Updated 28 Jan 2010

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PARENTS CODE OF CONDUCT

Welcome to Maroubra Swimming Club and the sport of swimming.  Our club and swimming has many benefits including the people you and your child will meet.  The camaraderie among swimmers is unique with many becoming lifelong friends.  By participating in swimming your child will develop skills and values such as sportsmanship, confidence, self-respect and self-discipline.  Your child will reap the benefits of swimming including the health benefits long after their participation ends. 

Below is a guide for ‘Swimming Parents’ to help you and your child succeed in a productive and enjoyable environment at our club.  Please keep in mind when reading this guide that we all tend to forget our children are just that –children, and they learn from our actions as adults. Make sure that swimming is a positive experience for your child by your behaviour.

·        Don’t impose your ambitions upon your child –Remember you have lived your life as a child don’t try and relive it through your child.  Swimming is your child’s activity.  Improvements and progress occur at different rates for each child.  Don’t judge your child’s progress upon the performance of other athletes or your own ability as a child. Don’t be frustrated that your child’s athletic ability is less than others.

·        Be supportive no matter what –There is one question to ask your child -did you have fun?  If competing at carnivals is no longer fun your child should not be forced to participate - let them enjoy the fun and social aspects of Friday club nights. 

·        Winning at all costs is not the goal – Focus on your child’s effort and performance to reach their personal goal rather than winning or losing.  Never ridicule or yell at your child for making a mistake or losing.  As an Olympian said –“My goal was to set a World Record.  Well, I did that, but someone else did it too, just a little faster than I did.  I achieved my goal and I lost.  This does not make me a failure, in fact, I was proud of that swim.”     

·        Respect other parents and swimmers –Always show respect to other parents and swimmers.  Don’t believe your child’s importance is based upon their swimming ability.  At our club all children are equally important regardless of their swimming ability. 

·        Respect your child’s coach –The bond between your child and his or her coach contributes to your child’s success as well as fun.  Don’t criticise your child’s coach in front of your child or other children. 

·        Respect volunteers and officials –Please don’t criticise those persons who are doing the best they can if you do not have the time or desire to volunteer to help or be an official.  Like all sports, without volunteers you would not have a sport. 

·        Behave appropriately – Your behaviour and personal conduct must be of a standard that reflects highly upon the sport and importantly our club.  Set a good example to your children. 

·        Friendly rivalry towards other swimming clubs – Our club has a long and proud history and has good relations with other swimming clubs especially those member clubs of the Eastern Suburbs Swimming Association. We expect parents to be ‘good sports’ and look upon all swimming clubs and their competitors in a spirit of friendly rivalry.