USA Swimming Code of Conduct and Policies- Parents and Athletes
MAAPP and Codes of Conduct Acknowledgment
Fox Valley Swim Team, Inc. (“Fox” or the “Club”) follows USA Swimming’s policy of the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Program (“MAAPP”). MAAPP focuses on five main areas: (1) one-on-one interactions; (2) social media and electronic communications; (3) travel (local and team); (4) locker room/changing areas; and (5) massages/athletic training modalities. The most current MAAPP policy is available at this link: https://www.usaswimming.org/safe-sport/minor-athlete-abuse-prevention-policy
As part of the policy, all athletes and parents/guardians must acknowledge that they have reviewed and agree to follow MAAPP. By clicking on the box below, I, on behalf of myself and the Participant identified below, hereby acknowledge that we have received, read and understood the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy. We further acknowledge and understand that all athletes and parents/guardians associated with this membership hereby agree to comply with the contents of this Policy, which is a condition of my and/or my child’s/family’s membership with Fox.
Codes of Conduct
I, on behalf of myself and the Participant identified below, hereby recognize that Fox follows the USA Swimming Model Codes of Conduct and confirm that we have reviewed such policies on the Fox and/or USA Swimming websites. As parents and swimmers, we understand and hereby accept the expectations presented in these Codes, including but not limited to both the Athlete and Parent Codes of Conduct, and that failure to adhere to such Codes of Conduct may result in disciplinary action. Most recent version of codes of conduct are located at this link: https://www.usaswimming.org/docs/default-source/governance/governance-lsc-website/rules_policies/2021-rulebook_coc.pdf
Anti-Bullying Policy & Action Plan
Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at Fox and will not be tolerated. Bullying is counterproductive to team spirit and can be devastating to a victim. The Club is committed to providing a safe, caring, and friendly environment for all of our members. If bullying does occur, all athletes and parents should know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. Anyone who knows that bullying is happening is expected to notify the coaching staff.
Objectives of the Club’s Bullying Policy and Action Plan:
- To make it clear that the Club will not tolerate bullying in any form.
- To define bullying and give all board members, coaches, parents, and swimmers a good understanding of what bullying is.
- To make it known to all parents, swimmers, and coaches that there is a policy and protocol should any bullying issues arise.
- To make how to report bullying clear and understandable.
- To spread the word that the Club takes bullying seriously and that all swimmers and parents can be assured that they will be supported when bullying is reported.
Bullying is defined in USA Swimming’s Code of Conduct section 304.3.7. Generally, bullying is the use of aggression, whether intentional or not, which hurts another person. Bullying results in pain and distress.
An athlete who feels that he or she has been bullied has no express time limit for initiating a complaint under this procedure, but every effort should be made to bring the complaint to the attention of the appropriate club leadership as soon as possible to make sure that memories are fresh and behavior can be accurately recalled and the bullying behavior can be stopped as soon as possible.
Electronic Communication Policy
The Club recognizes the prevalence of electronic communication and social media in today’s world. Many of our swimmers use these means as their primary method of communication. While the Club acknowledges the value of these methods of communication, the Club also realizes that there are associated risks that must be considered when adults use these methods to communicate with minors.
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 Athlete Protection.
Communications will be:
Transparent: All electronic communication between coaches and athletes should be transparent.
Accessible: All electronic communication between coaches and athletes should be considered a matter of record and part of the Club’s records.
Professional: All electronic communication between a coach and an athlete should be conducted professionally as a representative of the Club. This includes word choices, tone, grammar, and subject matter.
Social Media: Coaches will not accept any “friend” request from an athlete on any form of social media (Facebook, etc.). In addition, the coach will remind the athlete that this is not permitted. Fox has official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts that athletes and parents can “friend” for information and updates on team related matters. Athletes, coaches, and parents are not permitted to post to social media any photos or video of athletes or coaches without knowledge and permission.
Athlete Reminder: Athletes should remember that swimming for the club is a privilege, and they are expected to portray themselves, their team, and their community in a positive manner at all times. Many employers, college admissions officers, and athletic recruiters review social networking sites as part of their evaluation of an applicant. Carefully consider how others may perceive the information and content that you share about yourself.
Locker Room Policy
The following guidelines are designed to maintain personal privacy as well as to reduce the risk of misconduct in bathrooms, locker rooms and changing areas. Fox uses multiple practice facilities. Generally, swimmers will be expected to come dressed for practice and to change and shower at home. When there is a changing area, it may be open to the public. As such, there may be people who are not associated with Fox in the changing area or bathroom around the time of practice.
Fox has staggered practices, with different groups arriving and departing throughout the day. Locker rooms, bathrooms or changing areas are not directly monitored over this extended course of time. The coach staff does a closing “sweep” of each facility at the end of the last practice to make sure that all athletes have been picked up.
Coaches and staff make every effort to recognize when an athlete goes to the locker room or changing area during competition or practice and, if they do not return in a timely fashion, we will check on the athlete’s whereabouts. Parents are not allowed in the lockers for any reason. Only Non-athlete registered member of Fox Valley Swim Team should announce and enter the locker preferably with another non- athlete member. If an athlete’s disability warrants assistance, then we ask that parents let the coach or an administrator know beforehand and whenever possible use designated family changing room or single-stall restroom.
Coaches, staff, and adults must use “adult” designated restrooms for their own use, in accordance with USA Swimming / MAAPP policies.
Cell phones and other mobile devices with recording capabilities, including voice recording, still cameras and video cameras increase the risk for different forms of misconduct in locker rooms and changing areas. The USA Swimming Athlete Protection Policies prohibit the use of such devices in the locker room or other changing area (305.3: Use of audio or visual recording devices, including a cell phone camera, is not allowed in changing areas, rest rooms or locker rooms).
I, on behalf of myself and the Participant identified below, agree that I and the Participant have read the Fox Valley Swim Team Policies – Parents and Athletes and will comply with such policies.
These Fox Valley Swim Team, Inc. policies takes effect when you check the acknowledgement button below. By checking the box, you (a) acknowledge that you have read and understand this Policy; (b) represent and warrant that you have the right, power, and authority to enter into this Policy; and (c) accept this Policy.
