TROWBRIDGE AMATEUR SWIMMING CLUB
CODE OF ETHICS
Introduction
This Code of Ethics was written with specific reference to Coaches. However, most aspects of this Code are also applicable to all members of Trowbridge Amateur Swimming Club (TASC): All Coaches, committee members and helpers are required to sign a copy of the Code. In doing so, they indicate that they have read, understood and accepted the Code. This Code should be read in conjunction with the Club rules.
Issues of Responsibility
Coaching and committee participation is a deliberately undertaken responsibility. As a result, all individuals who undertake such roles are responsible for the observation of the principles embodied within this Code. All members of T ASC must consistently display high personal standards and project a favourable image of their sport and of coaching to swimmers, other coaches, officials, parents and members of the public and media.
Rights
Coaches, committee members and helpers must respect the rights, dignity and worth of every member of the club and their right to self-determination. Specifically, everyone within the Club must be treated equally within the context of their activity, regardless of ability, sex, ethnic origin, religion, disability or political persuasion. Equally, both swimmers and their parents are expected to treat their teachers, coaches and all members of the Club with similar respect.
Relationships
The Coaches will be concerned primarily with the well being, health and future of the individual swimmer and only secondary with the optimisation of performance. Swimmers must be encouraged to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance in training, in competition, and in their social life. In addition, an individual swimmer should not impede other swimmers training. This includes allowing other swimmers to train at their own rate rather than attempts being made to dissuade another swimmer to train at a lesser rate.
Coaches are responsible for setting and monitoring boundaries between a working relationship and friendship with swimmers. This is particularly important when the swimmer is a young person. The Coach must realise that certain situations or friendly actions could be misinterpreted, not only by the swimmer, but also by outsiders motivated by jealously, dislike or mistrust and could lead to allegations of sexual misconduct or impropriety.
Commitment
The relationship between coach and swimmer relies heavily on mutual trust and respect. The TASC should ensure in advance with swimmers and their parents the number of sessions, fees and methods of payment required by the Club. Coaches should explore with swimmers and parents the expectations of the outcome of the coaching and develop individual programs accordingly that fit within the overall framework of the Club. In reWID, coaches can expect swimmers and parents to honour their commitments in terms of training, competitions and fee payment.
Integrity
Coaches and committee members should refrain from public criticism of fellow coaches and/or committee members. Differences of opinion should be dealt with on a personal basis. More serious disputes should be referred to the Head Coach in the first instance and then the Committee if they remain unresolved.
Coaches and committee members must not encourage swimmers to violate the rules of their sport and should actively seek to discourage such action. Furthermore, all members of the Club should be encouraged to obey the spirit of such rules.
Confidentiality
Coaches and committee members inevitably gather a great deal of personal information about swimmers in the course of their working relationship. Agreement is to be reached as to what is regarded as confidential information and, therefore, is not to be divulged to a third party without the consent of the individual. However, confidentiality does not preclude the disclosure of information to persons who can be judged to have a 'right to know' relating to swimmers or parents when relevant to the following;
a. Evaluation of performance.
b. Pursuit of disciplinary action.
c. Non-payment of fees.
Safety
All T ASC members have a responsibility to ensure safety of swimmers and staff with whom they work as far as possible within the limits of their control. All reasonable steps should be taken to establish a safe environment. Coaching techniques should be in keeping with regular and approved practice within the sport and be suitable for the age and experience of the swimmer.
An alleged breach of this Code shall be grounds for making a complaint to the Club Committee. Such a complaint will be considered a formal expression of dissatisfaction with actions and behaviour of an individual or group of individuals. Any such complaint will be dealt with in accordance with Club rules.