About TASC Squads

TASC Squads are for competitive swimmers only.  The demand for squad places is extremely high therefore TASC will only accept swimmers who are prepared to meet stringent criteria and are prepared to compete as a member of TASC both home and away.  There is no squad place available for swimmers who want to utilise training time purely to improve fitness, this can be done during public lane swimming time.  Places in squads will be reviewed annually (January) and will be allocated according to times achieved at competition, commitment to training and commitment to compete.  Swimmers failing to achieve minimum criteria will not be invited to rejoin TASC and may swim out the remainder of the membership year ending in February.

Fees

The usual Highland Council entry fee is payable to the Pool Staff at the kiosk. An annual membership of £25.00 is payable to TASC.  This also covers your SASA membership which includes insurances.  Payment should be arranged with the Membership Secretary on the first Monday of each month.  At present, as a member of TASC Squads, a squad fee is payable to TASC quarterly in advance.  You will receive an invoice for this when required.  .  All Squad members are required to pay squad fees - current rates are:  A - £20.00, B - £12.00, C - £10.00, Dev - £5.00 payable quarterly in advance.

Medical Conditions

As swimming is a very physical sport we are required to keep a medical register for all swimmers.  It is important that the Squad Coach and Membership Secretary are advised of any pre-existing or new medical condition that may affect your child both in the water and whilst travelling away from home.  This information is held on our database and is only available to officials within TASC on a need to know basis.  ALL swimmers who take medication and/or dietary supplements MUST ensure that they complete a British Swimming Medical Declaration annually. 

Financial Matters

Swimshop and Membership Secretary will only be available FIRST MONDAY OF THE MONTH Club Night (between 6 and 7pm).   All invoices and bills should be paid within 14 days of the invoice date.  The preferred method of payment is by cheque payable to TASC.  Wherever possible payments should be made directly to Membership Secretary or Treasurer during the first Monday of the month Club Night.  Monthly account statements will be issued on the 15th of each month and will be liable for payment by the first Monday of the following month.  All longstanding accounts will require immediate payment.  A letter will be issued by the Treasurer stating the outstanding amount.  If no payment received within 14 days of this letter the Treasurer will refer the account to the General Management Committee for a decision on what action should be taken.  If at any time you encounter problems meeting the invoice/statement amount or date please contact the Treasurer to discuss a payment plan.

 

Child Safety

Normal safety rules of Thurso Swimming Pool apply and their lifeguards will be on duty throughout our sessions. 

 TASC operates a Child Protection Policy which incorporates strict protocols on dealing with bullying.  It is extremely important that any incidents of bullying and intimidation are reported to an official of the Club no matter how minor.  Any action taken will be after full consultation and agreement with the parent/guardian of the child involved.  Even if no action is requested by the parent/guardian or child it is essential that the General Management Committee have an official note of the occurrence and are aware of any problems that may be developing.  All contact will be confidential and incidents dealt with as tactfully as possible.  Any action will be made in accordance with the SASA constitutions and bye-laws.  The Coach will be on poolside and will take responsibility for your child’s safety and well-being throughout the sessions.  The Coach, for safety and legal reasons, cannot leave the pool until every child in his/her care has been collected – Parent/guardians should therefore ensure that arrangements are made for collection within 5 minutes of the end of each session.

 

Behaviour

Due to the number of children in the water during each session and the fact that a structured lesson plan has to be completed in that time a high standard of behaviour is required from each swimmer.  Swimmers will be expected to be attentive and to follow the instructions given by the coach.  If the swimmer does not meet the standards the coach will speak with your child.  If unacceptable behaviour continues then you will be notified by the Coach with a view to solving the problems.  Continued unacceptable behaviour may lead to:  Your child being removed from the water for the rest of the session,  your child being placed on a probation period or the matter being referred to the Management Committee with a view to removal of membership

Pool Hygiene

To ensure a high standard of pool hygiene is maintained (prevention of infection) the following guidelines must be followed by swimmers, coaches and helpers.  All swimmers must use the toilet and have a shower with soap and water before swimming.  Any swimmer who has suffered from diarrhoea (for a number of days) within the last 14 days should refrain from swimming.  All coaching staff and helpers must wear dedicated poolside shoes or overshoes (available at the poolside).  If you have any concerns please discuss them in confidence with the Coach.

 

Attendance

The Squad Coaches operate attendance registers and each swimmer is required to achieve at least the minimum attendance percentage stipulated for their squad (see centre pages).  Parents of younger swimmers should assist their child to achieve this minimum attendance level.  It is vital that you advise the Coach in advance of any sessions that you will not be attending - attendance waivers may be given for sickness, family holidays away from home or circumstances out with the swimmers control – these waivers will be given at the Coach’s discretion.  Attendance is reviewed on a 3 monthly basis and a swimmers place may be withdrawn within a membership year if unexplained non-attendance is persistant.

 

Competitions

It is our aim to enter your child for appropriate home and away competitions.  TASC attempts to subsidise 50% of travel & accommodation costs of as many away meets as possible.  The squad coach will select the swimmers going to each meet and will ask you to complete an entry form.  This must be completed and returned by the stated date – Late entries will not be submitted.  If you withdraw your child once the final entries have been sent to the host club by the Meet Convener then you will be liable to pay all entry fees incurred.  The entries are then passed to the host Club who compile a list of entrants based on their times.  It is therefore extremely important to explain to your child that even though they may have been entered for a competition they may not be accepted.  All squad swimmers will be expected to enter competitions as often as possible

 

Data Protection

Both TASC & SASA utilise computerised membership databases which is operated under The Data Protection Act 1998.  Information held on these databases will not be shared with any third party for marketing or commercial purposes without firstly obtaining the explicit consent from individual members.  Members must advise the membership secretary if they have any objection to this arrangement.  Full details are available on the club notice board.

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