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The Purpose of this code is to promote an environment of team spirit, mutual support and fun for all participants.

All participating athletes at AHSTC 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 Arbor Heights 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 an Arbor Heights 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 ah-swim@ahstc.com that their child not be contacted by coaches through any form of electronic communication.

As a parent/guardian of an athlete at AHSTC, I will abide by the following guidelines:
– I will practice teamwork with all parents, athletes and coaches by emphasizing the proper ideals of Sportsmanship, Ethical Conduct and Fair Play.
– I will at all times maintain self-control and know my role: Athletes – do their best!; Coaches – coach; Officials – judge fairly; Parents – bring your athletes to practice and meets/matches, support them in their goals and cheer loudly!
– I will not coach or instruct the team or any participant (including my own child(ren) at practice, matches/games or meets; or interfere with coaches or other athletes in any way.
– I understand that criticizing, name-calling, use of abusive language or gestures directed toward the coaches, officials, and/or any participating athlete will not be permitted or tolerated.
– I will empower my child(ren) to be in charge of their activities, to make their own goals for the season and encourage them to share those goals with their coaches.
– During competitions, any questions or concerns I may have regarding decisions made by officials will be directed to a member of our coaching staff.
– I understand that my volunteer efforts are an integral part of the success of the team and I will complete my volunteer responsibilities.

Consequences:
Should I conduct myself in such a way that brings discredit or discord to the Arbor Heights Club or Team, I will voluntarily subject myself to disciplinary action as determined by the coaching staff or Board of Trustees. Disciplinary action may include:
– Parent/Guardian will be reminded of the above guidelines
– Parent/Guardian will be asked to vacate the facility
– Parent/Guardian will be banned from attendance at any or all future competitions
– Parent/Guardian will be required to meet with Board of Trustees and may be suspended from the club for a period of time.

A concussion is a brain injury and all brain injuries are serious. They are caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or by a blow to another part of the body with the force transmitted to the head. They can range from mild to severe and can disrupt the way the brain normally works. Even though most concussions are mild, all concussions are potentially serious and may result in complications including prolonged brain damage and death if not recognized and managed properly. In other words, even a ‘ding’ or a bump on the head can be serious. You can’t see a concussion and most sports concussions occur without loss of consciousness. Signs and symptoms of concussion may show up right after the injury or can take hours or days to fully appear. If your child reports any symptoms of concussion, or if you notice the symptoms or signs of concussion yourself, seek medical attention right away.

Symptoms may include one or more of the following:
Headaches
Amnesia
Pressure in head
Don’t feel right
Nausea or vomiting
Fatigue or low energy
Neck pain
Sadness
Balance problems or dizziness
Nervousness or Anxiety
Blurred, double, or fuzzy vision
Irritability
Sensitivity to light or noise
More emotional
Feeling sluggish or slowed down
Confusion
Feeling foggy or groggy
Concentration or memory problems
Drowsiness (forgetting game plays)
Change in sleep patterns
Repeating the same question/comment

Signs observed by teammates, parents and coaches include:
Appears dazed
Vacant facial expression
Confused about assignment
Forgets plays
Is unsure of game, score, or opponent
Moves clumsily or displays incoordination
Answers questions slowly
Slurred speech
Shows behavior or personality changes
Can’t recall events prior to hit
Can’t recall events after hit
Seizures or convulsions
Any change in typical behavior or personality

What can happen if my child keeps on playing with a concussion or returns to soon?
Athletes with the signs and symptoms of concussion should be removed from play immediately. Continuing to play with the signs and symptoms of a concussion leaves the young athlete especially vulnerable to greater injury. There is an increased risk of significant damage from a concussion for a period of time after that concussion occurs, particularly if the athlete suffers another concussion before completely recovering from the first one. This can lead to prolonged recovery, or even to severe brain swelling (second impact syndrome) with devastating and even fatal consequences. It is well known that adolescent or teenage athlete will often under report symptoms of injuries. And concussions are no different. As a result, education of administrators, coaches, parents and students is the key for student-athlete’s safety.

If you think your child has suffered a concussion
Any athlete even suspected of suffering a concussion should be removed from the game or practice immediately. No athlete may return to activity after an apparent head injury or concussion, regardless of how mild it seems or how quickly symptoms clear, without medical clearance. Close observation of the athlete should continue for several hours. The new “Zackery Lystedt Law” in Washington now requires the consistent and uniform implementation of long and well-established return to play concussion guidelines that have been recommended for several years:
“a youth athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury in a practice or game shall be removed from competition at that time”
and
“may not return to play until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed heath care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussion and received written clearance to return to play from that health care provider.”

You should also inform your child’s coach if you think that your child may have a concussion. Remember it’s better to miss one game than miss the whole season. And when in doubt, the athlete sits out.

For current and up-to-date information on concussions you can go to: https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/youthsports/index.html