SSRA TEAM CODE OF CONDUCT
SSRA Athletes conduct reflects a general respect for self, team, family, mountain, and their sport. SSRA athletes play by the rules and hold themselves to a high moral standard.
Each SSRA athlete agrees to:
*Adhere to the Rider Responsibility Code and the rules of SSRA, Mt. Spokane, and each governing body of ski racing (FIS, USSA, WR, PNSA and EEYSL)
*Act as an ambassador of the sport. Athletes should understand their reponsibility to represent SSRA, Mt. Spokane and ski racing in an admirable way, on and off of the hill; at home and away.
*Assume personal responsibility and self-accountability.
*Respect and support the decisions of the coaching staff, officials, ski area personnel, and ski patrol.
*Embrace the fact that being a part of the SSRA team is a priviledge, and not a right. It is something that can be revoked at any time if the rules and accepted behavior for maintaining team participation are not followed. Furthermore, some conduct and violations of SSRA coduct code/policies will result in disciplinary action. These sanctions will be implemented by the SSRA Program Director and include temporary suspension or expulsion without refund of team/program tuition.
General rules and team guidelines
Members of SSRA will:
*Not use illegal drugs, alcohol or tobacco
*Not use profane language or derogatory language
*Respect others and avoid hurting others physically or emotionally. This includes, but is not limited to, respecting teammates' desires to focus, learn, maintain a positive attitude, and get adequate sleep (when on the road).
*Respect the belongings of others
*Be honest
*Complete and submit enrollment, goal setting, team agreement and any additional forms that are required to participate.
*Compete as members of the SSRA team. SSRA athletes must be registered for races as members of the team, designated as such on start lists/results, and participate as members of the team fully during team meetings, inspection, warm-up, race runs, and awards. It is understood that access to SSRA training programs and facilities implies a commitment to team competitive goals and the individual contributions implied and made explicit through participation.
Training expectations
Members of SSRA will:
*Be productive, responsible and reliable members of the team. Athletes are expected to exhibit this commitment at all times.
*Demonstrate a positive attitude and a desire to make the most of training opportunities.
*Refrain from cursing or overt and excessive displays of frustration.
*Be punctual for team training and events.
*Notify coaches in advance if unable to attend weekend training
*Arrive for training well-rested, well-fed, and hydrated.
*Be prepared for changes in schedule
*Dress in warm layered clothing appropriate for cold, winter conditions.
*Always wear a helmet to training
*Always have mouth protection when slalom training
*Always wear goggles when training gates of any kind.
*Leave walkmans and personal MP3 players at home/in the lodge. These are not to be used while skiing.
*Not use cell phones during training.
*Always carry their season pass.
*Maintain their equipment and make sure skis are always sharp and waxed.
*Assist in gathering materials for training, and with putting materials away after training.
*Assert themselves in course setting and tear down. (**During night training only-if you are unable to arrive in time to help set, be the first person to volunteer to tear down and carry gates at the end of training).
*Slip and inspect every training course prior to running it.
*Use the restroom prior to training in the morning, and after lunch, prior to training in the afternoon.
*Ask permission to use the bathroom, or leave the group, in general, during training.
*Notify coach prior to leaving for the day.
*Attend video analysis sessions.
*Clean up after themselves, and others if necessary, in Mt. Spokane lodges
*Respect the general public. Avoid skiing fast in slow zones. Avoid skiing excessively close to others. And, avoid voicing frustration if interefered with; in, or out, of a training course.
*Use superior judgement. If unsure, consider if your planned action is "the right thing to do."
Race travel expectations:
*Athletes will not expect to compete if training has been missed leading up to a competition.
*Athletes will notify the coach, prior to the entry deadline, if unable to attend a competition
*Athletes will stay in team arranged accomodations
*Athletes will attend all team meetings and auxillary functions.
*Athletes are expected to have skis race ready and tune skis for each race day. Travel wax should be applied before departure. Racers should bring tuning equipment on race trips.
*Athletes will be on time
*Athletes will inspect courses and warm up adequately before each start.
*Athletes are expected to be invested in the race experience. Avoid excessive lodge time. Watch better competition or go free skiing when not preparing for a race run. Do your best to check in with a coach after each run.
*Athletes are expected to be a contributing member of the team. Retrieve clothing for teammates. Share course reports if asked by the coach. Cheer for and encourage your teammates.
*Athletes will remain at the race venue until the referee report (DSQ list) is posted, and you have communicated with a coach that you are leaving.
*Athletes will find out when the team meeting will take place, if not previously specified, prior to leaving the mountain.
*Athletes are expected to adhere to the entire SSRA Code of Conduct
*Athletes are expected to be gracious winners, and mature when faced with setbacks and defeats.
Rules specific to Junior Racing
*Juniors/FIS Juniors will complete PNSA contact information forms, medical releases, and intent to compete forms. If regional travel is expected, Western Region medical releases must also be completed.
*Juniors/FIS Juniors must contact the Program Director at least two weeks in advance, if competition plans change, as specified on the intent to compete form.
*Juniors/FIS Juniors will be entered in USSA events by coaches using a team entry.
*Juniors/FIS Juniors must electronically accept or reject invitations to represent PNSA in FIS and championship races on the www.pnsa.org website.
*Juniors/FIS Juniors will not expect to compete, or to be entered in a race, if race accounts do not hold sufficient funds. It is the responsibility of each athlete to know the status of their account prior to an event. Remember that entry deadline precede a race by a week or more. Therefore, check funds in race accounts 10 days-2 weeks prior to planned race travel.
*Entry fees, coach per diem, overlay hi-flouro team wax and team van use charges will be deducted from race accounts. Accounting will be provided on www.gossra.org on the juniors program page and will be updated as frequently as possible.
Mt. Spokane rules
Mt. Spokane is SSRA's greatest supporter. Few mountains work as cooperatively with a racing program as Mt. Spokane Ski &Snowboard Park. Without Mt. Spokane's support, SSRA would not exist. Respect the mountain.
Members of SSRA will:
*Store skis in racks
*Always carry your season pass and present it, each ride, to the lift attendants in a courteous manner.
*Show appreciation to mountain personnel, ski patrol, lift attendants and ski school instructors.
*Remember that because SSRA enjoys such priviledges, the general public must be shown exceptional respect.
*Remember that as a ski racer, and with many in team coats, you are highly visible.
*Never cut lift lines
*Not cut underneath ropes or ski in closed areas.
*Obey signs and directives of mountain employees and patrol.
*Always inspect a jump before hitting it. When jumping, make sure that someone is spotting the landing.
*Not use profane or derogatory language.
*Look uphill before starting
*Stop only where visible from above and on the side of trails.
*Slow down in slow skiing zones, in any crowded areas, and before entering lift line corrals.
*Report accidents to patrol or to the lift attendant at the top of any lift.
*Set skis in an "X" above injured skiers, in a place where people can see the "X" and avoid the injure skier
*Help people any chance that you get. This can include retrieving the equipment of someone who has fallen, giving directions, giving honest advice on trail difficulty, etc.
*Remember that you represent SSRA directly and that your actions, or lack of action have an impact on our priviledges for many years to come.
Disciplinary action
In the event that an athlete is unable to uphold the above criteria as outlined in the SSRA Code of Conduct, disciplinary action may result. Expect action to be taken. Offenses are catorized as follows.
Level 3
*Use of illegal drugs, alcohol or tobacco
*Breaking the law
*Physically hurting another person intentionally
Level 3 Disciplinary Action: Immediate suspension from the team for an indefinite period. Additional offense will result in explusion from the team for the year. In such a case, the right to refuse future business may be exercised by SSRA.
Level 2
*Violation of curfew; unbeknowst wherabouts to coaches after designated curfew time
Level 2 Disciplinary Action: 7-14 day suspension from team. Additional offense will result in Level 3 Disciplinary Action.
Level 1
*Violation of SSRA Code of Conduct
*Violation of Ski Area Rules
*Violation of the rules of ski racing and travel policies of FIS, USSA, WR, PNSA or appropriately assocaited body of ski racing.
Level 1 Disciplinary Action: 1-7 day suspension from team. Additional offense will result in Level 2 Disciplinary Action
Appeal Process
Any disciplinary action imposed may be appealed to the SSRA Board of Directors. The case will be reviewed and the Board will decide on appropriate measures. The Board of Directors may, but is not limited to, imposing the above penalties. Appeals should be submitted in writing.