I certify that I am the parent or legal guardian for my child(ren). I hereby give my permission for any supervisor, coach or other team administrator associated with the Wortham Whitesharks Swim Team to seek and give appropriate medical attention for our child(ren) in the event of accident, injury, illness. I will be responsible for any and all costs associated with any necessary medical attention and/or treatment.

I hereby waive, release and forever discharge Wortham Whitesharks Swim Team and associated supervisor, coach or other team administrator from all rights and claims for damages, injury, loss to person or property which may be sustained or occur during participation in Wortham Whitesharks Swim Team activities, whether or not damages or loss is due to negligence. I hereby acknowledge that my children is (are) physically fit and capable of participation in all Swim Team activities.

By registering my child(ren) with the Wortham Whitesharks Swim Team, I agree to participate and allow my child(ren) and family members to participate in the Wortham Whitesharks Swim Team, and hereby release and agree to INDEMNIFY and hold harmless the Northwest Aquatic League (NWAL) and its officers, directors, coaches, representatives, volunteers, the Wortham Whitesharks Swim Team, and the Wortham Villages Homeowners Association, and all of their residents, directors, officers, coaches, and employees from liability for any injury that might occur to myself or to my child(ren) and family members while participating in the Wortham Whitesharks Swim Team program, including travel to and from practice sessions, swim meets or other scheduled team activities, whether caused by accidental, negligent or intentional acts of NWAL, its officers, directors, coaches, representatives, volunteers, the Whitesharks, or the Wortham Villages Homeowners Association, and any of the residents. 

I agree to indemnify and hold harmless the above mentioned organizations and/or individuals, their agents and/or employees, against any and all liability for personal injury, including injuries resulting in death to me, my child(ren) and/or other family members, or damage to my property, the property to my child(ren) and/or other family members, or both, while I or my child(ren) or family members participating in the Wortham Whitesharks Swim Team program.

The Wortham Whitesharks Swim Team is a parent run organization; therefore, all parents are required to participate in some capacity during the swim season. Normally, each parent will sign up for or will be assigned a volunteer position for home meets and at least one parent per family for away, invitational and divisional meets. Volunteer assignments will be posted on the website prior to the each meet. Your participation is critical to providing a great experience for every swimmer on the team!

Guppy school takes place the week before practice starts and is a voluntary four day session for NEW swimmers ages 3-6. The coaches, swimmers and their parents use this time to determine if a young swimmer is ready and confident enough for swim team as well as to be certain that he/she will be safe in the water. Guppy school is not swimming lessons; your child must already possess the basic skill of swimming.

To help the team stay connected and make communication easier among members, we are creating a directory of all our members. This directory will include contact information for the swimmers and their guardians/parents. By selecting the box below, you are agreeing to be included in this directory.

NORTHWEST AQUATIC LEAGUE 

PARENT/COACH CODE OF CONDUCT

Children’s sports are supposed to be fun-for the children. Unfortunately, many parent, fans and coaches don’t realize that their actions, whether
verbal or nonverbal, can have a lasting emotional effect on children. Too many children are leaving sports activities because the fun is unfairly
taken away by adults. This following Code of Conduct is for parents and spectators to abide by at every practice, meet and invitational.

Preamble

The essential elements of character building and ethics in sports are embodied in the concept of sportsmanship and six core principles:
trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, and caring and good citizenship. The highest potential of sports is achieved when competition

reflects these “six pillars of character.”

I therefore agree:

1. I will remember that children participate to have fun and that the sport is for youth, not adults.

2. I will inform the coach of any physical disability or ailment that may affect the safety of my child or the safety of others.
3. I will learn the rules of the sport and the policies of the league.

4. I (and my guests) will be a positive role model for my child and encourage sportsmanship by showing respect and courtesy, and by
demonstrating positive support for all swimmers, coaches, officials and spectators at every meet, practice, or other sporting event.

5. I (and my guests) will not engage in any kind of unsportsman-like conduct with any official, coach, player, or parent such as booing and taunting;
refusing to shake hands; or using profane language or gestures.

6. I will not encourage any behaviors or practices that would endanger the health and well-being of the athletes.
7. I will teach my child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.

8. I will demand that my child treat other players, coaches, officials and spectators with respect regardless of race, creed, color, sex or ability.

9. I will teach my child that doing one’s best is more important than winning, so that my child will never feel defeated by the outcome of a race or his/her performance.

10. I will praise my child for competing fairly and trying hard, and make my child feel like a winner every time.
11. I will never ridicule or yell at my child or other participants for making a mistake or losing a competition.

12. I will emphasize skill development and practices and how they benefit my child over winning. I will also de-emphasize meets and competition in the lower age groups. 

13. I will promote the emotional and physical well-being of the athletes ahead of any personal desire I may have for my child to win.

14. I will respect the officials and their authority during meets and will never question, discuss, or confront coaches or officials at the meets, and will take time to speak with them at an agreed upon time and place.

15. I will demand a sports environment for my child that is free from drugs, tobacco, vapes, and alcohol and I will refrain from their use at all sports events.

16. I will refrain from coaching my child or other players during meets and practices, unless I am one of the official coaches of the team.

I also agree that if I fail to abide by the aforementioned rules and guidelines, I will be subject to disciplinary action that could include, but is not limited to the following:

Verbal warning by official, head coach and/or head of league organization 

Written warning

Parental meet/Invitational suspension with written documentation of incident kept on file by organizations involved. 

Meet forfeit through the official or coach

Parental season suspension.

The basis for this code of conduct is produced by the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation

An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, senior citizens and individuals with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable.

The Northwest Aquatics League (NWAL) and (your team's name here) cannot prevent you (or your child(ren)) from becoming exposed to, contracting, or spreading COVID-19 while participating in NWAL sanctioned events. It is not possible to prevent against the presence of the disease. Therefore, if you choose to participate in an NWAL sanctioned event, you may be exposing yourself to and/or increasing your risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19.

BY ATTENDING OR PARTICIPATING IN ANY NWAL SANCTIONED EVENT, YOU VOLUNTARILY ASSUME ALL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH EXPOSURE TO COVID-19 AND FOREVER RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS NWAL AND (your team's name here) AND THE POOL FACILITY OWNERS AND EACH OF THEIR OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, AGENTS, EMPLOYEES OR OTHER REPRESENTATIVES FROM ANY LIABILITY OR CLAIMS INCLUDING FOR PERSONAL INJURIES, DEATH, DISEASE OR PROPERTY LOSSES, OR ANY OTHER LOSS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CLAIMS OF NEGLIGENCE AND GIVE UP ANY CLAIMS YOU MAY HAVE TO SEEK DAMAGES, WHETHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, FORESEEN OR UNFORESEEN, IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.