Club code of conduct

1) Code of Conduct for Tyne Bridge Harriers

As a responsible Athletics Club, Tyne Bridge Harriers will:
• Adopt national welfare policies and procedures, adhere to the codes of conduct, and respond to any suspected breaches, in accordance with the welfare procedures as recommended by the National Governing Body.
• Liaise appropriately with parents/persons with parental responsibility, officials, coaches, sports scientists, national governing bodies and other relevant people/organisations to ensure that good practice is maintained
• Ensure that club officers and volunteers always act responsibly and set an example to others including younger members
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every club member and others involved in athletics.
• Consistently promote positive aspects of the sport such as fair play and never condone rule violations or the use of prohibited or age-inappropriate substances
• Challenge inappropriate behaviour and language by others
• Place the welfare and safety of athletes above other considerations including the development of performance.

2) Code of Conduct for All Members

As a responsible member of at Tyne Bridge Harriers you should:

• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every athlete, coach, technical official and others involved in athletics.
• Uphold the same values of sportsmanship off the field as you do when engaged in athletics.
• Cooperate fully with others involved in the sport such as coaches, technical officials, team managers, doctors, physiotherapists, sport scientists and representatives of the governing body in the best interests of yourself and other athletes.
• Consistently promote positive aspects of the sport such as fair play and never condone rule violations.
• Accept the current guidelines established by the National Governing Body of our sport on the use of prohibited and performance-enhancing substances.
• Act with dignity and display courtesy and good manners towards others
• Avoid swearing and abusive language and irresponsible behaviour, including behaviour that is dangerous to yourself or others, acts of violence, bullying, harassment and physical and sexual abuse
• Challenge inappropriate behaviour and language by others
• Avoid any conduct that is detrimental to Tyne Bridge Harriers.

3) Code of Conduct for All Club Coaches and Group Leaders

As responsible athletics Coach or Group Leader at Tyne Bridge Harriers you should:

• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every athlete and others involved in athletics.
• Place the welfare and safety of the athlete above the development of performance.
• Be appropriately qualified, including, where required, obtaining CRB clearance; update your licence and education as and when required by UKA and adhere to the terms of the coaching licence.
• Ensure that activities you direct or guide are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of the individual athlete.
• At the outset clarify with athletes (and where appropriate, with parents or carers) exactly what it is that 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.
• Cooperate fully with others involved in the sport such as technical officials, team managers, other coaches, doctors, physiotherapists, sport scientists and representatives of the governing body in the best interests of the athlete.
• Consistently promote positive aspects of the sport such as fair play and never condone rule violations or the use of prohibited or age-inappropriate substances.
• Encourage and guide athletes to accept responsibility for their own performance and behaviour.

• Develop appropriate working relationships with athletes based on mutual trust and respect, especially with those athletes under 18 year-old or vulnerable adults.
• Do not exert undue influence to obtain personal benefit or reward.
• A coach MUST strictly maintain a clear boundary between friendship and intimacy with athletes and must not conduct inappropriate relationships with athletes. Relationship with athletes can cause significant problems for other team members, raising concerns of favouritism and/or victimisation.
• In particular, coaches MUST NOT allow an intimate personal relationship to develop between themselves and any athlete aged under 18 year-old. Any violation of this could result in a coach licence being withdrawn. It may also be a criminal offence to conduct a relationship with an athlete aged under 16 year-old. It may also be a violation of your coaching licence to form an intimate personal relationship with a vulnerable adult coached by you.
• It is strongly recommended that you do not allow intimate relationships to develop between yourself any athlete that may be in receipt of your coaching advice.

In addition, coaches should follow these guidelines on best coaching practice, in particular with young athletes or with vulnerable adults

• Avoid critical language or actions, such as sarcasm which could undermine an athlete’s self esteem.
• Avoid spending time alone with young athletes unless clearly in the view of others to protect both yourself and the young athlete. In special circumstances, for example when coaching elite young athletes, one-to-one coaching sessions may form part of the required training schedule. In this circumstance, parental/guardian consent must be sought and obtained prior to sessions taking place.
• Avoid taking young athletes alone in your car.
• Never invite a young athlete alone into your home.
• Never share a bedroom with a child.
• Always explain why and ask for consent before touching an athlete.
• Ensure that parents/carers know and have given consent before taking a young athlete away from the usual training venue.
• Work in same-sex pairs if supervising changing areas.
• Respect the right of young athletes to an independent life outside of athletics.
• Report any accidental injury, distress, misunderstanding or misinterpretation to the parents/carers and club Welfare officer as soon as possible.
• Report any suspected misconduct by other coaches or other people involved in athletics to the Club, Regional, National or UKA welfare officer as soon as possible.

4) Code of Conduct regarding TBH member’s use of social media

Please see the separate policy for appropriate social media usage.