CLUB CODE OF CONDUCT

For Members:

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, para-swimming, diving, high diving, artistic 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

Keep yourself safe by listening to your coach or teacher, behave responsibly and speak out when something isn't right.
Take care of our equipment and premises as if they were your own.
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.
Not wander off or leave training or competition without telling your coach, teacher or team manager.
Bring the right kit to training and competitions.
Follow the rules of the club, squad or activity at all times.
Respect the privacy of others especially in the changing rooms.

Behaviour

Make our club and activity a fun, happy, friendly, and welcoming place to be.
Respect and celebrate differences in our club or activity and not discriminate against anyone else on the grounds of age, gender, race, sexual orientation, faith, or ability.
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.
Not use any device to take photographs or footage of others in the changing rooms or cubicles
Report any concerns you have about others taking photographs or footage of others in the changing rooms or poolside.
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 the police by the club.
Report any incidents of bullying or unkind behaviour to the club, even if you're just a witness.
Treat other children with respect and appreciate that everyone has a different level of skill or talent.
Support and encourage your teammates, tell them when they've done well and be there for them when they are struggling.
Respect the children and adults competing for other teams at competitions.
Respect the committee members, coaching and teaching team and all volunteer helpers at the club.
Get involved in club decisions, it's your sport too.

Breaches of this Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action being taken against you by the club committee.

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 2020-23 Child Safeguarding Policies and Procedures for Clubs. Wave Power 2020-23 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.

For Parents / Guardians:

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

Make sure your child has the right kit for training and competitions as well as enough food and drink.
Ensure your child arrives to sessions on time and is picked up promptly.
Inform us if you're running late to collect your child or if your child is going home with someone else.
Complete all consent, contact and medical forms and update us straight away if anything changes.
Maintain a good relationship with your child's coach or teacher.
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.
Not enter poolside or interrupt training or competitions unless in an emergency situation.

Behaviour

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.
Behave positively as a spectator at training or competitions and treat others with respect.
Give encouragement to your child and tell them when they've done well and provide support when they are struggling.
Respect and celebrate differences in our club or activity and not discriminate against anyone else on the grounds of gender, race, sexual orientation, faith or ability.
Respect the children and adults competing for other teams at competitions.
Respect the committee members, coaching and teaching team and all volunteer helpers 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 by the club.
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.
Talk to your child and ensure they understand the rules of the club and the sport.
Ensure your child understands their Code of Conduct.

Breaches of this Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action being taken against you by the club committee. Continued issues and repeated breaches may result in parents/ guardians being asked not to attend the club, something we never want to do.

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 2020-23 Child Safeguarding Policies and Procedures for Clubs. Wave Power 202023 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 of 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.