Most of our athletes travel to one‑day local meets accompanied by parents. This Code of Conduct
applies to team competitions when parents are not present and/or when the trip is overnight or out of
province.
A successful team is as much about conduct off the field as performance on it. A professional attitude,
appearance, and mature behaviour are expected at all times.
Athletes represent their family, their team, and the University of Toronto Track and Field Club when
they travel and must conduct themselves accordingly.
The coaches on the trip are ultimately responsible for athletes travelling and staying with the team,
regardless of whether the athlete is over 18 years of age. Athletes are expected to follow the rules and
instructions of the coach in charge of the trip.
1. Before the Trip
Personal and emergency contact information must be up to date before athletes travel.
For out‑of‑country travel, travel insurance must be purchased, or a copy of existing personal travel
insurance must be provided to the coach in case of a medical emergency.
For out‑of‑country travel, parents must provide a consent letter for children travelling outside Canada.
Parents should provide athletes with sufficient funds for incidentals.
2. General Behaviour Expectations
Athletes are expected to:
Speak to coaches, teammates, and roommates in a courteous and respectful manner at all
times.
Be courteous and respectful to all members of the athletics community, hotel staff, and event
personnel.
Refrain from using profane, insulting, or offensive language.
Refrain from public criticism of other members of the athletics community (including on social
media).
3. Player Protocol and Travel Guidelines
Room assignments are made by the coaching staff, but will consider requests.
Athletes must be on time for the bus or flight, all team meetings, and all items on the team
itinerary.
The team travels to and from competition as a group, including athletes, coaches, and manager
(unless otherwise approved in advance).
Athletes are responsible for their personal items, including identification, passports, electronics,
and any competition equipment.
All athletes must remain on hotel property unless they have approval from the coach in charge
of the trip. Competition, training sessions, team dinners, and team excursions will be planned in
advance and communicated to the athletes.
Athletes leaving hotel property must:
Be in the company of a member of the coaching staff, or Have explicit permission from the
coach in charge.
Use of hotel facilities such as the pool, fitness room, and other amenities must be cleared by the
coaching staff in advance.
4. Hotel Room Conduct
Athletes must be quiet and respectful of their roommates, hotel guests, and hotel staff.
Curfews will be set by the coach and must be respected.
During free time at the hotel, athletes are expected to rest or socialize in their own rooms, not
in hallways or common areas without permission.
No alcohol, drugs, vaping, or tobacco products are permitted in athlete rooms or in any team
setting.
No members of the opposite sex are allowed in athlete rooms.
No team members are permitted to visit the hotel rooms of athletes from another track club.
5. Dress and Team Uniform
Athletes are required to wear the designated UTTC singlet in all competitions.
Athletes should arrive at the competition venue and any official team functions in appropriate
and neat clothing, as directed by the coaching staff.
6. Sportsmanship and Respect
Athletes must recognize that the team’s reputation is built on both performance and
sportsmanship.
Athletes are expected to respect their opponents and officials and to refrain from negative
comments regarding officials’ decisions.
Athletes represent their team, their club, and their province. Conduct on and off the field should
be exemplary.
7. Non‑Compliance and Consequences Failure to follow this Code of Conduct may result in suspension
from activities and/or removal from the team, depending on the severity of the behaviour.
Consequences for non‑compliance may include (but are not limited to):
An athlete being sent home at the parent’s expense.
A request for a parent/guardian to come and pick up the athlete from the event or hotel.
Loss of travel and competition privileges for future trips.
Expulsion from the club
The final decision on disciplinary action rests with the coaching staff and, where applicable, the club
administration.