Bitterroot Swim Team Code of Conduct
As a member of the Bitterroot Swim Team, you will be expected to conduct yourself in manner acceptable to the general standards of good behavior. In particular:
1. All swimmers must display good sportsmanship in practice and in meets, as well as at all times when representing the Swim Team. This includes behaving with grace and dignity in both victory and defeat.
2. Swimmers shall not use profanity at any time during a Swim Team function (practices, meets, dances, camping areas, etc)
3. All swimmers shall be supportive and respectful of their teammates, opponents, officials, coaches and parents.
4. All swimmers shall contribute to the setup and tear-down of all practices. This means active, daily participation.
5. All swimmers shall put the success of the team ahead of individual goals.
6. Swimmers must make all practices in order to compete in the swim meets. Exceptions can be arranged with the Coach.
7. Use of tobacco products, performance enhancing drugs, illicit drugs and alcohol by team members is strictly forbidden. 8. There is a zero tolerance policy for curfew violation, fighting, and or possession of weapons.
9. All swimmers shall refrain from public displays of affection at all swim team functions.
10. Any violation of the above rules can be met with immediate dismissal from the team. There shall be no warnings necessary. All team members shall be required to agree to the above rules as a condition of their participation on the Bitterroot Swim Team.
Meet Requirements
The Montana Federation of Swimmers requires that individual members of the Montana Federation teams swim in at least TWO (2) Federation meets to qualify for the Divisional swim meet and a chance to swim at the State meet. Each participant may enter three (3) individual events and two (2) relay events (one medley and one freestyle) at each meet. Coaches will determine relay teams. The Bitterroot Swim Team requires swimmer participation at a minimum of two meets for retention as a team member.
Lettering Requirements
BST will give pins and bars to high school students who qualify. Because BST swimmers come from several different schools, they will need to earn the actual cloth letter from their own school. Criteria will be:
-The swimmer must be a registered member of the BST and have attended 9th grade or above.
-The swimmer must attend practice at least once each day, Monday through Thursday, unless the swimmer notifies the coach or assistant coach with an appropriate excuse. Reasonable excuses are illness, family vacation or camp attendance.
-The swimmer must obey all Montana Federation of Swimmers rules, including those regarding curfews, alcohol and drugs. He/she must abide by Bitterroot Aquatic Center rules on behavior and abide by rules of the communities and pools at which we are guests.
-The swimmer must participate in at least FOUR (4) swim meets, excluding Divisional and State meets.
-The swimmer must place at the Divisional Meet within the TOP TWELVE in at least ONE individual event or within the TOP SIX on at least ONE relay team.
Competition Suits
Swimmers will be supplied with a competition suit for meets. The Suit Manager will hand out suits marked with each swimmer's name at the Thursday PM practice before each meet. BST suits are to be returned to the Suit Manager after each meet or as each swimmer finishes his/her event. The suits must be placed in the BST Team bag or cooler in the Team Area on Sunday. The team suits are professionally washed weekly to maintain their condition and will be ready for distribution on the Thursday before the next swim meet.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT that care be used with your team suit while at meets! Sweats, shorts, or a towel should be worn so as to protect the team suit from damage while not competing. Note that the cost for replacement of lost or damaged team suits will be reimbursed to the swim team.
Team Swim Caps
Swimmers will be supplied with a BST Logo swim cap at the beginning of the season, to be labeled and kept by each swimmer. If the team cap is damaged or lost, a new one can be purchased for a $5.00 replacement fee.
ALL SWIMMERS MUST WEAR BST TEAM CAPS IN COMPETITION!
Curfews
All swimmers have a curfew on Friday night before the meets as well as Saturday night of the swim meet. This is a Federation rule, a courtesy to others camping, and a good training practice. Curfew is as follows:
Bantams & Midgets........................9:30 PM
Juniors .......................................10:30 PM
Intermediates & Seniors...............11:00 PM
All campers should assume that other campers want to sleep. As a matter of respect, campers should turn down the volume on conversation and activity at 10:00 PM. The Federation by-laws state, "Curfew infraction may result in disqualification by meet manager. "
Prohibited Substances
No participant shall use tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs. Smoking and use of tobacco products is prohibited on the deck, in locker rooms, in spectator seating or standing areas used by swimmers during the meet or warm-up period. BST follows a ZERO TOLERANCE policy where tobacco, alcohol and illegal drugs are concerned.
The coaching staff, in conjunction with the BST Board of Directors, shall be responsible for establishing additional rules and regulations. Disciplinary action shall be at the coaches’ and BST boards’ discretion.
