Code of Conduct - Saltwell Harriers

Code of Conduct for Saltwell Harriers

All sections of the Code of Conduct below have been developed from England Athletics guidance. Although at the time of writing, Saltwell Harriers do not have a junior section, statements which guide the coaching and development of juniors have been retained as some of this guidance also links to working with vulnerable adults and also may assist the club if a junior section is developed in future.

As a responsible Athletics Club we 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
Appoint a welfare officer, preferably one male and one female, and ensure that they are provided with appropriate training to act as a first point of contact for concerns about welfare issues
Ensure that all staff and volunteers operating within the Club environment hold the appropriate qualifications and have undertaken the appropriate checks if required e.g. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks.
Ensure that coaches, technical officials and Club officers attend recommended training in welfare and safeguarding and protecting children as appropriate.
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 information is available at the Club and to all Club officers, coaches and officials regarding contact details for local social services, the police and the NSPCC
Ensure that Club officers and volunteers always act responsibly and set an example to others
Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every Club member and others involved in athletics and treat everyone equally.
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 the athlete above other considerations including the development of performance
Report any suspected misconduct by Club officials, coaches, technical officials or other people involved in athletics to the Club, Regional, National or UKA welfare officer as soon as possible

Code of Conduct for Coaches

As a responsible Saltwell Harriers Coach you will:

Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every athlete and others involved in athletics and treat everyone equally.
Place the welfare and safety of the athlete above the development of performance
Be appropriately qualified including obtaining DBS clearance (if required), 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.
Try to observe a recommended maximum ratio of 1 coach to 12 athletes at a training session or work in partnership with another coach/coaching assistant.
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 years 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 do not conduct inappropriate relationships with athletes. Relationship with athletes can cause significant problems for other team members, raising concerns of favouritism and/or victimisation should the relationship later end.
In particular, you MUST NOT allow an intimate personal relationship to develop between yourself and any athlete aged under 18 years. 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 years. 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 and athletes coached by you aged over 18 years.

As a responsible coach, when participating in or attending any athletics activities, including training/coaching sessions and competition events you will:

Act with dignity and display courtesy and good manners towards others
Avoid critical language or actions, such as sarcasm which could undermine an athlete’s self esteem.
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
Be aware that your attitude and behaviour directly affects the behaviour of athletes under your supervision
Never engage in any inappropriate or illegal behaviour
Avoid destructive behaviour and leave athletics venues as you find them
Not carry or consume alcohol to excess and/or illegal substances.
Avoid carrying any items that could be dangerous to yourself or others excluding athletics equipment used in the course of your athletics activity

Code of Conduct for Athletes

As a responsible Saltwell Harrier athlete you will:

Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every athlete, coach, technical official and others involved in athletics and treat everyone equally.
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 or the use of prohibited or age-inappropriate substances
Anticipate and be responsible for your own needs including being organised, having the appropriate equipment and being on time
Inform your coach of any other coaching that you are seeking or receiving

As a responsible Athlete, when participating in or attending any athletics activities, including training/coaching sessions and competition events you will:

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
Never engage in any inappropriate or illegal behaviour
Avoid destructive behaviour and leave athletics venues as you find them
Not carry or consume alcohol to excess and/or illegal substances.
Avoid carrying any items that could be dangerous to yourself or others excluding athletics equipment used in the course of your athletics activity
Strictly maintain boundaries between friendship and intimacy with a coach or technical official
Report any suspected misconduct by coaches or other people involved in athletics to the Club welfare officer as soon as possible

Code of Conduct for Using Social Media

Harassment and Social Media Guide

In using social networking websites – both pages that are personal and are set up or organised by the Club – if a member identifies themselves as a member of Saltwell Harriers (including by wearing Club apparel in photos) – we would ask that they:

Do not post anything that is in breach of the Club’s Code of Conduct.
Do not post anything relating to Saltwell Harriers that demeans or adversely affects the Club or its members. This includes, but is not limited to, problems with coaching, events, other members or any other Club issue.
Do not post any confidential information. Confidential information includes all information relating to the Club’s members, financial information or internal discussions that involve specific individuals.
Do not post anything that could be considered offensive, abusive, discriminatory or defamatory including messages, cartoons, images and jokes;
Do not post anything that harasses or could be construed as harassing the person receiving it including messages, cartoons, images and jokes;
Do not post any sexually explicit or pornographic material;
Do not post any material which is sexist, racist, homophobic or xenophobic;
Do not post any copyrighted material, including software and printed matter, in violation of copyright laws;
Do not post any material that could be considered a chain letter or email.

Club Committee

Updated: October 2024

Chair: Claire Lloyd
Vice Chair: Lyndsey Stephenson

Secretary: Gillian Donaldson

Treasurer: Simon Long

Men’s Captain: Jonathan Conlon
Women’s Captain: Nicola Dyson

Men’s Vice Captain: Steve Ayling
Women’s Vice Captain: Joanna McNeill

Social Secretary: Aaron Fletcher

Welfare Officers:
Barry Huitson
Paul Richardson
Michelle Connelly
Karen Daglish