Code of Conduct for the Club and Coaches

Adopted Principles :

UK Athletics have developed a comprehensive welfare plan for everyone involved in the sport. In the interests of best practice in athletics, WSPH have agreed to adopt the following principles as suggested by UK athletics.

Club Ethos:

  • Weymouth St Paul’s Harriers aims to foster an environment where all members feel happy and valued for their contribution to club activities.
  • No one should be bullied or intimidated by another, whether parent, coach, athlete, helper or official, junior or senior.
  • Activities are tailored for age, ability and maturity of behaviour and groups set accordingly.
  • MEMBERS OR PARENTS OF JUNIORS WHO DISREGARD THESE CODES OF CONDUCT WILL BE SUBJECT TO MEASURES AS SET OUT IN THE CLUB DISCIPLINARY CODE.

WSPH will do it’s best to:

  • Ensure that athlete’s health, welfare and safety is the primary consideration in everything we do.
  • Ensure that Club officers and volunteers will always act responsibly and set a good example to younger members.
  • Help Club officers and coaches to adopt national policies and codes of good practice, in relation to athlete welfare.
  • Appoint child protection officer, who will act as first port of call in cases of concern.
  • Liaise with other key persons (parents, carers, coaches, team manager’s schools) to ensure that best practice is followed in athlete’s welfare.
  • Carry out our duty of care within the Human Rights act and other related legislation and government guidance.
  • Ensure that all coaches operating within our club are suitably qualified.
  • Ensure that all our helpers are police vetted to work with children.
  • Ensure that training sessions are enjoyable for all. Athletes who cause disruption during training sessions will be warned if, their behavior is unsuitable. (Verbally at first and in writing to parents). If they persist they will either be moved to another group/coach or in extreme cases may be asked by the committee, to leave the club. Procedures for behavioral problems are covered in full in the WSPH Disciplinary Code.

Our coaches will:

  • Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every athlete and treat everyone equally, regardless of ability.
  • Place the athlete’s welfare and safety above the development of performance.
  • Develop appropriate working relationships with athletes, based on mutual respect and trust. They will not exert undue influence to gain personal benefit.
  • Encourage athletes to accept responsibility for their own behavior and performance.
  • Be appropriately qualified and update their licenses when required by UK Athletics.
  • Ensure that activities are appropriate for the age, maturity experience and ability of the individual
  • Clarify with athletes and where appropriate, parents, exactly what is expected of them and what performers are entitled to expect in return.
  • Co-operate with other colleagues in the best interests of the athlete.
  • Promote positive aspects of the sport, and never condone rule violations or the use of prohibited substances.
  • Display high standards of behavior and appearance.
  • An athlete or coach found guilty of a doping offence will not be allowed to be involved in the UK Athletics coaching programmes for the duration of the ban and will have their coach pass and license revoked.
  • In order to avoid overtraining, Coaches will not agree to train athletes who they know to be already training under another coach or with another club, without first discussing long term athlete development with that primary coach.