Hampshire Regional YMCA Dolphins Swim Team Travel Policy

 

Code of Conduct:

  1. Team members will display proper respect and sportsmanship toward coaches, officials, administrators, teammates, fellow competitors and the public at all times.  It is the responsibility of each swimmer to make every effort to avoid guilt by association with such activities.
  2. 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.
  3. The possession or use of alcohol or tobacco products by any athlete is prohibited.
  4. The possession, use, or sale/distribution of any controlled or illegal substance or any form of weapon is strictly forbidden.
  5. No “deck changes” are permitted. Athletes are expected to use available locker room facilities.
  6. Team members are reminded that when competing in meets, traveling on trips, and attending other meet-related functions, they are representing both themselves and the Hampshire Regional YMCA. Athlete behavior must positively reflect the high standards of the Dolphins Swim Team.
  7. Swimmers are to refrain from inappropriate physical contact at team activities and events.
  8. Swimmers are to refrain from use of inappropriate language.

 

Section 1 - USA Swimming Required Policies

Club and LSC travel policies must include these policies. These items are Code of Conduct stipulations in the USA Swimming Rulebook.

 

  1. Club travel policies must be signed and agreed to by all athletes, parents, coaches and other adults traveling with the club. (305.5.D)
  2. Team managers and chaperones must be members of USA Swimming and have successfully passed a USA Swimming-administered criminal background check. (305.5.B)
  3. Regardless of gender, a coach shall not share a hotel room or other sleeping arrangement with an athlete (unless the coach is the parent, guardian, sibling, or spouse of that particular athlete). (305.5.A)
  4. 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)

 

Section 2

  1. Athletes should not ride in a coach’s vehicle without another adult present who is the same gender as the athlete, unless prior parental permission is obtained.
  2. 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).
  3. A copy of the Dolphins Travel Policy must be signed by the athlete and his/her parent or legal guardian.
  4. Curfews shall be established by the Head Coach staff each day of the trip.
  5. Team members and staff traveling with the team will attend all team functions including meetings, practices, meals, meet sessions, etc. unless otherwise excused or instructed by the head coach or his/her designee.
  6. The directions & decisions of coaches/chaperones are final.
  7. Swimmers are expected to remain with the team at all times during the trip. Swimmers are not to leave the competition venue, the hotel, a restaurant, or any other place at which the team has gathered without the permission/knowledge of the coach or chaperone.
  8. When visiting public places such as shopping malls, movie theatres, etc. swimmers will stay in groups of no less than two persons.
  9. The Head Coach or his/her designee shall make a written report of travel policy or code of conduct violations to the appropriate club or LSC leadership and the parent or legal guardian of any affected minor athlete.

 

 

Section 3

Swimmers are expected to adhere to the following:

 

  1. Be quiet and respect the rights of teammates and others in hotel;
  2. Be prompt and on time;
  3. During the meet cell phone use is only permitted to contact parents;
  4. Respect travel vehicles;
  5. All participants will wear designated team apparel during traveling to and while attending the meet. 
  6. Must stay in assigned hotel room
  7. Needs and wellbeing of the team come first.
  1. No room service without permission;
  2. Swimmers responsible for all incidental charges;
  3. Swimmers responsible for any damages or thievery at hotel;
  4. Must participate in contracted group meals

 

Violation of Dolphins Travel Policy Rules or Code of Conduct:

 

Failure to comply with the Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action. Such discipline may include, but may not be limited to: (At the discretion of the Head Coach)

  1. Dismissal from the trip and immediate return home at the athlete’s expense;
  2. Disqualification from one or more events, or all events of competition;
  3. Disqualification from future team travel meets;
  4. Financial penalties;
  5. Dismissal from the team; and/or
  6. Proceedings for an LSC or USA Swimming National Board of Review.