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Code of Practice

Code of practice for Parents, Guardians and Carers

  1. Encourage your child to learn the rules and play within them
  2. Support your child's involvement and help them to enjoy their sport
  3. Help your child to recognise good performance, not just results
  4. Set a good example by recognising fair play and applauding good performances of all athletes
  5. Publicly accept officials' judgements
  6. Discourage unfair play and arguing with officials
  7. Never force your child to take part in sport
  8. Never punish or belittle a child for losing or making mistakes
  9. Use correct and proper language at all times
  10. Encourage and guide performers to accept responsibility for their own performance and behaviour.

Code of conduct for Athletes

  1. All athletes, coaches and officials (from any club) should be treated with respect and courtesy. Abusive language or bullying will not be tolerated under any circumstances. ALL athletes should compete with fairness and good grace and thank officials for their help
  2. All athletics facilities are NO SMOKING environments. Consumption of alcohol by club members (or their friends or families) at fixtures involving those under 18 years of age is not allowed.
  3. Suitable clothing is to be worn at all training sessions i.e. t-shirt/vest and shorts, trainers and a track suit. A light waterproof coat and hat may be required in winter or in wet weather. A non-fizzy drink (i.e still water) should be brought to training sessions. Mobile phones, i-pods etc. should be switched off during training. An Ashford AC club vest (yellow and black) and black shorts must be worn at competitions and leagues
  4. Track rules and discipline must be observed at all times. A copy of thses follows this code of conduct
  5. All athletes are asked to be punctual for training (usually 6.30pm – 8 pm). Arriving late is disruptive to the rest of the group and to coaches
  6. Any injuries or illness affecting training should be reported to your coach prior to training. Injuries or illness affecting competition must be reorted to your coach or Team Manager
  7. It is the responsibility of all coaches and athletes to ensure that all training sessions are conducted in a safe manner
  8. All equipment must be treated with care and respect. In the case of wilful neglect or misuse, a charge will be made for the full replacement cost of any damaged items.

Track rules and discipline

Track Rules

  1. In periods of bad weather, the track, run ups and throwing circles can become covered in snow or ice or become waterlogged. In this case, training will be suspended in order to minimise the risk of accidents and injury.
  2. The maximum permitted spike length is 6mm (six millimetres)
  3. Spikes are not to be worn in the grandstand or inside the building
  4. Lanes marked with bollards should not be used for training purposes
  5. No unauthorised persons will be allowed to cross the central (inner field) area
  6. All issued equipment must be returned to a member of staff in the equipment room

Lane Discipline

  1. All warming up, stretching etc. must be done in the designated areas
  2. Lane usage
      • Lanes 1 and 2 are not to be used for training except race walking
      • Lanes 3 and 4 are to be used for general group training
      • Lanes 5 and 6 are to be used for sprinting and/or hurdling
      • Lanes 7 and 8 are to be used for warm up/warm down and jog/walk recovered and are also for use by the general public.
  3. Care should be taken to avoid collisions when crossing the track. Athletes should be aware that the word 'track' is used as a verbal warning to you that faster runners are approaching. When you hear the word 'track' being shouted, you should move one lane to the right to avoid collision.

Field Event Rules

  1. No unauthorised person is allowed to cross the central (inner field) area when throwing is taking place
  2. Throwing event implements will only be issued to qualified UKA coaches or authorised senior athletes
  3. Throwing events can only be practised under the strict supervision of a qualified UKA coach
  4. All throwers must stand behind the appropriate circle or scratch line and remain there until it is their turn to make a throw
  5. All throwing is suspended while throwing implements are being recovered
  6. At busy times, it may be necessary to restrict the long throwing events in the central arena. Athletes should check the availability of the central arena with coaches
  7. Anyone requiring specialist equipment such as pole vault stands, steeplechase water jump etc., should contact stadium staff in advance giving at least 24 hours' notice
  8. Pole vault and high jump can only be practised by persons under the supervision of a qualified UKA coach
  9. Jumps events can only be practised under the strict supervision of a qualified UKA coach
  10. The pole vault and high jump beds must not be used as gymnastic equipment.

All equipment must be treated with care and respect. In the case of wilful neglect or misuse, a charge will be made for the full replacement cost of any damaged items.

If anyone is in consistent breach of any of the above, they will be asked to leave the training area.