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Code of Conduct

4th April, 2024

Coaches

The Coaches and Officials Code of Conduct is designed to support the Club’s policies and procedures together with IGA coaching guidelines and policies. It represents the essence of good conduct and practice and exists to promote a safe and enjoyable gymnastics experience for all Club members.

Protecting the Rights of the Gymnast

Coaches will:

  • Provide an environment in which all are free from fear or harassment.

  • Recognise the rights of athletes to be treated as individuals.

The Relationship with the Gymnast

Coaches will:

  • Always be publicly open when working with gymnasts.

  • Take care when providing manual support.

  • Never take a gymnast to their home or other scheduled place, and when transporting gymnasts, explicit permission will be sought from the parent/guardian.

  • Never do things of a personal nature that a child can do for themselves.

  • At all times, be concerned for the safety, well-being, protection, and future of the gymnast.

Responsibilities

Coaches will:

  • Wear the clothing provided by the Club.

  • Display consistently high standards of behaviour and appearance and not use inappropriate language.

  • Communicate politely, always showing respect and courtesy with all members of the club both verbally and in writing.

  • Provide adequate notice if unable to attend a session, meeting, or other scheduled event.

  • Have appropriate valid qualifications and IGA insurance.

  • Follow all guidelines laid down by the Club and IGA.

  • Promote the positive aspects of the sport, such as fair play.

  • Treat all allegations or suspicions of abuse seriously and with discretion.

  • Keep all matters concerning the business of the Club confidential.

  • Keep information relating to a gymnast confidential unless it is a specific welfare matter.

  • Hold a duty of care that includes a responsibility to ensure that equipment is safe to use, suitable for purpose and appropriate for the gymnasts’ ability level.

  • Ensure all Health and Safety matters are recorded and are obligated to bring them to the attention of the Club Manager and Welfare Officer.

  • Discourage unsafe and inappropriate behaviour.

  • Encourage all performers to value their performances and not just results.

  • Never exert undue influence over gymnasts to obtain personal benefit or reward.

  • Always be immediately accessible and never leave the premises while a session is in progress.

  • Always ensure that there is a minimum of two responsible adults present during each session; one of which must be Level 2 or above, the other must not be a participating gymnast.

Criminal Convictions

  • A current enhanced DBS disclosure is required. A conviction of a criminal offence during the term of volunteering must be reported to the Club Chairperson or Head of Coaches.

Gymnasts

The Club is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of all our gymnasts. The Club believes that it is important that gymnasts, coaches, administrators, and parents associated with the Club should, always, show respect and understanding for the safety and welfare of others. Therefore, gymnasts and parents are encouraged to be always open and share any concerns that they may have about any aspect of the Club with the Club Manager, Head Coach, or the Club Welfare Officer.
As a member of the Club you are expected to abide by the following rules:

  • Gymnasts must wear suitable attire (leotards and shorts) for training and events as agreed with the Coach. All long hair must be tied back and all body jewellery must be removed. If jewellery cannot be removed a gymnast cannot participate, unless previously agreed with Head Coach in competitive disciplines only.

  • Gymnasts must inform their Coach of any injuries or illness they may have before the warmup begins.

  • Gymnasts should not eat or chew gum during a session.

  • Gymnasts must not use bad language and are expected to always maintain a good standard of behaviour.

  • Gymnasts must treat all equipment with respect and must not climb upon or use any equipment unless instructed to do so by a coach.

  • Gymnasts must always follow the instructions of the Coach.

  • All gymnasts must participate within the rules and respect Coaches, Judges and Officials and their decisions.

  • All gymnasts must respect their opponents and fellow club members.

  • Gymnasts should keep to agreed timings for training and competitions or inform their Coach if they are going to be late. Failure to attend training sessions on a regular basis without good reason and notification may result in a gymnast losing their place.

  • Gymnasts must not smoke, consume, take or, be under the influence of alcohol or drugs of any kind when training or representing the Club.

  • Gymnasts should remain with coaches at the end of a session until collected by their parent or carer unless parental consent has been given for walking home unaccompanied.

  • Gymnasts must not leave the gymnasium or sports hall without the permission of their coach.

  • Chiltern Gymnastics reserve the right to remove from training, any gymnast who does not adhere to the rules or who is seen to compromise their own or others safety.

Reviewed April 2023

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