Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct for Members

When training with the club, all swimmers must:

  • Aim to arrive at the session with appropriate kit and in good time to listen to the coach’s session briefing.
  • If you arrive late, report to the coach before entering the water and inform the coach before leaving a session early.
  • Inform the coach of any existing injury or limitation – noting that the coach cannot give medical advice, and the swimmer is ultimately responsible for deciding whether an activity is suitable for their needs.
  • Listen to and follow carefully all instructions from the coach.
  • Familiarise themselves and comply with the club’s lane etiquette.

When competing, all swimmers must:

  • Avoid any breaches of the competition rules and accept and observe the authority and decisions of swim officials and all other disciplinary bodies.
  • Be respectful and supportive of swim officials and other swimmers and recognise and applaud good performance.
  • Cooperate with the team manager in the organisation of events and provide as much notice of withdrawals as possible.

When serving on the club’s committee, all members must:

  • Act with integrity and in the interests of the club.
  • Endeavour to develop an appropriate working relationship with other committee members, other members, and coaches, based on mutual trust and respect.
  • Be responsible for overseeing compliance by Members and Coaches with the Codes of Conduct for Members and for Coaches and for dealing appropriately with their breach.

Generally, all members must:

  • Display consistently high standards of behaviour.
  • Treat the coaches and other members with courtesy and respect.
  • Not do anything (including the use of abusive or inappropriate language), whether on social media, messaging apps or otherwise, which amounts to bullying or which is likely to intimidate, offend, insult, humiliate or discriminate against any other person on the ground of gender, race, disability, age, religious or political belief, sexual orientation, social background, ethnic origin, language, marital or civil partnership status or pregnancy.
  • Recognise and appreciate the efforts made by others in providing the opportunity to train and compete with the club.
  • Not commit a doping offence in accordance with the rules of Swim England, World Aquatics or the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code.
  • Follow all guidelines laid down by Swim England and the club.

Breaches of this Code of Conduct should be reported to the coach on poolside and/or to a member of the committee or by email to spencerswimteam@gmail.com.

Code of Conduct for Coaches

All coaches must:

  • Aim to arrive at the session in good time to prepare and welcome swimmers.
  • Be reasonable in their demands on swimmers’ time, energy and enthusiasm and ensure that all activities are appropriate to the ability and experience of those swimmers taking part.
  • Consider the wellbeing and safety of swimmers before the development of performance.
  • Never ridicule or shout at a swimmer for any reason.
  • Endeavour to develop an appropriate and professional working relationship with swimmers, the club’s committee and other coaches, based on mutual trust and respect.
  • Adhere to Swim England’s regulations as they apply to masters swimming clubs, including the Code of Ethics and the Equality and Diversity Policy.
  • Not do anything (including the use of abusive or inappropriate language) which amounts to bullying or which is likely to intimidate, offend, insult, humiliate or discriminate against any other person on the ground of gender, race, disability, age, religious or political belief, sexual orientation, social background, ethnic origin, language, marital or civil partnership status or pregnancy.
  • Divide their time fairly between all standards of swimmer.
  • Aim to ensure that their instructions to swimmers are clear and audible.
  • Keep themselves informed on sound coaching practice and ensure they hold appropriate valid qualifications and have adequate insurance cover for the coaching they are undertaking.
  • Never condone rule violations, poor behaviour or the use of prohibited substances.
  • Display consistently high standards of behaviour.

Breaches of this Code of Conduct should be reported to a member of the committee or by email to spencerswimteam@gmail.com.