Club Policies

In order for our club to be competitive at the highest level it is essential to recognize that participation in the Santa Cruz Water Polo Club (SCWPC) is a commitment made by both the athlete and the parent(s).  All athletes & parents are expected to be familiar with this Code of Conduct and follow it at all times.  By enrolling your child in the Santa Cruz Water Polo Club program you agree to following::

Athlete Expectations

• Athletes shall be positive and responsible representatives of SCWPC at all times.
• Good sportsmanship will be shown at all times.
• Athletes shall respect the property of others.
• Repeated brutality fouls or inappropriate physical play will not be tolerated and will be grounds for suspension or expulsion from the club.
• Athletes will not make any derogatory remarks about SCWPC, other players or coaches.  Hateful or discriminatory remarks will not be tolerated.
• Athletes must place a priority on active and committed participation in all practices and games.  SCWPC is a competitive program, so all roster selections are earned.
• Being selected to a roster is a privilege so players should make every effort to attend tournaments and practices.  Athletes are expected to attend all games/tournaments they are selected for.  Coaches shall be notified in advance via email/call/text if a rostered athlete is going to be absent.  Unexcused absences may result in a fine and may impact future roster selections.
• Athletes are expected to be on deck one hour prior to game time unless otherwise notified by the coach.
• Athletes that have concerns about playing time, roster placement or role on the team should contact their coach and set up an appropriate time to discuss.
• Athletes must communicate directly with their coach regarding any issue or concern that may arise surrounding SCWPC.  Unresolved problems should be brought to the attention of the Club Directors via email.

Parent Expectations

• Parents must be responsible role models and a positive reflection of the SCWPC at all times.
• Parents must show good sportsmanship and treat all players, parents, coaches of SCWPC and opposing teams and referees with respect at all times.
• Parents are not to communicate with players during a game or during training. Only positive, supportive and encouraging comments are acceptable.
• Parents are not to approach or distract the coaches on deck during training or games.
• Parents should suggest or ask that their child communicate with their coaches about any potential concerns before the parent approaches a coach or email.
• Placement on rosters and playing time is the sole discretion of the coach and is NOT open for discussion with parents.
• Timely registration and payment of fees as outlined in the website is required.
• Parent conduct in violation of this Code of Conduct may result in removal from a game and may prohibit a parent attending games.
• Any conduct in violation of this Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action as determined by the coaches/administrators.  This includes, but is not limited to, benching of players, removing players from rosters, suspension or removal from SCWPC. 

The Santa Cruz Water Polo Club is committed to supporting our athletes both in the pool and beyond. We offer financial aid to help cover club dues for families who may need assistance, ensuring that all players have the opportunity to participate, regardless of financial circumstances. 

For financial aid, please fill out the Financial Aid Application and return it to us at the beginning of the session.

Financial Aid Application 

As a National Governing Body of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee ("USOPC") and member of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement, USA Water Polo abides by the USOPC Athlete Safety Policy and The United States Center for SafeSport ("the Center") SafeSport Code in an effort to recognize, reduce, and respond to misconduct in sport.

We all play a role in reducing misconduct and abuse in sport. The Center provides education and resources for all members of the sport community - organizations, coaches, officials, parents and athletes - to understand what misconduct is, implement ways to reduce it and identify plans to respond to it.

USA Water Polo Participants are prohibited from engaging in misconduct, including but not limited to sexual, emotional, physical misconduct as well as bullying, hazing and harassment as per the USA Water Polo Rules Governing Conduct and U.S. Center for SafeSport Code.

All adult participants are mandatory reporters. Reporting violations of the Code or Rules may be made anonymously and there are no fees or cost associated with reporting prohibited conduct.

SCWPC is fully committed to the health and safety of our athletes.  Below you will find information and links to resources, guidelines, and policies in support of that commitment.

• USA Water Polo's Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy
• How to Report a Concern - SafeSport
• Response and Resolutions Policies

Greivance Policy

Anyone may voice grievances and formal complaints to program directors or club directors (not individual coaches) without discrimination, or fear of retaliation. SCWPC will make

prompt efforts to resolve and investigate grievances and complaints.

DEFINITIONS

Definition of Grievance – A grievance is any complaint or dispute expressing dissatisfaction with any aspect of the operations, activities, and behavior. Formal Grievance – An official written statement regarding a concern about a situation or event. All formal grievances must include the

name of the individual submitting the complaint. This allows for proper investigation of the concern.

Informal Grievance – May be an anonymous written or verbal statement regarding a concern about a situation or event. Note: if staff does not know who submitted the form, it may limit the investigation. 

Compliance Guidelines

The Club Director (or in select cases, the Safesport officer or board or directors) is responsible for overseeing the grievance process; receiving and tracking grievances and complaints through to their conclusion; leading any necessary investigations by USAWP or SafeSport; maintaining the

confidentiality of all information associated with grievances; issuing grievance decisions to the family; and coordinating with stakeholders, agencies, or representatives as necessary in light of specific allegations.

The Club Director is the designated Grievance Official and is named below and can be reached at: Ryan Chapatte ryan@santacruzwpc.com

Any grievance about the club director should be brought to the board of directors that can be reached at: boardofdirectors@santacruzwpc.com

Should formal complaint decisions made by the Grievance Official or Board of Directors not be satisfactory to the family who submitted the complaint, the club will not prohibit or in any way discourage a family from communicating with external entities including Center for Safe Sport or USA Water Polo.

Upon request, the SCWPC will give a copy of this formal or informal complaint and grievance policy to the family.

Information on how to file a grievance or formal complaint is available to the family. Information may include, but is not limited to:

a. The contact information of the grievance official with whom a grievance can be filed, including name, email, and business phone number.

b. The contact information of independent entities with whom grievances may be filed, that is, Center for Safesport and/or USA Water Polo.

c. The time frame that a family may reasonably expect completion of the review of the grievance/complaint and a written decision regarding their grievance/complaint.

Formal grievances and complaints may be voiced in the following forms:

a. Written or verbal complaint to a Grievance Official or Board or Directors

b. Written or verbal complaint to an outside party.

An informal complaint may be filed anonymously using this Google form

Procedure

This organization will not retaliate or discriminate against anyone who files a grievance or complaint or participates in the investigation of a grievance/complaint.

The Grievance Official receiving the grievance/complaint will record the nature and specifics of the grievance/complaint

a. Take any immediate actions needed to prevent further potential violations.

b. Report any allegations involving neglect, abuse, injuries of unknown source, and/or misappropriation of property immediately to the Board of Directors

The Grievance Official will take steps to resolve the grievance, and record information about the grievance, and those actions, on the grievance form.

a. Steps to resolve the grievance/complaint may involve forwarding the grievance/complaint to the board of directors, Safe Sport Officer, USAWP, or The Center for Safe Sport

b. All staff involved in the grievance/formal complaint investigation or resolution should make prompt efforts to resolve the grievance/complaint and return the form to the Grievance Official. “Prompt efforts” include acknowledgment of grievances/complaints and actively working toward resolution of that grievance/complaint.

c. All staff involved in the grievance/complaint investigation or resolution will take steps to preserve the confidentiality of files and records relating to grievances/complaints and will share them only with those who have a need to know.

The Grievance Official will keep the concerned party appropriately apprised of progress towards resolution of the grievances.

SCWPC will take appropriate action in accordance with State Law if an alleged violation of rights is confirmed by the SCWPC or an outside entity, such as USAWP, Center for Safe Sport, or local law enforcement.

In accordance with the complainant’s right to obtain a written decision regarding his or her grievance, the Grievance Official will issue a written decision on the formal complaint to the complainant at the conclusion of the investigation. The written decision will include at a minimum:

a. The date the formal complaint was received.

b. The steps taken to investigate the formal complaint.

c. A summary of the pertinent findings or conclusions regarding the complainant's concern(s).

d. Any corrective action taken or to be taken by SCWPC as a result of the formal complaint.

e. The date the written decision was issued.

For investigations regarding allegations of neglect, abuse, injuries of unknown source, and/or misappropriation of resident property, a report of the investigative results will be submitted to the Center for Safe Sport, and other officials in accordance with State Law, within five working days of the incident.

Evidence demonstrating the results of all formal complaints will be maintained for a period of no less than 3 years from the issuance of the formal complaint decision.

The Grievance Official will take no more than seven days after the receipt of the formal complaint to issue a decision.

Should the Grievance Official be out of the building for an extended period of time that lasts longer than seven days from the receipt of a formal complaint, it will be the responsibility of the board of directors to investigate the complaint and issue a decision.

Annually, a review and analysis will be completed. To include the following:

a. The number of complaints were receive.

b. Trend

c. Areas needing performance improvements

d. Actions to be taken to address improvements

e. Changes taken to improve performance

SCWPC regularly photographs and films players at practices, games, and events. These images may be used for educational purposes, marketing, social media, publications, and other club communications.

By registering your child with SCWPC, you consent to this use of their image. No compensation is provided, and you have no right to approve specific uses.

If you do not want your child photographed or filmed, contact Club Director Ryan Chapatte at ryan@santacruzwpc.com before your child's first practice.