CLUB CODE OF CONDUCT

Athletes (18 and over)

This code is something that you as an athlete should refer to in relation to your rights as an athlete, the respect you should expect but also that which you demonstrate to other members, what is expected of you in terms of listening and being listened to and your behavior as a member of the club.

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

• Feel safe and know how you can raise concerns.

• Be listened to.

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

• Be respected and treated fairly by every member of the club.

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

• Be encouraged and developed with our help and support.

• Be looked after if there’s an accident or injury and have your emergency contact / next of kin informed, where appropriate.

 

As a member of our club we expect you to:

• Be aware of Wavepower and adhere to relevant guidance.

• Adhere to the Swim England regulations, Code of Ethics, Club Constitution and rules.

• Respect your coach or teacher, behave responsibly and speak out when something isn’t right.

• Let someone know if you are leaving the premises (at either training or a competition). This is just as important for our adult members as well as those under 18 to know that you are safe at all times.

• Let someone know if you’re running late, particularly at a competition where it may impact on other members.

• Let someone know if you have any difficulties attending training or competitions.

• Support and encourage your team mates.

• Respect volunteers and competitors at competitions.

• Respect the committee members, coaching and teaching team and volunteer helpers at all times.

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

 

We expect certain standards of behaviour from our members. By becoming a member of the club and therefore agreeing to this Code of Conduct you agree to:

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

• Respect and celebrate differences in the club and you will not discriminate against anyone else on the grounds of age, gender, race, sexual orientation, faith, ability, or any other relevant characteristic.

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

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

• Not use any mobile device, at any time, in the changing areas.

• Report any concerns you have about someone taking photographs or footage of others in the changing areas.

• Report any incidents of bullying or unacceptable behaviour to the welfare officer, even if you’re just a witness.

 

Breaches of this Code of Conduct will result in disciplinary action being taken against you by the club committee and any behaviour which may be a criminal offence will be reported to Police and any other relevant authority, by the club.

(See 'Breach of Code of Conduct Children' outlined at of page)

 

 

Athletes (under 18)

This code is something that you as an athlete should refer to in relation to your rights as an athlete, the respect you should expect but also that which you demonstrate to other members, what is expected of you in terms of listening and being listened to and your behavior as a member of the club.

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

• Feel safe and know how you can raise concerns.

• Be listened to.

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

• Be respected and treated fairly by every member of the club.

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

• Be encouraged and developed with our help and support.

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

 

As a member of our club we expect you to:

• Be aware of Wavepower and adhere to relevant guidance.

• Adhere to the Swim England regulations, Code of Ethics, Club Constitution and rules.

• Listen to your coach or teacher, behave responsibly and speak out when something isn’t right.

• Never leave the premises (at either training or a competition) without agreeing it with your coach, teacher or team manager first. This is just as important for our adult members as well as those under 18.

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

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

• Bring the right kit to training and competitions.

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

• Support and encourage your team mates.

• Respect volunteers and competitors at competitions.

• Respect the committee members, coaching and teaching team and volunteer helpers at all times.

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

 

We expect certain standards of behaviour from our members. By becoming a member of the club and therefore agreeing to this Code of Conduct you agree to:

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

• Respect and celebrate differences in the club and you will not discriminate against anyone else on the grounds of age, gender, race, sexual orientation, faith, ability, or any other relevant characteristic.

• 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.

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

• Not use any mobile device, at any time, in the changing areas.

• Report any concerns you have about someone taking photographs or footage of others in the changing areas.

• Report any incidents of bullying or unacceptable behaviour to the welfare officer, even if you’re just a witness.

 

Breaches of this Code of Conduct will result in disciplinary action being taken against you by the club committee and any behaviour which may be a criminal offence will be reported to Police and any other relevant authority, by the club.

 

 

Coaches and teachers

This code is something that you as a member of the coaching or teaching team should refer to in relation to your rights in your role, the respect you should expect but also that which you demonstrate to all members, what is expected of you in terms of listening and being listened to and your behavior as a member of the club.

As a coach or teacher, you have the right to:

• Be supported in your role and respected and treated fairly by the club.

• Be informed of Wavepower and appropriate reporting procedures.

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

• Be informed of the club complaints process and who to contact at the club.

• 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.

As a coach or teacher of the club we expect certain standards of behaviour from our members. By becoming a member of the Organisation and therefore agreeing to this Code of Conduct you agree to:

Breaches of the Code of Conduct will result in disciplinary action being taken against you by the club committee under the judicial regulations or if you are employed under your contract of employment. Continued issues and repeated breaches may result in your dismissal from the club. Any criminal offence will be reported to Police and any other relevant authority, by the club.

 

 

Committee members, officials and volunteers

As a volunteer at the club, we understand you have the right to:

• Be supported in your role and respected and treated fairly by the club.

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

• Be informed of Wavepower and appropriate reporting procedures.

• Be informed of the club complaints process and who to contact at the club.

• Be aware of the club rules and procedures.

• Be involved and contribute towards decisions within the club.

• Feel welcomed, valued and listened to.

• As a volunteer of the club we expect certain standards of behaviour from our members.

By becoming a member of the club and therefore agreeing to this Code of Conduct you agree to:

Breaches of the Code of Conduct will result in disciplinary action being taken against you by the club committee under the judicial regulations. Continued issues and repeated breaches may result in your dismissal from the club. Any criminal offence will be reported to Police and any other relevant authority, by the club.

 

Parents / Guardians

As a registered Swim England Member, and parent/guardian of a Member (under 18 years of age) at the Club, or a parent/guardian of a Club Member (under 18 years of age) but not a registered Swim England Member yourself, you are required to agree to this code of conduct.

As a parent/guardian you have the right to:

• Be assured that your child is safeguarded at all times during activity with the club.

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

• Be informed of Wavepower and appropriate safeguarding and welfare reporting procedures.

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

• Know that anyone training or looking after your child at a club activity has the appropriate qualifications, checks and training.

• Be informed of any problems or concerns relating to your child raised by their coach.

• Know how to access the club policies, rules and procedures including the club complaints process and who to contact.

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

 

As a parent/guardian of a Club Member (under 18 years of age) we expect you to:

• Make sure your child has the right kit for training and competitions.

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

• Let the club know if you’re running late to collect your child, if your child is going home with someone else or you have made alternative arrangements.

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

• Respect the decisions made by your child’s coach or teacher but understand you have the right to raise any concerns regarding your child. We will arrange a mutually convenient time so you can talk to us.

• Remember that children get a wide range of benefits from participating in one of our sports, including making friends, having regular exercise and developing new skills. It’s not all about winning.

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

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

• Ensure your child understands the Athlete Code of Conduct.

We expect certain standards of behaviour from all club members as well as parents/guardians/grandparents.

 

By agreeing to this Code of Conduct you agree to:

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

• Give encouragement to your child well and provide support when they are struggling.

• Respect and celebrate differences in the club and not discriminate against anyone else on the grounds of gender, race, sexual orientation, faith, ability, or any other relevant characteristic.

• Respect anyone competing for other teams at competitions.

• Respect all volunteers, committee members, coaches and teachers at the club.

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

 

Breaches of this Code of Conduct will result in disciplinary action being taken against you by the club committee and any behaviour which may be a criminal offence will be reported to Police and any other relevant authority, by the club.

 

 

Breach of Code of Conduct Children:

The ‘Breach of Code of Conduct Children’ needs to be considered in conjunction with the Swim England Wave Power 2024 Child Safeguarding Policies and Procedures for Clubs.  Wave Power 2024 has been adopted by Exeter Water Polo and Swimming Club as an affiliated Swim England club and forms part of the agreement between child, parent and Exeter Water Polo and Swimming Club.

Behaviour drops below an acceptable level during a pool session (including matches)

It is the responsibility of the coach to manage behaviour and adapt their approach to the needs of the children and individuals in the session, however, if the coach is unhappy with behaviour or feels the need to take more action then they will:-

Step 1 - Make sure that the child understands this behaviour is not acceptable

Step 2  - Verbal warning of removal from session

Step 3 - Removal from the pool for a short period or if deemed necessary excluded for the remainder of the session. The junior will remain the responsibility of the coach until the end of the session unless other arrangements with a parent or guardian are made. Where a child is excluded from a session this will be recorded on the register by the coach.

Behaviour regularly drops below an acceptable level during a pool session (including matches) or there is a substantial breach of the code of conduct.

A meeting will take place between parent/guardian, child, club official (& coach where appropriate). An Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC) will be drawn up at the meeting with actions and expectations to address issues. The ABC will be shared with other coaches of the child so that all with coaching responsibility for the child are aware of its content.  

Issuing an ABC will act as a written warning.

NOTE: A child may have more than one ABC where different aspects of behaviour needs to be addressed e.g. disruptive behaviour in pool sessions & conduct in changing rooms

Further breach of an agreed Acceptable Behaviour Contract

To be investigated by all signatories of the ABC and one additional club official, both club officials will recommend a sanction; this may include removal from training for a period of time. The actions on the ABC will remain in place following the completion of any sanctions.

Complaint relating to alleged breaches in a Code of Conduct

If a club member wishes to complain about a breach in a Code of Conduct this must be made in writing to the Chair of the Club. An investigation will be carried out by two club officials, all parties will be invited for comment with information documented. Where it is found there is a substantial breach in the code of conduct the steps detailed above will be followed.

If either party are not satisfied with the resolution, a written request for further investigation will be required. Any subsequent investigation will be conducted by three different club officials and if required advice from other supportive bodies may be requested. The outcome will be given to the complainant in writing, within 30 days, if this timeframe cannot be met the complainant will be updated in writing with the reason for the delay. Where it is found there is a substantial breach in the code of conduct the steps detailed above will be followed.

NOTE: If the complaint deems to present a conflict of interest for the Club Chair, then the complaint should be addressed to another club official, who will follow the procedure above.