Code of Conduct and Team Travel Policy

2025 Inland Empire Swimming Zone / All-Star Teams

"Support Your Teammates"

This powerful and all-encompassing statement is the plain and simple idea that summarizes this entire document. There is nothing more valuable and influential than simply acting and behaving in a manner that supports the athletes, non-athletes, and other members that make up this team. Everything outlined below seeks to protect the integrity of this statement in various ways.

The purpose of this Code of Conduct is to ensure that all Inland Empire (IE) Zone/All Star Team athletes and non-athletes conduct themselves in a manner which reflects honorably on USA Swimming, Inland Empire Swimming, and the sport of swimming. Each athlete and non-athlete are required to remain in compliance with this document until they are no longer members of the IE Zone/All Star Team, as outlined in the IE Policy and Procedures (hereafter "IE P&P"), Sections 7.3 and 7.4

Definitions of Prohibited Behavior Acts or behaviors that fall into the following three categories will be violations of this Code of Conduct and Team Travel Policy (with cited USA Swimming Rules and Regulations, hereafter "USAS", if applicable)

1. Supportive teammates do not engage in violent or destructive acts or behaviors. Violence is defined as "the use of force in a way that harms a person or property." This can manifest itself in both physical and non-physical ways. For IE Zone/All Star Team members, violent or destructive acts or behaviors include, but are not limited to:

• Disrespectful acts or behaviors, including displays of poor sportsmanship, toward a teammate, competitor, coach, chaperone, parent, meet personnel, or other support person (i.e. hotel employee, restaurant worker, bus driver, etc
• Bullying, hazing, other acts or behaviors of discrimination. a person's race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender (USA-S 304.3.2)
• Any violation of the Minor Athlete Abuse Protection Policy (USA-S 304.3.3)
• Fighting, vandalism, disorderly conduct, damage to private or public property
• Theft, unauthorized "borrowing" or "souvenir taking" of any type
• Any other "violent" acts or behaviors not specifically mentioned, as determined by the IE Zone/All Star Head Coach.

2. Supportive teammates do not possess or consume illegal intoxicating substances and/or performance enhancing drugs (PED's) This is specifically addressed by USA-S Rulebook Sections 304.3.4-304.3.8. Any exceptions for prescribed medications must be provided to the IE Zone/All Star Team Head Coach in advance of the meet.

3. Supportive teammates care for and protect one another from circumstances of cohabitation or inappropriate sexual acts or behaviors. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Male athletes may not be in a female athlete's room at any time for any purpose, and vise versa, unless the other athlete is a sibling. Regardless of gender, no non-athlete shall share a hotel room or any other sleeping arrangement with an athlete, unless the non-athlete is the parent, guardian, or sibling of that athlete (USA-S 304.3.3)
• No inappropriate sexual conduct or advance that is written, oral, visual, or physical. This includes IE athlete to IE athlete, IE athlete to non-IE athlete, IE athlete with non-athlete minor, IE non-athlete to IE athlete, IE non-athlete to IE non-athlete, IE non-athlete to another non-athlete (USA-S 304.3.3)
• Any other inappropriate sexual acts or behaviors not specifically mentioned, as determined by IE Zone/All Star Team Head Coach.

 Supportive teammates shall adhere to the following additional Team Travel Policies:

• The IE Zone/All Star Team Head Coach shall establish a daily curfew.
• All electronic devices and mobile phones are to be turned "OFF" at evening curfew. It is the responsibility of the athlete to charge their device/phone overnight. If this becomes an issue for any roommate, electronics may be collected from individual rooms or all rooms at the discretion of the Head Coach.
• During all team travel, especially during room checks, team meetings, etc. IE non-athlete team members shall utilize "two-deep leadership," and shall maintain an open and observable environment.
• It is permissible for one athlete and one non-athlete to travel to a competition or travel during a competition alone. However, the athlete must have written permission from their parent/guardian authorizing such travel with that specific individual. In all other cases, such travel and other similar situations are prohibited (USAS 304.3.3)
• Athletes are always expected to remain with the team during team travel. (IE P&P Section 7.8.1.B) Athletes shall not leave the competition venue, hotel, restaurant, or any other place at which the team has gathered without the permission of the IE Zone Head Coach (IE P&P Section 7.8.1B) When visiting public places (shopping malls, movie theaters, etc, athletes shall stay in groups of no less than the number designated by the Head Coach.
• Any and all rules or policies stated or posted by IE Zone/All Star Head Coach, or a person designated shall always be followed.

Any and/or all the following penalties may be considered and imposed according to the severity of the infraction, as determined in IE P&P, Sections 7.9:

• Removal from relays or individual events at the Western Zone Swimming Championship Meet
• A formal, written apology to offended parties, with copies submitted to the IE Zone/All Star Team Committee and the athlete or non-athlete's attached club.
• Forfeiture of all IE Zone/All Star Team supplied apparel or other articles/items.
• Forfeiture of part or all financial support for travel arrangements provided by Inland Empire. Additionally, restitution of any and/or all damages, fines, or fees incurred.
• An athlete or non-athlete may be excused from the team and sent home at the expense of the athlete, non-athlete, or parent/guardian thereof. If an athlete must be accompanied by a chaperone, as outlined above in "Additional Team Travel Policies", then the athlete or parent/guardian thereof shall cover those expenses as well.

Inland Empire Swimming Zones/All Star Team

All Athletes, Coaches, Chaperones, and Parents of athletes are REQUIRED to sign below as a condition of participation with the IE Zones / All Star Team.

I hereby agree to comply with this Code of Conduct and Team Travel Policy and abide by all USA Swimming Rules and Regulations and all IE Policy and Procedures. I understand the consequences and my rights if I fail to follow this document.