INTRODUCTION
The Azura Florida Aquatics Swim Club and Swim Camp Code of Conduct is written to provide the rules of behavior for swimmers that are meant to build values, ensure mutual respect and safety for our swimmers. Character, Respect, Honesty, Self-Control, Tolerance, Kindness, Team work, and Integrity are woven into the foundation and procedures of Azura Florida Aquatics Swim Team and Swim Camp. Swimmers are expected to follow the Code of Conduct while at training facilities and competitions. In an effort to further protect our swimmers, this policy will also extend to the swimmer's family.
YOUR RIGHTS AS AN AZURA FLORIDA AQUATICS SWIMMER:
You have the right to be treated with respect and honesty.
You have the right to a safe environment to learn and train.
You have a right to receive professional and non-biased coaching and guidance by dedicated and knowledgeable staff.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS AN AZURA FLORIDA AQUATICS SWIMMER:
You have the responsibility to demonstrate the good character.
You have the responsibility to treat others with respect and honesty.
You have the responsibility to respect the rights of others.
You have the responsibility to treat the pool property, and the property of others, with respect and to act in a way that does not interfere with the rights of others and is not harmful to the health and safety of others.
You have the responsibility to provide information on any potentially dangerous situations to a coach or pool staff member.
It is important for ALL Azura Florida Aquatics Team and Camp Members to know their rights and responsibilities, which include obeying ALL Coaching Staff, ALL pool life guard instructions, and staff members. Swimmers are expected to honor their responsibilities and behave in ways that respect the rights of all and to act as good representatives of Azura Florida Aquatics Swim Team and Swim Camp.
EXPECTED BEHAVIORS
Treat others (Coaches, Staff, Team Members, and Officials) with respect and honesty
Prepare for practices and meets by bringing all necessary equipment
Follow rules and regulations, including those for the pool facility and grounds
Take care of all facilities that are on loan to Azura Florida Aquatics. This includes; bathroom facilities, starting blocks, lane lines, dry land equipment, etc. Remember that while we lease training facilities, we are still guests are those facilities and swimmers should behave accordingly.
Act responsibly on the pool deck of all training and competition facilities.
There will be NO deck changing or changing outside of the bathroom facilities including outside areas and parking lot. Changing in and out of swimming attire while on pool facilities, is only permissible in bathrooms and or locker rooms.
V. UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR
The following section defines behavior that is NOT acceptable and will not be tolerated. Failure to adhere to this policy WILL result in disciplinary action.
1. DEFIANCE OF RULES ARE DEFINED AS: ACTS AGAINST PERSONS (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO)
Bullying of any kind will not be tolerated.
Taking part in physical acts of a sexual nature, engaging in sexual harassment, or offending others by indecent exposure
Using insulting, abusive, profane, racially or sexually offensive written or oral
language, or making obscene remarks or gestures
Harassing others because of age, color, gender, national origin,marital status, race, religion, or sexual orientation
Harassing others because of a disability
Harassing others because of ethnicity, socio-economic background, or linguistic differences
Harassing others because of physical appearance or for any other reason
Hazing
Threatening, stalking, hitting, or hurting an Azura Florida Aquatics swimmer,
swimmers from other teams, swimmer family member, swim meet Officials,
swim coaches and or staff members.
Intentionally making a false accusation that jeopardizes the professional reputation, employment, or certification of a coach or pool staff. Committing a hate crime
2. SEXUAL HARASSMENT / SEXUAL VIOLENCE DEFINED
Sexual harassment consists of unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, sexually motivated physical conduct, or communication of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to, the following behaviors:
Unwelcome statements of a sexual nature
Unwelcome solicitation or pressure for sexual activity
Intentional brushing against, patting, or pinching of another?s body
Suggestive or obscene letters, notes, emails, texts, invitations,derogatory comments, slurs, jokes, epithets, unwanted physical contact, and blocking movements
Leering with sexual overtones, gestures, display of sexually suggestive objects, posters, or cartoons
Indecent exposure
3. SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND SEXUAL VIOLATIONS
Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that violates the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and SB Policy 4001.1. Sexual violence is a physical act of aggression that includes a sexual act of sexual purpose. Sexual violence is also a violation of these same statutes and may also represent a criminal law violation. The law prohibits any form of sexual harassment and sexual violence.
Sexual harassment and sexual violence acts are unlawful and will be grounds for disciplinary action by Azura Florida Aquatics, and can be prosecuted under the above stated law. Swimmers who believe they have been victims of sexual harassment or sexual violence should report the alleged act immediately to a coach, parent, and or life guard. All reported cases will be investigated and reported to authorities when deemed appropriate.
4. PROPERTY INCIDENTS (INCLUDING,BUT NOT LIMITED TO)
a. Damaging,destroying,or vandalizing pool property,personal property,facility grounds
b. Committing petty theft
5. OTHER CRIMINAL INCIDENTS (INCLUDING,BUT NOT LIMITED TO)
Threatening or hurting a person
Committing robbery
Forcing someone to give money, possessions, or other things of value to
another or oneself (extortion)
Hazing means any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally
endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a swimmer regardless of:
the swimmer's willingness to participate or;
that the conduct or activity was not sanctioned by the organization or;
that the activity was not done as a condition of membership to an organization (F.S.1006.63).
Hate crime refers to an attack or offense against an individual or his/her property in which the individual is intentionally selected because of his/her race, color, religion, national origin, gender, disability, or sexual orientation. The attack or offense may range from racial remarks or graffiti on school walls to threats of physical harm, intimidation, hate mail and hate e-mail, vandalism, arson, physical assault, etc.
Swimmers who believe they have been victims of a hate crime must immediately report the act to a coach, team administrator, and or parent.
6. BULLYING
Bullying means systematically and chronically inflicting physical hurt or psychological distress on one or more swimmers, employees of Azura Florida Aquatics, or pool facility staff. It is further defined as unwanted purposeful written, verbal, nonverbal or physical behavior, including, but not limited to, any threatening, insulting, or dehumanizing gesture, by an adult or student, that has the potential to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment or cause long term damage; cause discomfort or humiliation; or unreasonably interfere with the individual's performance or participation, is carried out repeatedly and is often characterized by an imbalance of power.
Bullying may involve, but is not limited to:
1) Unwanted teasing
2) Threatening
3) Intimidating
4) Stalking
5) Cyberbullying
6) Physical violence
7) Theft
8) Sexual,religious,or racial harassment
9) Public humiliation
10) Destruction of facility or personal property
11) Social exclusion, including incitement and/or coercion
12)Rumor or spreading of falsehoods
Sexting is using any electronic device, including cell phones, to send or receive sexually suggestive or explicit texts, pictures, videos, or other materials. This includes video voyeurism as specified in F.S. 810.145.
Cyberbullying is defined as the willful and repeated harassment and intimidation of a person through the use of digital technologies, including, but not limited to, e- mail, blogs, and texting on cell phones, all social media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.), chat rooms, sexting, instant messaging, or video voyeurism.
VI. 3 STRIKES, YOU'RE OUT POLICY
Azura Florida Aquatics Has a 3 Strikes, You're Out Policy
Consequences for behaviors deemed to be contrary to the rules and regulations outlined by Azura Florida Aquatics and or Pool Facility Staff are as follows:
First Offense: Swimmer will be asked to remove himself/herself from the practice. Swimmer will not return to practice until a parent/swimmer/coach meeting occurs in which the infraction is understood by all and the consequences of repeating the offense is explained to the parent/swimmer.
Second Offense: The Swimmer will be Suspended from all team and camp activities, practices, and meets for 1 week. If a meet fee has been incurred, the fees MUST be paid whether or not the swimmer participates. The Swimmer must make retribution, repair, or replace any item that is broken or damaged. An apology must be made by the swimmer to the offended party in person and in writing.
Third Offense: The Swimmer will be Expelled from membership in Azura Florida Aquatics Swim Team and Swim Camp. The swimmer will be asked to leave Azura Florida Aquatics. The Swimmer/Parent is responsible for any unpaid costs including: meet fees, equipment, unpaid training fees. Any ESCROW funds held will NOT be returned. No proration of fees will occur. Additionally, the Swimmer must make retribution, repair, or replace any item that is broken or damaged. Depending on the offense, criminal charges may be brought as warranted. Azura Florida Aquatics Swim Team and Swim Camp at its discretion may enforce the 3 Strikes, You're Out policy to a swimmer whose family violates the code of conduct described in this document.
VII. AZURA FLORIDA AQUATICS HAS A ZERO-TOLERANCE FOR DRUGS, VIOLENCE, AND ALCOHOL
The following behavior will result in an automatic expulsion and is the only exception to the 3 STRIKES, YOU'RE OUT POLICY
Swimmers consuming and/or distributing alcohol while participating in any Azura Florida Aquatics sponsored events will be Expelled from membership in the Azura Florida Aquatics Swim Team and Swim Camp.
Swimmers using and/or distributing any illegal drugs while participating at any Azura Florida Aquatics activity will be Expelled from membership in the Azura Florida Aquatics Swim Team and Swim Camp.
Swimmers and or family members perpetrating any violent acts toward any individual and or facility while participating in any Azura Florida Aquatics activities will be Expelled from membership in the Azura Florida Aquatics Swim Team and Swim Camp.