DOHA DOLPHINS CODE OF CONDUCT

• Always be at poolside in good time before lessons. Preferably 10 – 15mins before class start in order for class to start on time.
  
• Make sure all lessons/training sessions are well planned and focused on achieving the set goals for progressing into the next level.
  
• Provide a positive role model for all swimmers.
  
• Treat all swimmers fairly within the context of their sporting activities; maintain professional integrity, being respectful of the diversity of values, abilities, aspirations and family circumstances represented across the membership.
  
• Maintain strict confidentiality regarding all matters relating to, Swimmers, Parents, Coaches, Teachers and Management.
  
• Represent the Club with the highest standards of moral and ethical behaviour.
  
• Maintain open communication with swimmers, their families, and the Committee of Management.
  
• Encourage and facilitate swimmers independence and responsibility for their own behaviour, performance, decisions and actions. Encourage and create opportunities for swimmers to develop individual skills.
  
• Recognise the importance of fun and enjoyment in coaching.
  
• Promote the positive parts of the sport.
  
• Encourage team participation.
  
• Ensure that the events are appropriate for the age group and the skill development level of the swimmers involved.
  
• Teach all swimmers to be friendly towards officials and opponents.
  
• Discipline any swimmers whose behaviour is not acceptable in an appropriate and fair manner.
  
• Keep your own knowledge of coaching and developments of the sport up to date.
  
• Share your knowledge with others as the need arises.
  
• Use designated Club clothing and swimming wear.
  
• Conduct yourself in a considerate manner relating to language and temper. Language in a public place or relevant group situation must always be appropriate and socially acceptable.
  

• Be punctual for training sessions and galas. Arrive in plenty of time for a gentle 5 minute stretching and flexibility routine on poolside before starting swimming.
• Be courteous and helpful to all other swimmers, parents, coaches, teachers, club members and officials. Foul or offensive language should never be used.
• Physical or verbal abuse towards other swimmers or club members will not be tolerated.
• Do NOT go onto poolside unless a designated Club official is present.
• Accept the instruction and guidance of the coach or teacher, at all times and without delay. Give your best 100% of the time.
• Welcome any new club members and give them guidance when needed.
• Encourage team-mates in their swimming.
• Respect the property of others and never tamper with pool equipment.
• Swimmers must be on their best behaviour in changing rooms (before and after swimming) and respect others as well as facilities.
• Always inform club officials well in advance if you are unable to represent the club if selected for competitions, so that a substitute can be found.
• Never use facilities other than the one(s) allowed to be used.
• Never consume food or drinks in the changing facilities or on the pool deck with the exception of energy drinks (e.g. Isostar).
• At all times the changing rooms should be kept clean from dirt and waste.

At training:

• Be on time and bring everything you need for training.
  
• Practice makes perfect. The more you put into your training sessions the more you will get out of them.
  
• Co-operate with the guidance and instructions from the teachers and coaches. If you have an individual question, discuss it with your teacher / coach without interrupting the session for other swimmers.
  
• Be honest in your attitude and preparation to training. Work equally hard for yourself and your team and cooperate with coaches and staff in their endeavour to prepare you for competition at the highest level. Be frank and honest with your coach concerning illness and injury and your ability to train fully within the program requirements.
  
• Do not stop during repeats.
  
• Conduct yourself in a considerate manner relating to language and temper. Language in a public place or relevant group situation must always be appropriate and socially acceptable.
  
• Keep hydrated – have at least 1 filled water bottle ready for consumption during training.
  
• Ensure you use the toilet before the session starts.
  
• Do not distract other swimmers.

• Arrive in good time to warm up with your team-mates always minimum ½ hr before meet is scheduled to commence, unless otherwise stated.
  
• Participate according to the rules and in the spirit of fair play.
  
• Wear club uniform: club costume, swim cap and tee-shirt.
  
• Stay away from pool deck, marshals and officials unless preparing to race.
  
• Be friendly to other swimmers in the marshalling area. Before events, relax, focus on your race - don't be silly.
  
• Always congratulate other swimmers after the race regardless of results.
  
• Accept the judgement of officials and team managers.
  
  

• Swimmers are allocated to training lanes by the coaches – accept their decisions and train accordingly.
  
• Remain concious of where your teammates are in the lane.
  
• When coming in to turn you must cut across the lane before making your turn and push off straight – do not turn and then push off at an angle as this is dangerous for the swimmer behind you.
  
• Do not overtake someone on the outside between flags and the wall or within the flags and the laneend – you risk turning on top of each other.
  
• Be considerate to allow a faster swimmer to pass safely by slowing down, avoid stopping where possible, and do not submerge to let the swimmer pass.
  
• Faster swimmers must realise that slower swimmers are trying just as hard as they are and their set is no less important.
  
• Pulling on other swimmers is forbidden
  
• Do not swim on another swimmers feet/too close, this is disrespectful and annoying to that swimmer, a 5 sec/5m gap is ideal.
  
• Do not swim in the middle of the lane- this is the area to be used for passing and is also the extra space needed for the extra inches of the arms and legs of Breaststrokers and Flyers!
  
• Remember to allow other swimmers behind you to turn and finish correctly and safely, move out of the way of their finish.

• Provide a model of good sports behaviour for your swimmers.
• Allow your swimmers to enjoy their sport in a friendly, safe and respectful environment.
• Support your swimmers by helping them to arrive on time for training.
• Encourage your swimmers' independence by making them responsible for bringing and looking after their equipment.
• Never force your swimmer to take part in swimming. Remember that your child participates in sport for their own enjoyment, not yours.
• Never punish or belittle your swimmer for losing or making mistakes.
• Support your swimmers involvement and help them enjoy swimming.
• Be friendly to all new swimmers and their parents, encouraging them with their involvement in the club.
• If and when possible, support the club by taking your turn at time keeping and other club activities.
• Be patient with progress – understand that the journey to the top can be a long one!
• Please pay swim fees, meet entries, and all other payments at the required time.

At training:

• Parents are welcome and encouraged to stay for the duration of training. However, to minimise poolside noise and distraction, parents are asked not to stay on poolside once swimmers are attired and training has begun.
  
• Parents are asked to leave their stop watches at home, as times at training often bear no relation to competition.
  
• Parents are reminded that during training sessions the Coach / Teacher must concentrate on the swimmers. If parents have questions for the Coach / Teacher about their individual swimmers, they can arrange a mutually convenient time to speak outside of training times.
  
• During training parents are asked to leave the coaching, management and constructive criticisms of swimmers to the Coach / Teacher, and / or Club officials as appropriate.

• Please cheer for your swimmers and all the other swimmers in the club. However, calling out to the swimmers while they are on the blocks, focussed for their races, or running along the poolside during a race, distracts both swimmers and officials.
  
• Please keep clear of marshalling and time keeping areas.
  
• Please do not ask time keepers for your child's times immediately after a race. Times are collated and published as soon as possible after each event / meet.
  
• Please accept the officials' decision on your child's swim, and discuss any concerns you have about a decision privately with the Coach at the conclusion of the meet.

• Resolve conflicts fairly and promptly through established procedures.
  
• Maintain strict impartiality.
  
• Be aware of your legal responsibilities.

• Place the safety and welfare of the swimmers / participants above all else.
  
• Accept responsibility for all actions taken.
  
• Be impartial.
  
• Avoid any situation, which may lead to a conflict of interest.
  
• Be courteous, respectful and open to discussion and interaction.
  
• Value the individual in sport.