Team Handbook
Philosophy:
The New Mark Swim Team provides a fun and competitive swimming program in a community atmosphere. This is a developmental program designed for the benefit of all swimmers of all abilities.
Goals:
1) Provide qualified swimming instruction for a team member, which is accomplished by contracting with qualified coaches.
2) Provide a chance for each swimmer to perform to the best of their ability in as many events as possible.
Organization:
A volunteer board manages and organizes the New Mark Swim Team. The board is responsible for contracting qualified coaches, providing practice and home meet facilities, managing team finances, coordinating volunteers and maintaining team membership in the Northland Swim Conference. The team By-Laws contain a description of each of the board positions. Board members are appointed by the present board for the next season and approved by the membership at the first meeting. A copy of the by-Laws may be requested from any board member.
For questions and general inquiries, please email: [email protected]
The NEW MARK SWIM AND DIVE TEAM ASSOCIATION OF KANSAS CITY MISSOURI (d/b/a NEW MARK SWIM TEAM) is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Our Federal EIN is 43-1317216. The amount of any contribution for which no goods or services are provided is deductible for federal income tax purposes. This would potentially include fundraiser buyouts, contributions to the Swim-A-Thon and and other direct contributions. Please contact [email protected] for a receipt.
Code of Conduct
NEW MARK SWIM TEAM PARENT AND SWIMMER EXPECTATIONS
All swimmers and parents are expected to display good sportsmanship during practices and meets. Good sportsmanship occurs when teammates, opponents, coaches, officials and parents treat each other with respect. This includes treating other teams with respect. Disrespect will not be tolerated. Bad behavior reflects poorly on the whole team. If there is an issue with swimmer behavior during practice or a meet, your swimmer may be asked to leave the pool area or not be allowed to swim in a meet.
We ask that all parents display good sportsmanship by encouraging your swimmers to do their best. Remember that in swimming, the kids win each time they improve their time. Please leave the coaching and officiating to the coaches and officials. If you have questions or an issue arises, please talk directly with a board member or coach to resolve it.
It takes a great many volunteers to run a swim meet. There are many different volunteer positions available; timers, runners, concessions, spirit wear sales, heat sheet sales, ribbons, set up and clean up. We are certain you can find one to fit your needs and/or talents. At least one parent from each family is required to volunteer during swim meets.
Any violations of the Code of Conduct will be handled in the following manner:
1. First offense: A written certified letter to the swimmer and/or parent explaining the Code of Conduct Violation which will lead to one of the following:
- “First Strike” warning (includes meeting with board members and/or coaches) with understanding that if there are any further conduct violations, automatic suspension or expulsion from the team will result, OR
- Suspension from ALL team activities for a set amount of time, OR
- Immediate expulsion from the team (drug usage, weapons, excessive alcohol use, etc.)
2. Second offense:
-Immediate suspension or expulsion from the team.
Both of these actions will be voted on at a Board or Emergency Board meeting. Note: The coaches and Swim Officials do have the right to send a swimmer and/or parent home from any swim team activity with a meeting to follow.
The membership thanks you for your cooperation.
Practice Discipline Policy – In order to make practices the most beneficial and safe for all, a discipline policy must be followed. If a coach encounters a problem, they will give your child one warning to stop their disruptive behavior. If the behavior continues, the child will be asked to sit out for a period of time. If the behavior continues, the parents will be notified and the child will be sent home for the day.
Athlete Abuse and Protection
Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention
New Mark member families acknowledge that they have reviews and understood the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy and/They further acknowledge and understand that agreeing to comply with the contents of this Policy is a condition of membership with the New Mark Swim Team (USA Swimming Member Club).
The policy may be viewed here, or downloaded below: https://www.usaswimming.org/docs/default-source/safe-sportdocuments/maapp/usaswimmingmaapp.pdf
If your swimmer is turning 18 or are already 18, they must complete Athlete Protection Training. This must be done by their 18th birthday or if the swimmer is 18 already then must be completed in order to swim.
https://www.usaswimming.org/resource-center/athlet...
MAAPP
Family Volunteer Responsibility
FAMILY VOLUNTEER AGREEMENT
. It takes at least 70 volunteers to run a safe and efficient meet. Our swimmers greatly depend on you, the parents, to fulfill a commitment to work at swim meets that your child/children are participating in. My Family agrees to sign up for and complete at least 4 volunteer shifts throughout the 2024 regular summer season(maximum of 2 shifts per meet). In the event that a member of my family is unable to fulfill a job that we have signed up for, we agree to (a) find a replacement and notify the NMST volunteer coordinator of that replacement and (b) volunteer for an additional job at a subsequent swim meet. If I have not signed up for or completed my required 4 volunteer shifts prior to the final meet, I understand that I will be automatically assigned shifts at the remaining events including the Northland Conference Meet. If you are a new New Mark Stingray family, you agree to complete at least 4 volunteer shifts during the season understanding that if your swimmer makes the end of year Conference Meet, your family is required to fulfill at least one (1) more volunteer shift at one of the Northland Conference Meet days.
Please note that families who have ONLY Rookie swimmers are not required to fulfill this obligation until such time as their Rookie(s) qualifies for competition. When that occurs, volunteer obligations will be pro-rated based on the number of meets remaining in the season after competition qualification by the Rookie.
Advice to Parents
PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE SWIMMER
1. Love and support are the most important things parents provide their swimmer.
2. Encourage your swimmer without being pushy.
3. Get your swimmer to practice on time with the proper equipment. Be early so they can socialize and prepare for practice/meet.
4. Help your swimmer accept responsibility without you doing the job. If he/she feels that the sport is in their control, it will mean more to them when they accomplish their goals.
5. Don’t compare your child’s effort or performance to others. Swimmers mature physically and mentally at different ages.
6. Encourage your swimmer to develop a good relationship with the coaches. Swimmer- related questions should be dealt with between swimmer and coach.
7. Develop good communication with the coaching staff. If you know your swimmer will miss practice or a meet, please communicate this as early as possible so the Head Coach can plan accordingly.
8. Be positive at swim meets.
9. Do not criticize or ask questions of the stroke officials if your child has been disqualified (DQed) in an event. It is the coaching staff’s responsibility to handle questions with the officials, and then communicate with the swimmer.
10. HAVE FUN! The summer is for enjoying a break from school. While the team encourages the success of each team member, it is just as important for us to all have an enjoyable summer.
