The Parent · Athlete · Coach Team
Each member of this team has a distinct role; overlapping roles can create confusion and hinder progress.
- Parents and supporters: provide emotional and practical support.
- Coaches: provide technical expertise, structure, motivation and long-term planning.
- Athletes: bring commitment, effort and the desire to improve.
- Allow coaches to deliver the training and development plan they design for your child.
- Remember: swimming is your child’s choice.
Healthy Expectations and Support
- Avoid placing heavy expectations on children — even well-intended pressure can be harmful.
- Separate sporting results from your child’s worth: love the person, not just the swimmer.
- Measure progress against your child’s personal goals rather than others’ standards.
- Encourage responsibility: let your child take ownership of their training, successes and setbacks.
Communication, Problem-Solving and Conflict Resolution
HC Swimming Club encourages open, respectful communication and age-appropriate problem-solving.
Where possible, swimmers are encouraged to raise concerns and resolve minor issues directly with one another, with guidance as appropriate. Developing communication, resilience and conflict-resolution skills is an important part of a swimmer’s development.
Parents are asked to support and encourage this process, rather than intervening or speaking on their child’s behalf.
Concerns should only be escalated to coaches or club administration if they remain unresolved, or where safety or wellbeing is a concern.
Contacting Coaches
Coaches are happy to discuss progress. Please arrange meetings outside coaching hours. Do not approach coaches or stand on the pool deck while squads are training. If you’re attending a session, please sit in the mezzanine room. Keep conversations positive and aligned with our “above the line” behaviours.
Above the line behaviours
- Resilient
- Honest
- Respectful
- Driven
How You Can Help
- Be a positive role model — behave calmly and respectfully around the pool. Your conduct affects your child and the whole team.
- Support the club by volunteering at club activities and competitions.
- Encourage intrinsic motivation: help your child enjoy the sport for its own sake rather than relying on external rewards.
- Speak kindly and considerately to others within the community.
- Mimic the positive behaviours we require for the swimmers.
Safety, Attendance and Communications
Attendance & punctuality
Arrive on time. Late arrivals disrupt the session because the program and session theme are explained before entering the water.
End-of-session routine
We ask that swimmers thank the coaches for their time at the end of the session. Coaches will use this time to provide feedback to swimmers as they leave.
Communications protocol
Administration and coach contact hours are Monday, Thursday and Friday, 9:00 am–12:00 pm. If you need to speak with a coach, please email or phone during these times to arrange a discussion.
Useful Resources
- Swimming Australia – STAR Parent Guidelines: View PDF
- Swimming Australia – National Integrity Framework: View resource
These resources align with HC Swimming Club’s values and expectations and may be helpful for families and swimmers.