“Swim Squad” and “TYSSS” refers to Tadcaster York Sport Swim Squad registered with the code TADE with Swim England (SE) and consists of swimmers and parents of swimmers which include committee volunteers.
“TSPT” refers to Tadcaster Swimming Pool Trust.
“JWA” refers to the Joint Working Agreement which is the agreement between Tadcaster Swimming Pool Trust, the coaches and Tadcaster York Sport Swim Squad to work together to provide swimming opportunities and sets out the duties of all parties and the services provided by TSPT to TYSSS.
1. Membership
1.1 Membership to Swim Squad is open to all swimmers and discrimination – either direct or indirect – will not be tolerated on any grounds including race, disability, social class or background, sexual orientation, ethnic or national origins, gender, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, parental status, carer status, age, religion or belief, or political persuasion. Membership will be offered when space is available in the squad and the swimmer has been assessed by the coaches. The Club may refuse membership only for good and sufficient cause, such as conduct or character likely to bring Swim Squad or the sport into disrepute, or, in the case of a swimmer, being unable to achieve the entry standards required by the coaches.
1.2 Due to pool size, health and safety, swimmer enjoyment and access to pool time, the squad size is limited in line with the JWA.
1.3. Entry into Swim Squad is through a trial with the Head Coach to assess whether a swimmer is ready. Swimmers will be allocated a place in the sessions that best suit their ability subject to the admission criteria and coaches discretion, providing there is space. Swimmers may come through the Tadcaster Swimming Pool or York Sport Development squads, Stingrays or external enquiries managed by the Membership Secretary. Swimmers who have registered times on the Swim England database may be invited to trial during a training session and may be offered a place in squad at the coaches discretion based on their registered times, subject to the availability of a space. Swimmers will usually start with two sessions, but the coaches may suggest more if the swimmer is deemed capable. Progression in Swim Squad will be determined by the coaches when the swimmer is ready and when space is available. All notifications of membership will be made to the membership Secretary/Secretary in line with the club constitution.
1.4. All swimmers will join as Category 2 (competitive swimmer). The exceptions to this are those who will remain under competitive age (9 years) during the whole squad calendar. This will be determined on an individual basis. (See 4.3. for minimum gala expectations).
1.5. Swimmers over the age of eighteen may remain members and train with squad after school year 13 (or equivalent if left school at aged sixteen) subject to agreement from the coaches, adherence to club policies and codes of conduct and all appropriate fees being paid. Swimmers must show a commitment to training and have a good attendance.
2. Membership Fees
2.1 There are two sets of fees to be paid. Changes to the fees will be in line with the constitution.
- annual fees that are paid to Swim Squad which cover the Swim England fees and the management of Swim Squad
- monthly pool fees which cover the hire of the pool and the coaches’ fees. These are paid directly to TSPT.
2.2 The annual fee is due by 31st January of each year and is paid directly to Swim Squad. Monthly fees are due at the start of each month and are paid directly to TSPT. The TSPT payment is via a direct debit scheme which needs to be organised by the individual with the TSPT directly. Any fee that is missed without prior arrangement risks the swimmer being suspended from swimming until the fees are paid. Suspended time will also be due as payment. For hardship see Section 3.
3. Hardship
TYSSS recognises that there are circumstances where members of the Swim Squad may be unable to meet the financial commitments for paying the annual subscription. If this is the case, the swimmer(s) parent or carer should contact the Membership Secretary or Welfare Officer – all cases will be treated with confidentiality and assessed sensitively. Hardship with paying fees to TSPT should be arranged directly with them, who have a similar policy and the Welfare Officer can help with this.
4. Attendance
4.1 The JWA states that a member swim is expected to be ‘active’. The Swim Squad and TSPT acknowledge that swimming may be one of a number of activities that members take part in. However, improvement comes with regular training and the coaches run scheduled training which runs on a specific cycle, so that ad hoc attendance will mean that the swimmer is not gaining maximum benefit from the programme. If a swimmer does not attend a session regularly then they will be asked to drop that session so the space can be offered to another swimmer.
4.2 TSPT/Swim Squad reserve the right to ask for a swimmer to be excluded from the Squad if there are no specific reasons for low attendance or the TSPT/Swim Squad believe that the swimmer by not attending regularly is not benefitting from the training programme.
4.3 Swimmers are expected to attend galas. All swimmers are required to compete in at least 3 galas a year unless there are extenuating circumstances that the club has been made aware of, which prevent a swimmer doing so. Failure to meet this requirement may result in membership renewal not being offered the following year.
5. Absence
5.1 The Swim Squad should be notified of all absences via the squad email address, currently tadswimsquad@gmail.com.
5.2. Short term absence. The Swim Squad fees are still due if the swimmer intends to continue swimming. TSPT will expect their fees to be paid to hold the place for the swimmer, though this will be assessed on an individual basis and should be organised directly with TSPT.
5.3 Long term absence. These will be assessed on an individual basis as to whether a Swim Squad fee would be due and whether places can be held or not. Individuals will need to make arrangements directly with TSPT regarding monthly fees.
6. Resignation.
6.1 A member wishing to resign membership of Swim Squad must give the Secretary / Membership Secretary written notice of his/her resignation. When a member resigns they will not be entitled to have any part of the annual membership fee or any other fees returned.
6.2 A member whose pool fee is more than two months in arrears or has not paid the annual renewal fee by the date specified by the committee may be deemed to have resigned. Where the membership of a member shall be terminated in this way, he/she shall be informed in writing that he/she is no longer a member by notice handed to him/her or sent by email to his/her last known email address. The Swim England Membership Department shall be informed should a member resign when still owing money or goods to the Club. Any member who resigns must return any Club or external body’s trophy or trophies held forthwith.
6.3 Re-joining after leaving. If a swimmer has notified Swim Squad and TSPT that they no longer wish to be a member, then their membership will be lapsed with Swim England. If the swimmer wishes to re-join they will have to join the waiting list unless there is space available.
6.4 If a swimmer expresses the desire to move to another club, then their membership of SE will be moved to the new club and they will be issued with the new club SE code. If, at a later date, the swimmer expresses a desire to return to the Swim Squad, this will assessed on an individual basis (see point 6.3 and 1.3). The process will adhere to Swim England guidelines.
6.5 TYSSS will help swimmers understand the pathways available to them as athletes, teachers, coaches, officials and administrators etc and will facilitate swimmers along their chosen pathway.