Manor Woods Swim and Dive Team

Swim & Dive Team General Policies

All athletes and parents must read the “Athlete” and “Parent” Responsibilities listed below and check the appropriate box on the registration form to be eligible for participation at Manor Woods. There are no exceptions to this requirement, and the form must be completed prior to the first practice.

• Regular participation at practice sessions is paramount. Every athlete is expected to attend a daily practice if possible. Exceptional circumstances, such as work, camp, school, or vacation, should be discussed in advance with the coaches. Every effort will be made to accommodate shifting summer schedules. Please advise coaches in advance of any extended absences.
• Any problems with dues or team policies should be discussed with the Team Reps or other members of the team committee, not the coaches.
• Parents must take responsibility for the supervision of their children at meets. If parents can’t accompany their child to a meet, they must make arrangements for other adult supervision.
• The team posts announcements on the team website and on the Facebook group and sends announcements via emails and the Swimtopia app. Schedules, departure times, and other information will be posted and shared regularly. It is the athlete’s responsibility to know in which meets he or she is competing. Please check the website and your email regularly!
• Exposure to the sun and strenuous activities drain an athlete’s energy and hamper performance. While the ultimate decision is yours, we recommend that athletes competing in meets do not engage in strenuous activities the day of “B” meets or prior to “A” meets or dive meets.
• Athletes and officials must report to the meets at the specified time, which is at least 45 minutes before the meet begins.

Swim Meets

• Every effort will be made to provide each swimmer with the opportunity to compete, with seeding based on times recorded at meets. Best times are used to seed all “A” meets; in general, the three fastest swimmers in each event are seeded to swim. In the case of ties and close times, coaches’ discretion is used.
• “A” swim meets are seeded in advance. Once heat sheets for “A” meets are exchanged with the opposing team on Friday mornings, Montgomery County Swim League rules restrict coaches from changing entries. Swimmers who cannot attend a given “A” meet must inform the coaches as far in advance as possible using the “declare availability” feature on the team Swimtopia site. In the event of last minute illness or other emergencies, swimmers must contact a coach or Team Rep as soon as possible. When a swimmer does not show up or refuses to swim a designated event, coaches have the authority to replace that swimmer. This may jeopardize that swimmer’s participation in future “A” meets.
• “B” swim meets are open to swimmers who have not swum a particular event in the preceding weekend’s “A” meet and official entries are made on the Swimtopia site by the swimmer or their parent.
• For further information on swim meets, please see Swim Meets 101 or ask a Team Rep or a veteran swim family

Dive Meets

• All divers are welcome to compete at all regular Sunday meets, and must declare their intention to do so by completing, with a coach’s guidance, and signing a dive sheet. This is normally done on the Friday before each Sunday, but can be done earlier or later as long as the coaching staff is advised.
• Divers must attend at least three practices during the week in order to compete at that Sunday’s meet, unless prior arrangements are made with the coaches.
• For further information on dive meets, please see Diving FAQ or ask a Team Rep or a veteran dive family

Athlete’s Responsibilities

As a Manor Woods Terrapin,

• I will go to practice each day, insofar as possible.
• If I cannot attend practice or a meet, I will communicate with my coach as far in advance as possible. If the lineup for a swim meet has already been posted and I cannot attend, I will tell my coach.
• I will sign my initials on “A” meet lineups if I am on the list. If I cannot make a meet or Relay carnival, I will tell the Team Rep or my coach.
• I will complete my dive sheet on Friday for Sunday’s meet OR I will make other specific arrangements with my coaches.
• I will arrive on time for all practices and meets.
• I will tell my parents what time I need to be at Manor Woods or the hosting pool for each meet or event.
• I will stay in the team area during meets. If I am a swimmer, I will be ready to swim when I am called for my event with my cap and goggles ready. If I am a diver, I will be aware of my place in the diving order and ready for my turn on the board when I am called “on deck.”
• I will not leave practices or meets without telling my coach.
• I will introduce myself to my big or little buddy.
• I understand I have responsibilities to my teammates and coaches, and I understand that I may lose my chance to compete in meets if I do not follow pool and team rules.
• I will show respect to my coaches and teammates and practice good sportsmanship.
• I will have fun and do my best.

Manor Woods Parent Responsibilities

As a Manor Woods Terrapin parent,

• I will ensure that my child goes to practice each day, insofar as possible.
• If my child cannot attend practice or a meet, I will make sure they or I have communicated with the coaches. If my swimmer cannot attend an “A” meet, I will declare them “unavailable” within the team website as far in advance as possible. If the lineup for the meet has already been posted, the coach will be notified directly.
• I will ensure that my swimmer initials the Saturday “A” meet lineups, if applicable.
• If my swimmer has a last-minute emergency and cannot attend a Saturday “A” meet or Relay carnival, I will call the coach or Team Rep.
• I will ensure my diver has completed their dive sheet on Friday for Sunday’s meet OR I will make other specific arrangements with the coaches.
• I will ensure my athlete arrives on time for practice, warm-ups, and traveling to away meets.
• I will supervise my child at all meets and events, whether home or away. I understand that they need to remain in the team area during meets.
• I will review the Manor Woods team website for pertinent information and ask the Team Reps or a veteran family if I have any questions.
• My child will not leave practice or a meet without telling a coach.
• I will introduce my child to their big/little buddy if necessary.
• I understand that my child has a responsibility to their teammates and coaches and understand that they may lose their opportunity to participate if they do not follow the rules.
• I agree to volunteer for at least 3 activities/meets during the season.
• I will show respect to coaches, athletes, and other parents and will set a good example and practice good sportsmanship.
• I will do my best to make summer swimming and diving fun for all children.
• I will remember that all children participate to have fun and that competition is for youth, not adults.

Athletes and parents are reminded that they represent the Manor Woods Swim and Dive Team and Club. Team spirit and good sportsmanship are expected of and by all. No derogatory or abusive language or behavior will be tolerated. Repeated or flagrant violations of these rules will be dealt with by the coaches, Team Reps, and the involved athlete’s parents, and may result in suspension or dismissal from the team.

MCSL code of conduct

MCDL code of conduct