Strawberry Seals’ Code of Conduct & Disciplinary Plan

Swimmer’s Code

• Practice the "Golden Rule" -- treat all swimmers, coaches, spectators and referees as you would like to be treated.
• Swim for the “fun of it” and not just to please your parents or coach.
• Never question or argue with a referee or coach.
• Control your temper. Physical or verbal abuse of other swimmers, coachers, or officials will not be tolerated.
• NEVER use foul or inappropriate language.
• Bullying of any kind will not be tolerated, and will be immediately addressed and dealt with swiftly by the coaches and the Seals Board.  If bullying has occurred then both sides will be counseled and supported, and the necessary disciplinary action will be determined.
• Be on time to all practices and meets. Let the coach know of a scheduling conflict in advance.
• Appreciate good efforts, whether by your team or your opponent.
• Win (or lose) with GRACE.
• A quitter never wins and a winner never quits.
• Give 100% all the time, and know that how hard you try is more important than winning or losing.
• When unsupervised in the locker room and changing areas, behave as you are expected to behave on the pool deck to ensure others' safety.  Any misconduct that occurs in the locker room will immediately be brought to the attention of the coach and Seals Board Members, and the necessary discipline will take place.
• In accordance with USA Swimming, the Seals pool entry rule for practice as well as meet warm-up is as follows: swimmers must enter the pool feet first while maintaining at least one hand on the pool deck until both feet touch the water (3-point entry). NO DIVING or JUMPING allowed from the blocks or the edge of the pool. Failure to follow the 3-point entry rule will result in swimmer being asked to leave for the day. Multiple infractions could lead to a suspension or a complete dismissal from the team.
• Join the team only if you want to commit to practices and meets.

Parents' and Family Code

• Exemplify good sportsmanship.
• Never ridicule or shout at your child, or others, for making a mistake or losing a competition.
• Applaud good efforts, whether by your team or your opponent, but refrain from coaching or directing players during the meet or practice.
• Let the swimmers swim, the coaches coach, and the judges officiate.
• Never question or argue with a referee or judge. Trust their judgment and integrity and recognize that they are volunteers.
• Recognize the value and importance of coaches who devote an enormous amount of their time to help and educate your child. Respect and trust their judgment and strategy.
• Communicate directly with the coach in a positive manner with concerns for your child, respecting their need to focus on the swimmers during meets or practice.
• Help ensure that players are on time to every meet and practice.
• Be on time and prepared for all your volunteer commitments.
• Do not talk to your children while they are practicing. Instead, talk to the coach if you need to get your child’s attention for some emergency. Otherwise, wait for the time between practices.
• Never use foul or inappropriate language.
• Accept the results of each race. Encourage your child to be gracious in victory and turn defeat to victory by working towards improvement.
• Sign your child up for the Seals only if you are all willing to commit to practices and meets. Be fair to the other swimmers and families who are waiting to join the Seals.
• Photography policy is that no photo of a swimmer under 18 years old may be published without the parents' consent.  A parent or guardian also has a right to refuse their child to be photographed at team functions, including meets.  No photography of swimmers taken from behind the blocks is allowed.  
• Support an alcohol, drug and smoke-free environment. We are proud to partner with Raising the Bar, Keep Youth Events Substance Free, a county-wide initiative dedicated to keeping youth events substance-free. 

Coach's Code

Disciplinary Plan for Unsporting Behavior

Any behavior by a swimmer, coach, or parent/family member which does not meet the standards of this Code may be deemed “unsportsmanlike” and subject the individual to disciplinary action by the Seals Board of Directors. The Board will treat parent, coach, or swimmer misconduct and unsportsmanlike behavior very seriously. Our policy is intended to be “self-policing” in that we expect all Seals members to be on their best behavior at ALL times.

Parents, coaches, and swimmers are expected to comply with this Code of Conduct. The grievance procedure is as follows:  complaints or observations of behavior contrary to the Code should be documented and submitted to a coach and/or a Seals Board Member or the President for review.  The complaint may also be directed to USA Swimming and the U.S. Center for SafeSport.

Team President | [email protected]

Please provide as much detail as possible with examples.

• Please provide date, time, and location of observations.
• If possible, provide documentation from multiple sources.

The Seals reserve the right, at any point in the season, to dismiss a child from a team whose own behavior, or that of their parent, doesn’t adhere to the Code. Disciplinary action, including dismissal from the team may result if the Coaches or the Board are informed about behavior which negatively impacts the Seals or its reputation, whether or not it occurs during team events.