White Rock Amateur Swim Association

CODE OF CONDUCT

The purpose of this section is to provide guidelines regarding BCSSA's expectations of all those who participate within its jurisdiction

BCSSA has a duty to treat its member clubs and participants (competitors, coaches, officials and other volunteers) fairly and with respect and integrity: emotionally, intellectually, physically, culturally, socially, and spiritually. It is important to BCSSA that all participants experience meaningful and enjoyable opportunities in a safe, sportsmanlike environment.

To this end, all participants have a duty to:

Respect and understand the principles of good sportsmanship.
Promote safety, ensure fun, enjoyment and good competition.
Eliminate behaviours and actions which detract from a positive environment.
Not tolerate abuse or harassment by anyone during practices, meets, tournaments and any other BCSSA activities.

Everyone in attendance at a BCSSA event, whether athlete, volunteer, executive member or spectator is responsible and accountable for intervening should inappropriate behaviour be observed.

Everyone should use common sense, evaluate the situation rationally and act accordingly when inappropriate behaviour occurs. Everyone present shares the responsibility of addressing the behaviour.

It is important to educate all individuals. Everyone is accountable for preventing incidents and resolving them should they occur. Individuals must learn not to 'pass the buck'.

Everyone must pay attention, get involved and never look away.

BCSSA adheres closely to its Standing Policies:

Competitors' Code of Conduct

It is the duty of all competitors to:

Respect and compete by the BCSSA rules. Resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.
Respect your opponents.
Respect all coaches and officials.
Support all efforts to eliminate verbal and physical abuse from all sporting activities.
Accept responsibility for your actions and behaviour.

Coaches' Code of Conduct

BCSSA has adopted the Coaching Association of Canada's Code of Ethics, its principles and ethical standards. The purpose of this code is to establish and maintain high standards within the coaching complement of BCSSA, and to ensure that all coaches act in a manner respectful of the dignity of all competitors within the organization. All coaches are required to read and sign an acknowledgment adhering to the code. The Coaching Code Confirmation Forms shall be submitted to the Provincial office. The Coaches' Code of Conduct is available through each member club or BCSSA Office.

Officials' Code of Conduct

Officials in each aquatic activity (swimming, water polo, diving, synchronized swimming) are responsible for promoting the rules of BCSSA to all participants to the best of their ability. Officials' conduct should reflect professionalism through respect for all participants, knowledge of the rules and integrity and neutrality in the application of the rules.

Parents' Code of Conduct

Understand that your child plays sport for his/her enjoyment not yours.
Encourage your child to compete by the rules. Teach your child to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.
Teach your child that doing one's best is as important as winning. Offer praise for competing fairly and trying hard.
Do not yell at, or ridicule your child for making a mistake or for losing a competition.
Applaud good performances from all competitors. Children learn best by example.
Do not force your child to participate in sports.
Respect and support ALL officials who participate in the sport.
Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from children's sporting activities. Maintain self-control at all times.

Harassment Policy

BCSSA is committed to the prevention of harassment through the provision of awareness, education and training programmes. This policy applies to all employees, volunteers, club members, coaches, competitors, officials, and anyone else directly involved with BCSSA activities. Harassment is a serious matter and will be dealt with fairly, in consideration of the protection of individual rights and dignity of all people involved. The Harassment Policy is available through the BCSSA office.