UPDATED OCCC SWIM TEAM POLICIES 3/21/2010

 

FOR PARENTS OF THE OCEAN CITY C-CERPANTS

The following standards have been created to clarify the acceptable practice behaviors for parents of swimmers on the OCCC Swim Team. 3/22/2010


Practices:

- Parents are not permitted on the pool deck when a practice is progress.

The boundaries of where the pool deck/ practice area begins and ends can be up for personal interpretation. Parents who have knowledge of these boundaries, yet deliberately disregard them, may be subject to facility restrictions. Listed is a clarification of these boundaries:

PRACTICE AREAS: The practice area is defined as such: the deck outside of the door entrance in the lobby, inside the exit door on the pool deck, and the area directly located outside of the men’s and women’s locker room showers. Parents who choose to observe practice are invited to sit in the lobby or the seating located on the 2nd floor balcony above the pool.

Observing parents are not permitted on the deck outside of the provided seating area.

- Addressing a coach on the pool deck should take place before or after a scheduled practice. Questioning a coach while a practice is in progress is not permitted.

-Addressing your swimmer during a practice must be authorized by the primary coach on deck. Parents who desire to speak with their child are asked to wait at the entrance of the practice area until a coach gives them permission to enter. Once on the pool deck, a parent who has been permitted to enter is asked to keep their conversation brief. A parent who has concerns for the health or safety of their child may enter the pool deck without permission, but should immediately alert the coach or lifeguard of their presence, and approach the situation in a calm and controlled manner.

- Parents sitting in a designated practice observation area are expected to show respect for the swimmers in the pool, coaches on deck, and surrounding parents at all times.

- Communication between the swimmers in the pool/coaches on the deck and parents sitting in a designated practice observation area is generally frowned upon by the members of the OCCC coaching staff. Coaching, signaling, or criticizing a swimmer or coach during a practice will not be permitted. Signs of encouragement such as a thumb up, a wave, or a smile are welcome. Any communication between a practicing swimmer and an observing parent witnessed by the coach on deck may be deemed inappropriate and result in observation restrictions for that parent.

 

- Respect for the facility, team members, and members or customers of a practice facility should be evident at all times.

-Each swimmer and parent should be respectful of the fact that they share their practice facility with a number of different groups.

-Appropriate language and conversation are expected at all times. Loud, aggressive, or rough behavior is not permitted within our facilities.

-Parents should monitor their child’s behavior within the locker rooms. Locker rooms should be kept clean, and free of clutter at all times.

-Inappropriate practice or locker room behavior witnessed by parents should be reported to the OCCC staff. Parents are expected not to verbally

correct, confront, or discipline any swimmer other than their own. If a parent feels that a situation requires immediate attention, a OCCC coach or facility staff member should be informed right away. Any behavior deemed inappropriate or disrespectful may result in facility restrictions for the

parties involved.

 

BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIREMENT

All registered USS masters swimmers (defined as swimmers who have attained the age of majority) shall be required to undergo a background check prior to being permitted to swim with OCCC with the exception of the following:

a.  Any swimmer who is currently in high school who has or is competing for their high school during the applicable school year or immediately precedent when that swimmer joins OCCC.

b. Any swimmer who is currently or was a member of a sports team while attending college during the applicable school year or immediately precedent when that swimmer joins OCCC.

c. Any swimmer who has had a background check performed on them within the last three years provided that background check is provided to the team and shows no arrests or convictions.

Should a swimmer who has undertaken to obtain a background check provides same to OCCC and that content of the background check contains any information relating to any type of criminal behavior of any kind, that swimmer's application to swim for the team shall be reviewed by the board prior to permitting admission to the team or remaining on the team.

Any behavior deemed to be objectionable shall be discussed with the individual swimmer and after having opportunity to be heard either in person or by written request to explain the behavior cited on the background check, the board will determine whether that individual will either maintain the privilege of swimming with the team or deem that individual not desirable as the conduct is so detrimental that the swimmer not be permitted to be associated with the team.