Club Policies

Swim Belfast is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and vulnerable adults. We recognize that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.

Key Principles:

• All children and vulnerable adults have the right to protection from abuse
• All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously
• All coaches and volunteers are DBS checked and safeguarding trained
• We follow Swim Ireland and Swim England safeguarding guidelines

Club Childrens Officer: Rorie McBride
Contact: cco2@swimbelfast.com

Swimmers:

• Respect coaches, officials, and fellow swimmers at all times
• Attend training sessions regularly and arrive on time
• Follow pool rules and safety guidelines
• Represent the club with pride and good sportsmanship
• Report any concerns to coaches or welfare officer

Parents/Guardians:

• Support your child's swimming journey positively
• Respect coaching decisions and communicate appropriately
• Ensure timely arrival and collection from sessions
• Pay fees promptly and notify of absences
• Demonstrate good sportsmanship at competitions

Coaches:

• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries
• Provide a safe and inclusive training environment
• Communicate clearly with swimmers and parents
• Continue professional development
• Follow safeguarding procedures

Swim Belfast has a zero-tolerance approach to bullying. We are committed to providing a safe, caring environment where all members can participate without fear of bullying.

What is Bullying?

Bullying is repeated, intentional behavior that hurts, intimidates, or excludes someone. It can be physical, verbal, emotional, or online (cyberbullying).

Reporting Bullying:

• Tell a coach, committee member, or welfare officer immediately
• All reports will be taken seriously and investigated
• Confidentiality will be maintained where possible
• Appropriate action will be taken to stop the bullying

Swim Belfast is committed to protecting your personal data in accordance with GDPR and UK data protection laws.

Data We Collect:

• Contact details (name, address, email, phone)
• Date of birth and emergency contact information
• Medical information relevant to swimming participation
• Swimming performance data and competition results
• Photographs and videos for promotional purposes (with consent)

How We Use Your Data:

• Club administration and communication
• Training and competition management
• Safety and welfare purposes
• Club promotion and social media (with consent)

Your data is stored securely and will not be shared with third parties without your consent, except where required by law.

The health and safety of our members is our top priority. We maintain high standards across all training venues.

Key Measures:

• All coaches are first aid trained
• Emergency procedures in place at all venues
• Regular risk assessments conducted
• Pool safety equipment available
• Incident reporting and investigation procedures

Member Responsibilities:

• Inform coaches of any medical conditions or injuries
• Follow pool rules and coach instructions
• Report any hazards or concerns immediately
• Ensure appropriate swimming attire and equipment

We recognize the benefits of photography and social media for celebrating achievements and promoting the club, while ensuring member safety and privacy.

Club Photography:

• Written consent required before publishing photos of children
• Only approved photographers at club events
• No personal details published with photos
• Parents can request photo removal at any time

Social Media Guidelines:

• Respect privacy of other members
• No inappropriate or offensive content
• Think before posting about the club
• Report concerns to club committee