Code of Conduct

InCAS Code of Conduct & Charters

Club Charter

Encourage and support the improvement of swimming of it's members and offer quality coaching to the highest possible appropriate level.
Provide quality teaching/coaching in a safe, secure, fair and enjoyable environment, and uphold the terms and conditions of the Child Protection Act.
Provide competitive opportunities for all members on both an individual and team basis.
Communicate regularly, either by newsletter, Internet, E-mail, post or Club notice boards at Inverkeithing Community Centre, HMS Caledonia or Cowdenbeath all current and future activities.

Swimmers Code of Conduct

All swimmers attending training (land or pool) or in a competition are under the direction and control of the coach/coaches present and must follow instructions given under the authority of the coach/coaches.
In the event of any swimmer wilfully disobeying or undermining the authority of any coach, disciplinary action will be taken against that swimmer/s.
Swimmers will be given no more than one verbal warning regarding misbehaviour. Thereafter, parent(s) will be informed and, depending on the misdemeanour, a swimmer may be excluded from that session, suspended for a certain period of time, or indeed, in very worst situations, be asked to leave the Club.
Land training is an integral part of the training programme and National squad swimmers are required to participate in this aspect of training.
All swimmers must stay within the confines of the training and competition areas. Do not wander off. Stay with your team-mates.
No adult or child will be allowed on the poolside/Gym during training or Galas/Meets unless invited to do so by a member of the coaching team.
The Club cannot accept responsibility for swimmers outside Club activities. Swimmers should not arrive too early for training or competitions (not sooner than ten minutes) and should leave promptly (no later than fifteen minutes) when a Club activity has finished.
At a gala / meet, you will be expected to wear an InCAS swim cap.
Arrive promptly, with appropriate kit for training / Galas, i.e. swimwear, T-Shirt / Track suit, towels, goggles, water bottle, paddles, pull-buoy, kick-board, etc.)
You may swim only in the correct training session for your own squad unless you have the Coaches permission to attend an alternative session.
If you are more than fifteen minutes late for a training session, you may not be allowed to swim as it's very disruptive to the training of other swimmers.
Advise the Head Coach, Assistant Coach, or Squad Rep of non-attendance at training and Galas/Meets.
Attendance at all training sessions is expected unless agreed with Head Coach.
Any swimmer with an injury which precludes them from any aspect of training should contact either the Head Coach, Assistant Head Coach or Squad Coach in the first instance.
Do not argue directly with the decisions of officials or lifeguards. Coaches will make all official protests and ask any necessary questions.
Liase with poolside staff where swimmers are ill, unfit or injured. It may not be appropriate for them to swim.
At all times, be respectful to coaches, poolside helpers, officials and other swimmers, in all situations, especially during training and Galas/Meets. Language in group situations or relevant public situations must always be appropriate and socially acceptable. Swearing and name-calling is not acceptable. Behaviour and conduct must at all times be of a high standard. Bullying will not be tolerated.
A grievance can be raised by anyone against a Club member in relation to any comments, conduct or gestures which are considered by them to be insulting, intimidating, humiliating, hurtful, malicious, degrading or in any other ways offensive. This includes but is not limited to:

written or verbal abuse

physical assault, hitting, kicking, spitting, pinching, etc.

unwelcome remarks, jokes, innuendoes or taunting about a persons body, sexual orientation, gender, dress, age, race, religion, abilities, etc.

Illegal drugs, illegal substances and performance enhancing drugs are strictly forbidden. Particular care must be exercised if anyone is on medication prior to or during a training session and/or Gala/Meet.
It is important that all information on all medication being currently taken should be reported to the Head Coach / Coaching Team / Club.
Allergies to any substance must be reported to the Head coach / Coaching Team / Club.

Swimmers Lane Discipline

Always follow coaches instructions: Coaches will take all of the decisions about swimming in lanes but if you pay attention to small details, life will be made easier for everyone involved.
Note which way round your lane is to swim, i.e. clockwise or anti-clockwise. You should not be going in the opposite direction to the swimmers on the other side of the rope in the next lane.
The lanes usually alternate in terms of the direction of the swim in a general warm-up situation.
Most swimmers will be in a lane with swimmers roughly of the same speed and ability. If they are going too fast or too slow, check with the coach if you should move up or down within this lane. Do not put yourself at the front of the lane if there are other faster, more capable swimmers who can maintain the required pace more easily than you.
At the end of the pool, do not stand in the way of incoming swimmers.
Do not sit on the rope lanes.
Do not swim down the black line in the middle of the lane unless the coach has organised the lanes to enable you to do this, i.e. when being timed. Keep to the side of the lanes except when overtaking.
If passing in the middle of the pool, it may be necessary to sprint. This should not result in a race!!
When passing a swimmer on a swim longer than 100m, brush their toes if you are close to the end of the wall. The slower swimmer should stop at the wall just long enough to let the faster swimmer past.
On longer sets, all swimmers should keep close to the lane rope to let faster swimmers past and down the middle.
If stopping and resting, stand close to the lane rope. Leave a gap in the centre of the lane for others to turn. Avoid disturbing the timing of other swimmers who have not stopped and rested.
In longer sessions, remember that you need to pace yourself. Swimming flat out for three lengths and then very slowly for the other seven because you are tired disrupts the other swimmers. It does not help you to improve your own performance overall.
Always take the rest periods as instructed by coaches. Your training has been designed to improve your swimming.
Swim 5 seconds apart unless the coach has given you another instruction. Do not set off on another swimmers feet.
Turning can be a dangerous manoeuvre. Give yourself enough of a gap between swimmers so that you can go into and out of a turn without colliding with another swimmer. Come out of the turn on the opposite side to which you've just swam, not down the centre where you'll collide with others.
Work equally hard for yourself and for your Club. In working this way, it is you that benefits but so does the Club.

In becoming a member of the Club, it is understood that you agree to abide by the Constitution, Bye- Laws and Regulations of the Club. This Swimmers Code of Conduct will be set down within the regulations of the Club. Disciplinary action may be taken if it is established that a Club Member has breached the Swimmers Code of Conduct.

Swimmers Charter

Arrive promptly with appropriate kit ready to train.
At all times, be respectful to coaches, poolside helpers, officials and other swimmers.
Encourage and support team mates in all situations.
Maintain a good attitude and show commitment and responsibility for training.
Endeavour to observe good habits, including eating to observe a healthy lifestyle.
Always give of your best and never underestimate what you can achieve.

Coaches Code of Conduct

A responsible coach helps the development of individuals through improving their performance. This is achieved by:

� Identifying and meeting the needs of individuals.

� Improving performance through a progressive programme of safe, guided practice, measured performance and / or competition.

� Creating an environment in which individuals are motivated to maintain participation and improve performance.

Coaches should comply with the principles of good ethical practice listed below:

� Coaches must abide by the Scottish Swimming and Club Child Protection Policies, and be a member of Scottish Swimming.

� Coaches must respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person and treat everyone equally within the context of their sport.

� Coaches must place the well-being and safety of the performer above the development of performance. They should follow all guidelines laid down by the sports governing body and hold appropriate insurance cover.

� Coaches must develop an appropriate working relationship with performers (especially children), based on mutual trust and respect. Coaches must not exert undue influence to obtain personal benefit or reward. In particular, coaches must not use their position to establish or pursue a sexual or improper relationship with an athlete or someone close to them.

�Coaches must encourage and guide performers to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance.

� Coaches should hold relevant, recommended, up-to-date and nationally recognised governing body coaching qualifications.

� Coaches must ensure the activities they direct or advocate are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of the individual.

� Coaches should, at the outset, clarify with performers (and where appropriate with their parents) exactly what is expected of them and what performers are entitled to expect from their coach. A contract may sometimes be appropriate.

� Coaches should co-operate fully with other specialists (e.g. other coaches, officials, sport scientists, doctors, physiotherapists) in the best interests of the performer.

� Coaches should always promote the positive aspects of their sport (e.g. fair play) and never condone rule violations or the use of prohibited substances.

� Coaches must consistently display high standards of behaviour and appearance.

Coaches Charter

Parents Code of Conduct

Parents Charter

Ensure that swimmers are left safely in the care of poolside staff and not left outwith the poolside building, thereby complying with the Child Protection regulations.
Ensure swimmers arrive and are collected at the end of their designated session promptly.
Ensure swimmers arrive suitably equipped, for example, towels, swimwear, goggles, water bottle, paddles, pull-buoy, float, etc. for the session they are about to participate in.
Advise either the Head Coach, Assistant Head Coach or Squad Coaches of non-attendance.
Liase with poolside staff where swimmers are ill, unfit or injured. It may not be appropriate for them to attend.
Support all poolside staff and the swim programme in place.
Actively support the committee with their efforts to ensure the smooth running of the Club, for example, at fund raising events or helping at swim Galas/Meets.
Regularly check Club notice boards at Inverkeithing Community Centre, HMS Caledonia and Cowdenbeath for up-to-date information.
Ensure that fees and other related expenses are kept up-to-date to help balance the Club monthly accounts.

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