The Purpose of this code is to promote an environment of team spirit, mutual support and fun for all participants.
All participating athletes at GSSC will abide by this code of conduct at all times.
General Code of Conduct Rules
- All participating athletes are asked to wear designated team uniform or suit and cap during competitions. Uniform or suit and cap for club team or high school team will not be worn.
- All participating athletes will participate in all championship meets they are qualified for or, if conflicts are anticipated or arise, will let coach know immediately.
- All participating athletes will display a positive and supportive attitude and will consistently display respect, honesty and good sportsmanship toward all teams, coaches, teammates and competitors.
- Disrespectful, bullying or destructive behavior or any actions that bring discredit or discord to the team will not be tolerated. It is the responsibility of each athlete to help prevent such behavior and bring any problems to the appropriate adult.
- Use of alcoholic beverages, drugs other than those prescribed by a physician and smoking is unacceptable at all times.
- All participants and their parents/guardians have the responsibility to do their best to ensure that this Code of Conduct is adhered to and to help ensure the safety and support of all teammates.
Consequences for Rule Violation
At the discretion of the head coach:
- Athlete may be sent home from practice.
- Athlete may be removed from the roster for the next competition.
- Athlete may be suspended from the team until a meeting between athlete, parents, coach and Board representative takes place.
Electronic Communication Policy:
Communication Protocol:
- Coaches - This policy applied to all Head and Assistant Coaches. This policy excludes coaches who are also athletes on the team they coach.
- Communication to athletes should be directly related to team activities, from team accounts.
- Communication should be professional and as a representative/employee of the Club
- Communication should be clear and direct, but also free of hidden meanings, innuendo, and expectations
- One to one communication should include another coach or, for under 13, the athlete’s parent.
- Communication should also go through the filter of “would I be comfortable having this conversation face to face, and would I be fine with other people reading the communication?”
- Communication should NOT involve things like: Reference to drugs or alcohol, Sexually-oriented or sexual references, The adult or coaches’ personal life, social activities, relationships, family issues, or personal problems
- Subject to the general guidelines mentioned above, communication is allowed between coaches and athletes during the hours from 7am until 9pm, unless there is a weather or facility emergency that requires notification outside of those hours.
Communication Vehicles:
This applies to all forms of electronic communication, including but not limited to:
- Email and Personal Blogs
- Texting and Phone Voicemail
- Social Media Platforms and Messaging Apps (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter)
Management of Accounts:
- Coaches - Coaches may not have Gregory Seahurst athletes join their personal accounts. Coaches are encouraged to set their personal accounts to “private” to prevent athletes from accessing the coach’s personal information.
- A coach may not accept any “friend requests or request to follow” from a Gregory Seahurst athlete. In addition, the coach should remind the athlete that this is not permitted.
- Coaches are not permitted to “private message or communicate” with athletes through any Social Media Chat mechanism.
- Parents – Parents and Coaches may choose to “friend” each other on electronic communication platforms at the discretion of both the coach and the parent. Adults should always practice common sense and good social media awareness, so if both parties elect to friend each other they take responsibility for what is shown and what is seen on each other’s accounts.
- Athletes – Athletes are not permitted to accept or request personal communication or connection on these platforms with coaches. Athletes are not permitted to “private message or communicate” with coaches through any Social Media Chat mechanism.
PARENT INCLUSION
Athletes under 13 cannot be messaged directly – regardless of medium - unless the athlete’s parents/guardians are included in the communication.
REQUEST TO DISCONTINUE ALL ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS
The parents or guardians of an athlete may request via email to
[email protected] that their child not be contacted by coaches through any form of electronic communication.
