OBJECTIVES
To make Parents/Guardians of COSACSS swimmers fully aware of their rights and responsibilities.
COSACSS Swimming Club is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the well being of all its members.
COSACSS Swimming Club believes that it is important that swimmers, coaches, helpers and parents associated with the club should at all times, show respect and understanding for the safety and welfare of others, as well as safety and welfare of themselves.
COSACSS swimming club members are encouraged to be open at all times and to share any concerns or complaints that they may have about any aspect of the club with the Welfare Officer or Club Chairman.
All COSACSS Swimming Club Parents are expected to:
- Complete and return the COSACSS Membership Form and detail any health concerns relevant to the child. Any changes in the state of the child’s health should be reported to the Coach prior to the session. You must ensure that COSACSS swimming Club has up to date contact details for you and any alternative person.
- Ensure your child is properly and adequately attired for the training session/events including all required equipment, i.e. hats, goggles etc.
- Refrain from criticising a Coach in the presence of your child, other swimmers and parents. The bond between the swimmer and coach is important and should not be undermined.
- Refrain from entering onto poolside during training or competition unless invited to do so by the Coach.
- Make an appointment to discuss any concerns regarding your swimmer with the Coach at a convenient and appropriate time.
- Actively participate in helping the club progress by offering assistance and support to the coaches and committee.
- Be patient with progress – understand that the journey to the top can be a long one and that “Success is a journey not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome” (ASA Long Tern Athlete Development).
- Encourage your child to abide by the ASA rules for swimming.
- Discourage unfair play and arguing with officials and coaches.
- Help your child to recognise good performance, not just results.
- Never force your child to take part in swimming.
- Set a good example by recognising fair play and applauding good performance by ALL swimmers.
- Never punish or belittle your child, or other swimmers for losing or making mistakes.
- Publicly accept the officials’ judgments.
- Support your swimmers involvement and help them to enjoy swimming.
- Use correct and proper language at all times.
- Encourage and guide swimmers to accept responsibility for their own performance and behaviour.
- Bullying will not be tolerated.
- Disciplinary matters for unacceptable conduct are at the discretion of the Coach and Chaperones, who in accordance with Club policies are acting in loco parentis (i.e. with the authority and responsibility of a parent)
Training Sessions
COSACSS Swimming Club Parents and Guardians should:
- Ensure that your child arrives at training in good time before the start of the session. Do not leave your child until you are satisfied that the Coach is on poolside.
- Ensure the coach has a contact number for you if you are not staying for the session.
- Ensure your child is aware of who is collecting them and has the correct contact number.
- Inform the Coach before a session if your child is to be collected early from a coaching session/gala and if so by whom.
- Ensure that you arrive to collect your child before the scheduled end of the session. Your child’s behaviour and safety is your responsibility until they are poolside and in the presence of the Coach at the start of the session. They then become the Coach’s responsibility until the swimmer leaves the poolside At that point all parents must resume responsibility for their children. Be aware that if your child leaves the session early for any reason, the Coach cannot be responsible for the child’s well-being, as it is impossible for the Coach to leave poolside as he is also the Lifeguard.
- Be supportive and not intrusive, trust the coaches and do not try and interfere with the session. Refrain from communicating with your child during the training session, let your coach do the coaching.
- If the Coach changes your child’s lane please remember the change is to provide appropriate levels of training and enable your child to progress and should be facilitated and encouraged at all times.
- Be patient with progress….understand that the journey to the top can be a long one and that “the journey is more important than the destination”
Competition
COSACSS swimming club parents should:
- Ensure your child is attired in the official COSACSS kit, i.e. Hat & Polo shirt.
- Show respect and compliance towards officials, coaches and chaperones.
- Behave responsibly as a spectator at galas and treat swimmers, coaches committee members and parents of COSACSS and other clubs with due respect, meeting the ASA commitment to Equality, Diversity and inclusion.
- Behave in a manner that supports and reflects the good name of COSACSS Swimming Club.
- The Chaperone/Team Manager is responsible for the safety of your child whilst on poolside, but they become the parent’s responsibility as soon as they leave that area.
- The Coach is the best judge of a swimmer’s performance. The Coach should be your child’s first point of communication before and immediately after an event for accurate and specific feedback on their performance.
- Do not interfere or take your child from the team during a gala without permission from the Coach.
- Encourage your child to support their Team Mates.
- Encourage your child to be proud to represent COSACSS.
- Most of all help your child enjoy the sport and achieve to the best of their ability.