Code of Conduct
Coaches, Officials and Volunteers Code of Conduct
- Sport should be safe, fun and conducted in a spirit of fair play
- All coaches, officials and volunteers in athletics should
- Consider the wellbeing and safety of participants before the development of performance.
- Develop an appropriate working relationship with participants, based on mutual trust and respect.
- Make sure all activities are appropriate to the age, ability and the experience of those taking part.
- Promote the positive aspects of the sport (e.g. fair play)
- Display consistently high standards of behaviour.
- Follow all guidelines laid down by the National Governing Body
- Hold appropriate qualifications and Athletics Ireland insurance cover.
- Never exert undue influence over participants to gain personal benefit or reward.
- Never condone rule violations, rough play or the use of prohibited substances.
- Encourage participants to value their performances and not just results.
- Encourage and guide participants to accept responsibility for their own performance and behaviour.
- Never use foul or inappropriate language.
- Sports leaders or officials must never abuse their position of authority by engaging in any form of sexual relations with children or vulnerable adults.
- Do use a group email system for communicating with parents/guardians & coaches of athletes.
- Do not communicate individually by social media, text or email with juvenile athletes
- Do not engage in communications with underage athletes individually via personal social network sites.
- Always use official squad group text or social media sites to communicate with juvenile athletes.
- A coach should under no circumstance undermine the efforts of an athlete’s personal coach and/or attempt to ‘poach’ an athlete within a squad environment
- Coaches and leaders should never place themselves in a compromising position by texting or communicating via social media sites with juvenile athletes. All such communications regarding athletics should be sent via the parents or guardians of the athlete.
- The following should apply when communicating with juvenile athletes:
- Do use a club group text or email system for communicating with parents/guardians of athletes.
- Do not communicate individually by text or email with juvenile athletes.
- Do not engage in communications with underage athletes via personal social network sites.
- Always use official club group text or social media sites to communicate with juvenile athletes.
I have fully read and understand the above code of conduct and will ensure that my conduct and practice reflects the above policies.
Signed: …………………………… Name: ………………………………. Date: ……………….
Code of Conduct for Children and Young Athletes
- Sport should be safe, fun and conducted in a spirit of fair play.
- As a young person you are entitled to the best possible environment to participate in sport.
- You deserve to be given enjoyable, safe sporting opportunities, free from abuse of any kind.
- You have rights, which must be respected, and responsibilities that you must accept.
- You should always treat other athletes and team leaders with fairness and respect.
You are entitled to:
- Be safe and to feel safe
- Be listened to
- Be believed
- Be treated with dignity, sensitivity, and respect
- Have your voice heard in your sport
- Participate on an equal and non-discriminatory basis
- Have fun and enjoy your sport
- Experience competition at a level at which you are happy
- Make complaints and have them dealt with
- Get help against those who bully
- Say No
- To protect your body
- Privacy and confidentiality
You should always:
- Treat all group or team members and your Sports Leaders with respect
- Act fairly and responsibly at all times, do your best
- Respect other group or team members
- Respect opponents and be gracious in defeat
- Abide by the rules as set out by the group or team you are with
- Support and assist where appropriate with the running of your group
You should never:
- Cheat or seek to gain an unfair advantage
- Intimidate, use violence or physical contact that is not welcome
- Shout at or argue with another person unreasonably
- Cause harm to or damage property
- Bully or threaten another person online or offline
- Take banned substances or consume alcohol or recreational drugs
- Spread or circulate rumours online or offline about another person
- Tell lies
I have fully read and understand the above code of conduct and will ensure that my conduct and practice reflects the above policies.
Child Signed: …………………………… Name: ………………………………. Date: ……………….
Parent Signed: …………………………… Name: ………………………………. Date: ……………….
Parents Code of Conduct
- Athletics should be safe, fun and conducted in a spirit of fair play
- Encourage your child to learn the rules and play within them.
- Discourage unfair play and arguing with officials.
- Help your child to recognise good performance, not just results.
- Never force your child to take part in sport.
- Set a good example by recognising fair play and applauding good performances of all.
- Never punish or belittle a child for losing or making mistakes.
- Publicly accept officials’ judgments.
- Support your child’s involvement and help them to enjoy their sport.
- Use correct and proper language at all times.
- Encourage and guide performers to accept responsibility for their own performance and behaviour.
I have fully read and understand the above code of conduct and will ensure that my conduct and practice reflects the above policies.
Signed: …………………………… Name: ………………………………. Date: ……………….
Mental Health & Wellbeing In Athletics
This resource page signposts support services for mental health and wellbeing. Mental health conditions are characterized by changes in our thinking, mood or behaviour and can include illnesses such as anxiety, depression, addiction, personality disorders or eating disorders. Every single one of us will experience tough times in our lives. YourMentalHealth.ie is a great place to learn about mental health and how to support yourself and the people you love and care for. You can find support services near you, and learn about the #littlethings that can make a big difference to how we all feel. For more information and support services go to: http://www.yourmentalhealth.ie – brought to you by the HSE, the National Office for Suicide Prevention and partner organisations across the country.
If you or someone you know is suffering please contact any of the following support services to get help and advice. If you have a query on any of the services listed please contact Kieron Stout, Child Welfare & Safeguarding Manager by email at kieronstout@athleticsireland.ie or phone 086 2450134 / (01) 886 9933.
Athletics Ireland Child Safeguarding
Athletics Ireland is committed to the safeguarding of all children and young people in athletics. If you have a child welfare or safeguarding query or concern please contact Kieron Stout, Child Welfare & Safeguarding Manager, for support and advice. If you have a concern about the safety or wellbeing of a child please contact your local Gardai or HSE Duty Social Worker.
Email: kieronstout@athleticsireland.ie / childwelfare@athleticsireland.ie
Phone: 01 886 9933 / 086 245 0134
Athletics Ireland/Institute of Sport Athlete Support Programme
The aim of the athlete support programme is to help create an environment where elite athletes can combine their international sporting career with their education in a way that allows them to achieve their potential in both fields. Topics covered include life-skills, planning, organisational and academic scheduling support. Athletics Ireland carded athletes can contact athleteservices@athleticsireland.ie by email for qualification criteria.
Aware
Aware was founded in 1985 by Dr. Patrick McKeon and a small but dedicated team of volunteers, many of whom had their own personal experience with depression, or bipolar disorder. The organisation developed in response to the clear need for information, understanding and support, both for individuals who had a diagnosis of depression or bipolar as well as family members supporting a loved one.
Website: http://www.aware.ie
Phone: 1890 303 302
Email: info@aware.ie
Anti-doping
Athletics Ireland has adopted the Irish Anti-doping Unit rules which are compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code. Athletics Ireland strongly recommends that all High Performance athletes become familiar with their rights and responsibilities in relation to anti-doping programmes and act according. Athletics Ireland condemns the use of banned substances and unethical methods to improve the performance of athletes in sport. We support a fair and equitable competition environment and doping does not promote the good health and safe welfare of athletes.
Website: http://www.irishsportscouncil.ie/Anti-Doping
Email: teams@athleticsireland.ie
Phone: 0872252439
Barnardos
Barnardos is a children’s charity that works with vulnerable children and their families in Ireland and campaigns for the rights of all children.
Website: barnardos.ie
Phone: 01 4530355
Email: info@barnardos.ie
CARI
CARI is the leading voluntary organisation with a proven track record in providing child centered specialised therapy and support to children, families and groups affected by child sexual abuse, regardless of means.
Website: cari.ie
Phone: 1890 924567 / 01 830 8529
Email: info@cari.ie
Connect
Connect is a free telephone counselling and support service for any adult who has experienced abuse, trauma or neglect in childhood. You can talk in confidence with a trained counsellor who can listen or help with questions you have.
Website: connectcounselling.ie
Phone: 1800 477 477 / 01 8657444
Email: admin@connectcounselling.ie
Childline
All conversations with Childline are private, which means that you can talk to Childline about anything and they won’t tell anyone unless you tell them who you are or where you are. Childline is for young people up to the age of 18. Contact services are available from 10am to 4am every day.
Live webchat: http://www.childline.ie
Phone: 1800 66 66 66
Text “talk or bully” to 50101
Drugs & alcohol abuse
Drugs.ie provides general information on drugs and alcohol abuse and details on more specific services in your area to help you get started and point you in the right direction. Support services include helpline, harm reduction services, help with drug and alcohol related problems, and support groups for drug and alcohol users and their families and friends.
Website: http://www.drugs.ie/
Live webchat: http://www.drugs.ie/live_chat/
Phone: 1800 459 459
Garda Síochána
An Garda Síochána is the national police service of Ireland. The Mission of An Garda Síochána is ‘Working with Communities to Protect and Serve’.
Website: http://www.garda.ie/
Emergency services: 999/112
Phone: 1800 666 111
Text: “help” to 51444
Health Service Executive (HSE)
The HSE provides all of Ireland’s public health services, in hospitals and communities nationwide.
Website: hse.ie
Phone: 1850 24 1850
Email: infoline1@hse.ie
HSE National Counselling Service
If you are looking for face to face counseling for issues surrounding childhood abuse, please get in contact with the HSE National Counselling Service, which has counselling centres all over Ireland.
Website: http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/4/Mental_Health_Services/National_Counselling_Service/
Phone: 1850 24 1850
ISPCC Stand Up To Bullying
ISPCC
The Irish Society for the Preveninfo@oneinfour.ietion of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) is Ireland’s oldest and most well-known children’s charity. The ISPCC has a long, proud history of service delivery and advocacy on behalf of children.
Website: ispcc.ie
Phone: 01 676 7960
Athletics Ireland has implemented the ISPCC Stand Up to Bullying reporting tool on the Athletics Ireland Child Welfare page. This is a confidential service for any child or young person to use if they are affected by bullying. Please share with children and young people in your club. This is a monitored secure service where children and young people can voice any concerns they may have about bullying. Athletics Ireland is the first sport in Ireland to adopt this service. Stand Up to Bullying: http://www.athleticsireland.ie/juvenile/child-welfare
Jigsaw & Headstrong
Jigsaw is a network of centres across Ireland to make sure every young person has somewhere to turn to and someone to talk to when in need. Headstrong, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health is a charitable organisation supporting young people’s mental health in Ireland. Its goals include that every young person will have at least “one good adult” in their life, and that when they need support, they will be able to seek and obtain it.
Website: https://www.headstrong.ie/jigsaw/
Jigsaw centres: https://www.headstrong.ie/contact/
Phone: 01 472 7010