Balcones Country Club Sharks

By initialing, you acknowledge that you are a member of Balcones Country Club (BCC) and the number you provided is accurate. 

We collect a $50 facility fee for each swimmer of families that do not maintain a Balcones Country Club membership. By acknowledging, you agree to this additional charge.

Northwest Swim Circuit Code of Conduct The Northwest Swim Circuit (NWSC) strives to develop young swimmers through fitness, discipline, confidence, and sportsmanship. This Code of Conduct ensures a positive, safe, and inclusive environment for all participants, including swimmers, coaches, officials, board members, volunteers, guests and spectators. 

Standards of Conduct 

The NWSC values sportsmanship poolside and beyond. We aim to provide a safe, supportive environment for all swimmers, coaches, volunteers and officials, as well as an enjoyable atmosphere for all families and spectators. Anyone creating an unsafe environment or interfering with the meet will be asked to leave the event immediately. 

Encouraged Behaviors 

Participants should exhibit: 

• Sportsmanship: Honor the spirit of competition by encouraging teammates and competitors alike. 
• Respect: Treat everyone with dignity, whether from the home team or opposing teams. 
• Inclusivity: Make everyone feel welcomed and valued. 

Prohibited Behaviors 

Participants must avoid: 

• Unsportsmanlike conduct: Insults, taunts, aggressive gestures, arguments, or other disruptive behaviors. 
• Violent altercations: Physical aggression, pushing, hitting, slapping, fighting, or inappropriate horseplay. 
• Sexual misconduct: Inappropriate touch, gestures, sexual advances, nudity, or use of pornography. 
• Disorderly behavior: Foul, sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, obscene, or abusive language or gestures. 
• Bullying and harassment: Disrespectful or intimidating behavior, in any form, is strictly prohibited. 
• Non-Compliance: Participants must respect and comply with official decisions without argument. 

Reporting and Accountability 

If a participant observes or experiences behavior that violates this code, they should report it immediately to the Meet Director or other authority. Escalating or retaliatory behavior is also considered a violation and failure to comply. 

Penalties for Violations 

• • Minor: 
  • Verbal warning by the Meet Director or authority. 
• • Major or Repeat: 
  • Penalties may include warning, ejection from the event, or ejection from the meet, as determined by the Meet Director or authority. 
• • Severe: 
  • Immediate ejection and potential review by the NWSC Board, which may lead to suspension or a ban of the individual or the entire family from future participation in NWSC teams and events. 

Review and Appeals Process for Violations 

All violations will be subject to review by the NWSC Board under the investigative authority of the Vice President. Participants have the right to appeal decisions by submitting a formal written request via their NWSC Representative within 72 hours of the infraction. 

Acknowledgment By signing below, participants and guardians confirm their understanding of and commitment to the Northwest Swim Circuit Code of Conduct by all participating members of their household. Signature: _____________________________________________________________ Date: _____________________ Name (Printed): ________________________________________________________

The Northwest Swim Circuit (NWSC) and BCC Sharks Swim Team (BCCS) were formed with the objective of helping young swimmers develop physical fitness, self-discipline, self-confidence, proficiency in competitive swimming strokes, determination to do one’s best, and good sportsmanship. The expectation of the NWSC Executive Board, as well as the BCCS Board, is that participants will exhibit the highest standards of sportsmanship at all times while participating in all NWSC and all BCCS-affiliated events. Every participant, including swimmers, coaches, officials, board members, parents, and spectators, has a responsibility to behave in a respectable manner and to comply with and support the Code of Conduct for both the NWSC and BCC Sharks.

EXPECTATIONS FOR SWIMMERS AND PARENTS

BCC Sharks Parent Code of Conduct

As the parent of a BCCS swimmer, you agree to follow the rules for behavior and sportsmanship:

• Set a good example. Show respect and be polite to everyone.
• Follow the NWSC Code of Conduct.
• Ensure your swimmer arrives on time for practices and meets.
• Demonstrate good sportsmanship. Win gracefully. Lose graciously. Congratulate our opponents.
• Always represent the team in a positive and respectful manner while at all BCCS and NWSC functions, facilities, and meets.
• Do not distract the swimmers or coaches by interfering in practices or meets.
• If you have a concern about your swimmer's progress, please arrange to meet with a coach privately.
• Volunteer at meets and team events. Every meet requires a significant number of volunteers from each team to operate smoothly.

Meet Etiquette:

• Respond in a timely manner to meet and volunteer entries.
• If you are going to be late or absent from a meet, you must report that to (1) the head coach, (2) the computer rep, and (3) your tent parent. Failure to do so often impacts relays and other swimmers. Coaches DO NOT have the ability to pass that information along in a timely manner on the day of the meet.
• Show up to each meet at the required check-in time.
• DO NOT film or take pictures from behind the blocks.
• If you have questions about a disqualification, speak to the coaches. Do not approach officials at a meet.
• Be mindful of each meet’s rules for spectators, parking, tent set up, and deck space.
• Be respectful of other spectators. If your swimmer is not swimming, step back and let others watch their swimmers.
• Coaches have the final say in swimmer events and relay structure.

BCC Sharks Swimmer Code of Conduct

As a BCCS swimmer, you agree to follow the rules of behavior and sportsmanship wherever and whenever you represent BCCS:

• Show respect and be polite to EVERYONE.
• Follow the NWSC Code of Conduct.
• Respect BCCS property and the property of others. Do not use others’ property without their permission.
• Do not steal or vandalize anything that doesn’t belong to you.
• Do not use profanity. Do not make ugly comments to others. Do not lie.
• Do not behave in a manner that makes coaches or other swimmers uncomfortable (public displays of affection, sexual harassment, bullying, etc.).
• Always represent the team in a positive and respectful manner while at all BCCS functions, facilities, and meets.

Swim Practice Etiquette:

• Arrive on time to all practices.
• Listen to coaches and follow their direction.
• Do not disrupt your coach or bother others in your lane.
• Practice good sportsmanship and encourage teammates.

Meet Etiquette:

• Show up to the meets on time for check-in.
• Demonstrate good sportsmanship. Win gracefully. Lose graciously. Congratulate and encourage our opponents.
• If you have questions about a disqualification, speak to the coaches. Do not approach officials at a meet.
• Remember to be a positive representative of BCCS.

Anyone who violates the policies outlined above may be subjected to disciplinary action. BCCS maintains the right to suspend or terminate membership.

Prohibited Behavior for All Participants

• Use or possession of drugs, firearms, alcohol, tobacco, or any other hazardous substances.
• Theft.
• Extreme demonstrations of disrespect to property or individuals (vandalism, bullying, harassment, etc.).
• Anything that is against NWSC rules.
• Unsportsmanlike Conduct: While attending and/or participating in any NWSC or member club-affiliated practice or event, no individual shall:

(1) Use trash talk, profane, obscene, or vulgar language, or gesture under any circumstances, on or off the pool area, or

(2) Engage in an objectionable demonstration of dissent or unsportsmanlike conduct, such as throwing equipment or any other forceful action.

(3) Otherwise behave in an unsportsmanlike fashion, including engaging in or escalating arguments between any participants at the event.

• Refusal to Abide by Officials: While attending and/or participating in any NWSC or member club-affiliated practice or event, no individual shall refuse to abide by an official's decision.

• Violent Physical Behavior: While attending and/or participating in any NWSC or member club-affiliated practice or event, no individual shall:

(1) At any time strike, shove, threaten to strike, or lay a hand upon an official, swimmer, coach, or spectator.

(2) Engage in an abusive, verbal attack upon any official, swimmer, coach, or spectator on or off the pool area.

Practice or BCC Sharks Event Reporting Procedure

Members of BCCS need to feel confident that their concerns are being listened to by our coaches and board. Please follow the procedure below if you suspect there is any incident and/or other safety concerns:

1. The swimmer and/or parent should notify the head coach and/or BCCS board president of the incident.

2. The head coach and/or BCCS board president will address the situation with the involved parties.

3. Depending on the incident and what was found through the investigation, disciplinary action will occur.

4. The head coach and/or board president will meet with the involved parties to discuss the results of the incident investigation and disciplinary actions, if any.

If the problem continues, is significant or chronic, the coach or volunteer will bring the issue to the head coach and/or board president, triggering the following procedure*:

1. The head coach and/or board president will issue an Official Warning. The First Official Warning of a breach of the Code of Conduct will be communicated directly to the offender by the head coach and/or board president. An email documenting it will be sent from the board to the offender and/or the offender’s parent/guardian.

2. The next breach of the Code of Conduct will lead to a Second Official Warning. This will require a conference between the head coach, a board member, the offender, and/or the offender’s parent/guardian. This Second Official Warning may result in removal from the next swim meet and/or practice. A notification will be sent from the board to the offender and/or the offender’s parent/guardian via email. Future consequences will be spelled out explicitly.

3. A third breach of the Code of Conduct will result in removal from the team. There will be no reimbursement of team fees in a situation like this.

These actions may be appealed to the board according to the Bylaws, Article III, Section F: Termination & Suspension.

*The BCCS board reserves the right to immediately dismiss any swimmer or family from the team for egregious behavior, including but not limited to theft, vandalism, drug use, any action that brings physical harm to others, or any other violent behavior.

Meet Reporting Procedure

All meet and NWSC events are governed by the NWSC Code of Conduct polices, reporting, and penalties guidelines. However, all behavior by BCCS swimmers, parents, or other team participants should also align with the BCCS Code of Conduct (with those expectations and penalties also applying).

ATHLETE PROTECTION POLICIES

Inappropriate touching between an athlete and an adult is prohibited, including but not limited to excessive touching, hugging, kissing, sexually oriented behavior, sexually stimulating or otherwise inappropriate games, and having an athlete sit on a non-family member adult’s lap.

Any rubdown or massage performed on an athlete by any adult, excluding the spouse, parent, guardian, sibling, or personal assistant of such athlete, is prohibited unless such adult is a licensed massage therapist or other certified professional.

Any rubdown or massage performed at a swim venue by a licensed professional must be conducted in open/public locations and must never be done with only the athlete and licensed massage therapist in the room. Even if a coach is a licensed massage therapist, the coach shall not perform a rubdown or massage of an athlete under any circumstances.

Use of audio or visual recording devices, including a cell phone camera, is not allowed in changing areas, rest rooms, locker rooms, or directly behind the starting blocks.

MISCONDUCT REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

It is every member’s responsibility to promptly report any incident regarding sexual or other misconduct to the head coach and/or any board member. Reporting must occur when an individual has firsthand knowledge of misconduct or when specific and credible information has been received from a victim or knowledgeable third party. Texas law requires all incidents to be reported to law enforcement as soon as information is made known.

Filing a knowingly false allegation of misconduct, sexual or otherwise, is prohibited and may violate state criminal law and civil defamation laws. Any person making a knowingly false allegation of sexual misconduct shall be subject to disciplinary action by BCCS.

Neither civil nor criminal statutes of limitation apply to reports of cases of sexual abuse.

No member shall retaliate against any individual who has made a report in good faith.

Distribution of Team Information 

During the swim season, there's a great deal of information to share regarding practices, meets, events, and other team news. We encourage you to check your email and/or visit our website frequently to ensure you're always getting the latest.

The BCC Sharks Board communicates through various means:

• Website: General information about the team is available at www.bccsharks.org.
• Email: The Sharks use email to communicate information in real time, such as practice changes, event reminders, and other pertinent announcements.
• Social Media: Facebook is used to promote team activities and sponsors, share reminders, and make announcements.
• SwimTopia: Alerts and updates are also available through the SwimTopia mobile app. You can download and use a free version of the app to get these alerts and updates. You can also upgrade to a paid subscription to get more detailed information, like live heat/lane assignments and results during meets, as well as personalized upcoming swim reminders for your athlete. A SwimTopia subscription is not required to participate.

Please note that by providing your email address, you agree to accept communication through that email account. If you choose to unsubscribe, you will no longer receive essential team information. If you do not have access to a computer or cell phone, please let us know so we can ensure we keep you updated via other forms of communication. If at any time swimmer or family information changes (including email address, phone number, physical address, or medical), please notify the team by sending an e-mail message to [email protected]. 

Photo Publication 

We frequently post photos and videos from the swim meets and other team-related activities to our website and Facebook. If you wish to have your child's photograph and videos excluded from any team publication, please send a request to [email protected] before the start of swim practice. Otherwise, by agreeing to this policy, you are agreeing to allow the Sharks to use photographs and videos of your child for team publications, including but not limited to the website, Facebook, newsletters, and other communications. 

Please read our Family Participation Policy here.

Swimming is unique in the amount of volunteer hours required to successfully run teams and meets. On all summer league teams, the swimmers' parents have the opportunity to get involved through volunteer roles. A typical volunteer "shift" covers either the first or second half of a swim meet, although some volunteer shifts can be performed before or after the meet (and some meets may be broken into three shifts).

The number of required volunteer shifts varies based on the number of families and the number of meets. Historically, the number of required volunteer shifts has been a minimum of seven per family per season. The required number of shifts must be completed no matter how many meets a swimmer attends. 

By registering your child with the BCC Sharks, you, as a parent, are making a commitment to complete the required number of volunteer shifts during the season. Doing so ensures the season (including all practices, meets, and special events) runs smoothly for all participants.

Any family with zero volunteer shifts by the sign-up period for the third meet will not be eligible to attend swim practice or swim at the fourth meet until that family has signed up for at least two volunteer shifts for that meet.

According to Article III, Section F of the Bylaws, a family that does not complete its required shifts by season's end will not be granted returning swimmer status, nor will it be eligible for new swimmer registration the next swim season.

Due to pre-season administrative costs incurred by the team (such as swimmer insurance, BCC facility fees, evaluation fees, etc.), we cannot offer a full refund for any registration.

The refund schedule is as follows:

• Cancellation prior to the first day of practice (see season calendar for exact date): Full refund less a $25 administrative fee per swimmer.
• Cancellation on the first day of practice (see season calendar for exact date) through the final day of the second week of practice (see calendar for exact date): $75 refund per swimmer.
• Cancellation after the final day of the second week of practice: No refund.

If you're unsure whether or not your child can meet the swimmer proficiency requirement, it's best to wait until after the new swimmer evaluation to register. We cannot offer full refunds for canceled registrations due to the reasons outlined above.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY: Participation on the swim team at Balcones Country Club 

In consideration for the above-named member, guest, minor, or other entity or person (collectively “Participant”) being allowed to participate in the above-described activity (“Activity”) at Balcones Country Club (the “Club”), the undersigned agrees as follows: 

1. I am fully aware of the risks and hazards connected with the Activity, including damage to or loss of personal property, and bodily injury or personal harm including but not limited to death. 

2. I KNOWINGLY AND FREELY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS, both known and unknown, without limitation. I agree and I will assume full responsibility for my participation and for my property. 

3. I agree that I will comply with any and all rules, regulations or instructions that may be provided to me regarding participation in the Activity. If, however, I observe any unusual significant hazard during my presence or participation, I will remove myself from participation and bring such knowledge to the attention of the Club or the swim instructors immediately. 

4. I hereby accept all risks that may result from participation in the Activity and I HEREBY RELEASE Balcones Country Club Swim Team, Balcones Club Management, LP, Balcones Country Club Management Association, Inc., and each of their respective parent, affiliated or subsidiary entities, and all their respective officers, directors, board members, agents, contractors, employees, heirs, and successors (“Released Parties”) from any and all liability to me, my personal representatives, estate, heirs, next of kin, successors and assigns, for any and all claims and causes of action for loss of or damage to my property or person, WHETHER CAUSED BY NEGLIGENCE OF ANY OF THE RELEASED PARTIES OR OTHERWISE. I further agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Released Parties from liability for any loss or damage to any other person that may result from my negligent or intentional act or omission while participating in the described Activity. 

FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS OF MNOR PARTICIPANTS - (UNDER AGE 18 AT TIME OF REGISTRATION) This is to certify that I, as parent/guardian with legal responsibility for the minor Participant named above, do consent and agree on his/her behalf to all of the foregoing conditions to participation and to the release as provided above of all the Released Parties, and, for myself, my child and our heirs, assigns, and next of kin, I release and agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Released Parties from any and all liabilities incident to my minor child's involvement or participation in the Activity, including, without limitation, any claims that minor child may make against the Released Parties and any claims that I may have as a result of any injury to my minor child, EVEN IF ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASED PARTIES, to the fullest extent permitted by law.