London Welsh Rugby Club Codes of Conduct

The Club wishes to promote a fun, friendly and welcoming environment for anyone that wishes to play rugby and support our teams.  We have therefore created these Codes of Conduct that reflect the behaviours that we want all Club Members, Players, Club Coaches, and also visitors to our Club to adhere to.   

Players’ code

1. Play for fun – Enjoy your rugby

2. Take training seriously – In order to play rugby safely you must develop the skills needed and know the laws of the game.

3. Always turn up for training and matches on time.

4. Always play within the laws of the game

5. Play with and for your teammates

6. Never argue with referees or match officials their decision is final

7. Do not get involved in foul play

8. Never show-off or lose your temper

9. Aim to win but be prepared to lose with a grin

10. Acknowledge good play by both team mates and opposition players

11. Strive to improve your skills every time you play.

Coaches’ code

1. All rugby coaches must respect the rights, dignity and worth of every child and young person with whom they work and treat them equally.

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. Be organised – structure your season’s training programme and communicate at all times with players and parents.

5. Make you keep up with the continuum and its changes and communicate these changes to players

6. Ensure the players know the laws of the game.

7. Never abuse, criticise or ridicule children

8. Never overload players with demands and technicalities of play.

9. Play players at an appropriate level. Don’t put players in games where they are out of their depth skill wise.

10. Make allowances for players. Children mature at different rates both mentally and physically.

11. All rugby coaches will encourage you players to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance. Teach players to aim to win but to lose with a grin. Always aim to enjoy the game and strive to improve their individual skills.

12. Never get involved in touchline arguments

13. Never get involved with arguments with match officials especially in front of children

14. 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. Ensure players and parents behaviour is appropriate and in keeping with the expectations of the Club.

15. Never coach dangerous or foul play including ‘winning at all cost’.

Parents’ code

1. Encourage your child to learn the rules and play within them.

2. Discourage unfair play and arguing with officials.

3. Help your child to recognize good performance, not just results.

4. Never force your child to take part in sport.

5. Set a good example by recognizing fair play and applauding good performances of all.

6. Never punish or belittle a child for losing or making mistakes.

7. Publicly accept officials’ judgments.

8. Support your child’s involvement and help them to enjoy their sport.

9. Use correct and proper language at all times.

10. Encourage and guide performers to accept responsibility for their own performance and behaviour.

11. Always be aware of the Club’s policy on child protection

12. Please bring children suitably dressed for rugby football and arrive on time for training and matches

13. Reinforce to your child that taking part and trying your best is the most important part of learning and playing rugby.

14. Applaud good play by all

15. Support your coaches – they give up their free time to coach the children

16. Any general worries – please speak to the most appropriate official at the Club. For playing issues you Team Manager/Lead Coach, Club issues the Chairman, Deputy Chairman.

17. For matters of Child Protection please contact the Club’s Child Protection Officer (contact details on the web site).

18. Parents must inform the Club and lead coach of any medical problems their child may have.

19. Parents must be present at training and matches and remain on the London Welsh Club site for the duration of training/matches. Coaches and assistant cannot act ‘in loco parentis’ and cannot take legal responsibility if parents/guardians/carers leave them during training/festivals. Please make sure that if you cannot attend that you appoint a responsible person to look after the child. They must also notify the Team Manager/Lead Coach of this arrangement.

Child Safeguarding Guidelines for Match Officials

When refereeing young players, match officials should:

1. Recognize the importance of fun and enjoyment when officiating young players

2. Provide verbal feedback in a positive way during games

3. Appreciate the needs of the players

4. Be a positive role model

5. Recognize that safety is paramount

6. Explain decisions – most young players are still learning

7. Do not tolerate verbal abuse

Child Protection Officer:

David Brunsdon

safeguarding@londonwelshrfc.co.uk

Officials should not

1. Change in the same area as young players

2. Shower with young players – agree with the coaches a timetable

3. Be alone with young players at any time – if a young player comes into the dressing room ensure another adult is present

4. Check studs without the coach being present

5. Administer first aid

6. Allow a young player to continue playing if you have doubts about their fitness

7. Tolerate bad language from young players

8. Engage in any inappropriate contact with young players

9. Give a lift to a player unless there are other young people or adults in the car and the parents are aware

10. Take a young player to your home

11. Overtly criticise young players or use language which may cause the player to lose confidence or self esteem

12. Make sexually explicit remarks to young players even in fun

Officials must always

Report, in writing, to the Club or Club Welfare Officer and/or Society Secretary, behaviour by adults which you feel contravenes RFU Child Protection Policy

1. Verbal bullying by coaches/parents/spectators

2. Physical Abuse by coaches/parents/spectators

3. Inappropriate or aggressive contact by an adult to a young person

4. Verbal abuse directed at you by young people or adults

REMEMBER: “The welfare of all young people is paramount”