Code of conduct for swimmers
As a young person taking part in Leatherhead Swimming Club, we’d like you to:
The Essentials
✓ work towards the values of Leatherhead Swimming Club: Respect, Responsibility and Passion
✓keep yourself safe by listening to your coach, behaving responsibly and speak out when something isn’t right
✓ when you’re with us, stay in the places where you’re supposed to, don’t wander off or leave without telling your coach or other member of LSC staff
✓ take care of our equipment and the pools we use as if they were your own
Behaviour
✓ treat your coach, the officers and fellow team mates with respect
✓ respect and celebrate difference in our club and not discriminate against anyone else on the grounds of gender, faith, race or sexual orientation
✓ report any incidents of bullying, harassment, inappropriate or abusive language, or physical violence to a member of staff, even if you’re just a witness
✓ make our club a welcoming and friendly place to be and appreciate that everyone has different levels of skill and ability
✓ support and encourage your team mates, tell them when they’ve done well and be there for them when they’re struggling
✓ respect the privacy of others – taking photographs or videos on mobile phones or any other device is not allowed during training, galas or in the changing rooms
✓ the consumption of alcohol and smoking is totally forbidden for athletes under-age as defined by UK law. Consuming alcohol is forbidden at all training sessions, travelling to, from and during competitions, events or team activities
✓ illegal and performance enhancing drugs and substances are strictly forbidden. It is your responsibility to check that any medication you take does not contain a banned substance under A.S.A. law.
Training
✓ arrive on poolside 15-20 minutes before the training session starts to complete your pre-pool exercises on poolside directed by your coach
✓ bring the right equipment to training e.g. hats, goggles, kick boards, paddles, and make sure you bring a water bottle with you
✓ use the toilet before training begins and always tell your coach if need to leave the pool for any reason during training
✓ listen to what your coach is telling you and follow their instructions – do not skip lengths or sets
✓ always swim to the wall as you would do in a race and practice turns as instructed by your coach
✓ don’t obstruct other swimmers in your lane - do not stop and stand in the lane or pull on the ropes
✓ if you want to overtake the swimmer ahead of you in your lane, gently touch their feet to let them know you want to pass – and if someone taps your feet while swimming in the lane, please pause to let them go ahead of you!
✓ think about what you are doing during training and if you have any problems, discuss them with your coach
Competitions
✓ always behave in a way that shows respect to your coach, the officials, your team mates and members of other swimming clubs
✓ check whether you need to sign in or sign out for the events you have entered
✓ make sure you fully prepare yourself for the race by warming up properly both poolside and in the pool; do not play or stop in the lanes
✓ wear LSC uniform and hats when representing the club
✓ be part of the team – stay with team on poolside and support your team mates
✓ listen for your race to be announced and go to the marshalling area in good time, taking your hat and goggles with you
✓ after your race, report to your coach for feedback, not your parents
✓ swim down after each of your races if possible, as advised by your coach, and make sure your behaviour in the swim down pool is appropriate and respectful to other users
As a young person taking part, we understand you have the right to:
✓ enjoy the time you spend with us and know that you’re safe
✓ be told who you can talk to if something’s not right
✓ be listened to
✓ be respected by us and other team members and be treated fairly
✓ feel welcomed, valued and not judged based on your race, gender, sexuality or ability
✓ be encouraged and develop skills with our help
✓ be looked after if there’s an accident or injury and have your parents informed if needed
We expect all swimmers to follow the behaviours and requests set out in this code. If any swimmer behaves in a way which contradicts any of the points set out above, we’ll address the problem straight away with the parent’s involvement and aim to resolve the issue.
Continued issues and repeated breaches of this code may result in us regrettably asking you to leave LSC permanently, for the welfare of other swimmers and our staff. This is something we never want to do.
Reviewed January 2023
