Code of Conduct
All
swimmers in Development, Junior Competition and Senior Competition Squads will
be asked to sign and return a summary of the Code to the Welfare Officer to
indicate that they have read and understood it and that they agree to follow
the Code at all training sessions and galas.
Some of our younger swimmers may need to have the Code carefully
explained to them by a parent or carer.
General Conduct
- Show respect for others and treat them
how you would expect to be treated yourself.
- Show respect for the property of
others. Please hand any items of
clothing or equipment left behind on the poolside or in the changing rooms
to one of the teaching staff, a poolside helper, team steward (if at a
gala) or a Committee member, or put it in the Club’s lost property box in
the club room at the Hewell Road pool.
- Use all swimming equipment in the appropriate
way. Do not throw floats, fins,
pullbouys, goggles, etc., about as this may result in an injury to another
swimmer.
- Arrive in good time for the start of
training sessions and galas.
- Carry out all appropriate instructions
given by the Coach, teaching staff, poolside helpers or team stewards to
the best of your ability.
- Notify the Coach, teaching staff,
poolside helpers or team stewards of any relevant medical problem, injury
or illness that may affect your swimming (e.g. asthma).
- Use appropriate and socially accepted language (no swearing).
- Ensure that your behaviour and
personal conduct is of a high standard and reflects favourably on the
sport of swimming.
Conduct during Training
- Listen to instructions from the Coach
and/or teaching staff (if you are
asked to swim a ‘drill’ do not swim the full stroke, if you are asked to
“take it easy” do not race at full speed!)
- Try to attend as many sessions as
possible and arrive in plenty of time so that you can be ready to get into
the water when the session begins.
- Practice all turns and finishes at
every opportunity.
- Do not push people off the blocks or
off the poolside. This can be very
dangerous.
- Maintain good lane discipline:
- Consider the stroke you are going to
do in each ‘set’ (set of lengths) and organise yourselves accordingly in
each lane with the fastest swimmer starting first, second fastest next,
and so on. The lead swimmer in
the lane will probably change for different strokes and sets. If the set is to be swum in a stroke
of your ‘own choice’ discuss with the other swimmers in your lane which
stroke each swimmer intends to do and organise yourselves appropriately
(e.g. freestyle swimmers will need to go before breaststroke swimmers).
- At the start of each set leave at
least a 5 second gap between you and the swimmer in front before you push
off the wall. If fins/flippers
are being used you will need to leave a longer gap. This is particularly
important for the safety of swimmers when turning, as they need
sufficient space to perform turns correctly without the danger of
collisions.
- Pass other swimmers safely. Never attempt to pull another swimmer
backwards or under the water. Do
not cut in sharply, blocking the swimmer you have just overtaken.
- Do not deliberately obstruct another
swimmer who is attempting to overtake you.
- Keep to your side of the lane to
avoid collisions.
- Do not sit on lane ropes. These are expensive to repair/replace.
- When you have finished your set move
to one side to allow other swimmers to finish at the wall.
- At the end of the session get out of
the pool promptly and collect equipment sensibly.
Conduct at Galas
- Remember that you are representing the
Club and that good conduct is expected at all times.
- Be punctual. Arrive at least 15 minutes before the specified warm-up
time.
- When first you arrive on poolside
report to the team steward and remain with the team throughout the
gala. If you need to leave the
poolside for any reason get permission from the team steward. They need to know where you are at all
times (if they can’t find you, you may miss a race).
- Swim every event that you are asked to
swim to the best of your ability - even if it is not your best/favourite
stroke.
- Respect, encourage and support all of
your teammates. They are as much a
part of the team as you and everyone’s contribution to the team effort is
important and should be valued and appreciated. Never denigrate the efforts of others.
- Do not leave litter on the poolside or
in the changing room. Put all
sweet wrappers, drinks bottles and other rubbish in a bin.
Any serious
violations of the Code of Conduct, or repeated minor violations, may be
reported to the Committee for possible further action.