Code Of Conduct

As a member of our club, we understand you have the right to:

• Enjoy the time you spend with us and know that you are safe.

• Be told who you can talk to if something’s not right.

• Be listened to.

• Be involved and contribute towards decisions within the club or activity.

• Be respected by us and other team members and be treated fairly.

• Feel welcomed, valued and not judged based on your race, gender, sexuality, faith  or ability.

• Be encouraged and develop your swimming, water polo and open water swimming skills with our help and support.

• Be looked after if there’s an accident or injury and have your parents/guardians informed, where appropriate.

As a member of our club or activity we expect you to:

Essentials

1. Keep yourself safe by listening to your coach or teacher, behave responsibly and speak out when something isn’t right.

2. Take care of our equipment and premises as if they were your own.

3. Make it to training and competitions on time and if you’re running late, let a member of the club know.

4. Make your coach or teacher aware if you have any difficulties attending training or competitions.

5. Not wander off, or leave training or a competition without telling your coach, teacher or team manager. 

6. Bring the right kit to training and competitions.

7. Follow the rules of the club, squad or activity at all times.

8. Respect the privacy of others especially in the changing rooms.

As a member of our club or activity we expect you to:

Behaviour

1. Make our club and activity a fun, happy, friendly and welcoming place to be.

2. Respect and celebrate difference in our club or activity and not discriminate against anyone else on the grounds of age, gender, race, sexual orientation, faith or ability.

3. Understand that the use of abusive or inappropriate language, bullying, physical violence or any other behaviour which hurts others will not be tolerated by the club.

4. Not use any device to take photographs or footage of others in the changing rooms or cubicles.

5. Report any concerns you have about others taking photographs or footage of others in the changing rooms or poolside.

6. Understand that poor behaviour may result in the club taking disciplinary action against you. Any behaviour which may be a criminal offence will be reported to police by the club.

7. Report any incidents of bullying or unkind behaviour to the club, even if you’re just a witness.

8. Treat other children with respect and appreciate that everyone has a different level of skill or talent.

9. Support and encourage your team mates, tell them when they’ve done well and be there for them when they are struggling.

10. Respect the children and adults competing for other teams at competitions.

11. Respect the committee members, coaching and teaching team and all volunteer helpers at the club.

12. Get involved in club decisions, it’s your sport too.

As a parent/guardian of a club member we understand you have the right to:

• Be assured that your child is safeguarded during their time with us.

• Know how to access our club policies, rules and procedures.

• Know who the Welfare Officer is and how to contact them.

• Know that any concerns about your child’s welfare will be listened to and responded to.

• Know what qualifications and training those with responsibility for your child have.

• Be informed of problems or concerns relating to your child, where appropriate.

• Know the procedure should your child be involved in an accident or become injured.

• Provide your consent or otherwise for photography and trips away.

• Make a complaint to the club committee or Welfare Officer (as appropriate).

As a parent/guardian of a club member we expect you to:

Essentials

1. Make sure your child has the right kit for training and competitions as well as enough food and drink.

2. Ensure your child arrives to sessions on time and is picked up promptly.

3. Inform us if you’re running late to collect your child or if your child is going home with someone else.

4. Complete all consent, contact and medical forms and update us straight away if anything changes.

5. Maintain a good relationship with your child’s coach or teacher.

6. Tell us if you wish to talk to us about any concerns regarding your child. We will arrange a mutually convenient time so you can talk to us.

7. Not enter poolside or interrupt training or competitions unless in an emergency situation.

As a parent/guardian of a club member we expect you to:

Behaviour

1. Remember that children get a wide range of benefits from participating in one of our sports, like making friends, getting exercise and developing skills. It’s not all about wins and losses.

2. Behave positively as a spectator at training or competitions and treat others with respect.

3. Give encouragement to your child and tell them when they’ve done well and provide support when they are struggling.

4. Respect and celebrate difference in our club or activity and not discriminate against anyone else on the grounds of gender, race, sexual orientation, faith or ability.

5. Respect the children and adults competing for other teams at competitions.

6. Respect the committee members, coaching and teaching team and all volunteer helpers at the club.

7. Understand that the use of abusive or inappropriate language, bullying, physical violence or any other behaviour which hurts others will not be tolerated by the club.

8. Understand that poor behaviour may result in the club taking disciplinary action against you. Any behaviour which alleges a criminal offence will be reported to police by the club.

9. Talk to your child and ensure they understand the rules of the club and the sport.

10. Ensure your child understands their Code of Conduct.

As a coach, we understand you have the right to:

• Enjoy the time you spend with us and be supported in your role.

• Be informed of Wavepower and the club child safeguarding reporting procedures.

• Know who the Welfare Officer(s) is/are and how to contact them.

• Be informed of the internal club complaints process and who to contact at the club for advice on complaints.

• Be aware of the club rules and procedures. 

• Be involved and contribute towards decisions within the club.

• Have access to ongoing training and CPD in all aspects of your role.

• Be respected and treated fairly by the club.

• Feel welcomed, valued and listened to

As a coach at the club we expect you to:

• Adhere to and implement Wavepower and the club safeguarding procedures.

• Adhere to the Swim England Equality and Diversity Policy.

• Adhere to the Swim England regulations, Code of Ethics, club constitution and rules.

• Adhere to any conditions for teaching and coaching under the pool hire agreement.

• Refer all child safeguarding concerns to the Welfare Officer.

• Champion everyone’s right to take part and celebrate difference in our club or activity by not discriminating against anyone else on the grounds of gender, race, sexual orientation, faith or ability.

• Respect your position of trust and maintain appropriate boundaries and relationships with children as set out on page 112 of Wavepower. 

• Consider your behaviour and do not engage in any behaviour that constitutes any form of abuse.

• Not use your position to obtain personal benefit, reward or to pursue an inappropriate or sexual relationship with a child. 

• Respect children’s trust and rights whilst being honest and open with them.

• Challenge and address instances of poor, negative, aggressive or bullying behaviour amongst children. Seek advice from the Welfare Officer where necessary.

• Lead by example promoting positive behaviour, good sportsmanship and encourage children to behave in a positive manner and follow the rules of the club and sport.

• Ensure team/squad selection is clear and transparent and be fair and equal when making decisions.

• Keep your coaching and/or teaching qualifications and CPD up to date.

As a coach at the club we expect you to (continued):

• Complete Swim England approved child safeguarding training every three years.

• Ensure you have a current Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate (renewable every three years).

• Use positive and constructive methods when teaching and coaching and ensure programmes are appropriate for the age, ability and experience of the child.

• Always put the wellbeing, health and safety of the child before all other considerations including the development of performance.

• Keep children safe in your sessions with appropriate staffing ratios, using safe methods of instruction and techniques and by putting their safety first.

• Ensure any equipment used is fit for purpose, safe to use and accessible.

• Follow the club procedures should a child have an accident or suffer an injury.

• Develop positive relationships with parents/guardians and where possible provide them with regular information and updates regarding their child’s development in swimming, water polo and open water swimming.

• Listen to any concerns the parent/guardian or child may have and seek advice (where appropriate) to resolve any concerns.

• Treat all personal information about children or their families on a confidential “need-to-know” basis unless information sharing with others is required to protect and safeguard a child from harm.

• Observe the authority of officials and follow the rules of the sport when questioning any decisions.

• Treat with respect and encourage all children to respect all competitors and teams from other organisations in victory or defeat.