Welfare and Conduct

PARENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO:

• Be familiar with the coaching and training programme in order that you can ensure that your child is fully involved and the coaches are aware of their availability.
• Be familiar with the teaching and coaching methods used by observing the sessions in which your child participates.
• Be aware that the club has a duty of care and therefore, where appropriate, assist coaches with the supervision of the young players, particularly where numbers are large and there is a need to transport youngsters to away games.
• Be involved with club activities and share your expertise.
• Share concerns, if you have them, with club officials.
• Be familiar with the Good Coaches Code. In particular:
• Coaches should recognise the importance of fun and enjoyment when coaching young players.
• Coaches should keep winning and losing in perspective, encouraging young players to behave with dignity in all circumstances.
• It is important that parents support coaches in instilling these virtues.

PARENTS SHOULD:

• Remember that young people play rugby for their own enjoyment not that of their parents.
• Encourage young people to play – do not force them.
• Focus on the young players’ efforts, rather than winning or losing.
• Be realistic about the young players’ abilities; do not push them towards a level that they are not capable of achieving.
• Provide positive verbal feedback both in training and during the game.
• Remember that persistent, negative messages will adversely affect the players’ and referee’s performance and attitude.
• Always support the rugby club in their efforts to eradicate loud, coarse and abusive behaviour from the game.
• Remember young people learn much by example.
• Always show appreciation of good play by all young players both from your own club and the opposition.
• Respect decisions made by the match officials and encourage the young players to do likewise

THE GOOD PLAYERS’ CODE

PLAYERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO:

• Recognise and appreciate the efforts made by coaches, parents, match officials and administrators in providing the opportunity for you to play the game and enjoy the rugby environment.
• Understand the values of loyalty and commitment to adults and team mates.
• Recognise that every young player has a right to expect their involvement in rugby to be safe and free from all types of abuse.
• Understand that if an individual or group of young players feel they are not being treated in a manner that is acceptable, then you have a right to tell an adult either at the rugby club or outside of the game.

PLAYERS SHOULD:

• Play because you want to do so, not to please coaches or parents.
• Remember that skill development, fun and enjoyment are the most important parts of the game.
• Be attentive at all training and coaching sessions.
• Work equally hard for yourself and your team – both will then benefit.
• Recognise good play by all players on your team and by your opponents.
• Be a sportsman – win or lose.
• Play to the Laws of the Game and accept, without question, all referees’ decisions.
• Control your emotions. Verbal or physical abuse of team mates, opponents, or match officials is not acceptable.
• Treat all players, as you would like to be treated. Do not interfere with, bully or take advantage of any player.

SPECTATORS ARE ENCOURAGED TO:

• Act as positive role models to all young players.
• Be familiar with, and abide by, the RFU Child Protection Guidance in relation to verbal and emotional abuse.
• Respect the rugby club with regard to spectator behaviour.

SPECTATORS SHOULD:

• Remember children play sport for their enjoyment not yours.
• Acknowledge good individual and team performance from all youngsters irrespective of the team for whom they play.
• Respect match officials’ decisions. Remember – they are volunteers providing an opportunity for youngsters to play rugby.
• Never verbally abuse young players, match officials, fellow spectators or coaches. Such behaviour can create a negative environment for young players and their behaviour will often reflect this.
• Acknowledge effort and good performance rather than the ‘win at all costs’ ethic.
• Verbally encourage all youngsters in a positive way. If you do want to shout make sure it is ‘for’, not ‘at’ the players.
• Encourage all youngsters irrespective of their ability – never ridicule any individual player, regardless of the team for whom they play.

Bullying in any form will not be tolerated and will be dealt with in accordance with the Club/RFU policy on bullying.

The Child Protection Officer of the Youth Section has been nominated as the person in charge of implementing the Child Protection Policy in the Youth Section. If any player, parent, guardian, coach or volunteer has any concerns about the behaviour of any individual associated with the Club they should contact the head coach/manager for a particular age group or the Child Protection Officer.

The Child Protection Officer have forms which they will record allegations of suspicious behaviour. There may be circumstances where allegations are about poor practice rather than abuse in which case the Club’s existing disciplinary procedure may be used. Where there is any doubt advice will be sought from Social Services or the NSPCC.

It is acknowledged that feelings generated by allegations that a player may be being abused will raise concerns amongst coaches and parents. However it is important that any concerns for the welfare of the player should be reported immediately. The Club will fully support and protect anyone who, in good faith, reports his or her concerns about the possible abuse of a player.

If you have any concerns about this policy please do not hesitate to contact the Child Protection Officer.

IN RUGBY UNION, COACHES OF YOUNG PLAYERS SHOULD:

• Recognise the importance of fun and enjoyment when coaching young players.
• Understand that most learning is achieved through doing.
• Appreciate the needs of the players before the needs of the sport.
• Be a positive role model – think what this implies.
• Keep winning and losing in perspective – encourage young players to behave with dignity in all circumstances.
• Respect all referees and the decisions they make (remember it could be you refereeing next week) and ensure that the players recognise that they must do the same.
• Provide positive verbal feedback in a constructive and encouraging manner, to all young players, both during coaching sessions and games.

IN RUGBY UNION, COACHES OF YOUNG PLAYERS MUST

• Provide experiences, which are matched to the young players’ ages and abilities, as well as their physical and mental development.
• Ensure all youngsters are coached in a safe environment, with adequate first aid readily to hand.
• Avoid the overplaying of the best players, by using a squad system, which gives everybody a satisfactory amount of playing time.
• Never allow a player to train or play when injured.
• Ensure good supervision of young players, both on and off the field.
• Recognise that young players should never be exposed to extremes of heat, cold, or unacceptable risk of injury.
• Develop an awareness of nutrition as part of an overall education in lifestyle management.
• Recognise that it is illegal for young players under 18 to drink alcohol.
• Ensure that their knowledge and coaching strategies are up to date and in line with RFU philosophy.
• Be aware of, and abide by, the RFU recommended procedures for taking young people on residential tours at home and abroad.
• Be aware of, and abide by, the policies and procedures outlined in the RFU Policies and Procedures for the welfare of young people in Rugby Union

COACHES WORKING WITH YOUNG PLAYERS UP TO THE AGE OF 12 MUST FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES LAID DOWN BY RFU RUGBY CONTINUUM. COACHES WORKING WITH YOUNG PLAYERS AGED 13+ MUST BE AWARE OF THE UNDER-15 AND UNDER-19 LAW VARIATIONS, INCLUDING THOSE THAT APPLY TO CROSS BORDER MATCHES.

CHILD PROTECTION Coaches’ Code of Conduct

1. All rugby coaches must respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person with whom they work with and treat them equally within the context of rugby union;
2. All rugby coaches must place the physical and emotional well being of all young players above all other considerations, including the development of performance;
3. The relationship that a rugby coach develops with the players with whom they work must be based on mutual trust and respect;
4. All rugby coaches must ensure that all activities undertaken are appropriate to the age, maturity, experience and ability of the young players;
5. All rugby coaches must encourage young players to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance;
6. All rugby coaches should clarify with the young players (and their parents/carers) what is expected of them both on and off the rugby field and also what they are entitled to expect from the coach;
7. All rugby coaches should work in partnership with others within the game (officials, doctors, physiotherapists, sports scientists) to ensure the well being, safety and enjoyment of all young players;
8. All rugby coaches must promote the positive aspects of the sport, e.g. fair play. Violations of the Laws of the Game, behaviour contrary to the spirit of the Laws of the Game or relevant regulations or the use of prohibited techniques or substances must never be condoned.