CODES OF CONDUCT

Equity Policy Statement

Hallamshire Harriers Sheffield is committed to ensuring that equity is incorporated across all aspects of its development. In doing so it acknowledges and adopts the Sport England definition of sports equity:

Sports equity is about fairness in sport, equality of access, recognising inequalities and taking steps to address them.  It is about changing the culture and structure of sport to ensure it becomes equally accessible to everyone in society.

·          The club respects the rights, dignity and worth of every person and will treat everyone equally within the context of their sport, regardless of age, ability, gender, race, ethnicity, religious belief, sexuality or social/economic status.

·          The club is committed to all having the right to enjoy their sport in an environment free from threat of intimidation, harassment and abuse.

·          All club members have a responsibility to oppose discriminatory behaviour and promote equality of opportunity.

·          The club will deal with any incidence of discriminatory behaviour seriously, according to club disciplinary procedures.

Hallamshire Harriers Sheffield is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of all members. The club believes it is important that all members, coaches, volunteer support, administrators, and parents/carers associated with the club show respect and understanding for the safety and welfare of others.
Bullying, which can take the form of physical, verbal or emotional processes, will not be tolerated and appropriate action taken against the bully.
All members are encouraged to be open at all times and to share any concerns or complaints that they may have about any aspect of the club with our nominated Welfare/Child Protection Officers.

Code of Conduct for club athletes

As an athlete you are expected to;-

·                      Play within the rules and respect officials and their decisions.

·                      Respect other club members and opponents.

·                      Keep to agreed times for training and competitions and make efforts to inform your coach or team manager if you are going to late or absent.

·                      Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of gender, ability, cultural background or religion.

·                      Wear suitable kit for training. Vests/ T-shirts in designated club colours must be worn for competition.

·                      Avoid destructive behaviour, using equipment and facilities solely for the purposes intended.

·                      Pay any fees for training or events promptly.

·                      Refrain from smoking, consuming alcohol or taking drugs of any kind on club premises, at training sessions or whilst representing the club at competitions.

Code of Conduct for parents/carers of young athletes

Please be aware at all times to;-

·                      Encourage your child to learn the rules and play within them.

·                      Discourage unfair play and arguing with officials.

·                      Help your child to recognise good performance, not just results.

·                      Never force your child to take part in sport.

·                      Set a good example by recognising fair play and applauding the good performances of all.

·                      Never punish or belittle a child for losing or making mistakes

·                      Publicly accept officials’ judgements.

·                      Support your child’s involvement and help them enjoy their sport.

·                      Use correct and proper language at all times.

·                      Encourage and guide participants to accept responsibility for their own performance and behaviour.

 

Code of Conduct for Club Coaches

Club Coaches are regarded as all those involved in the provision of coaching and training for the athletes of Hallamshire Harriers Sheffield athletes, either in the role as a session leader, assistant or helper.

As a coach you are expected to;-

·          Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every athlete and treat all equally, regardless of background or ability.

·          Place the welfare and safety of the athlete above the development of performance.

·          Encourage and guide athletes to accept and take responsibility for their own behaviour and performance.

·          Be appropriately qualified and update your licence and education as and when required by UK Athletics.

·          Ensure that the activities you guide or advocate are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of the individual athlete.

·          At the outset, clarify with athletes (and where appropriate their parents/carers) exactly what is expected of them and what athletes are entitled to expect from you.

·          Never try to recruit, either overtly or covertly, athletes who are already receiving coaching. If approached by an athlete receiving coaching, refer immediately to the coach currently providing coaching support.

·          Co-operate fully with other colleagues (e.g. other coaches, officials, team managers, sport scientists, doctors, physiotherapists, governing body staff) in the best interests of the athlete.

·          Consistently promote positive aspects of the sport (e.g. fair play) and never condone rule violations or the use of prohibited or age-inappropriate substances.

·          Consistently display high standards of behaviour and appearance.

In addition, you must:-

·          Develop appropriate working relationships with athletes (especially under 18s), based on mutual trust and respect. In particular, a coach will not exert undue influence to obtain personal benefit or reward.

·          Strictly maintain a clear boundary between friendship and intimacy with athletes and not conduct inappropriate relationships with athletes. Relationships with athletes can cause significant problems for other team members and can fracture teams, raising concerns of favouritism, or even of victimisation, should the relationship later end.

·          Due to the very special relationship between coaches and athletes, you must not allow an intimate personal relationship to develop between yourself and any athlete under the age of 18. Any violation of this could result in a coach licence being withdrawn or restrictions being imposed.

·          It is also strongly recommended that you do not allow intimate personal relationships to develop between yourself and athletes (coached or supervised by you) who are aged 18 and over.

In addition you should endeavour to adhere to the following guidelines:-

·          Never do something for an athlete that they can do for themselves.

·          Avoid critical language or actions, such as sarcasm, that undermine an athlete's self-esteem.

·          Do not spend time alone with a young athlete unless clearly in view of others.

·          Avoid taking a young athlete alone in your car.

·          Never invite a young athlete alone to your home.

·          Never share a bedroom with a child.

·          Always explain why and ask for consent before touching an athlete.

·          Work in same-sex pairs when supervising changing areas.

·          Ensure that parents/carers know about and have approved in advance if taking a young athlete away from the usual training venue.

·          Respect the right of young athletes to an independent life outside athletics.

·          Challenge inappropriate behaviour or language by others.

·          Report any accidental injury, distress or misunderstanding or misinterpretation. A brief written report of such incidents should be submitted to the Club Welfare Officer as soon as possible, and parents/carers notified.

·          Report any suspected misconduct by other coaches or athletics personnel.

Code of Conduct for Team Managers

Team Managers are regarded as those involved in putting together the participants for any Hallamshire Harriers Sheffield team event, including Track and Field Leagues, Cross country Teams/Relays and Road Teams/Relays.

Team Managers are expected to:-

·          Conduct any team selection in a fair and equaniminous manner, as contained in the Team Selection Guidelines.

·          Be aware of the rules and regulations of the organising body and ensure athletes are not entered into events for which they are not eligible (e.g. Age restrictions).

·          Consider an athlete’s safety, health and ability ahead of a need to score team points.

In addition, all Team Managers must:-

·          Take reasonable care in all circumstances of any athlete below the age of 18 who is at an event without someone with parental responsibility.

·          Look after young athletes' personal safety at event venues.

·          Provide the appropriate ratio of staff for the age and ability of the athletes e.g. a minimum of one adult member of staff for every ten children who may be travelling away from the home venue.

·          Provide staff of the same sex as the athletes i.e. avoid cross-sex chaperoning.

·          Notify all parents/carers of athletes under 18 of the times and venues of any competitions and of appropriate contact telephone numbers.

·          Liaise with young athletes' parents / person with parental responsibility, if they become involved in an accident or a serious breach of safety or discipline while under your care.

In addition, a Team Manager should endeavour to:-

·          Upon completion of the volunteer action plan for the sport, guarantee that all volunteers for an athletics team have been through the appointments process, including self-declaration and Subject Access police check .

·          Comply with any local Duty of Care and/or Child Protection policies and procedures that might be in place e.g. Local Authority or school procedures that cover particular venues or athlete groups.

·          Collect evidence that all staff and volunteers with responsibility for young athletes from your team have completed appropriate child protection training.

·          Ensure that written, informed consent has been collected from all persons with parental responsibility for the participant in advance of a competition including next of kin and contact details, medical conditions such as allergies, and ensure medication is available for the child for the duration of the event. Medication should be administered by the person with parental responsibility.

Code of Conduct for Club Volunteers

Club Volunteers are regarded as all those involved in the administration, functioning and management of      Hallamshire Harriers Sheffield. This includes club administrators, committee members, technical officials and anyone else who assists the club in its goal of “helping to provide athletics for all.”

The essence of good ethical conduct and practice is summarised below.

All volunteers must:

·          Consider the well-being and safety of participants before the development of performance.                                                                                                     

·          Develop an appropriate working relationship with participants, based on mutual trust and respect.

·          Make sure all activities are appropriate to the age, ability and experience of those taking part.

·          Promote the positive aspects of the sport (e.g. fair play).

·          Display consistently high standards of behaviour and appearance.

·          Follow all guidelines laid down by the national governing body and the club.

·          Hold appropriate valid qualifications and insurance cover.

·          Never exert undue influence over participants to obtain personal benefit or reward.

·          Never condone rule violations, rough play or the use of prohibited substances.

·          Encourage participants to value their performances and not just results.

·         Encourage and guide participants to accept responsibility for their own performance and behaviour.

 

 

Breaches of Conduct

Breaches of conduct will be dealt with in the following manner:

Firstly, by the Team Manager/Coach/Responsible Person.  This action Is limited to a verbal warning.  In such event, the person issuing the warning must inform the Club Grievances and Disciplinary Committee, in writing, as to the timing and circumstances of that verbal warning.

Secondly, by the Club Grievances and Disciplinary Committee.  This action is limited to verbal and written warnings in accordance with the Club’s Grievance Policy.  All warnings issued, either verbal or written, must be recorded in the Disciplinary Log.

Thirdly, by the Club Management Committee.  This would normally only be in the event of persistent or gross misconduct as defined in the Grievance Policy.  The Management Committee has the discretion to suspend or expel a member, and notify appropriate external authorities as it sees fit.