Membership Information
Applications for membership should be emailed (scanned versions), posted, or handed in on poolside (Salt Ayre, Saturdays 5-30pm till 6:30pm; Carnforth Pool Thursdays 3:45pm till 5:00pm and Fridays 6:30pm till 7:30pm) to Rebecca Mulliner. Rebecca's contact details are:
Elkston
Lancaster Road
Slyne
Lancaster
LA2 6AS
Tel, 01524 824326
Mobile: 07825719368
email colin@cmulliner.wanadoo.co.uk
Applications should include the following completed forms that can be downloaded by clicking the links:
| Application Form | |
| Code of Conduct form for Swimmers | |
| Code of Conduct form for Parents | |
| Parents Photography Consent Form | |
| Medical Information Form | |
| Confirmation of Commitment | |
| Fees and Standing Order Form |
You may also find the following resources useful to understand the operation of the club and the principles that all members including coaches, committee members, poolside helpers, swimmers and parents abide by. We recommend that all members read these documents and keep copies.
CARNFORTH AND DISTRICT OTTERS ASC CODE OF CONDUCT
The otters pride themselves in being a fair, friendly family club and we
believe that our success stems from this. As in any family the club
expects everyone to share in making it a safe, happy and loving
environment for our swimmers to grow up in. To ensure this please treat
other members with respect, courtesy and consideration.
PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT
• To advise swimmers of their responsibilities and rights
• To advise parents of their responsibilities and rights
• To make everyone-Swimmers/Parents and Staff aware of disciplinary policy
SWIMMERS RIGHTS
• To be treated fairly within a safe environment
• To develop your swimming ,regardless of level of ability, in an encouraging and
supportive way
• To have your concerns listened to by fellow swimmers or staff, which would of
course include any Bullying issues.
SWIMMERS RESPONSIBILITES
• To demonstrate commitment to the training by attending most sessions, arriving
on time, and not leaving without permission. Remembering to bring necessary
equipment will ensure you get the most from the session
• Not to swear, fight, bully or undertake any other disruptive behaviour
• To accept the authority of the staff, this includes listening to and acting on their
instructions.
• Accepting the imposition of sanctions, if he code of conduct is breached.
• Club property and equipment to be treated with respect.
PARENTS RIGHTS
• To feel confident that your child will be safe
• To know that your child will be treated with respect , and in a fair and consistent
manner
• To know that the Club’s aim is to provide an environment based on positive
support and encouragement
• To be kept informed of any concerns regarding your child’s welfare
• To make observations about the club in a constructive manner, to the Chief
Coach, Head of Teaching, or Chairman at an appropriate time and place.
PARENTS RESPONSIBLITIES
• To be aware of various Club Policies and Codes
• To support the Club in implementing this Code of Conduct
• To make the Club and appropriate staff members aware of any medical,
psychological or social circumstances that may affect your child’s performance
• Support your child with training and competitions
• Give a contact number where you can be reached at all times
• To be available to discuss any concerns about your child
• To ensure that your child is in the care of an Otters member of Staff before
leaving the Premises.
• To treat staff members with respect, recognising their experience, commitment
and that they have broad responsibilities to your child, other children and the club.
Undermining a staff member’s authority and interfering at poolside threatens the
smooth running of the club.
• To leave and pick up their child in the pool foyer not outside.
Illegal and performance enhancing drugs are strictly forbidden.
Swimmers are expected to keep themselves informed of such substances
RESPONSES AND SANCTIONS AVAILABLE TO THE CLUB
Initial assessment of the situation will be made by the staff member
coaching/teaching the swimmer in regard to
• Age of the child
• Affect on other swimmers in the Group
• Previous conduct of the child
• How long left in the session
• Other relevant observations
1. The swimmer will be spoken to about their behaviour
2. The swimmer will be told to get out of the water and sit on the poolside for a short
period at the discretion of the staff member
3. The swimmer will be told to shower, dress and wait on poolside, if no parent is in
attendance.
4. Parents will be informed of swimmers behaviour ASAP
5. For persistent or serious misbehaviour the parents will be asked to meet with the
Head Coach, or Head of Teaching and the staff member concerned
December 2008
CODE OF ETHICS
This Code of Ethics was written with specific reference to Teachers and Coaches. However, most
aspects of this Code are also applicable to other people involved in the sport. Therefore all
Members of the ASA, should be aware that this Code also applies to them. Please see the
accompanying Note for Guidance which does not form part of this Code but which are intended to
assist Members in its interpretation.
The ASA and IOS acknowledge that a large part of this Code of Ethics has been derived from the code
produced by the Industry Lead Body for Sport and Recreation. The Code published below will remain
operational unless and until notice of any changes and amendments is given by the ASA.
The British Swimming Coaches & Teaching Association(BSCTA) endorses this Code of Ethics.
TEACHING/COACHING AND INSTRUCTING
Even though the NVQ standards focus on and describe work functions, they are based on a number of
accepted assumptions and values which underpin good practice in teaching/coaching and instructing. The
British Institute of Sports Coaches has articulated these into a Code of Ethics must of which has been
incorporated into the following Code of Ethics for Swimming Teachers/Coaches. Throughout the following
Code the expression ‘Teacher/Coach’ whether used in the singular or plural shall included all
teacher/coaches, assistants and other helpers whose activities are connected with the disciplines regulated
by the Amateur Swimming Association (the ASA) and all members of the Institute of Swimming (IOS).
Where the context of the code admits the expressions Teacher/Coach and Sports Coach this may also
include Officials and others involved in the sport of swimming in any capacity.
The purpose of the Code of Ethics (referred to throughout the remainder of the document as the Code) is
to establish and maintain standards for Teachers/Coaches and to inform and protect members of the public
using their services. Ethical standards comprise such values as integrity, responsibility, competence and
confidentiality. Individuals who are members of the ASA/IOS are deemed to have assented to the Code
and as such recognise and adhere to the principles and responsibilities embodied in it.
The Code creates a framework within which Teachers/Coaches when engaged in sports coaching – in the
fullest sense of the expression – should always work. The code has been written as a series of guidelines
rather than a set of instructions. However violations of the Code may result in complaints being made to a
District Judicial Tribunal (DJT) and, in which case the relevant Tribunal in determining whether a conduct
complained of has brought the sport into disrepute or amounts to a violation of the ASA Laws will consider
the Code’s provisions when assessing the guilt of individuals against whom complaints have been made
and/or the appropriate sanctions to apply.
THE CODE
Issues of responsibility
Teaching/Coaching is a deliberately undertaken responsibility, and sports Teacher/Coaches are
responsible for the observation of the principles embodied in the Code of Ethics.
Humanity
Teacher/Coaches must respect the rights, dignity and worth of every human being and their ultimate right
to self-determination. Specifically, Teacher/Coaches must treat everyone equally within the context of their
activity, regardless of sex, ethnic origin, religion, disability or political persuasion.
RELATIONSHIPS
The good Teacher/Coach will be concerned primarily with the well being, health and future of the individual
performer and only secondary with the optimisation of performance.
A key element in a teacher/coach relationship is the development of independence. Performers must be
encourage to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance in training, in competition, and
in their social life. Teachers/Coachers are responsible for setting and monitoring the boundaries between a
working relationship and friendship with their performers. This is particularly important when the coach and
performer are of opposite sex and/or when the performer is a young person. The Teacher/Coach must
realise that certain situations or friendly actions could be misinterpreted, not only by the performer, but by
outsiders motivated by jealousy, dislike or mistrust and could lead to allegations of sexual misconduct or
impropriety.
The relationship between coach and performer relies heavily on mutual trust and respect. In detail this
means that the performer should be aware of the Teachers/Coaches qualifications and experience and
must be given the opportunity to consent to or decline proposals for training and performance.
COMMITMENT
Teachers/Coaches should clarify in advance with performers and/or employer the number of sessions, fees
(if any) and method of payment. They should also explore with performers and/or employers the
expectation of the outcome of teaching/coaching.
Teachers/Coaches have a responsibility to declare to their performers and/or employer any other current
teaching/coaching commitments. Teachers/Coaches should also find out if any prospective client is
currently receiving guidance from another Teacher/Coach. If so, that teacher/coach should be contacted to
discuss the situation.
Teachers/Coaches who become aware of a conflict between their obligation to their performers and their
obligation to their Governing Body or other organisation employing them must make explicit the nature of
conflict, and the loyalties and responsibilities involved, to all parties concerned.
CO-OPERATION
Teachers/Coaches should communicate and co-operate with other sports and allied professions in the best
interest of their performers. An example of such contact would be the seeking of educational and career
advice/counselling for young performers whose training impinges upon the performance of their studies.
Teachers/Coaches must communicate and co-operate with medical and ancillary practitioners in the
diagnosis, treatment and management of their performers’ medical and psychological problems.
ADVERTISING
Advertising by sports teacher/coaches in respect of qualification and/or services shall be accurate and
professional restrained.
Teachers/Coaches shall not display any affiliation with an organisation in a manner that falsely implies
sponsorship or accreditation by that organisation.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Teachers/Coaches inevitably gather a great deal of personal information about performers in the course of
a working relationship. Teacher/Coach and performers must reach agreement as to what is regarded as
confidential information, i.e. not divulging to a third party without the express approval of the performer.
Confidentiality does not preclude the disclosure of information, to persons who can be judged to have a
‘right to know’, relating to performers when relevant to the following:
• evaluation of the performer within the sport for competitive selection purposes and
recommendations concerning performers for professional purposes;
• pursuit of disciplinary action involving performers within the sport;
• pursuit of disciplinary action by the ASA and/or IOS involving fellow coaches in alleged breaches of
this Code of Ethics and Conduct.
ABUSE OF PRIVILEGE
The Teacher/Coach is privileged, on occasion to have contact with performers and to travel and reside with
performer in the course of teaching/coaching and competitive practice. Consequently, a Teacher/Coach
must not attempt to exert undue influence over the performer in order to obtain personal benefit or reward.
PERSONAL STANDARDS
The Teacher/Coach must consistently display high personal standards and project a favourable image of
their sport and of teaching/coaching – to performers, other teachers/coaches, officials, spectators, the
media and the general public.
Personal appearance is a matter of individual taste but the sports teacher/coach has an obligation to
project an image of health, cleanliness and functional efficiency.
The Teacher/Coach should never smoke when teaching/coaching.
Teachers/Coaches should not drink alcohol so soon before teaching/coaching that their judgement may be
impaired and the smell will still be on their breath when working with performers.
SAFETY
Teachers/Coaches have a responsibility to ensure the safety of the performers with whom they work as far
as possible within the limits of their control.
All reasonable steps should be taken to establish a safe working environment.
The work done and the manner in which it is done should be in keeping with regular and approved practice
within that sport.
The activity being undertaken should be suitable for the age, experience and ability of the performers.
Performers should have been systematically prepared for the activity being undertaken and made aware of
their personal responsibilities in terms of safety.
ISSUES OF COMPETANCE
Teachers/Coaches shall confine themselves to practice in those fields of sport in which they have been
trained/educated, and which are recognised by the ASA and IOS as being valid. Valid areas of expertise
are those directly concerned with sports coaching. Training includes the accumulation of knowledge and
skills through both formal Teacher/Coach education courses and by experience at a level of competence
acceptable for independent teaching/coaching practice.
Teachers/Coaches must be able to recognise and accept when to refer performers to other agencies. It is
the responsibility of the Teacher/Coach as far as possible, to verify the competence and integrity of the
person to whom they refer a performer.
Teachers/Coaches should regularly seek ways of increasing their professional development and self
awareness.
Teachers/Coaches should welcome evaluation of their work by colleague and be able to account to
performers, employers, Governing Bodies and colleagues for their actions.
Teachers/Coaches have a responsibility to themselves and their performers to maintain their own
effectiveness, resilience and abilities, and to know when their personal resources are so depleted as to
make it necessary for them to seek help and/or withdraw from teaching/coaching whether temporarily or
permanently.
VIOLATIONS OF THIS CODE
An alleged breach of this Code shall be grounds for making a complaint under ASA Law. This is a formal
expression of dissatisfaction with the actions of behaviour of clubs, bodies, organisations or individuals or
with alleged unfair practice in connection with the sport and will be dealt with by a Judicial Tribunal.
The procedures for making a complaint are set out in the ASA Judicial Laws which are reproduced in the
current edition of Laws of the Sport and the ASA Handbook. Any complaint relating tow matter contained in
this Code may be referred by the Chairman of the District Judicial Tribunal to an independent investigator
to be appointed by the ASA. The terms of reference shall be set by the ASA. Dependent upon the outcome
of the investigation the Chairman of the DJT may direct that the matter may not proceed as a complaint
under the ASA judicial system. In such a situation the Chief Executive may authorise such other action for
instance the offering of guidance of education support or the issue of a warning as to future conduct, as
may be appropriate in the circumstances. Thereafter dependant upon the outcome of such other action the
Chief Executive may refer the matter back to the Chairman of DJT for reconsideration as to whether the
matter may proceed as a complaint.
The ASA Child Protection Officer shall have the power in exceptional circumstances to commence or take
over conduct of any complaint made in respect of any breach of any of the provisions of this Code.
Team Staff Appointments Policy
The policy of the Amateur Swimming Association and Amateur Swimming Federation of Great Britain is as
follows:
Where one athlete aged below eighteen years of age is travelling they must be accompanied by one
member o staff and parental consent obtained with regard to the identity of the staff member.
Where there are two or more athletes travelling there must be a minimum of two members of staff
accompanying the athletes. Where the group of athletes are of mixed sex, there must be staff members of
each sex.
NOTE FOR GUIDANCE
Under the ASA/IOS Code of Ethics Honorary officials are entitled to expect the same respect and dignity of
treatment as to which employees are entitled. It follows from this that if an official is not performing
satisfactorily in their role the official is entitled to be told, to be given an opportunity to respond to the
criticism and the opportunity to improve.
Further, the Club may wish to consider establishing a mentoring system with senior figures(s) in the Club
(possibly a Past President) offering guidance and support to officials and also encouraging the
development of new talent to ensure successions within the Club’s administration.
CONDUCT OF MEETINGS
In particular any member wishing to make any direct overt-criticism of an official or other member of the
club in a general meeting must advise the Chairman in good time to enable the Chairman to advise such
person in advance of the meeting in order that he is able to prepare himself for such criticism.
Furthermore, as a separate obligation on the chairman of the meeting when an official or member is the
subject of criticism the chairman must specifically afford such person the opportunity to respond to include
if requested consideration of an adjournment to enable the person to collect their thoughts.
Any failure to follow these principles may give rise to a complaint to a DJT under the ASA/IOS Code of
Ethics. It is not intended that the Code should be used to stifle democratic debate but ethical
considerations and indeed common sense decency dictates that advance warning should be given to
anyone who is to be the subject of criticism in a general meeting.
BULLYING
The damage caused by bullying is frequently underestimated and can and does cause considerable
distress and harm to children. It is important that all settings in which children are provided with services or
activities promote a policy which is not tolerant of bullying. No swimmer will be able to reach their full
potential if they feel they are the victims of bullying, by an adult or one of their peers. Tackling bullying must
be the responsibility of everyone in the club.
Guidelines and strategies to support an anti-bullying policy
The chances of bullying happening in a club can be greatly reduced if there is a general atmosphere where
members are valued and cared for. The following strategies which are embodied in the ASA Code of Ethics
will support a club’s attempt to prevent bullying:
• Encourage an ethos of mutual respect for difference throughout the club
• Give positive encouragement and promote the value of self and others
• Raise awareness of all to the possible cause and effect of bullying
• Make it clear that bullying will not be tolerated and is unacceptable, but that both victims and bullies
will be given the necessary support
• Enable swimmers, coaches and teachers to understand that no form of bullying be it physical,
verbal or emotional will be tolerated by the club or the Association.
• Enable members to feel confident that their concerns will be listened to and taken seriously
• Publicise SwimLine and the NSPCC Child Protection Helpline
Any club where bullying is evident but not addressed will be considered to be breaching the ASA Code of
Ethics. Clubs should ensure that any bullying which involves children should be seen in the same light as
other child protection concerns and the ASA Child Protection Procedures should be implemented if a
serious concern is raised.
February Fixtures
| Sat 4th February | BLACKPOOL AGE GROUPS |
| Sun 5th February | BLACKPOOL AGE GROUPS |
| Sat 18th February | Otters Home Gala |
| Sat 25th February | Micro A Gala |
Otters Notices
| Lancashire County Age Group championships 2012
3/4 March & 17/18 March 2012
Consideration times have been published
See Tina Bellamy for details |
| If you want to enquire or order any of the items from the shop you can contact: Janet Timpany on
07753168689. Or see her at Salt Ayre Link: SHOP |
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