SAFE SPORT CLUB COORDINATOR

COACHALLI.SWIMPAC@GMAIL.COM

Alli Waddell

OUR PROMISE



We believe that competitive athletics teaches that hard work, dedication, perseverance, selflessness, and respect are the foundation for achieving worthwhile goals.

swimPAC puts our athletes first by providing an exceptional platform for competitive swimming. We support this commitment with professional coaches who excel as instructors at every level, and we strive to provide high-quality facilities where both swimmers and coaches can thrive.

Above all, we are committed to providing a safe, healthy, and positive environment for every athlete. As a proud participant in USA Swimming’s Safe Sport program, swimPAC actively enforces policies, training, and standards designed to protect child safety, foster zero tolerance for abuse or misconduct, and empower our athletes both on and off the deck.

Our swimPAC parents proudly support the team through volunteering, enabling our coaching staff to stay focused on instilling core values in our swimmers.

While we strive to develop national-level competitors, our ultimate goal is to nurture fine young men and women who will grow into responsible, resilient citizens. We welcome athletes of all ability levels, tailoring our programs so every swimmer has the opportunity to succeed and grow.

swimPAC Comprehensive Code of Conduct

Parent, Coach, & Athlete Agreement

Purpose & Core Values

The purpose of this Code of Conduct is to establish a safe, positive, and respectful environment for all swimPAC members. Whether in the pool, on the deck, or in the stands, every participant plays a critical role in representing our club with integrity and good sportsmanship.

All parents, coaches, and athletes are expected to uphold these shared principles:

• Compliance: Adhere strictly to all USA Swimming rules, regulations, and codes of conduct.
• Sportsmanship: Demonstrate respect, humility in victory, and dignity in defeat across all practices, meets, and team events.
• Inclusive Environment: Maintain zero tolerance for sexism, racism, homophobia, abusive language, violence, or dishonesty.
• Facility Respect: Treat all venues, locker rooms, equipment, and personal property with care and respect.

1. Athlete Expectations

As a swimPAC athlete, I commit to:

• Respect & Courtesy: Treat teammates, coaches, opponents, and officials with respect, honoring teammates' feelings and personal space.
• Leadership & Work Ethic: Set a positive example of behavior, effort, and dedication for younger teammates.
• Attendance & Commitment: Attend all scheduled practices, team meetings, and meets unless excused in advance by a coach.
• Proper Channels: Never approach an official directly regarding a call; address any concerns through my coach.

2. Coach Expectations

As a swimPAC coach, I commit to:

• Athlete Safety & Well-being: Always prioritize the physical health, emotional well-being, and safety of swimmers above athletic development and performance.
• Professionalism & Boundaries: Dress, act, and communicate professionally at all times while maintaining clear, appropriate boundaries with athletes.
• Fairness & Education: Treat every swimmer fairly, impartially, and with sensitivity, actively teaching good sportsmanship alongside technical skills.
• Professional Growth: Continually pursue professional development in coaching standards and child development.

3. Parent & Guardian Expectations

As a swimPAC parent/guardian, I commit to:

• Role Modeling: Set a positive example in the stands by cheering constructively and treating all coaches, officials, volunteers, competitors, and parents with courtesy.
• Letting Coaches Coach: Refrain from coaching or directing my child from the stands during practices and meets, allowing the coaching staff to lead the team.
• Constructive Engagement: Support the team through volunteer work and open communication with my child and their coach regarding progress.
• Respecting Official Judgments: Support and respect the integrity and decisions of meet officials.

Enforcement & Disciplinary Action

Adherence to this Code of Conduct is mandatory for all members. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action determined by the coaching staff, supervisor, and/or the swimPAC Board of Directors. Consequences may range from verbal warnings and temporary suspension from activities to permanent dismissal from the club.

swimPAC Mandatory Reporting & Grievance Policy

1. Purpose & Scope

This Reporting Policy establishes clear procedures for submitting, managing, and resolving concerns, Code of Conduct violations, and safety complaints within swimPAC.

swimPAC is fully committed to maintaining a safe environment free from misconduct, abuse, and harassment. This policy incorporates swimPAC’s team governance standards while strictly adhering to the mandatory policies established by USA Swimming and the U.S. Center for SafeSport.

2. Mandatory Reporting Pathways

Depending on the nature of the alleged violation, reports must be submitted through specific official channels:

Category 1: Sexual Misconduct & Child Abuse (Mandatory SafeSport Jurisdiction)

• Scope: Any allegation of sexual abuse, sexual misconduct, grooming, child abuse, or child sexual exploitation involving minor athletes.
• Mandatory Action: Under federal law (Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act) and USA Swimming SafeSport rules, all adult members (coaches, board members, staff, officials, and adult participants) are mandatory reporters.
• Reporting Requirement: Reports MUST be made immediately (within 24 hours) to both:

1. U.S. Center for SafeSport: Submit online at safesport.org or call 833-5US-SAFE (833-587-7233).
2. Local Law Enforcement: Contact the local police department or child protective services.
3. Team Notification: Notify the swimPAC SafeSport Coordinator or Head Coach, unless doing so poses a conflict of interest or safety risk.

Category 2: USA Swimming Code of Conduct Violations

• Scope: Non-sexual misconduct including physical abuse, emotional abuse, severe bullying, hazing, harassment, financial impropriety, or major breaches of USA Swimming’s Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP).
• Reporting Requirement: Report directly to USA Swimming Corporate Counsel or SafeSport staff via the USA Swimming online reporting form at usaswimming.org/safe-sport or email safesport@usaswimming.org.

Category 3: Local swimPAC Code of Conduct & Team Grievances

• Scope: Local operational issues, parent/coach communication disputes, minor rule infractions, attendance issues, sportsmanship violations at meets or practices, or minor athlete conflicts.
• Reporting Requirement: Submit via the internal swimPAC resolution procedure outlined below.

3. Local swimPAC Reporting & Dispute Resolution Procedure

For non-SafeSport / Category 3 team concerns, use the following multi-step process:

Step 1: 24-Hour Cooling Off Period & Direct Communication

• Cooling Off Period: For disputes arising during a practice or swim meet, parents and coaches must observe a mandatory 24-hour cooling off period before initiating formal discussion, except in emergencies.
• Direct Resolution: When appropriate, parents, coaches, or athletes should first attempt to resolve minor misunderstandings through constructive, direct conversation.

Step 2: Formal Internal Written Report

If an issue cannot be resolved informally or represents a formal Code of Conduct violation, a written report must be submitted to the Head Coach / Director of Competitive Swimming and/or the swimPAC Board of Directors.

Required details for the report:

• Date, time, and location of the incident.
• Names of individuals involved and any witnesses.
• Factual summary of the behavior or violation.
• Any supporting documentation or evidence.

Step 3: Investigation & Board Review

• The swimPAC Board of Directors (or designated Ethics/Disciplinary Committee) will acknowledge receipt of the written report within 48 hours.
• The designated committee will conduct a prompt, fair review, including interviewing involved parties and witnesses as necessary.

4. Disciplinary Action & Sanctions

If a violation of the swimPAC Code of Conduct is substantiated, disciplinary actions will be determined based on severity, history, and impact. Sanctions may include:

1. Verbal Warning or Formal Reprimand: Official notice documenting the infraction.
2. Written Probation: Formal probation with specific conditions for continued team participation.
3. Temporary Suspension: Exclusion from practices, meets, or team events for athletes, parents, or coaches.
4. Permanent Termination: Permanent revocation of membership or employment with swimPAC.

Note: Any severe infraction involving USA Swimming or SafeSport policies will be referred directly to USA Swimming’s National Board of Review.

5. Protection Against Retaliation (Whistleblower Policy)

swimPAC strictly prohibits any form of retaliation against any athlete, parent, coach, or official who reports a concern in good faith or participates in an investigation.

Any retaliation attempt will be treated as a separate, severe violation of the swimPAC Code of Conduct and will result in immediate disciplinary action up to permanent dismissal from the club.

6. Confidentiality

All reports, investigations, and disciplinary proceedings will be kept as confidential as reasonably possible, disclosing details only on a need-to-know basis to conduct a thorough investigation or as required by law.