Renegades Code of Condiuct

Renegades Water Polo Club (RWPC) is the master organization that operates all RWPC Teams, Coaches, Administrators and Events. 

As a member, coach, player or parent of RWPC, it is expected to set a good example through sportsmanship, encouragement, behavior, and support of fellow team members. This document is designed to be an addendum to USA Water Polo COC. Its additional intent is to address areas specific to RWPC.

1. Players are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the common courtesies of decency, morality, honesty, and respect for the rights and properties of others. Athletes should be tolerant, supportive and respectful of their fellow team members and coaches. The following behavior will not be tolerated: 
2. Hazing, taunting, or verbally abusing another athlete, coach, referee, or any person participating in or conducting a RWPC sanctioned event.
3. Making derogatory comments about a person’s race, sex, religion, age, disability, national origin, or sexual orientation.
4. Using obscene gestures, profanity, or unduly provocative language. 
5. Athletes are expected to conduct themselves in an exemplary manner always and will abide by all federal, state and local laws, education code, Redlands Unified School District policies and regulations. Use of illegal drugs or weapons will not be tolerated. 
6. Although water polo is a physical sport, athletes are expected to refrain from engaging in any act with the intent to cause injury to another athlete. 
7. Players are expected to arrive on time and prepared to practice, games, scrimmages, and team meetings. Athletes are expected to remain quiet while the coach is speaking and will not disrupt the coach or behave in any manner that interferes with the coach’s communications with other athletes. Players should have all necessary gear at practices, games, and scrimmages. 
8. Athletes will diligently and timely perform tasks as requested by the coaching staff such as course set up, warm up, stretching, returning balls and other equipment to storage.
9. Athletes are required to keep locker rooms, team rooms, practice areas, and the pool deck clean and orderly.  

1. The importance of parents behaving as role models cannot be overstated. Parents who support the rules of conduct provide a model for other parents and athletes alike. Of concern are parents who harass coaches, officials, and/or other athletes by making negative comments toward one or all the aforementioned groups. This is counterproductive and undermines the values of sportsmanship, fair play, and our philosophy of “Pursuing Victory with Honor.” RWPC’s coaching staff dedicates their time and efforts to developing the young athletes of our club. All our coaches welcome and value open lines of communication with their players. If there is an issue that needs to be resolved, the following steps should be taken: 
2. The athlete discusses the situation with the coach.
3. If that meeting does not produce what is interpreted as a fair resolution, the parent(s) and player should meet with the coach.
4. Lastly, if deemed necessary, the Director of Operations will be present for a follow-up meeting in which the matter will be discussed further, and a decision and /or resolution reached. Email exchanges are discouraged when trying to resolve conflicts. In summary, the coaching team encourages open communication with its players and requests that athletes discuss with coaches first; live meeting with parent, athlete, and coach second; live meeting with parent, athlete, Director of Operations third and final resolution.
5. Practice groups, scrimmage teams, tournament teams, and playing time are not a topic of discussion as the determination is made by the coach and the coach alone. There are multiple factors that the coaches utilize to determine the practice groups, scrimmage teams, tournament teams, and playing time. It is the desire of RWPC that coaches have the freedom to balance the goals and skill of an individual player with giving the team a successful competitive experience. To achieve this balance, practice groups, scrimmage teams, tournament teams, and playing time will be based on the following factors:

• Player’s attitude, focus, attendance, and sportsmanship.
• Player’s effort and responsiveness to coaching instruction.
• The number of players on the team.
• The level of play and skill for a competitive tournament and/or special competition These factors may increase or decrease a player’s time, including no playing time at all, in any game, scrimmage, or tournament. Certain tournaments may be more developmental and allow for more playing time for players, whereas other tournaments may be more competitive where playing time is more limited. Playing time is not distributed equally and is under the direction of the coaching staff exclusively. There are no guaranteed spots, and playing time and tournament participation will be adjusted as necessary. Parents should refrain from discussions with coaches during practice session.

1. Parents are expected to behave responsibly and respectfully as spectators during the open practices/scrimmages/games on the bleachers and should refrain from making inappropriate comments towards their sons/daughters, other players, referees, or coaches. They should also refrain from "coaching" their children from the bleachers as that is solely the coaches' job. Speaking negatively or gossiping about coaches, other parents, or players can be very damaging to our club and will not be tolerated. Parents and players are asked to speak directly with a coach regarding any issue they see as unresolved.

Volunteering and fundraising is a necessary aspect to generate revenue for expenditures the club incurs. ALL families are required to participate during the year. This is how we raise extra funds to cover equipment, additional coaching costs, temporary emergency scholarships for those who meet a crisis such a losing a parent/job, along other expenses our program accumulates.

Participation in fundraising is mandatory for all members. If you do not wish to participate in fundraising, a "buy-out" option will be made available to cover that members share of their fundraising commitment.

The RWPC Ethics Committee is a standing sub-committee of the Board; comprised of the President, Vice President, and Director of Operations. It is responsible for investigating violations and enforcing RWPC Water Polo’s Codes of Conduct for registered athletes, parents, and coaches. The RWPC Director of Operations shall first be notified of conduct that would constitute a violation of the Code of Conduct. Upon notification, the Director of Operations shall immediately notify the Ethics Committee. The Director of Operations should make every reasonable effort to learn about both sides of the allegation and whenever possible and practical, interview independent witnesses. This Director of Operations shall have the authority to issue a reprimand or suspend any athlete, coach or parent if his or her conduct is in violation of the Code of Conduct and is considered detrimental to the best interests of RWPC. The Director of Operations shall report to the Ethics Committee and the RWPC Board of Directors all incidents of misconduct, including those incidents, which may warrant dismissal or being barred. Only the Ethics Committee, by a majority vote, has the authority to dismiss or bar an individual.

1. Reprimand: the offending player, parent, or coach is to be advised of the offense and informed either verbally or in writing that further misconduct will result in a more severe penalty. 
2. Suspension: The offending player, parent, or coach will be advised in writing that he or she is suspended from all RWPCC activities for a specific number of games or days. 
3. Dismissal: The offending player, parent, or coach will be advised in writing within 15 days of the Board vote, that he or she has been dismissed from RWPC for the remainder of the current season. 
4. Barred: The offending player, parent, or coach will be advised in writing within 15 days of the Board vote, that he or she has been barred from the present and future participation in RWPC permanently or for a time period to be determined by the Board. 

Appeals Process: The offending person shall have the right to appeal to the Board, any action taken by the Director of Operations, Ethics Committee or the Board, within 15 days of the written notice.