Houston SynchroStars

By selecting the "Yes, I agree" button, you are signing this Agreement electronically. You agree your electronic signature is the legal equivalent of your manual signature on this Agreement. By selecting "Yes, I agree" you consent to be legally bound by this Agreement's terms and conditions. You also agree that no certification authority or other third party verification is necessary to validate your E-Signature and that the lack of such certification or third party verification will not in any way affect the enforceability of your E-Signature or any resulting contract between you and Houston SynchroStars. You also represent that you are authorized to enter into this Agreement for all persons who own or are authorized to access any of your accounts and that such persons will be bound by the terms of this Agreement. You further agree that each use of your E-Signature in transactions with Houston SynchroStars constitutes your agreement to be bound by the terms and conditions of Houston SynchroStars acting on its own behalf or as an agent for any other related organization, including but not limited to USA Artistic Swimming and its affiliate regions and associations, and teams hosting meets or other events.

I hereby authorize Houston SynchroStars to electronically debit my bank account using the details listed above in this form starting 8/1/2023 and ending at 7/31/2024 based on the terms agreed in the Membership Policy I have agreed to in this registration process. Charges may include but not be limited to monthly membership dues, club registration fee, meet fees, travel charges, and required gear and apparel. Note: unsettled charges from the current season can still be charged to your bank past July 31, 2024, but will be communicated before they are charged. I acknowledge that electronic debits against my account must comply with United States law.

See a check image below to input routing number and account number correctly.

By checking the "Yes, I agree" box and initialing below, you are acknowledging that you are aware of the financial information provided for reference in the attached box, and you agree to be financially responsible for all fees and costs associated with membership in accordance with the Financial Membership Policy, including but not limited to those described here.

These details and amounts are for informational purposes only, and do not represent a guarantee of prices for this year.

Per membership policy Section I.B.2.

Upon registration, a nonrefundable deposit equivalent to a one-month payment will be collected. No payments will be collected in the month of June 2024. 

After you complete this registration you will receive instructions and a UNIQUE LINK to register directly with USA Artistic Swimming. Registering directly with USA Artistic Swimming and keeping a current membership is mandatory and needs to be in place before an athlete can start practice with Houston SynchroStars.

USAAS Memberships

• Intermediate, Novice and Non-competitive teams require “Athlete Membership”
• All other teams & masters require “Competitive Athlete Membership”.

Gulf Association membership fee will be communicated and charged by Houston SynchroStars when it becomes due.

Please click here for 2023-2024 Financial Membership Agreement

Please click here for the 2023-2024 Houston SynchroStars Athlete-Parent Handbook

VERY IMPORTANT: The above-linked documents have important information about fees, dues, athlete and parent obligations, group descriptions and requirements, and Houston SynchroStars policies that you will be held responsible for knowing. By clicking the "Yes, I agree" button below and initialing this section, you are acknowledging receipt of the Financial Membership agreement and the Athlete-Parent Handbook and agreeing to all terms and conditions set forth in it.

Please click on the link above. It will open the policy in a new tab. You can download it, or read it online. When you have finished, you can close that tab, and return here to continue with the Acknowledgement Sections of this registration. These documents are available on the team website under the member section.

Pick Up Policy and Late Pick Up Charges

Pick up time is at the scheduled end of practice. Houston SynchroStars Coaches will not leave a minor unattended under any circumstances (this includes minors who are driving, who need to go home at the end of practice). Picking up a swimmer late means someone has to wait with them. Late pick up charges start after a 5 minute grace period from the scheduled practice end time. Coaches are required to report to the team treasurer the additional time to explain the variance on their work hours. The treasurer will email you the total charge incurred per billing cycle.

1. First Instance – five minutes’ grace, after which the swimmer's next invoice will reflect a charge of $2.00 per additional minute.
2. Second Instance – five minutes’ grace, after which the swimmer’s next invoice will reflect a charge of $5.00 per additional minute.
3. Third Instance – five minutes’ grace, after which the swimmer’s next invoice will reflect a charge of $10.00 per additional minute.

If anyfurther instances occur, then the matter will be brought before the Board, and late pick up charges will still continue. 

Team membership is for the entire season and for all of the competitions listed in the team description for the team the athlete is in. Any athlete that quits before a competition or during the season will have the remainder of the season tuition due in full immediately.

A grace period is applicable for New to Houston SynchroStars Novice and Intermediate athletes. The grace period will begin at the start of the regular season and will end on October 31st , irrespective of whether the athlete has attended all lessons during this period or not. In the case where an athlete subject to this clause selects to discontinue their membership, the parent is required to notify the lead coach and submit a written notification to the club of the withdrawal on the day of or prior to October 31st. Failure to notify the lead coach and provide written communication of withdrawal to [email protected] on or before the specified date indicates continued commitment to the club for the entire season.

Members requesting an exemption for health reasons or family relocation need to provide sufficient documentation to the board for approval, and will only be granted at board’s discretion according to procedure outlined in the termination of membership within the financial membership agreement available during registration and on the team website.

After tryouts are over and teams are finalized, lead coaches will provide each team member with a “Season 2023-2024 Commitment form” in which each team member will give a written commitment of their participation in the already communicated competitions / meets / championship, etc, that they will be expected to participate in. Each swimmer / family will have a 7 days after tryout results are out to fill out the form, and they will be expected to participate in every competition they agreed on in that form. If this contract is not met, a fee will be charged to the family for each competition they do not participate in. The amount of the fee will be specified in the commitment form.

As mentioned above, illnesses, family emergencies, and other commitments will be exempt from this fee at the discretion of the head coach, lead coach and board members. 

The success of the team is the result of the consistent and continuous work of each member. Each member athlete is expected to support Houston SynchroStars 100%. Each member is expected to demonstrate respect for the entire Houston SynchroStars family, loyalty to the team, and be an active contributor to a strong team spirit.

1. Coaching non Houston SynchroStars athletes without prior Head Coach approval is prohibited.
2. Coaching or working at a competitive club directly in an artistic swimming program or indirectly in any other capacity (aquatic sports or related activity) is a breach of team loyalty and is prohibited unless pre-approved by the Head Coach and Board of Directors.
3. Any activity or conduct by any member that is detrimental towards the team is prohibited.
4. Confidentiality: Sharing of any team sensitive information is prohibited. When in doubt, ask for approval from the Head Coach & Board of directors.

Any of the above actions are grounds for disciplinary action which include probation, removal from routines, or team dismissal. The Head Coach and Board of Directors have the final decision.

Houston SynchroStars is a non-profit that is 100% dependent on parent involvement to run the team and provide support to the coaching staff. Our success as a team and the cost efficiency with which we operate each season is directly influenced by the valuable and continued contribution of each family. Your help is indispensable, required and greatly appreciated.

Each family will be required to volunteer during the season as needed for the success of the team. Please refer to the Financial Membership agreement in this registration or later on the team website for complete policy.

In order to volunteer in sports in the United States, volunteers must complete SafeSport Certification. At least one member of each family is required to have SafeSport Certification. The completion of the first SafeSport certification for anyone is required by the end of September. Thereafter the renewal is annual. This requirement ensures your family is able to complete volunteer service hours during the season. It is beneficial the certification is completed as soon as possible and early in the season, preferably no later than the fall semester. Instructions to complete SafeSport Certification are available on the team website. 

Minor Participant Waiver, Release, Indemnification of all Claims & Covenant Not to Sue

VERY IMPORTANT: The above-linked waiver has important legal information. By clicking the "Yes, I agree" button below and initializing this section, you are acknowledging receipt of this legal information and agreeing to all terms and conditions set forth in it.

Please click on the link above. It will open the notice in a new tab. You can download it, or read it online. When you have finished, you can close that tab, and return here to continue with the Acknowledgement Sections.

I, Parent/Legal Guardian of the Minor/s named in this online registration form as Athlete/s, hereby grant permission to the Houston SynchroStars and its assigns and licensees to take photographs or videos of the Minor/s, and to make recordings of the Minor’s/Minors’ voice/s. I also grant the same permissions listed above regarding photographs and videos of myself at Club activities.

I give unrestricted permission for images, videos, and recordings of my child or dependent to be used in print, video, digital and internet media. I agree that these images and/or voice recordings may be used for a variety of purposes and that these images may be used without further notifying me. I understand that the Minor’s/Minors’ names will not be used in conjunction with any video or digital images without my express permission.

I further acknowledge that I will not be compensated for these uses, and that Houston SynchroStars exclusively owns all rights to the images, videos, and recordings, and to any derivative works created from them.

I waive the right to inspect or approve the uses of any printed or electronic copy. I hereby release Houston SynchroStars and its assigns and licensees from any claims that may arise from these uses, including without limitation claims of defamation or invasion of privacy, or of infringement of moral rights or rights of publicity or copyright.

This Release is binding on me, my heirs, assigns, and estate. Houston SynchroStars is not obligated to use any of the rights granted under this Release.

This Release expresses the complete understanding of the parties named in this online registration form as acknowledged in the “Yes, I agree” button and electronic signature.

I the Parent/Guardian of the Minor or Minors named as Athlete/s in this online registration form consent to Minor’s/Minors' participating and traveling including lodging to and from Houston SynchroStars events and acknowledge that I fully understand Minor’s/Minors' participation in travel and lodging may involve risk of serious injury or death, including losses which may result not only from Minor’s/Minors' own actions, inactions or negligence, but also from the actions, inactions, or negligence of others. This includes participation in and all travel to and from the related events arranged by Houston SynchroStars, including but not limited to all transportation being plane, boat, train, van, car, airline and/or chartered plane paid either by the participant or travel paid or reimbursed by USA Artistic Swimming.

I understand that if I have any concerns regarding event participation, travel, or lodging, it is my responsibility to discuss the risks associated with Minor’s/Minors' participation with the activity coordinators and event staff before travel begins.

Release – Minor’s Rights: In consideration of allowing Minor/s to travel to and from Houston SynchroStars events, including lodging, I hereby release and hold harmless Houston SynchroStars, USA Artistic Swimming, and its local swimming committee and their members of its board of directors, and its officers, employees, members, volunteers, other participants, and agents (collectively, the “Released Parties”), of and from, and do discharge and waive, any and all claims, demands, losses, damages, and liabilities that Minor/s may have or sustain with respect to any and all damage and/or injury, of any type, arising out of his or her participation, lodging, or travel to and from Houston SynchroStars related swimming events. I also agree that if any portion of this agreement is held to be invalid the balance, notwithstanding, shall continue in full force and effect.

Release – Parents’/Guardians’ Rights: In consideration of allowing Minor/s to travel to and from and lodge with Houston SynchroStars events, I hereby release and hold harmless the Released Parties, of and from, and do discharge and waive, any and all claims, demands, losses, damages, and liabilities that I may have or sustain with respect to any and all damage and/or injury, of any type, arising from Minor’s/Minors' travel and lodging to and from Houston SynchroStars events. I also agree that if any portion of this agreement is held to be invalid, the balance, notwithstanding, shall continue in full force and effect.

I certify that Minor/s is/are in good health and has/have no physical condition that would prevent traveling to and from and lodging in any Houston SynchroStars events. Furthermore, I agree to use Minor’s/Minors' personal medical insurance as a primary medical coverage payment if accident or injury occurs. I consent to emergency medical treatment in the event such care is required.

Indemnification by Parent/Guardian: The parent/guardian agreeing to the terms of this electronic document further agrees to indemnify, save and hold harmless the Released Parties from any and all claims, demands, losses, damages and liabilities for indemnities, contribution or otherwise with respect to any damage and/or injury, of any type, arising from Minor’s/Minors' travel and lodging to and from Houston SynchroStars events.

By clicking, "Yes, I agree", I am agreeing to all of the terms contained in this electronic Travel and Lodging Release/LIABILITY RELEASE AND INDEMNIFICATION FORM FOR MINOR TRAVEL & LODGING

I the Parent/Guardian of the Minor or Minors named as Athlete/s in this online registration agree to the following Team Travel Policies:

1. A Coach and / or Chaperone shall travel with athletes.
2. Insurance information for participating athletes shall be kept up to date at all times by the parents in the team’s website hosted by Swimtopia. A Swimtopia-generated report will be used by Coaches and Chaperones beginning several days prior to the trip for planning purposes. Any changes that occur within five days of scheduled travel must be communicated in writing to the team’s email ([email protected]) in addition to being updated in https://houstonsynchrostars.swimtopia.com
3. All allergies, medical conditions and food sensitivities shall be kept up to date at all times by the parents in Swimtopia. In case of allergies and food sensitivities, please specify what the reaction is and what the treatment to follow is. This information can be entered in the input box labeled "Allergies" under the medical section of this registration. Any medical changes that occur within five days of scheduled travel must be communicated in writing to the team’s email ([email protected]) in addition to being updated in https://houstonsynchrostars.swimtopia.com. A Swimtopia-generated report will be available to Coaches and Chaperones on the trip.
4. Parents are not allowed to travel with or stay at the same hotel as the team unless the Head Coach approves it. (Note: Board members may sometimes accompany the team at competitions in their roles as team directors and representatives. With the head coach’s approval, they may be exempt from rules prohibiting travel with or staying at the same hotel as the team. When accompanying the team in this capacity, board members shall wear team attire (usually board member polo shirt) as agreed upon with the head coach to identify them as attending in their official capacity).
5. For the safety of all athletes, coaches, and chaperones, athletes have no expectation of privacy regarding their possessions while travelling to/from or during a Club sanctioned meet. Coaches and trip chaperones have the right to search athlete’s possessions.

Please click on this link to open a T-shirt size google form. Indicate the name of your swimmer and their preferred T-Shirt Size. There is no additional cost for this T-Shirt, it is part of your registration for the season. This form is only accessible through this registration, please complete before proceeding to the next session.