This document contains the Parent/Guardian's Code of Conduct, the Swimmer's Code of Conduct, and the Coach's Code of Conduct. Scroll down to read all three.
Parent/Guardian's Code of Conduct
Parents and guardians will understand that MCSL and its activities are for the benefit of children. The goals of the league include helping young people establish a love for the sport of swimming, while developing advanced aquatic skills, teamwork, and the principles of good sportsmanship. To accomplish these goals, parents/guardians must conduct themselves in a manner consistent with creating a positive experience for children and their families.
As a Parent or Guardian of a child registered with an MCSL member team, you are responsible for the conduct of your guests and other family members. MCSL teams will not tolerate a parent or guardian yelling at or belittling a child, an official, coach or other parent or guardian in any way.
As an adult and role model, children are influenced by my words and actions. I agree to the following:
- I will remember that all children participate to have fun and that competition is for youth, not adults.
- I will be a positive role model for children and will encourage them to reach the highest levels of sportsmanship and to follow the rules.
- I will be respectful and courteous of others, and will support and encourage swimmers, officials, team representatives, and coaches through my positive actions and attitude.
- I will recognize that meet officials are volunteers and will treat them with the same respect that I would expect if I were in that position.
- I will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike behavior with an official, coach, swimmer, or parent/guardian such as arguing, booing, taunting, or using profane language or gestures.
- I will teach my child to treat other swimmers, coaches, team representatives, and officials with respect regardless of age, race, creed, color, gender, or ability.
- I will not be aggressive or hostile towards another individual and will teach my child to resolve conflicts without resorting to violence or argument.
- I will not ridicule or yell at my child or any other participant for making a mistake and will not hold a specific child responsible for losing a competition.
- I will respect and support the team representatives’, officials’ and coaches’ authority during meets and will never argue with, question, discuss, or confront officials or coaches.
- I will support a swimming environment for my child that is free of drugs, tobacco, and alcohol, and will refrain from their use at all team events.
- I promise to help my child enjoy the summer swimming experience by doing whatever I can, such as being a respectable fan, volunteering at meets, and helping with other team activities.
- I will do my best to make swimming fun for all children.
Swimmer's Code of Conduct
- I will do my best to listen and learn from my coaches.
- I will attend every practice and meet that I can and will notify my coach if I cannot.
- I will treat my coaches, other swimmers, officials and fans with respect regardless of age, race, creed, color, gender or abilities and I will expect to be treated accordingly.
- I will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike behavior with any official, coach, swimmer or other parent/guardian such as arguing, booing and taunting; refusing to shake hands; or using profane language or gestures.
- I will encourage my own parents or guardians to engage in good sportsmanship.
- I will expect to be treated fairly over the course of a season with regard to meet entries and recognize that certain meets are more competitive than others.
- I deserve to have fun during my swimming experience and will alert parents/guardians or coaches if there are problems or it stops being fun.
- I deserve to play in an environment that is free of drugs, tobacco, and alcohol and expect adults to refrain from their use at all swim meets.
- I will remember that meets are an opportunity to learn and have fun.
Coach's Code of Conduct
As a coach, you will realize that you are one of the most important and impactful role models in a child's life. Your words and your actions will have a positive and potentially devastating impact on the emotional well-being of the children in your charge. Coaching is a privilege and with it comes responsibility. Coaches set the tone for the team and are responsible for the conduct of their swimmers, parents or guardians and any other coaches on the field.
All children are influenced by my leadership and authority and as their coach; I understand I am a role model. I agree to the following:
- I will place the emotional and physical well-being of my swimmers ahead of any personal desire or pressure to win.
- I will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, opposing coach, swimmer, team representative, parent/guardian or spectator such as: arguing, refusing to shake hands, excessive yelling or belittling or using profane language or gestures.
- I will treat each official and opposing coach with respect, and will not engage in open arguments or confrontations, and will work to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.
- I will treat my swimmers fairly and will work towards improving a swimmer’s individual skill set.
- I will be knowledgeable of the rules set forth for swimming by MCSL, will teach the rules to the swimmers I coach and will adhere to these rules at all times.
- I will do my best to provide a safe and encouraging competitive situation for my swimmers.
- I will teach my swimmers to treat other swimmers, coaches, team representatives, and officials with respect regardless of age, race, creed, color, gender, or ability.
- I will use coaching techniques appropriate for the skills that I teach and will do my best to organize practices that are fun and challenging for all swimmers.
- I will lead by example in demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship to all swimmers.
- I will remember that I am a youth swimming coach and that races and meets are for children and not adults.