Code of Conduct
Our goal is to provide a positive, respectful, safe, and competitive environment for all athletes, families, coaches, and volunteers. Every member of the club is expected to uphold the following standards of conduct.
Player’s Code of Conduct
As a member of the team, I agree to:
- Contribute to a positive atmosphere in and out of the pool.
- Arrive on time and properly prepared for all practices and events. Athletes should arrive 15 minutes before practices and approximately one hour before games.
- Notify the appropriate coach in advance if I will miss a scheduled practice or event. If I need to leave early, I will notify the coach upon arrival.
- Notify the coach on deck before leaving the pool area for any reason and let the coach know when I return to the water.
- Play by the rules and respect the decisions of officials.
- Never argue with or verbally abuse an official.
- Treat referees, opponents, teammates, volunteers, coaches, and other participants with respect at all times.
- Control my temper and avoid taunting, provoking, distracting, or deliberately disrespecting other players.
- Work equally hard for myself and my team.
- Treat others as I would like to be treated and never bully or take unfair advantage of another competitor.
- Cooperate with my coaches, teammates, and opponents.
- Participate for my own enjoyment, development, and benefit—not simply to please parents or coaches.
- Respect the rights, dignity, and worth of all participants regardless of gender, ability, cultural background, or religion.
- Avoid activities such as drinking, drug use, smoking, or inappropriate language or behavior that could bring dishonor to the club.
- Avoid any behavior that is disruptive to the team, reflects poorly on the club, or is inconsistent with appropriate behavior as a member of the team and community.
The club adheres to all applicable rules, regulations, and policies established by USA Water Polo, including policies regarding anti-discrimination, minor athlete abuse prevention, and concussion protocols. Information regarding these and other policies is available through USA Water Polo.
Parent/Guardian Code of Conduct
As a parent or guardian, I agree to:
- Review the Player’s Code of Conduct with my child and help them understand their responsibilities as a team member.
- Remember that my child participates in water polo for their own enjoyment, development, and benefit.
- Refrain from coaching or instructing my child during practices and games. Coaching direction should come from the coach on deck.
- Respect the coach’s decisions regarding playing time, lineups, positions, and other team decisions.
- Recognize that club fees support quality coaching, instruction, training, and team opportunities—not guaranteed playing time.
- Immediately communicate any safety concern involving my child or another athlete to the appropriate coach or club representative.
- Focus on my child’s effort, development, sportsmanship, and performance rather than solely on winning or losing.
- Treat coaches, officials, athletes, other parents, volunteers, and opponents with respect.
- Report concerns regarding my child, another athlete, a coach, or any individual associated with the club when those concerns involve safety, misconduct, or behavior that could bring the club into disrepute.
- Support a positive team environment and refrain from behavior that is disruptive, disrespectful, or inappropriate.
Failure to adhere to the Code of Conduct may result in suspension or removal from the team or club.
Coach’s Code of Conduct
As a coach, I agree to:
- Respect the rights, dignity, and worth of every athlete and treat everyone equally regardless of sex, disability, ethnic origin, religion, or other personal characteristics.
- Ensure that each athlete’s experience is positive, safe, and developmentally appropriate.
- Provide athletes with equal attention, respect, and opportunities to learn and develop.
- Treat each athlete as an individual and respect their talent, developmental stage, and personal goals.
- Help each athlete reach their full potential through appropriate instruction, encouragement, and support.
- Be fair, considerate, honest, professional, and accountable for my actions.
- Maintain high standards of language, conduct, punctuality, preparation, and presentation.
- Demonstrate control, respect, dignity, and professionalism toward athletes, opponents, coaches, officials, administrators, parents, spectators, and other members of the water polo community.
- Encourage athletes to demonstrate the same standards of sportsmanship and professionalism.
- Provide quality coaching and pursue continual improvement through education, training, feedback, and professional development.
- Provide a planned, organized, and appropriately structured training program.
- Operate within the rules and policies of the club, USA Water Polo, and other applicable governing organizations.
- Promote a drug-free environment and never advocate, prescribe, recommend, support, administer, or participate in the use of prohibited drugs, stimulants, or doping practices.
- Educate athletes about applicable drug and anti-doping policies when appropriate.
- Ensure that any physical contact with an athlete is appropriate to the situation and necessary for instruction, safety, or skill development.
- Never engage in verbal, physical, emotional, or other forms of abuse toward athletes.
- Remain alert to potential abuse or misconduct directed toward athletes and take appropriate action when concerns arise.
- Refrain from harassment of any kind, including sexual harassment, racial harassment, discrimination, or harassment based on disability or other protected characteristics.
- Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with all athletes and never pursue or encourage inappropriate personal or sexual relationships with athletes.
- Provide a safe environment for training and competition and ensure that equipment, facilities, rules, training methods, and activities are appropriate for the athletes’ ages and abilities.
- Show appropriate care and concern for sick or injured athletes and modify training when necessary.
- Encourage athletes to seek appropriate medical attention when needed.
- Serve as a positive role model for athletes and the sport.
- Never abuse, insult, threaten, or behave inappropriately toward officials, parents, athletes, coaches, or other participants.
- Address disagreements and concerns professionally and through appropriate club channels.
Commitment to a Positive Club Environment
Every athlete, parent/guardian, coach, and club representative plays an important role in maintaining a safe, respectful, and positive environment. By participating in the club, all members agree to uphold these standards and support the development of athletes both in and out of the pool.