2025 FVST Handbook
Coaches Invitational Long Course Meet
Flower Valley Swim Team Policies
Swimmers Rights & Responsibilities
MCSL Code of Conduct Information
Parent/Guardian's Code of Conduct
The Flower Valley Swim Team Handbook serves as your guide for the current season. Keep it handy for quick reference. In addition, information can be found on our Facebook page, the FVBRC Website, Flower Valley Swim Team on TeamUnify.
The Flower Valley Frogs undertake an extensive meet schedule consisting of “A” meets and “B” meets, and the Divisional Championship meet and for some, a County All-Star meet. A meets are a formal part of the Montgomery County Swim League (MCSL). Generally, the three fastest swimmers in each event represent the team at Saturday morning A meets and the slate of A meet swimmers changes each week as swimmers improve their strokes and times. B meet swimmers range from “rookies” to highly polished swimmers, offering all members of the Flower Valley team an opportunity to swim in competitive meets. B meets are held on Wednesday evenings. In a swimming week, (the Saturday A meet and the subsequent Wednesday B meet), a swimmer may swim a particular individual event, including the Individual Medley (IM), only once, and may swim a maximum of three individual events and the IM.
Flower Valley also sponsors two levels for pre-team called the “Tadpoles,” and the “Pollyzoggs,” designed for our young swimmers who have not met the qualifying times for the swim team. There is only ONE team at Flower Valley swimming, which includes pre-team, A, and B meets teams. The Flower Valley Frogs are famous in the County for their team spirit and good fun! Behind each Flower Valley Frog, there is another, and another, and another…providing support, encouragement in swimming excellence, and friendship.
The coaching team is responsible for organizing and training a team to participate in competitive swim meets in accordance with the rules and regulations of the MCSL. Private and group lessons outside of team practice that are offered by the swim team coaches/pool staff are not part of the swim team program.
Any family member of the Flower Valley Bath and Racquet Club (FVBRC) is eligible for swim team membership provided that he/she: (a) has passed the deep water test at the pool (i.e., the pool management is satisfied that he/she can swim one length of the pool and tread water for one minute), (b) is not older than 18 on June 1, and (c) can swim one length of the pool within 60 seconds. A child may join the team at any time during the season as long as she/he can meet the above requirements or is transferring from another MCSL team prior to the transfer deadline set by MCSL.
Pre-team is open to swimmers ages 4-7 to learn the basics of swimming and to become part of the Flower Valley Frog family. An adult must stay at the pool during pre-team practice since this is not a drop off activity. Swimmers must be willing to enter the shallow end of the pool with one of the coaches. Pre-team swimmers will practice four mornings a week and participate in a mini meet at the end of the pre-team season.
The Swim Team is sponsored by the FVBRC. The Board member currently overseeing Swim Team activities is the Aquatics Director at [email protected].
Team representatives (Reps) are the team’s official liaisons to the Club’s Board of Directors and to the MCSL, of which Flower Valley Swim Team is a member.
(A) Kate Carrick 202-253-3203 [email protected]
(A ) Regan McKinley 419-376-3722 [email protected]
(B) Carrie Booth 240-426-2969 [email protected]
(B) Andrea Barish 301-922-7601 [email protected]
(Pre-Team) Trish Leonette 301-651-6724 [email protected]
(Pre-Team) Kendra Pasquill 240-644-2064 [email protected]
Flower Valley continues to be a competitive team in the MCSL. This summer we are in Division B. The schedule is as follows:
- Week 1A (June 14): Away at Darnestown
- Week 2A (June 21): Home vs. Country Glen
- Week 3A (June 28): Away at Woodcliffe
- Week 4A (July 5): Away at Bethesda
- Week 5A (July 12): Home vs. Chevy Chase Recreation Association
Our three fastest swimmers in each event will compete in the Saturday meets. All individual events, with the exception of individual freestyle, will have one heat. Individual freestyle will swim two heats, and six of our swimmers from each age group will have an opportunity to swim and score in the freestyle events. Additionally, there will be two graduated relays from each team which are able to score points.
NOTE: The final line-up for all A meets is at the discretion of the Head Coach.
Swimmers selected for the A Meet will be contacted by the coaches and will be listed on TeamUnify on by 9:00 pm on Wednesday preceding the Saturday meet. Every swimmer must commit or decline to participate in TeamUnify. Please let the coaches know (by phone or email) if you will be away for any of the swim meets. The A meet line-up changes every week based on the results of the B meet and is at the discretion of the head coach.
For further information about the MCSL and the rules for Saturday A meets, please refer to the MCSL Handbook. A team copy is available in the file box in the pool office, and all Flower Valley Officials will be provided with a MCSL Handbook.
In an A meet, individual events will be scored for the first five finishers. Points scored will be: 6 points for 1st place, 4 points for 2nd place, 3 points for 3rd place, 2 points for 4th place, and 1 point for 5th place.
Medley relay events (events 1 and 2) and graduated relay events (events 49 & 50) will be scored for the first three finishing teams. Points scored will be: 8 points for 1st place, 4 points for 2nd place and 2 points for 3rd place. The relay teams may change every week and are at the discretion of the head coach.
Ribbons will be awarded to the top six finishers in individual events, and the top three finishers in graduated relay and medley relay events.
Swimmers achieving an “All-Star” time will receive Flower Valley All-Star swim caps. One All-Star cap is awarded per swimmer, per season. All-Star swimmers are ranked in an A meet by the MCSL. Swimmers may check their rank on the MCSL web site.
Our B meets are held on Wednesday nights. This year's schedule is as follows:
- Week 1B (June 18): Away at Clarksburg Town Center
- Week 2B (June 25): Away at Damascus
- Week 3B (July 2): Home vs. Mill Creek Towne
- Week 4B (July 9): Home vs. Arora Hills
- Week 5B (July 16): Intrasquad at home
In a swimming week, (the Saturday A meet and the subsequent Wednesday B meet), a swimmer may swim a particular individual event, including the Individual Medley (IM) (ages 9 and older only) only once. Additionally, a swimmer may compete in a maximum of three individual events and the IM. For example, a swimmer who swims freestyle and breaststroke at the Saturday A meet may swim the IM and either backstroke or butterfly at the Wednesday B meet. Due to time constraints, we might have to limit the number of events swum in the B meet. We request each swimmer rank their choices for the B meet and limit the number of strokes a swimmer may swim (to less than three and the IM). All final entries are at the coach’s discretion.
Qualifying Times have been made in attempt to maximize successes, minimize disappointments, and improve the flow of Wednesday night B meets. They are:
Free Back Breast Fly
8 & Under 1:00 min 1:00 min 1:00 min 1:00 min
9 – 10 yrs 1:00 min 40 sec 50 sec 50 sec
Any swimmer (age 9 and over only) who wishes to compete in the IM must be able to legally swim all four lengths within 2:00 minutes. Also, the IM may be limited to three heats, and ability to swim is at the coach’s discretion.
The B meet sign-up is located on TeamUnify. We may be required to limit the number of swimmers in each event. Every swimmer should indicate with a check the strokes he/she intends to swim on Wednesday night. Please commit or decline to participate in TeamUnify, as the deadline for B meet sign-up is Sunday by 9:00 pm. There will be no deck entries for swimmers that fail to sign up by the Sunday deadline.
Only those swimmers who can swim a stroke “legally” for one length of the pool may compete in that stroke in the meets. Each swimmer’s coach determines whether or not a swimmer is eligible to swim a particular stroke and the coach’s decision will be final.
A coach may decide to enter a swimmer in a B meet as an “exhibition” swimmer. This is done in situations where a time is needed for the swimmer (e.g., they were unable to attend time trials). If a swimmer is entering an event as exhibition, they will not be eligible for heat winner ribbons, place winner ribbons, or to score points for the team. Additionally, exhibition swims do not count towards the total number of events that a swimmer can enter in a week (3 events plus IM), and an exhibition swimmer can only swim as exhibition at coach's discretion.
Individual events will be scored for the first five finishers and ribbons awarded to the top ten times from all heats in each event. The fastest swimmer in each heat will earn a “Heat Winner” ribbon. Ribbons will be distributed as soon as possible after the meets. Swimmers who achieve an “All Star” time at a B meet will receive a Flower Valley All Star cap (one cap per swimmer, per season), but will not be ranked by the MCSL.
“Exceptional Performance Awards” (EPAs) will be awarded after each A and B meet to select swimmers as designated by the coaching staff. All coaches must agree on the EPA awards given out at an A or B meet, Swimmers will be chosen based on their spirit, effort, and individual success in a particular swim meet. These awards are at the coaches’ discretion, and the amount given out at each meet is subject to change.
Disqualifications (DQ), if warranted, will be made in all heats in both A and B meets and are made by the Stroke and Turn Judges and Referee. Following a DQ, the coaching staff will inform a swimmer as to why they were DQ’d within two days to ensure understanding. All swim meets in the MCSL follow USA swimming rules. Please refer to the rules section in the MCSL handbook (www.mcsl.org).
Each year, a number of Flower Valley swimmers qualify for the Coaches Invitational Long Course and the All-Star Meets. Watch the bulletin board at the pool, social media, and emails for details regarding these meets.
Coaches Invitational Long Course Meet
The Coaches Invitational Long Course meet will be held in July (please refer to MCSL website for the date). The top eight swimmers in the county for each event are invited to this meet as individuals. Qualification is determined by MCSL ranking after the third dual meet.
Eligibility for the All-Star Meets is based on MCSL established cut-off times which swimmers must achieve in order to qualify. Please reference MCSL website for All-Star meet dates and qualifying times. At the end of the regular season, the top 16 finishers in individual events in Montgomery County are selected to compete in the All-Star meets. Cumulative team scores are not kept at these meets.
To recognize our All-Star qualifiers, when an All-Star time is achieved, a swimmer will receive a special red FV All-Star Cap. Swimmers are eligible to receive one cap, per swimmer, per year.
After the last dual meet, a select group of the A swimmers are invited to compete in the Divisional Meet. To qualify for the Divisional Meet which will be held on the following Saturday after the last A meet, a swimmer will be determined at the descretion of the head coach. These swimmers compete against the top swimmers from the other five teams in the Division. The resulting team score is used as a factor in determining the Divisional standings.
Please note that the pool is closed until morning swim practice is over and during all home A and B meets. This includes the baby pool.
We are happy to welcome back Danny Benedetti as the Flower Valley Head Coach. Danny and all the coaches will ensure that every child on the team has fun and reaches their potential. There will be enough love and attention for everyone who wishes to join the team and become a Frog!
Coaches are happy to answer your questions, but PLEASE not during practice!
Interruptions, even short ones, make it very difficult to run the practice in a professional manner. Please email Danny with your questions and concerns and he will get back to you.
As in all sports, coaches must make decisions to meet the team’s best interests. The final meet line-up and make-up of relay teams are solely at the coaches’ discretion.
We encourage swimmers to come as often as possible and to participate in meets.
You must decline to swim in TeamUnify if you will be missing any of the A or B meets, Divisional Meet, Coaches Invitational Long Course, and All-Star Meet. Please contact your coaches before Wednesday morning (earlier if possible), if you know you will be unable to swim in the A-meet on Saturday.
You do not need to contact your coach if you will miss just one or two practices. You should, however, contact your coach if you will miss practice for an extended period of time.
The coaching staff will make every effort possible to help swimmers develop proper stroke techniques, as well as starts and turns; however, with many swimmers at practice at one time, it may not always be possible to give individual attention to each and every swimmer at every single practice. If you feel that your child needs more help, please discuss your concerns with the coaching staff via email. You may also wish to consider either group or private lessons that are offered.
Please attend the practice most convenient for you. Be sure to be at the pool 15 minutes before the practice starts.
Tuesday, May 27 to Tuesday, June 17 – Afternoon practice ONLY
3:45 to 4:45 13 and older
4:45 to 5:30 8 and under
5:30 to 6:15 9 - 10 year olds
6:15 to 7:00 11 - 12 year olds
Wednesday, June 18 to end of season
Morning Practice
8:00 to 8:45 11 - 12 year olds
8:45 to 9:30 9 - 10 year olds
9:30 to 10:15 8 and under
10:15 to 11:15 13 and older
Morning practices are Monday through Friday. Please remember to check the swim team board regularly for possible changes to the Thursday morning practice schedule.
Afternoon Practice
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday Afternoon (No practice on Wednesday afternoons)
3:30 to 4:30 13 and older
4:30 to 5:15 8 and unders
5:15 to 6:15 9 - 12 year olds
Friday All ages
4:30 to 5:00 All ages
Swimmers must be able to swim the length of the pool (no coaches will be in the water)
Note: Afternoon practices have limited lanes available. Please attend a morning practice session if possible.
* It is important to get to as many practices as possible. If a swimmer has a conflict with the times that are scheduled for his/her age group, talk with the coaches about coming at another time. The coaches are flexible about having swimmers attend alternate practices; however, for planning purposes, it is important to speak to the coaches before changing practice times.
Parents are encouraged to register swimmers ASAP since registration will be closed when we reach full capacity. Practices are every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday morning. There is no practice on Thursday mornings.
Tadpoles
8:45 - 9:15 am
9:15 - 9:45 am
9:45 - 10:15 am
Pollyzoggs
8:30 - 9:15 am
9:30 - 10:15 am
The pre-team will have a "mini meet" and celebration at the end of the season at the Flower Valley pool. Pre-team swimmers will receive their meet ribbons and participation awards at this event. Questions about the pre-team can be answered by contacting one of the Pre-Team Reps.
Current swim team members who are swimming in at least the 13-14 age group and are interested in coaching the pre-team, should contact the pre-team head coach. There are a limited number of volunteer openings for the pre-team coaching staff. Training is required for all pre-team coaches and SSL Hours are earned for all MCPS Pre-Team Coaches.
Pre-team coaching is a serious commitment, and coaches are expected to have proper training, attend every practice, and follow a strict code of conduct.
PARENT PARTICIPATION IS VITAL TO THE CONTINUED SUCCESS OF THE SWIM TEAM. It takes 91 parents to run the A and B meets each week. Adults are needed to officiate at all meets as timers, referees, starters, stroke & turn judges, and clerks of course. Parents are also needed to serve as scorers, ribbon writers, computer support, keep team records, and set up and serve refreshments. Helpers are needed for our team pictures, social events, Senior Banquet, Swim Team Banquet, etc. All families will be asked to work AT LEAST SIX (6) JOBS during this period.
If a family does NOT fulfill their obligation to work six jobs during the season, there will be a $250 charge at the end of the season. This charge is a result of families not showing up to work their jobs, and the burden being unfairly shifted to other families. Although most families fulfill their job duties as scheduled, there are gaps at every meet/event where assigned workers fail to show. The scheduled worker must notify the reps in advance if they cannot fulfill their job duty.
Please volunteer early and sign up for your jobs. When everyone helps just a little, the summer season will be so much more enjoyable for all of us!
Parents must take responsibility for the supervision of their children at meets. If a parent cannot accompany his/her child to the meets, he/she must make arrangements for another adult to supervise. We know that there are many ways to show love for your child. Simply BEING THERE is one of the best. Become involved; share the work and excitement!
Saturday & Wednesday meets need referees, stroke & turn judges, head timers, starters, scorers, ribbon writers, clerks of course, announcers and timers. We need you to volunteer to be trained for these important positions. Timers for the A and B meets do not need to attend a training course. The head timer will give you instructions at the beginning of the meet.
The MCSL sponsors Officials Clinics. Training will be offered in stroke & turn, starter, and referee. These clinics familiarize participants with the MCSL rules for competition. Attendance is required for those who wish to serve as Referee, Stroke & Turn Judge and/or Starter. The schedule for clinics can be found at www.mcsl.org
Besides working hard, the swim team also has fun!
Keep checking the website, social media, and team bulletin board to see what is coming up! The swim team will hold a Welcome Open House the first week of practice which is an opportunity for the coaches to evaluate the swimmers and a meet and greet with the head coach, the coaching staff, and the reps will be available to answer any questions about the swim team.
During the season, the team will celebrate at the pool before and after home meets. Every meet has a theme, and swimmers are encouraged to dress up for the parade just prior to each A and B meet.
The annual Swim Team Banquet will be held on Saturday evening after the Divisional Meet. This will be a catered dinner for swimmers and their families. There is a fee for the families to attend.
The list of swim team activities can be overwhelming! Each Flower Valley family has a file folder in the box in the lifeguard office. Check weekly for ribbons from previous meets. Please look over the bulletin board near the baby pool for a list of upcoming activities. You can check out the Flower Valley webpage (www.fvbrc.com or Flower Valley Frogs Team Unify) or join our Facebook group to find much of the information in this handbook. In addition, weekly emails will be sent out by the coaching staff.
Dues pay the cost of our MCSL league fees, coaches’ salaries, awards and trophies, equipment, printing, and some social activities. The dues this year are:
$125 per family
$105 per swimmer (for the first 3 swimmers per family; then $85 for each sibling swimmer after the 3rd) - This includes payment for the swimmer's age group outing.
Acceptable forms of payment are PayPal, Visa, MasterCard, Debit Card, or check. (A separate $250 per family fee will be charged at the end of the season if all six volunteer jobs are not completed). Under MCSL rules, a registration form and dues must be turned in before a swimmer may participate in a meet.
Swimmer’s fee: Dues remain constant throughout the season, regardless of the point at which your child joins the team; there are no pro-rated fees at any time.
Refunds are only made as follows: Up until the first day of practice (prior to 12:00/midnight Tuesday after Memorial Day), the full fee is refundable due to swimmer cancellation. If a swimmer cancels after the first day of practice, only the swimmer fee of $105 is refundable. After the day of Time Trials (12 midnight on the Saturday of Time Trials), dues are not refundable and there are no exceptions.
Flower Valley Swim Team Policies
The Flower Valley Pool is not open with lifeguards in place until 11:00 am; therefore, the following policies have been adopted for the safety of each swimmer:
1. All swimmers at the pool before 11:00 am must be in practice or waiting in the pavilion for a parent pick-up.
2. Coaches will utilize a three-warning system. If a swimmer is not swimming or following reasonable coach’s requests, the swimmer will be warned. If this behavior continues, the swimmer will be asked to leave the pool after the third warning.
3. If your child is asked to leave the pool, he/she must wait in the pavilion area until you pick them up. Prompt pickup is expected.
In order for each member of the swim team to be able to develop to his/her fullest potential, the coaching staff must spend practice time directing and motivating swimmers and not disciplining unruly members of the team. If your child becomes a distraction during practice, he/she will be asked to leave the pool area. Swimmers who have been asked to leave a practice may not return to the next practice without their parent or guardian. We believe that this discipline policy will result in the best use of practice time for all swimmers.
Thank you for your support. These measures are in effect to ensure the safety and well-being of each and every swimmer at Flower Valley.
Flower Valley Frogs will display good sportsmanship at all times to other members of our team, other teams, officials, parents, and our community. Behavior that shows poor sportsmanship or is destructive will be dealt with by the Coaches, Reps, and the involved swimmers’ parents, and will result in disciplinary actions ranging from extra pool chores, forfeiting of trophies, suspension or expulsion from the team.
Swimmers Rights & Responsibilities
1. Get plenty of rest before your meet!
2. Be prompt for warm-up, usually one hour before away meets, and one and a half hours before a home meet.
3. Know your event number, and report to the Clerk of Course when called.
4. STAY IN THE TEAM AREA; be cheerful and supportive to your teammates.
5. Eat fruit and drink water; eat absolutely no junk foods during a meet.
6. Follow all instructions of officials and pool personnel.
7. Please note that it is against both pool and team policy to throw anyone in the pool at any time.
8. When the meet is over, all swim team members are responsible for the cleanup of the team area. Parents, please, we need your support and cooperation in this matter!
9. Communicate with your coaches; inform them as to illness, camps or vacation plans, etc., giving written notice whenever possible. This will help our coaches when preparing line-ups for weekly meets. Please email the head coach when your swimmer needs to miss a meet.
10. You are responsible for all information from the bulletin board, newsletters, handouts, etc. Please consult your calendar and the file box daily!
Parents Do: Encourage and Cheer on ALL Flower Valley Swimmers. Attend pep rallies, swim meets and get involved. Volunteer!
Parents Do NOT: Engage in any rude/disrespectful behavior toward our team or any visiting team parents, coaches or swimmers.
Parents Do: Stay off of the pool deck during practices and meets. Refrain from passing through or behind coaches. Save all questions/comments to ANY COACH for email format… the issue will not be addressed on the pool deck.
Parents Do NOT: Interrupt coaches and swimmers during meets and practices.
Parents Do: Let the swimmers swim and the coaches do their jobs.
Parents Do NOT: Act in an unsportsmanlike manner. If you have a question/concern, email head coach/board rep.
Parents Do: Keep an eye on your children during swim meets. Make sure your child stays in the designated team area. They are NOT permitted to be playing on playground equipment- if they are not swimming, they should be resting, or cheering for their teammates. Know what events they are swimming and help them get to the team area for lineup. Know where your kids are at all times. No playing in the bathrooms, community room or in the gardens.
Parents Do NOT: Drop off kids at the meet and leave them unattended for long periods of time. Do not allow any Flower Valley swimmer to run, vandalize, fight or engage in any undesirable behavior at practices or meets.
Parents Do: Report problems and concerns to the Board Rep/Aquatics Director, or Head Coach in writing or an email.
Parents Do NOT: Become confrontational with Coaches or other Officials regarding problems or concerns, especially on the pool deck.
Parents Do: Attend the Parent’s Meeting, sign children up for the age group outings, and VOLUNTEER!!!!!
Parents Do NOT: Make negative or rude remarks toward any swimmer or volunteer. Voice concerns in an appropriate manner.
Parents Do: Notify coaches at least ONE WEEK (or more) IN ADVANCE if swimmers cannot make it to a meet via email/phone.
Parents Do NOT: Allow your swimmer to leave a meet or practice early without first telling the coaches.
Parents Do: Encourage swimmers to be active in the team spirit, and remember the expectations of “team players.” We EXPECT and NEED you to hold off on camps/vacations/etc. during the summer swim season, because each and every swimmer is important to the team at ALL times!
Parents DO NOT: Think of our team as “JUST” A team, B team, or Pre Team. We are all ONE team!
MCSL Code of Conduct Information
Parent/Guardian's Code of Conduct
Parents and guardians will understand that MCSL and its activities are for the benefit of children. The goals of the league include helping young people establish a love for the sport of swimming, while developing advanced aquatic skills, teamwork, and the principles of good sportsmanship. To accomplish these goals, parents/guardians must conduct themselves in a manner consistent with creating a positive experience for children and their families.
As a Parent or Guardian of a child registered with an MCSL member team, you are responsible for the conduct of your guests and other family members. MCSL teams will not tolerate a parent or guardian yelling at or belittling a child, an official, coach or other parent or guardian in any way.
As an adult and role model, children are influenced by my words and actions. I agree to the following:
1. I will remember that all children participate to have fun and that competition is for youth, not adults.
2. I will be a positive role model for children and will encourage them to reach the highest levels of sportsmanship and to follow the rules.
3. I will be respectful and courteous of others, and will support and encourage swimmers, officials, team representatives, and coaches through my positive actions and attitude.
4. I will recognize that meet officials are volunteers and will treat them with the same respect that I would expect if I were in that position.
5. I will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike behavior with an official, coach, swimmer, or parent/guardian such as arguing, booing, taunting, or using profane language or gestures.
6. I will teach my child to treat other swimmers, coaches, team representatives, and officials with respect regardless of age, race, creed, color, gender, or ability.
7. I will not be aggressive or hostile towards another individual and will teach my child to resolve conflicts without resorting to violence or argument.
8. I will not ridicule or yell at my child or any other participant for making a mistake and will not hold a specific child responsible for losing a competition.
9. I will respect and support the team representatives’, officials’ and coaches’ authority during meets and will never argue with, question, discuss, or confront officials or coaches.
10. I will support a swimming environment for my child that is free of drugs, tobacco, and alcohol, and will refrain from their use at all team events.
11. I promise to help my child enjoy the summer swimming experience by doing whatever I can, such as being a respectable fan, volunteering at meets, and helping with other team activities.
12. I will do my best to make swimming fun for all children.
1. I will do my best to listen and learn from my coaches.
2. I will attend every practice and meet that I can and will notify my coach if I cannot.
3. I will treat my coaches, other swimmers, officials and fans with respect regardless of age, race, creed, color, gender or abilities and I will expect to be treated accordingly.
4. I will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike behavior with any official, coach, swimmer or other parent/guardian such as arguing, booing and taunting; refusing to shake hands; or using profane language or gestures.
5. I will encourage my own parents or guardians to engage in good sportsmanship.
6. I will expect to be treated fairly over the course of a season with regard to meet entries and recognize that certain meets are more competitive than others.
7. I deserve to have fun during my swimming experience and will alert parents/guardians or coaches if there are problems or it stops being fun.
8. I deserve to play in an environment that is free of drugs, tobacco, and alcohol and expect adults to refrain from their use at all swim meets.
9. I will remember that meets are an opportunity to learn and have fun.
As a coach, you will realize that you are one of the most important and impactful role models in a child's life. Your words and your actions will have a positive and potentially devastating impact on the emotional well-being of the children in your charge. Coaching is a privilege and with it comes responsibility. Coaches set the tone for the team and are responsible for the conduct of their swimmers, parents or guardians and any other coaches on the field.
All children are influenced by my leadership and authority and as their coach; I understand I am a role model. I agree to the following:
1. I will place the emotional and physical well-being of my swimmers ahead of any personal desire or pressure to win.
2. I will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, opposing coach, swimmer, team representative, parent/guardian or spectator such as: arguing, refusing to shake hands, excessive yelling or belittling or using profane language or gestures.
3. I will treat each official and opposing coach with respect, and will not engage in open arguments or confrontations, and will work to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.
4. I will treat my swimmers fairly and will work towards improving a swimmer’s individual skill set.
5. I will be knowledgeable of the rules set forth for swimming by MCSL, will teach the rules to the swimmers I coach and will adhere to these rules at all times.
6. I will do my best to provide a safe and encouraging competitive situation for my swimmers.
7. I will teach my swimmers to treat other swimmers, coaches, team representatives, and officials with respect regardless of age, race, creed, color, gender, or ability.
8. I will use coaching techniques appropriate for the skills that I teach and will do my best to organize practices that are fun and challenging for all swimmers.
9. I will lead by example in demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship to all swimmers.
10. I will remember that I am a youth swimming coach and that races and meets are for children and not adults
By virtue of participating as an athlete in the Montgomery County Swim League, a swimmer's name, age, and gender may appear on the league web site and/or in other league and/or team published materials, including, but not limited to, any of the following: weekly meet results, league all-star rankings, and MCSL invitational meet psych sheets and meet programs.
