Sept 17th - Parent Roles & Communication

October 3, 2025

Quick Note from the Club Office
Development Programs will start the week of Sunday, September 28 (not September 21). The change is due to the City of Edmonton extending the Kinsmen shutdown until the end of September. Our satellite pools are currently used by displaced provincial and national swimmers who have a stricter timeline on which to prepare for upcoming competitions. To adjust for this, we will add Development practices before Christmas to ensure 100% of the training sessions and meet all program goals. Our Key Dates for 2025-26 are now posted on our Training Schedules page.

Parent Roles & Communication
We’re so glad to have you and your swimmer join our program. Competitive swimming is a partnership between athletes, coaches, and families, and when we each understand our roles, swimmers thrive both in and out of the pool.

To help everyone get started on the right foot, we’ve outlined some key expectations and responsibilities for parents, swimmers, and communication within the club. These guidelines are designed to create a positive, supportive environment where all swimmers can learn, improve, and enjoy the sport.

Expectations & Responsibilities
Parent Responsibilities

Your swimmer remains your responsibility until they arrive on deck and are with their coach.
Once with their coach, swimmers are under our care until the end of practice.
Parents are welcome to watch from the designated viewing areas but must remain off the pool deck and avoid communicating with their swimmer during practice. This allows both swimmers and coaches to stay focused.
For families with swimmers in the senior groups, we strongly prefer that parents do not regularly watch practices. At this stage, it’s important for athletes to take ownership of their sport, build independence, and develop a strong coach-athlete relationship.
If your swimmer is comfortable, parents may leave the facility during training. Many choose to use this time for their own workout.
Once swimmers are dismissed, they return to being your responsibility.

Swimmer Responsibilities

Arrive prepared with all necessary gear (suit, goggles, cap, towel, equipment) and be ready to begin when the coach starts warm-up.
Stay focused and give your best effort in practices and competitions. Work on improving technique, building endurance, and pushing yourself to grow.
Listen to your coach, follow their feedback, and be open to learning. Coaches are here to help you improve.
Show respect to teammates, coaches, and the facility. Encourage others, follow rules, and listen attentively when instructions are given.
Communicate with your coach if you have questions or concerns — they are here to support your success.

Supporting Your Swimmer

At Home

Encourage healthy habits: prioritize sleep, balanced meals, and hydration.
Promote independence: let your swimmer pack their own bag and take responsibility for being prepared.
Be positive: celebrate effort and progress, not just outcomes.

At the Pool

Cheer, don’t coach: keep feedback supportive and let the coaches handle technical instruction.
Model respect: treat coaches, officials, and other families with courtesy.
Support the team: volunteering at meets and events is vital to the success of our club.

Communication Chain of Command
To ensure clear and effective communication, please follow this order if you have questions or concerns:

Group Coach – your swimmer’s coach is the first point of contact for day-to-day matters.
Facility Lead Coach – if further support is needed, contact the lead coach at your training facility.
Development Head Coach – for larger concerns that aren’t resolved at the group/facility level.

The Lead Development Coach is Matt Bowkowy, who can be reached at mbowkowy@eksc.com.

This structure ensures your questions are addressed quickly by the person best equipped to help.

We are excited to have you as part of our swimming community and look forward to watching your swimmer grow in confidence, skills, and love for the sport. With clear communication, teamwork, and mutual support, we can provide the best possible environment for every swimmer to succeed.

Lindsey Thomas
Office Administrator