North Atlanta Water Polo Club

North Atlanta Water Polo Club (NAWPC) is more than a sports club. While we have goals to improve athletes skill and proficiency in water polo and sportsmanship, we also recognize the importance of character development, leadership skills, community and mental and physical well-being. NAWPC’s goals include but are not limited to: equipping young men and women with confidence and courage, strengthening friendships, fostering growth, and empowering self-confidence. Therefore, in order to foster an environment that upholds these pillars, we believe it is crucial to abide by a preventative bullying and substance abuse policy. NAWPC has a zero tolerance for abuse of any kind. NAWPC members and participants are prohibited from misconduct, including but not limited to sexual, emotional and physical misconduct which includes acts of bullying, hazing and harassment. NAWPC is a member of USA Water Polo and as set forth by USA Water Polo and the Rules of Conduct in the U.S. Center for SafeSport's Code all rules and regulations are incorporated into NAWPC policies. Any behavior of this sort by a member of this club will be investigated and strongly disciplined.

I. Bullying

Effective immediately, the club and all its participants will adhere to a three-strike policy, outlined in point B below. NAWPC aligns with SafeSports definitions of bullying which start on page 13 of their code:

https://uscenterforsafesport.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2023-SafeSport-Code.pdf

A.  Reporting

• Any report of bullying or suspected bullying must be made to an NAWPC coach or active board member.
• As set forth by USA Water Polo and the Rules of Conduct and the U.S. Center forSafeSport's Code, which are incorporated into NAWPC rules, along with ourMinor Abuse Prevention Policies all accusations of bullying will be addressed andinvestigated. Bullying accusations will be handled by SafeSport and will bethoroughly investigated by them and the club if needed.(https://usawaterpolo.org/sports/2018/12/19/rules-ethics.aspx)
• All social media and group chats affiliated with the club name will be monitoredby an adult.

B. Disciplinary Action

• First Offense: Players accused of bullying and players who may have been bullied will meet with Jarod and parents from both parties to discuss the issue. We will use SafeSport code to decide whether the player is in violation.
• Second Offense: Players accused of bullying will meet with Jarod and theirparents to discuss the issue and the end results from SafeSport. If the player isfound to be in violation of SafeSport's code the said player will be suspended fora month, starting the day after the meeting.
  
• Third Offense: Players accused of bullying will meet with Jarod, the boardPresident and their parents to discuss the issue and the end results fromSafeSport. If the player is found to be in violation of SafeSport's code, the playerwill be expelled from the club indefinitely.

II. Substance Abuse

• Anyone under the age of 21 is prohibited from partaking in illegal substances while in NAWPCattire or while at a tournament, practice or NAWPC sanctioned event. This includes tournamentsthat require travel.
• Any report made to the coaches or board members of NAWPC of an athlete’s participation in anillegal substance will require a report to the athlete’s legal guardians or parents. This includesinstances of substance use outside of the purview of NAWPC.