GAME TEAM POLICIES

Expectations & Requirements

 

Team Culture Policy

Team culture is vital to EVERYTHING for a swim team!  All actions as a team and individually foster an environment of support, camaraderie and friendship among members.  A positive culture encourages to build strong relationships, where they can share triumphs and challenges alike.  By promoting kindness and inclusivity, team members feel welcomed and valued, which boosts morale and motivation.  Ultimately, a strong TEAM culture nurtures a sense of belonging, enabling swimmers to thrive both in and out of the pool. 
 

Swimmer Behavior Policy

Gamecock Aquatics is fortunate to have access to facilities at the USC Blatt PE Center (Carolina Natatorium, locker rooms, weight room, etc.), and it is important that our swimmers show respect for those facilities and for other users. We expect all of our swimmers to display sportsmanship and proper respect toward team members, coaches, officials, administrators, fellow competitors, parents, volunteers, the public, and the facilities we use and visit. The following are prohibited for swim team members:

  • Use of alcohol, tobacco or illegal drugs
  • Foul language or any form of verbal abuse, including sexist, racist, homophobic, or otherwise inappropriate language.
  • Pornography 
  • Discussions or dialogue about sexual relationships, sexual activity, or sexual acts
  • Horseplay or intentional physical contact between swimmers.
  • Fighting or any form of physical abuse, and possession or use of any weapon.
  • Tampering with or causing damage to the facility.
  • Photos or video recordings in locker rooms.

As a condition of membership with Gamecock Aquatics, codes of conduct must be adhered to by all athletes and parents.
 

Photo/Video Policy

Gamecock Aquatics may wish to take photographs and/or videos (individual and in groups) of swimmers under the age of 18 that may include your child during their membership in the club. By registering your child for Gamecock Aquatics, you agree to allow all photos/videos taken of your child by team staff during practices, meets, and other team events, to be made available to GA for general use on our website, for the media, or for use at swimming meets. Parents have a right to refuse agreement to their child being photographed, but you must communicate this in writing to the Team Manager at [email protected]
 

Parents may take photos and videos during practices but please be sensitive to the fact that they will almost certainly include other people's children in their swimsuits as well. Photos and videos may ONLY be taken from the side of the pool course; per USA Swimming rules, at NO time can photos or videos be taken from behind swimmers on the starting blocks at practices and meets. At meets, photos/videos may be taken only in the host team's specified "camera zones."

Nutritional Supplements Policy

Gamecock Aquatics is a USA Swimming member and as such we abide by U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) rules. All members are encouraged to keep up-to-date on current rules by visiting www.usada.org. Any legal nutritional or pre/post-workout supplements should be used responsibly and with the full knowledge and consent of parents of minors. Gamecock Aquatics does not monitor use or condone overuse of any supplements. Open mixing or consumption of supplements observed at practices or meets will be addressed and may be prohibited by coaches and staff, and parents of minors will be notified as needed.

 USA Swimming Safe Sport Policy

Gamecock Aquatics abides by USA Swimming Safe Sport rules, including the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy 2.0 (MAAPP), as outlined on the team website.

 Cancellation/Voluntary Account Withdrawal from Club Policy

If your swimmer is planning on taking a break from practices or withdrawing from the club, you must notify the team in writing by sending a message to [email protected].  You must give a 30-day notice.   A swimmer is not considered withdrawn from the program until written notice is received by the club. A suspended account will take place before the next draft after the 30-day mark from when your email was sent.
 

Gamecock Aquatics Hosted Meets

Gamecock Aquatics will host two to four meets per year, which will serve as an opportunity for our swim club to generate revenue while allowing our families to stay home without having to experience the associated costs of travel to away meets. These home competitions are complex, incur an associated expense to conduct, and require many knowledgeable people to run such an event. For these Gamecock Aquatics hosted events, our families are expected to volunteer to help operate and make these home meets successful. Parent support is critical to our being able to provide these opportunities to our athletes and helps keep our dues and fees as low as possible.