CODE OF CONDUCT (ELIT)

 

As a member of the ElitSwim Club (ELIT), you agree to adhere to the following team policies and rules. ELIT reserves the right to discipline our athletes at any time. This may include but is not limited to probation, suspension, dismissal, etc. These policies are intended to promote a positive swimming environment for all our families.
 

SOCIAL MEDIA & COMMUNICATION

ElitSwim Club recognizes the prevalence of electronic communication and social media in today's world. Our BOD(Board of Directors) members, employees, volunteers, coaches, and athletes have the responsibility to always represent our team and themselves in a positive manner. Inappropriate material found by anyone can and will affect the perception of the athlete and our team. 

Since our athletes use social media as their primary source of communication, the Club has established a policy for acceptable use of social media and electronic communication by our coaches and athletes. This policy is essential for ELIT to provide a safe and positive environment for all athletes, officials, parents, and coaches. 

All ELIT participants agree to be filmed and photographed by the host club's approved photographer(s) and videographer(s) and to grant the right to use names and pictures before, during, or after the meet, such as in public psych sheets, heat sheets, and results or featured on the host club or ELIT website or social media or in public broadcast of the event via television or webcast. 

Acceptable Use Policy:

Every ELIT athlete must exhibit ethical and responsible conduct in all online communications and activities and respect the rights and privacy of other ELIT, Pacific Swimming, and USA Swimming athletes, coaches, officials, and parents. ELIT prohibits cyberbullying or cyberstalking of any athlete, coach, or official by any means or method, including but not limited to the use of Texting, Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Group Messaging Apps, etc. Cyberbullying and Cyberstalking are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. 

Acceptable Communication Policy: 

All communications between a coach or other adult and an athlete must be professional in nature and for the purpose of communicating information about team activities. The content and intent of all electronic communications must adhere to the USA Swimming Code of Conduct regarding "Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (MAAPP)"
 

For example, as with any communication with an athlete, electronic communication should not contain or relate to any of the following:  

  • drugs or alcohol use; 
  • sexually-oriented conversation; sexually explicit language; sexual activity 
  • the adult's personal life, social activities, relationship or family issues, or personal problems 
  • inappropriate or sexually explicit pictures 
  • Note: any communication concerning an athlete's personal life, social activities, relationship or family issues or personal problems must be transparent, accessible and professional. 

Coaches may have personal social media pages, but they are not permitted to have any athlete member of the Club join their personal page as a "friend." A coach should not accept any "friend" request from an athlete. In addition, the coach should remind the athlete that this is not permitted.  

The Club has official social media pages that athletes and their parents can "friend" for information and updates on team-related matters.  

Coaches are encouraged to set their pages to "private" in order to prevent athletes from accessing the coach's personal information. 

 

FAMILY CODE OF CONDUCT

ElitSwim Club has established a Code of Conduct for our families. It is intended to help facilitate a nurturing environment for our swimmers and a supportive environment for our coaching staff. In extreme circumstances, families may be dismissed from the team for parent contact. 

As parents/guardians, it is absolutely essential to give our coaching staff the respect and authority they deserve in order to run their group. 

By working together in a partnership with them, our Club can successfully help your swimmer achieve their full potential. 

  • Set the right example for our children by always showing respect and common courtesy to the team members, coaches, competitors, officials, parents, and for all facilities and other property used during practice or competition. 
  • Understand that opposing teams, including their swimmers, coaches, and fans, want the same positive experiences for their swimmers as we do. Help ELIT achieve our goals by avoiding criticism either verbally or by gesture. Look for opportunities to build rapport with teams that we compete and work with. 
  • Always maintain self-control.
  • During competitions, questions or concerns regarding decisions made by a meet official are directed to a member of our coaching staff. Parents may address USA Swimming officials via the coaching staff ONLY.
  • All parents agree to read, understand, and abide by the ElitSwim Club Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (MAAPP) as posted on our website.
  • Realize that swimmers become easily confused when coached by parents. Your unconditional love and support before and after races will help them best. 
  • Any individual not registered with USA Swimming, Inc. through the ElitSwim Club is not permitted in the pool at any time or on the pool deck. In accordance with the governing body of USA Swimming, Inc., parents may observe practice from the designated areas. At no time are parents, siblings, or non-registered people allowed on the pool deck for liability reasons. Any siblings or guests must always have adult supervision and, in accordance with the governing body of USA Swimming, Inc., may observe practice from the designated areas. While performing their practices, the pool deck and any area behind our coaching staff must be clear of all patrons. Recognize ELIT coaches as professionals and allow them to coach your child without interference during workouts and meets. This includes ideally not being present on deck during practice. 
  • The use of audio or visual recording devices, including phones and tablets, is not allowed in changing areas, behind the starting blocks, restrooms or locker rooms.
  • Trust and support your swimmer's and coach's decisions around goal-setting, training commitments, swim event entries, and meet schedules. Do not impose your ambitions on your child and do not expect best times at every meet. 
  • Support our coaches as they strive to do what is best for each ELIT swimmer. 
  • Communicate any concerns you may have with your swimmer's coach or site Head Coach in private. 

 

Important Reminders: 

  • Parents/guardians are prohibited from contacting a meet director or entering a meet without the coach's consent. 
  • Parents/guardians must refrain from taking pictures or videotaping at practices. 
  • Photos/videos are prohibited by anyone other than a coach or hired professional for training purposes only.
  • Know your role: Swimmers – Swim / Coaches – Coach / Officials – Officiate / Parents -Parent. 
  • Do not coach your child at practice, during meets, or outside the pool. Help your children learn values and positive character traits that will sustain them throughout their lives. 
  • Get involved....be an official, help time, and plan a group social. Find something you enjoy! 

 

SWIMMER CODE OF CONDUCT

ElitSwim Club’s mission is to empower young people to be champions in life through excellence in swimming by continually working toward these four objectives:

  1. Engage children and families for a lifetime of enjoyment in the sport of swimming
  2. Develop collegiate opportunities for our young athletes
  3. Inspire athletes of all ages to work toward ever-increasing levels of achievement
  4. Lead others in the swimming community by being a model of excellence worth emulating

To be a part of ELIT, we expect our staff, coaches, swimmers, and family members to adhere to the expectations and code of conduct described in this document. Swimmers, parents/guardians (when athlete is under the age of 18), and chaperones express their agreement to follow all ELIT policies at the time of registration with any ELIT program. Coaches and staff must comply with all ELIT policies as part of their employment agreement. 

  • Any inappropriate use of cell phones, social media, or other devices is prohibited. The use of audio or visual recording devices, including phones and tablets, is not allowed in changing areas, behind the starting blocks, or in restrooms or locker rooms.
  • Swimmers will not show any unsportsmanlike conduct towards other teams, parents, swimmers, or officials at any time.
  • Disrespectful, indiscreet, or destructive behavior will not be tolerated. It is the responsibility of each swimmer to make every effort to avoid others engaging in these activities.
  • Use of proper language is always expected.
  • All athletes are expected to treat team members, coaches, staff, and competitors with respect, support, and kindness. These expectations apply to all forms of contact in communications, whether physical, verbal, written or electronic.
  • Any bullying or allegations of bullying of any athlete will be investigated, and disciplinary action will be at the discretion of the ELIT staff and potentially the Pacific Swimming SafeSport Committee. 
  • Any act of dishonesty or theft in connection with any swimmer will be investigated by the team, and appropriate actions taken.
  • Athletes will use the team locker rooms for changing only and will abide by the policies listed in the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies. 
  • If requested and at the discretion of the coach, videotaping that is destructive during practice and/or competitions will be restricted.
  • Any non-consensual physical contact, obscene language or gesture, or other threatening language is not acceptable. 
  • The consumption of alcohol, the use of tobacco, or use of any non-prescribed drugs or illegal substances of any kind will not be tolerated. 

In consideration of the membership in the ElitSwim Club(ELIT) swim program, we, the parents/guardians of the swimmer(s) participating hereby hold the team, its parent organization, and employees, free of harmless from any liability or damages they, or our swimmer(s) may incur as a result of our swimmer(s) participation in Team events and activities, including practice sessions, and we assume the Teams responsibility for the same. By signing this contract, we, the parents/guardians agreed to abide by the ElitSwim Club by-laws, Code of Conducts, team policies, and coaches' policies. Also as parents/guardians of the below swimmer(s) we agreed to the payment or swim fees, water fees and other chargers as described on our website or as amended by the ElitSwim Club Board of Directors.