Club membership up to and including parent’s membership

PRO SWIMMING CODE OF CONDUCT AGREEMENT

As members and swimmer(s) of PRO Swimming, our signatures in registration fomrs acknowledge that I/we have received, read and agree to abide by the standards outlined in the PRO Swimming Code of Conduct.  I/we understand that failure to comply with those standards—whether that failure be our own or our children’s—may result in suspension or termination from the PRO Club and/or the PRO Swimming.