Codes of Conduct

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE (under 18 years)

As a child or young person under 18 years, I have the right to:

be safe and protected
be listened to
be respected and treated fairly
be believed
ask for help
be coached by someone who has the right qualifications.

As a young athlete, I will respect the code of conduct and I will:

be friendly and supportive to other athletes
keep myself safe
tell my coach if I am ill or injured
report inappropriate behaviour or risky situations to an adult
compete fairly and respect other athletes and officials
respect the rules of my club
behave and listen to all instructions from my coach and officials
take care of equipment owned or provided by the club or training facility
not use bad language or take part in inappropriate or illegal behaviour
not bully anyone or pressure them to do things they do not want to, including online
in no way undermine, put down or belittle other athletes, coaches or practitioners
keep to agreed timings for all club activities
tell my parents/carers where I am or if I’m going to be late
not use my mobile phone during training, competitions or in changing rooms
not carry or consume alcohol or illegal substances while training or competing in athletics
use safe transport or travel arrangements.

I recognise that I am bound by the UKA Anti-Doping Regulations, and submit to the authority of UK Anti-Doping in the application and enforcement of the Anti-Doping Rules. UK Anti-Doping Rules apply to all members participating in athletics for a minimum of 12 months from the commencement of membership whether or not the member is a citizen of, or resident in, the UK. Any athlete wishing to retire from the sport of athletics must put this in writing to the club and their Home Country Athletics Federation (Athletics Northern Ireland / England Athletics / Scottish Athletics / Welsh Athletics) and cancel any applicable membership. Official retirement will remove the athlete from being under the auspices of UKA's Anti-Doping Rules.

BREACH OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT

I understand that if I do not follow the code, action can be taken by my club and I may

be asked to apologise for my behaviour
receive a verbal warning from my coach
receive a verbal or written warning from the club committee
be suspended from attending club training sessions
be suspended or required to leave the club.

Additionally, my club will always tell my parents/carers if I breach the code of conduct.

SENIOR ATHLETES

As a responsible athlete, I will:

abide by the UKA and the HCAF Child Safeguarding Policy and Child Safeguarding Procedures
abide by the UKA and the HCAF Adult Safeguarding Policy and Adult Safeguarding Procedures
respect the rights of every athlete, coach, technical official and others involved in athletics and treat everyone equitably
uphold the same sporting values away from sport as I do when I am engaged in athletics
participate within the rules of the sport, respect decisions of coaches and officials, and demonstrate respect towards fellow athletes
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 my best interests and those of other athletes
consistently promote positive aspects of the sport and never condone rule violations or the use of prohibited substances
anticipate and be responsible for my own needs, including being organised, having the appropriate equipment and being on time
inform my coach of any other coaching that I am seeking or receiving
act with dignity and display courtesy and good manners towards others
in no way undermine, put down or belittle other athletes, coaches or practitioners
avoid swearing and abusive language whilst in athletic venues, at club functions and events, or when as part of a team/ squad
never engage in any inappropriate or illegal behaviour
challenge and report inappropriate behaviour and language by others
not misuse or abuse sporting equipment and venues
not carry or consume alcohol or illegal substances while training or competing in athletics
maintain strict boundaries between friendship and intimacy with a coach or official
use safe transport or travel arrangement
act ethically, professionally and with integrity, and take responsibility for your actions
I recognise that I am bound by the UKA Anti-Doping Regulations, and submit to the authority of UK Anti-Doping in the application and enforcement of the Anti-Doping Rules. UK Anti-Doping Rules apply to all member participating in athletics for a minimum of 12 months from the commencement of membership whether or not the member is a citizen of, or resident in, the UK. Any athlete wishing to retire from the sport of athletics must put this in writing to the club and their Home Country Athletics Federation (Athletics Northern Ireland / England Athletics / Scottish Athletics / Welsh Athletics) and cancel any applicable membership. Official retirement will remove the athlete from being under the auspices of UKA's Anti-Doping Rules.

BREACH OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT

I understand that if I do not follow the code, action can be taken by my club and I may:

be asked to apologise for my behaviour
receive a verbal warning from my coach
receive a verbal or written warning from the club committee
be suspended from attending club training sessions
be suspended from the club
be required to leave the club.

PARENTS/CARERS

As a responsible parent/carer of an athlete aged under 18, I will:

abide by the UKA and the HCAF Child Safeguarding Policy and Child Safeguarding Procedures
abide by the UKA and the HCAF Adult Safeguarding Policy and Adult Safeguarding Procedures
demonstrate respectful behaviour at all times
set a good example and encourage my child to learn the rules of the sport and compete within them at all times
help my child to recognise good performance and not just results
make athletics fun
never force my child to take part in sport if they do not want to
never punish or belittle my child for losing or making mistakes
use correct and appropriate language at all times
check the qualifications and licences of people who are coaching or managing my child, or offering a service connected to athletics such as physiotherapy, massage or nutritional advice
know exactly where my child will be and who they will be with at all times
assume responsibility for safe transportation of my child to and from training and competition
return any necessary written consent forms to the club/team manager or appropriate person, including next of kin details, health and medical requirements before my child goes to any away events or trips
rovide any necessary medical information and medication that my child needs for training or trips away
report any concerns about my child’s (or any other child’s) welfare to the Club Welfare Officer or National Welfare Officer. (This does not affect your right to contact your local Social Services or the Police if you feel it is necessary)
in no way undermine, put down or belittle athletes, coaches or practitioners.

GOOD SPECTATOR BEHAVIOUR

I understand that inappropriate pressure on children and poor behaviour of adult spectators can sometimes make children drop out of sport. I accept that this code promotes good spectator behaviour, and understand that if I verbally abuse children, coaches or officials, action will be taken.

BREACH OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT

I understand that if I do not follow the code, action can be taken by my club and I may:

be asked to apologise for my behaviour
receive a verbal or written warning from the club committee/HCAF
be suspended from attending club training sessions and events
be suspended from the club
be required to leave the club.