Margate Swimming Club: Guidelines, Rules and Regulations

The following outlines the standards that are expected of coaches, swimmers, parents and committee members, in both training aspects , competition aspects and smooth operation of the club.

Standards for Squad Training

• Swimmers are to be at the pool 15 minutes before the start of training for stretching.
• Swimmers must let the coach know if they will be arriving late to training or are unable to make the required session/s.
• Swim lessons / training will not be made up
• Swimmers must inform the coach of any injuries before training.
• Whilst training fluid is essential in keeping the body hydrated, so sports drinks and/or water are a must for every training session.
  Whilst the coach is talking, all squad members will listen carefully to instructions. Rudeness will not be tolerated.
• Swimmers are always to ask the coach’s permission if they wish to leave the water for a toilet break.
• A positive attitude towards training is essential as it influences not only how an individual performs, but one’s attitude affects others around them as well.
• A nutritious diet is advisable, as not only will it give the swimmer a healthy diet but give an individual the required energy that is needed for training sessions.
• Swimmers should enjoy themselves and have fun at training.
• Coaches decision will be final on required training, based on professional assessment, only the coach will be able to decide what is required to get the swimmer to succeed at the correct level at a particular point in time, based on readiness, fitness and capability.

Parents:

• Members and their families are expected to adhere to the pool rules and respect the equipment provided.
• Parents are requested not to approach coaches during training sessions as swimmers deserve the undivided attention of the coach
• We urge you not to partake in pool deck / car park gossip. It is poisonous to the swimmers and the Club.  If you have a problem or query, please see the Coach / Chairman only, to discuss your needs.
• Children must be collected timeously.  Coaches are not responsible for children after their training has finished.
• Ensure the Club’s “healthy environment” goals are upheld by ensuring a smoke and alcohol free environment exists for our swimmers
• Swimmers will not be allowed to take part in any gala if coaching fees are outstanding.
• Coaches decision will be final on required training, parents raising queries should do so directly to the coach, should parents still be unhappy the Chairman must be consulted directly, no car park gossip will be tolerated, discussions between parents should not be accommodated as this creates the vicious circle of gossip, which is often relayed incorrectly and inappropriately.

Standards for Competitions

• Swimmers and parents will be notified by the coach as to which meets the Club will attend, this is solely the coach’s decision based on the assessmentof “swimmer readiness and ability”. Coach decision is final, if there are queries it is to be discussed directly with the coach, this is between the coach and the swimmer, swimmer will be allowed to have parent present while raising their concerns or needs. Please be mindful of gossip
• Before the swimming meet, swimmers will be advised by the coach at what time to meet at the designated venue of the competition.  This is at least 1 hour before the start of the competition for warm-ups.
• A fine will be levied for non attendance at gala’s, once committed
• Swimmers are required to wear Club kit at all gala’s
• No swimmer may receive a medal on the podium if not dressed in Club kit
• Before each event, swimmers will report to the coach for final tips
• After an event, swimmers will return to the coach for feedback.
• Swimmers are required to compete according to the competition conditions and rules. Accept the decision or directions of the referees or officials. If in disagreement with a decision, raise it with your coach first, or if not available, team manager second.
• Work equally as hard for your team as you would for yourself – your team’s performance will benefit as will your own;
  Be a good sport. Encourage and support your team members;
• Show respect and recognition for your opponents, their skills and achievements. Be friendly to all participants;
• Ensure you have adequate rest to obtain your best performance – keeping late hours will detract from your own and your team’s performance

Parents:

• Remember that children participate in sport for their enjoyment, for their own achievement, be mindful of pushing kids to hard, they might loose interest or experience burnout.
• Focus on the child’s efforts and performance rather than winning or losing.  Measure performance against your child’s personal goals.
• Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or losing a competition, encourage your child at all times regardless of performance
• It would be appreciated if all Club members sit together at galas. It gives new members an opportunity to get to know everyone else, in the Club and to support each other. Help new parents to feel welcome.
• All gala queries/ entries / scratching or re-entries are to be directed to the Coach firstly who will then direct it to the team manager, whilst at a gala and if scratching is needed prior to a gala, direct it to the coach and then to the Secretary of the club.  A fine will be levied for any unauthorized scratchings at gala’s.
• Parents of registered swimmers are required to do timekeeping duties at gala’s, without exception
• Remember to show appreciation for coaches, officials and administrators. Without them, your Child could not participate
• If in disagreement with an official decision, raise it through the appropriate channels (team management) rather than questioning the judgment of an official;
• No parent may conduct “warm up” sessions with children at galas, swimmers are to report on time and if a coach is not present at the gala, a team manager will be present on the day to direct the warm ups.
• Team Managers appointed at galas in absence of a coach are to remain at the gala during the event, to ensure that there is a contact between swimmers, parents and officials.

Coach’s Roles and Responsibilities:

• Be responsible for matters and decisions concerning the coaching, training and development of members.
• Maintain a ‘duty of care’ towards others and accountability for matters relating to training and competition.
• Have a sound working knowledge of Swimming South Africa’s policies, rules and coaching techniques.
• Provide a safe environment for training and competition.
• Be a positive role model and make a commitment to providing quality coaching for all team members
• Motivate all team members to realize their full potential in the sport of swimming
• Inform parents / guardians if their child’s behavior is inappropriate
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
• Liaise with the swimmer on coaching guidelines and gala entries and take heed of parent needs on this regard, whilst still maintaining the final decision maker status, regarding coaching and gala entries, based on the Coach’s professional insight.

The Parent / Swimmer / Committee /Coach Team:

Each person within this ‘team’ has a specific role to play. Overlapping the roles becomes confusing and often detrimental to the swimmer.

• The parent provides emotional and practical support for the swimmer.
• The coach provides technical expertise, and motivation in the form of structure, vision and challenge, decision making on swimmers developmental stages as per assessment.
• The swimmer brings the raw material and the desire to succeed.
• The team manager handles technical queries on SSA / KZN system requirements, timing results, scratching and official communication at galas with gala officials. Assist coaches in Coach’s absence at galas
• Committee provides rules, structure , organization, maintenance and complaint resolution and solution implementation for the Club, its members, swimmers and parents
• Allow the coach to do the job you pay them to do. Realize what is being done with your child now is part of a plan for the long-term development of your child’s swimming career.

Parent – Coach Liaison:

It is important for coaches and parents/ committee members who have kids swimming, to be in regular contact regarding the swimmers progress. All coaches are available to talk with parents – this could be an informal chat following training or you may prefer to contact the coach by phone or arrange a suitable meeting time.

If you have concerns regarding your child’s progress or the manner in which your child is being coached then initially you should take up the matter with your child’s coach at a mutually convenient time. Please allow a week or two to resolve a problem or engage in dialogue between the two of you to assist the coach to address your concern. If you still have major concerns please contact the Chairman, PJ Botha. No problems, concerns, wishes, irritations etc should be voiced other than as per the channels listed above, to the people mentioned. Malicious or degrading rumors spread between parents or parents to other committee members or between committee members, will not be tolerated as this creates animosity and a lack of trust, please follow the channels indicated. Action will be taken against parents, swimmers and committee members not adhering to this rule.

General MSC rules:

• Fees are not refundable
• All members, swimmers and parents are to adhere to the swimming pool rules
• Refunds  & / or extensions will not be considered for non-attendance, emergency situations like payments made prior to an injury occurrence, prohibiting training, a doctors letter and written request for extension is to be made to the Chairman of the Club PJ Botha to chairman@margateswimmingclub.co.za or watt4@worldonline.co.za.
• Late or Non payment of coach fees/ KZN and SSA affiliation fees or outstanding fees including gala fees and annual club membership fees, will result in non-admittance.
• MSC or its committee or coaches will not be held responsible for losses as a result of negligence, fire or theft.
• Respect toward and between committee members, swimmers, parents, coaches and MSC management is expected of all affiliated to MSC.
• Only MSC Kit will be allowed to be worn by swimmers at gala’s
• MSC Cap to be worn in all races and full Club kit to be worn during medal ceremonies
• No family member/ swimmers/ committee member or coach may approach any officials of galas / SSA or KZN Aquatics, before galas, during galas or after galas, directly, this is the responsibility of the team manager present at the meeting if not coach , queries or complaints need to be addressed in writing to the Chairman of the Club PJ Botha on chairman@margateswimmingclub.co.za or secretary of the club, Paulette Smith who will forward it to the Chairman. The secretary can be contacted on secretary@margateswimmingclub.co.za
• SSA/ KZN Aquatics and MSC rules, findings or rulings/ decisions will be final, complaints of any kind need to be raised through the correct channels of communication.
• Membership matters/ complaints and Transgression of rules will be resolved by and through the MSC executive committee,  the outcome will be final, to the benefit of the club, the sport and all MSC members, parents and swimmers and coaches.
• If a member/parent or swimmer is on the receiving end of gossip, please report it immediately to the Chairman for investigation and resolutions
• All affiliated to MSC is encouraged to bring any problems/ complaints or compliments directly to the management, in writing, please send it to chairman@margateswimmingclub.co.za

RULES ARE IMPORTANT FOR STRUCTURE, SUCCESS, ORDER AND HAPPINESS IN ANY ORGANISATION. THESE RULES ARE IMPLEMENTED TO BENEFIT ALL PARTIES AFFILLIATED TO THE MSC

 TO FOLLOW– COMMITTEE MEMBER JOB FUNCTIONS AND COMMUNICATION CHANNELS TO FOLLOW, WILL BE SEND TO ALL PARENTS / COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND SWIMMERS SHORTLY, PERTAINING TO WHOM TO CONTACT FOR SPECIFIC QUERIES.