High River Otters

EXPECTATIONS

Swimmer Participation/Commitment Expectations

All OTTERS are encouraged to attend as many swim meets as possible. As a competitive swim club, a minimum of 3 swim meets throughout the season are encouraged. The meets are held on weekends.

Bring appropriate gear for swim practice and swim meets.

Sign and follow the behaviour expectations of the Otter Club.

Parent participation/Commitment Expectations

Parents are RESPONSIBLE for their children before and after they leave the pool deck. Parents are expected to monitor the change rooms while swimmers are changing.

Two shifts per family at the High River Swim Meet. (Meet preparation , during the meet and clean up after the last event)/

Provide a “food item” for the Swim Meet for the officials/volunteers running the meet (more information to follow).

One parent needs to have a minimum of one official’s; course and 3 deck sessions. The club will offer 1 or 2 courses throughout the season. Courses for Officials are also available online at www.assa.ca. Please do not be intimidated to help... there are variety of positions for all skill sets at swim meets. Parents are asked to volunteer for shifts at the swim meets.

Please sign up for SWIM MEETS ONE WEEK IN ADVANCE. Meet sign up will be posted on the Otters bulletin board and website. If a swimmer does not sign up for meet...it will be assumed not entering. NO LATE ENTRIES.

High River Otters require each family to submit 3 commitment cheques with their registration. These cheques are held to ensure the commitments are covered, only if the commitments are not made will the cheques be cashed. Once complete the cheques will be returned to the families. Each cheque is $200.

Cheque 1 - Fundraising, this covers the team fundraisers and casino shifts on casino years. Each year the club holds a fundraiser to help keep registration costs as low as possible, these can include bottle drives, raffles, and food item fundraisers. 

Cheque 2 - Swim Meet, each season the Otters host a swim meet and require the Otter families to help out with running the event. This includes bringing a food item and raffle table item valued at $50. There will be a sign up sheet with all the jobs and shifts closer to the swim meet day.

Cheque 3 - Officiating, when attending other clubs meets we need to provide a list of officials (timers, stroke and turn etc) to help them as they will help us. Each family is asked to take a course and complete 3 deck sessions. First time families would start with the Timing course. It is a fun way to spend the day and have the best seat in the house!

Regulated by a member of the Alberta Summer Swim Association (ASSA).

The ASSA results data base contains meet results for all ASSA clubs in Alberta.

The Club strives to improve the four competitive swim strokes in order for members to compete with other Swim Clubs to the best of each swimmer’s ability.

The Club fosters team spirit and friendships.

Promotes physical fitness, health, and a sport for life.

Improves self-confidence, increases self-esteem and allows swimmers to enjoy the FUN of swimming.

Code Of Conduct

The objective of this policy is to maintain and foster the optimum opportunity for all swimmers to train, have fun and be safe both in and out of the pool. It is the responsibility of every member of the club (athletes, coaches, parents and volunteers) to create a positive atmosphere in which athletes experience success. To this end, the club expects all members to adhere to and support the following code of conduct.

Our Athletes code of Conduct can be summarised as follows:

RESPECT SELF

Be positive and supportive of teammates.

Be a role model and demonstrate sportsmanship and fellowship of teammates.

Work to the best of your abilities at all times to achieve personal goals! Be there because you want to be an OTTER!

RESPECT OTHERS

Listen to those around you and follow rules which help to maintain a safe environment for all participants.

Be on time and ready for practices!

Treat others in a kind and respectful manner.

Inform the Coach if planning on missing more than three consecutive practices.

ZERO TOLERANCE for BULLYING!

RESPECT PROPERTY

The equipment and pool facilities utilised by our Club will be used appropriately and maintained.

BEHAVIOUR POLICY ~ A three warning system will be implemented:

*1st Offence: After a verbal warning, if the unacceptable behaviour continues, the athlete will be asked to sit on the side of the pool between 4-15 mins. The Coach may discuss the incident briefly with the parent AFTER practice explaining why the swimmer was asked to sit out.

*2nd Offence: If the behaviour is repeated the swimmer will be asked to once again sit on the side of the pool 5-15 mins. The parents will be contacted by the coach to find a resolution to their swimmer’s behaviour. The Swimmer will be allowed to return to the pool after the family has spoken with their swimmer and decided how to resolve the behaviour.

*3rd Offence: The swimmer will be asked to sit out on the side of the pool 5-15 mins. The parents, swimmer, Coach and Board liaison will meet to discuss strategies to prevent further disruptions in the pool. If the behaviour is deemed inexcusable the swimmer will be asked to not attend practice for a three day period. After this period, the swimmer will be welcomed back on a “trial” basis. If any further incidents occur, the swimmer will be asked to leave the club for the remainder of the season.