Policies and Procedures

I. MEMBERSHIP

Membership in Atlanta Diving Association (ADA) is open to children of all ages, regardless of sex, race, color, creed, or national origin. Membership and placement in practice groups will be based upon athletic talent, skill progression, consistent practice attendance, and proper behavior. The coaching staff reserves the right to dismiss a member for any conduct deemed inappropriate or unacceptable.

II. PRACTICES AND FACILITIES

The ADA season is split into two parts, winter and summer. The winter season begins in September and continues through the end of May. The summer season starts in June and continues through the summer Speedo JO Nationals meet, typically in early August. There is not a different sign up period for the summer session, however we may change the practice times during the summer. Lesson practices operate on a 4-week cycle. The practices available this season are:

A) Practice Groups

The LESSON program serves as an introduction to the fundamentals of competitive diving in a safe and positive environment. The goal of this group is for divers to have fun and be safe while learning the basic fundamentals of the sport of diving. The lesson program features three levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Practices will be on the one and three meter boards depending on location.

The HIGH SCHOOL program is open to all middle school and high school divers. This group will work on a dual meet and championship meet diving list. The goal of this group will be to qualify for the annual High School State Championship Meet. Practices will primarily be on the one-meter board.

The SILVER and JO ADVANCED programs are open to all qualified divers. Practices are designed for divers working on a full United States Diving list on both one and three meter boards. These groups will compete in State, Regional, and Zone competitions. Training on the 1 meter and 3 meter board is expected, no exceptions and you will be encouraged to attend meets. This is a year round commitment that is billed on a monthly basis.

The GOLD program is an invitation only group. Divers qualify for this group through their performance in the JO groups. This group is designed for the competitive diver willing to travel to and compete at the Regional, Zone and National Level meets. This is a year round commitment that is billed on a monthly basis.

The coaching staff reserves the right to move any diver in or out of any group for any reason including poor attitude and/or attendance at practice.

B) Practice dates and times

See our Calendar for any changes to the schedule below.

	NIGHTS	TIMES
GA TECH	Lesson Groups Monday/Wed (Intermediate) Monday/Wed (Advanced) Tuesday/Thurs (Beginner/Intermediate) Tuesday/Thurs (Intermediate/Advanced) Saturday ONLY	4:30 - 5:30pm 5:30 - 6:30pm 5:00 - 6:00pm 6:00 - 7:00pm 10:00 - 11:00am
MARIST	Lesson Groups Monday (Marist) Wednesday (Marist) High School Group (Marist ONLY) Monday (Marist) Wednesday (Marist)	6:00 - 7:00pm 6:00 - 7:00pm 7:00 - 8:00pm 7:00 - 8:30pm

ALL JO ADVANCED, SILVER, AND GOLD PRACTICES WILL BE AT GA TECH

	NIGHTS	TIMES
JO ADVANCED GROUP	Monday/Wednesday Saturday	5:00 - 7:00pm 10:30 - 12:30pm
SILVER GROUP	Tuesday/Thurs Wednesday Saturday	5:30 - 8:00pm 6:30 - 8:00pm 10:30 - 12:30pm
ELITE (GOLD) GROUP	Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Sunday	5:00 - 8:00pm 5:00 - 8:00pm 5:00 - 8:00pm 5:00 - 8:00pm 1:30 - 4:00pm

C) General Information

During the season, a series of competitions are scheduled. Some meets are local developmental meets and some are Regional, Zone and National level meets that will require some traveling. Any competition for the Lesson group will primarily be local. ADA is not affiliated with any high school. Therefore, any traveling to high school meets (i.e. High School State Meet) will be arranged through the diver’s school. There will be more traveling for the JO Advanced, Silver, and Gold level groups. Although traveling to meets is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended in the JO Advanced, Silver, and Gold levels. No diver will attend a meet if the coaching staff does not feel the diver is prepared for the competition. The coaching staff has the final decision on meet participation.

III. COMPETITIONS

A. General Information

During the season, a series of competitions are scheduled. Some meets are local developmental meets and some are Regional, Zone and National level meets that will require some traveling. Any competition for the Lesson group will primarily be local. ADA is not affiliated with any high school. Therefore, any traveling to high school meets (i.e. High School State Meet) will be arranged through the diver's school. There will be more traveling for the JO 13&u, JO 14 & up, and Gold level groups. Although traveling to meets is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended in the JO 13&u, JO 14 & up, and Gold levels. No diver will attend a meet if the coaching staff does not feel the diver is prepared for the competition. The coaching staff has the final decision on meet participation.

B. Travel and Lodging

We will travel as a team to most meets. Meals, lodging, entry fees and travel to and from competitions are the financial responsibility of the diver. Pertinent information concerning the competition, lodging, and travel will be provided prior to each competition. All athletes must exhibit proper behavior during travel meets. The coaching staff reserves the right to dismiss any diver from a meet or team for any behavior deemed to be inappropriate.

C. Coaches Travel Expenses

All Gold, Silver, and JO level divers will be assessed a $25 monthly fee to offset any expenses incurred by the coaching staff while traveling. This is assessed to all divers in these groups whether you plan to travel or not. This includes the coach's travel, lodging and meal costs while traveling to and from Regional, Zones, and National competitions. Any Gold, Silver, and JO level diver attending an invitational meet will be assessed an additional $25 travel fee. During a travel meet, Atlanta Diving Association will be financially responsible for renting enough cars to transport the coaching staff. Additional cars that are rented by and for divers and attending family members will not be the financial responsibility of ADA.

All lesson level divers will be billed $25 for a travel meet and $10 for a local meet for coaches expenses. These expenses can include, but are not limited to, food allowance, hotel, car rental, gas mileage, and airfare.

IV. FEES AND STATEMENTS

A. Membership Fees

Monthly statements will include coaching fees and a monthly newsletter. Statements are mailed by the 20th of each month for the upcoming month's fees. Full payment is due by the 15th of each month. Payments should be mailed in the return envelope provided in the monthly statement. Please do not bring payments to the pool. Payments that have not been received by the 15th of the month will be assessed a $25 late fee. If payment is not received by the end of the month, the diver will not be allowed to practice until the account is brought to a current status. Practice during any part of the month will be billed for the full month's fees, not on a pro-rated basis. There will be no monthly pro-rated fees, no exceptions. There will be a $25 fee assessed for each returned check. There will be a $15 discount for multiple members of the same family.

The following is the monthly fee schedule for the 2008-2009 winter season:

Lesson Group: (GA Tech)	$75 (1 practice per week- Sat only) $100 (2 practice per week)
Lesson Group: (Marist)	$100 (1 practice per week) $125 (2 practice per week)
High School Group:	$100 (1 practice per week) $125 (2 practice per week)
JO Advanced Groups:	$175 + $25 travel account (3 practices per week)
Silver Group:	$200 + $25 travel account (4 practices per week)
Gold Group:	$250 + $25 travel account (5 practices per week are offered)

The lesson program operates on a 4-week session. There is no contract involved. Once enrolled in the lesson program, your spot will be held for you in that class. If you wish to terminate your membership, you must notify us 15 days in advance in writing (email will suffice). This will allow us the opportunity to offer the spot to another child. You will be billed for the following session if you do not notify us 15 days in advance.

B. Registration Fees

There is an annual registration fee of $100 payable with the first monthly statement in September. This registration fee includes United States Diving and/or AAU registration and administrative charges. It is recommended that all participants provide their own insurance and hospitalization coverage since diving has been declared a high-risk sport. The insurance provided by United States Diving and/or AAU is secondary insurance coverage.