CODE OF CONDUCT

FOR CLUB COACHES, OFFICIALS AND VOLUNTEERS

The Club is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of all our members. The club believes it is important that members, coaches, administrators and parents associated with the club should, at all times, show respect and understanding for the safety and welfare of others. Therefore, Coaches and Volunteers are encouraged to be open at all times and share any concerns or complaints that they may have about any aspect of the club with our designated welfare officers.

The essence of good ethical conduct and practice is summarised below. All Club Coaches, Officials and Volunteers must:

Consider the well-being and safety of participants before the development of performance
Develop an appropriate working relationship with performers based on mutual trust and respect
Hold the appropriate, valid qualifications, DBS and insurance cover
Make sure all activities are appropriate to the age, ability and experience of those taking part and ensure all participants are suitably prepared physically and mentally when learning new skills
Display consistently high standards of behaviour and appearance, dressing suitably and not using inappropriate language at any time whilst involved with club activities
Never consume alcohol immediately before or during training or events
Obtain prior agreement from the parent/guardian of performers before transporting them anywhere (training/competitions)
Never exert undue influence over performers to obtain personal benefit or reward
Always report any incidents, referrals or disclosures immediately, following the appropriate guidelines set out in the BG Child Protection policies.
Coaches are NOT permitted to communicate with gymnasts via social media (i.e Mutual friends on various social media sites)
Never condone rule violations or use of prohibited substances
Make sure that confidential information is not divulged unless with the express approval of the individual concerned
Promote the positive aspects of the sport (e.g. fair play)
Learn the rules and ensure that your knowledge of these is up to date.
Encourage performers to value their performances and not just results
Follow all guidelines laid down by BG and Portsmouth Gymnastics Club
If volunteers/ young leaders do not hold a qualification they must assist with conditioning exercises and lead a verbal coaching role. Skills should never be physically taken for.

Any individual that is found to not be following the above club rules will be subject to disciplinary procedures and maybe asked to leave the club if deemed serious enough.

FOR PARENTS / GUARDIANS

The club is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of all our members. The club believes it is important that members, coaches, administrators and parents associated with the club should, at all times, show respect and understanding for the safety and welfare of others. Therefore, members parents are encouraged to be open at all times and share any concerns or complaints that they may have about any aspect of the club with our designated welfare officers.

As a PARENT of Portsmouth Gymnastics Club you are expected to abide by the following club rules:

Encourage your child to learn the rules and participate within the rules
NEVER challenge/argue with coaches and officials and publicly accept judgments made by people with expertise
Support the coaching team within the gymnastics club and only act upon your child’s training program if specifically asked to do so by the head coach. NEVER train your child outside of official gymnastics sessions
Not to communicate with coaches via text message unless absolutely necessary (e.g. Gymnast developing an illness that may stop them from participating) or in case of an emergency (only if coach agrees with personal mobile being contacted)
Any questions regarding training matters should be sent via email to the head coach or the representative of each discipline, or via face-to-face discussion with the coach. Under no circumstances should a coach be contacted outside of training hours – this includes on social media sites
Complaints should be made in writing and sent to a member of the committee. First point of call being the representative for that discipline. The procedure will then be for the rep to pass on to the necessary person
Set a good example by recognizing good sportsmanship and applauding the good performance of all
NEVER discuss and disrespect the activity and involvement of other individuals.
Support your child’s involvement and help them enjoy their sport, NEVER force your child to take part in sport
If your child is unable to attend training please send a message via email to your child’s coach or ring the centre
Parents are not permitted to enter the gymnastics hall unless given permission by a coach to do so
Use correct and proper language at all times
Always escort your child to the gym hall entrance at the beginning of every session. Your duty of care does not end until the coach receives the gymnast. The duty of care is then passed onto to the coach and you, as parents, are not expected to interfere whilst gymnastics activity is taking place. This includes competitions
Always collect your child, promptly at the end of sessions from inside the building. Children should not be unattended outside of the building after training sessions.
Ensure all training fees, competitions fees are paid promptly to the correct persons. Failure to do so may stop your child from participating in training and/or competitions

FOR PARTICIPANTS

The club is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the well being of all our members. The club believes it is important that members, coaches, administrators and parents associated with the club should, at all times, show respect and understanding for the safety and welfare of others. Therefore, members are encouraged to be open at all times and share any concerns or complaints that they may have about any aspect of the club with our designated welfare officers.

As a member of Portsmouth Gymnastics Club you are expected to abide by the following club rules:

Members must participate within the rules and respect coaches, judges and their decisions
Members must obey all instructions given by coaches or officials, without question. Disobedience could put someone else in danger and will NOT be tolerated
Members must respect the facility and its equipment. All members are expected to clean and tidy the facility after use
Members should keep to agreed timings for training and competitions, or inform, or get parents to inform, their coach via email if they are going to be late, or miss a session (text maybe be used in this occasion if previously agreed by coach but only in this instance)
Members must wear appropriate clothing to training and events and all long hair is to be tied back. No food, drink or jewellery is permitted in the gym
Members are responsible for their own gymnastics equipment and must ensure they bring it to all sessions. Failure to do so, may result in the gymnasts being unable to participate
Members must pay fees, or get parents to pay fees for training or competitions promptly
Members must inform the head coach of any injuries before activity begins.
Members should ensure they eat and drink during break times, as instructed to by their coach
No outdoor shoes are permitted in the gym hall
Members are not permitted to contact coaches via social media.
Members must not use bad language or behavior in a way that is deemed unacceptable, according to the club rules and the welfare of other individuals. This behavior will NOT be tolerated and any individual using bad language will be asked to leave the session
Members must not leave the building until accompanied by parent or guardian (End of session)

Any individual that is found to not be following the above club rules will be subject to disciplinary procedures and maybe asked to leave the club if deemed serious enough.