Policies

 

 

Please take the time to read our Mission Statement again.  This is the backbone of our coaching philosophy, our racing success and happiness, our motivation to wake up early and our relationships with each other.

Machine Aquatics strives to make a positive difference in the lives of its team members by promoting good sportsmanship, biomechanically sound techniques, nutrition, healthy lifestyle, balance, commitment, responsibility, love for the sport of swimming and self respect. We are committed to creating an environment where each individual athlete may realize his or her own potential. We believe that the healthiest motivation for a child is the motivation that comes from within, and we endeavor to draw out each child's natural energy, hope and courage, thereby fueling the pursuit of their dreams.

Respect. 

Respect for all swimmers, families, coaches, staff, volunteers, friends and competitors.  The primary philosophy of Machine Aquatics is respect for everyone, by everyone.  It is our goal to provide a safe swimming environment that is free of disrespect, hostility, intimidation, or harassment of any kind.  Furthermore, we promote the idea that all swimmers, from 8 & unders to Masters, should encourage their teammates to respect each other.  In keeping with these primary goals, the Machine Aquatics Staff has developed a policy against harassment of any kind.

 

 

Policy:

Machine Aquatics strictly prohibits, and will not tolerate, harassment of any kind, from any employee, customer, athlete, official or agent toward any other employee, customer, athlete, official or agent from this or any other team.  This policy prohibits harassment in any form, including sexual harassment.  Sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to, unwelcomed advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct or written communication of an intimidating, hostile, or offensive nature.

Any Swimmer or Parent who is determined to have engaged in harassing conduct is subject to discipline, up to and including revocation of his or her membership with Machine Aquatics.

Any Employee or Coach who is determined to have engaged in harassing conduct is subject to discipline, up to and including immediate termination.

All reports of misconduct will immediately be turned over to USA Swimming & proper authorities. In addition, Machine Aquatics will thoroughly investigate any reports of harassment/ misconduct in a timely manner.

 

 

Procedure:

1) Any swimmer who believes that he or she is being harassed should immediately

report the offensive conduct to his or her coach, USA Swimming, his or her parents & proper authorities.

2) Any coach or other employee who feels that he or she is being harassed should immediately report the offensive conduct either to his or her immediate superior or USA Swimming & proper authorities

3) Within 24 hours of receiving a report of harassment, Machine Aquatics will immediately contact proper authorities, will contact USA Swimming and in addition we will begin our own investigation of the claim

4) If the reported harassment involves conduct by a swimmer against another swimmer, the parents or guardians of both shall be informed, as quickly as possible, but no more than 48 hours after the coach or owner are made aware of the offensive conduct.  If possible, and within the coach’s discretion, the swimmers shall be separated by practice location until the investigation of the alleged conduct is complete.

5) If the immediate safety of any athlete, coach, employee, official or agent is in question, the accused will be temporarily suspended from all team functions, including but not limited to practices, meets, meetings, etc.

As required by Federal, Virginia and/or Local Laws, Machine Aquatics may report instances of harassment to Law Enforcement Agencies for further investigation and possible prosecution.

 

Hiring Practices:

Machine Aquatics owners personally interview all potential Machine Aquatics, LLC employees.  All Machine Aquatics coaches must pass a background screening administered by USA Swimming.  Effective immediately, Machine Aquatics will utilize the services of a third party Security Firm to conduct even more aggressive and thorough screening of all, present and future, employees, contractors and agents.  This screening will include but is not limited to professional and personal reference checks, criminal background screening and interviews with former clubs and/or swimmers/ parents.

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

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

c.     Regardless of gender, a coach shall not share a hotel room or other sleeping arrangement with arrangement with an athlete (unless the coach is the parent, guardian, sibling, or spouse of that particular athlete). (305.5.A)

d.     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)

e.     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).

f.      All participants are expected to know and strictly adhere to all travel & meeting schedules. Being prompt and on time is essential.

g.     Swimmers may not order room service or food from any other source without the coach or chaperones permission.

h.     All incidental charges (long distance phone calls, room service, movies, etc.) will be charged to the swimmers assigned to that room if not paid for prior to departure.

i.       Any damages or thievery incurred by the hotel will be at the expense of swimmers assigned to that room, and further disciplinary action will be taken.

j.       Swimmers are expected to be quiet and respect the rights of teammates and other hotel guests during evening hours and during rest time between prelims and finals.

k.     Cell phone usage

§       A time for the utilization of cell phones (this includes texting) will be outlined by the coaching staff or chaperones – calls taking place outside of this time period will result in the removal of the athlete’s cell phone.

§       If the coaching staff or chaperones allow cell phones to be kept overnight, phones should be set to silent or alarm only mode so as not to disturb teammates who are rooming with you. Any athlete complaining of being disturbed in the middle of the night by a cell phone will result in the removal of cell phone privileges for the offender. The same policies regarding cell phone usage apply to the use of computers (this includes Facebook, Twitter, Skype, etc.).

l.       Travel vehicles are to be treated with respect and kept neat. Any damages to vehicles will be the responsibility of the parties involved.

m.    Both athletes and non-athlete adult members must respect the privacy of each other in situations such as changing clothes, showering, etc.

n. All swimmers are expected to strictly adhere to the curfew established by the coaching staff. Curfew extension or permission to leave the room past curfew can only be granted by the coaching staff. Curfew is not   enforced if the swimmer is under direct parental control, but compliance with team curfew is desired.

o.     Swimmers must stay in the hotel room assigned to them. Swimmers may not change rooms or roommates without authorization from the Head Coach and/or Head Chaperone.

p.     No athlete will travel when any illness is evident to the athlete’s parent or coaching staff.

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The mission of USA Swimming is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in all aspects of swimming. USA Swimming grants the privilege of membership to individuals and
organizations committed to that mission. The privilege of membership may, therefore, be withdrawn or denied by USA Swimming at any time where USA Swimming determines that a member or prospective member's conduct is inconsistent with the mission of the organization or the best interest of the sport and those who participate in it. In order to assist all members to better serve the interests of those who participate in swimming,
USA Swimming has adopted this Code of Conduct.

The USA Swimming code of Conduct is available at www.usaswimming.org under the member resources/ athlete protection tab.

Please sign here to indicate that you have reviewed and agree to adhere to all polices listed on the USA Swimming Code of Conduct. 

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§       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.
• In addition, any team member found or suspected to be in the presence of, or having direct knowledge of others (regardless of team affiliation) partaking in any of the above activities will be subject to the same punishments.
• Team members will display proper respect and sportsmanship toward coaches, officials, administrators, teammates, fellow competitors and the public at all times.
• Each team member is reminded that when traveling on trips, competing in meets, and attending other meet-related functions, you are representing both yourself and the Machine Aquatics program. Your behavior must positively reflect the high standards of the club.

Failure to comply with the Honor Code as set forth in this document may result in disciplinary action

a.     Such discipline may include, but may not be limited to:

                         i.     Dismissal from the team and immediate return home at the athlete’s expense.

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

                       iii.     Disqualification from future team travel meets;

                      iv.     Financial penalties.

                       v.     Dismissal from the team

§       Swimmers are to refrain from inappropriate physical contact at team activities and events.

Team shall have the right to establish and use one or more systems to determine if team and staff members have followed all aspects of the Honor Code.