South Gloucestershire Council are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the well being of all participants, coaches, volunteers, parents, staff and all those associated with South Gloucestershire's Festival of Youth Sport.
Participants
- All must participate within the rules and must respect the rights, dignity and worth of participants, teachers, coaches, volunteers, staff and officials. Adhere to South Gloucestershire’s and all other relevant policies, guidelines and codes
- Never argue with officials decisions
- Learn the rules of the game and you will be a much better player
- Participants must not use inappropriate language while participating in a South Gloucestershire activity
- Participants must inform the teacher/team manager of any illness/injury/disability/medical conditions/special educational needs they may have prior to the start of the warm up/activity
- Treat all players as you yourself would like to be treated, do not interfere with, bully or take unfair advantage of any player. Keep your self-control at all times and do not retaliate
- Be a good sport and recognise all good play, whether by your team or by your opponent’s team
- Accept victory modestly and defeat graciously, remembering that your school/team will be judged by your behaviour
- Remember that the aims of the game are to have fun, improve your skills and feel good.
Parent’s/guardian’s/carer’s
- Discourage unfair play and arguing with officials
- Help your child to recognise good performance, not just results
- Never force an unwilling child to take part in sport
- Set a good example by recognising fair play and applauding the good performances of all
- Turn losing into winning by helping your child work towards skill improvement and good sportsmanship. Never ridicule or yell at your child for a mistake or losing a game
- Encourage your child to play to the rules of the game and not to argue officials
- Support your child’s involvement and help them to enjoy their sport
- Use correct and proper language at all times and support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from children’s sport
- Read the rules of the game to understand better what you are looking at and commenting on
- Recognise the value and importance of coaches and volunteers. They give children their time and resources to provide sport for your child.
Spectators
- Remember the children play organised sports for their own enjoyment. They are not there to entertain you
- Be on your best behaviour, use correct and proper language at all times and do not harass, physically or verbally, players, managers, coaches and officials
- Applaud all good play by your own team and the other team, show respect for your team’s opponents as without them there would be no game
- Respect the officials decisions
- Never boo anyone, including the officials
- Always think of other spectators when you are becoming excited
- Always maintain the very high reputation schools/teams have earned for its appreciation of good play by both teams
- Win, lose or draw, appreciate the efforts of all the players and officials
- Encourage players to play according to the rules of the game
- Read the rules of the game to better understand what you are looking at, and commenting on
- Although you are not playing, remember that you should act in a sporting manner as your school with be judged by your behaviour
Coaches, officials, volunteers and team managers
- Ensure that young people are listened to and consider their well-being and safety before the development of performance
- Develop an appropriate working relationship with performers, based on mutual trust and respect
- Your actions and conduct, set the example for all players, parents/guardians and spectators, set a good example at all times
- Make sure all activities are appropriate to the age, ability and experience of those taking part
- Ensure that each player is appropriately dressed with the necessary safety equipment
- Get treatment for an injured player immediately and co-operate fully with other specialists
- Promote the positive aspects of the sport (eg fair play)
- Display consistently high standards of behaviour and appearance
- Follow all guidelines laid down by the national governing body and the council
- Hold the appropriate, valid qualifications and insurance cover
- Never exert undue influence over performers to obtain personal benefit or reward
- Never condone rule violations, rough play or the use of prohibitive substances, if in doubt refer the issue to the appropriate sports/festival coordinator or complaints committee
- Display appropriate behaviour towards other coaches, officials, volunteers and team managers
- Read understand and be aware of your responsibilities
- Check that you have the necessary equipment, documentation and first aid equipment before you leave fore you leave for the activity
- Read the rules of the game and assist players in their understanding of them
- Promote the Code of Conduct
January 2008