Member Conduct Policy

GCST trains in several pools in the area, and it is important that our members show respect for those facilities and for other users. We expect all of our swimmers to display sportsmanship and proper respect toward team members, coaches, officials, administrators, fellow competitors, parents, volunteers, the public, and the facilities we use. The following are prohibited for team members while at practice or meets:

  • Foul language or any form of verbal abuse.
  • Horseplay or physical contact between swimmers.
  • Fighting or any form of physical abuse, and possession or use of any weapon.
  • Tampering with or causing damage to any facility.
  • Photos, audio recordings, or video recordings in locker rooms or changing areas.
  • Vaping/smoking or possession or use of illegal substances.

Failure to abide by our conduct rules may result in the suspension of the swimmer from practice or more serious consequences if warranted.

 

Practice and Swim Meet Policy

 

Practice:

All swimmers are to be 15 minutes early to practice.

Swimmers may not enter the facility at FGCU without a coach present.

Swimmers will practice in a team cap while at FGCU.

Each swimmer must have their own equipment.

Parents are responsible for purchasing their swimmer’s team apparel and equipment.

Parents must sit in the bleachers (FGCU) and are not permitted on the deck during practice.

Swimmers and parents must follow the rules posted for FGCU, and San Carlos Park Pool.

Swimmers must be picked up immediately upon the conclusion of practice.

Repeated late pickups will result in a monetary fine to the Parents Account.

 

Swim Meets:

All GCST swimmers are required to attend GCST Home Meets, in which GCST coaching staff will automatically enter them.

Swimmers must wear the designated Speedo Team Suit and cap.

Swimmers are required to sit in the GCST team area.

A Parent or Guardian must remain present at all competitions.

Parents are not allowed in the swimmer’s area, under the team tents, nor the pool deck.  Exception to remain in volunteer worker area assigned.

Parents are not to contact or confront GCST coaches, and meet officials during a swim meet.

 

Photo/Video Policy

GCST may wish to take photographs and/or videos (individual and in groups) of swimmers under the age of 18 that may include your child during their membership in the club. By registering your child for GCST, you agree to allow all photos/videos taken of your child by GCST staff during practices, meets, and other team events, to be made available to GCST for general use on our website, for the media, or for use at swimming meets. Parents have a right to refuse agreement to their child being photographed, but you must communicate this in writing to the team administrator at [email protected].

 

Swimmers and parents are not allowed to take pictures or videos during practices without head coach approval.

 

Per USA Swimming rules, at NO time can photos or videos be taken from behind swimmers on the starting blocks. This includes practices and meets. Photos/videos must be taken only in the host team's specified "camera zones."

 

 

Team Suits

GCST does not require members to wear team suits for practice, but members are required to wear a Speedo team suit and a GCST cap at meets. GCST is contracted with Speedo for team gear, available through our Team Store at a discount. A Speedo team suit must be worn at meets.

 

Nutritional Supplements

GCST is a USA Swimming member and as such we abide by U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) rules. All GCST members are encouraged to keep up-to-date on current rules by visiting www.usada.org. Any legal nutritional or pre/post-workout supplements should be used responsibly and with the full knowledge and consent of parents of minors. GCST does not monitor use or condone overuse of any supplements. Open mixing or consumption of supplements observed at practices or meets will be addressed and may be prohibited by GCST coaches and staff, and parents of minors will be notified as needed.

 

Team Travel

GCST members are expected to abide by our travel policies, which can be viewed in the Team Forms section of the GCST website. Travel policies can and will be updated as necessary and will be distributed to families and swimmers before team trips. Travel policies will be in compliance with USA Swimming Safe Sport's Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (MAAPP 2.0).

 

 

 

USA Swimming Safe Sport

GCST is a USA Swimming Safe Sport Club. Parents will be asked to help us achieve this recognition by taking Safe Sport's online course, which provides an introduction to Safe Sport, abuse, and reporting information.

 GCST abides by USA Swimming Safe Sport rules, including the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (MAAPP 2.0), as outlined on the GCST website.