CLUB SAFEGUARDING POLICY/ CODE OF CONDUCT - MINIS & JUNIORS

Dear Parents/Guardians Welcome to a new season at Girling RFC Mini and Juniors. Here is some important information for all parent/guardians/supporters:

Safeguarding/GDPR Safeguarding is a key component of the Welsh Rugby Union, to ensure that children and young people involved in rugby can enjoy the sport with a safe and positive environment. There are safeguarding policies and procedures in place within The WRU and Girling RFC, which we adhere to. The club safeguarding policy is available for you to read, just ask your Team manager for further details. At Girling RFC we have a Club Safeguarding Officer – Alan Branch O’Neill 07747823794. If you have any safeguarding concerns for the welfare of a player or young person at Girling RFC or if there has been an incident that you need to report, please contact the CSO immediately. At Girling RFC we have a code of conduct that all club members, players, parents and volunteers must abide to. Any breaches to the code of conduct could face in disciplinary action. Parents/Guardians must NOT share any photos/videos on any social media platforms of any children, other than their own child(ren), without permission from all parents/guardians. Players from the opposing team must not feature on any photos without permission also. In order to video games, permission is required from all parents/guardians of home and opposing teams. The club registration form requests for permission from parents/guardians to use photos and videos of players on various social media platforms for promotional and celebratory reasons for the club. Any personal data held by Girling RFC will comply with the GDPR regulations. Your child(rens) information is stored safely and securely. This information will only be shared by officers within Girling RFC and the WRU. It is the parents/guardian’s responsibility to keep coaches, team managers and first aiders informed of any changes of circumstances in your child(ren’s) medical conditions, allergies and medication.

Volunteers The Mini and Junior Section at Girling RFC is run by volunteers – committee, coaches, team managers and first aiders. Volunteers give up a lot of their time to ensure your child(ren) plays rugby in a safe environment and have fun. We are always looking for volunteers to help so if you would like to get involved within your child’s age group, please let us know. We are specifically looking for parents/guardians to volunteer as first aiders. We are looking to run a number of first aid courses at the club over the next few months. If this is something you would like to get involved with for your child’s team, please let the team manager know asap. There is a financial implication, that the club will pick up, for each volunteer on the course. We ask that you only come forward to do the course if you are able to support your child’s team with first aid at training sessions and matches.

All members, supporters’ visitors and opposition must adhere to the following:
●Publically accept officials’ judgements.
●Never use foul or aggressive language. Respect each other and promote positivity rather thannegativity.
●Support your coaches – The team selection is final and all decisions should be supported.
●Never make critical statements about referees, club officials, match officials, other players or otherteams. This includes comments/posts made on social media.
●The club will show zero tolerance to any drug use on Girling RFC / Lucas sports premises.
●All club personnel must be treated with respect and courtesy at all times.
In addition to the above, the following code applies to the following named parties involved with Girling RFC:
Players’ Code
●Play in the spirit of the sport.
●Always play within the rules of the game. Do not get involved in foul play.
●Respect the referee/match officials – never argue, their decision is final.
●Acknowledge good play by both teammates and opposition players.
●Strive to improve as a player.
●Never make critical statements about referees, club officials, match officials, other players or otherteams. This includes comments/posts made on social media.
Coaches’ Code
●Ensure all players know the rules of the game.
●Play players at an appropriate level. Don’t put players in games where they are out of their depth skill-wise.
●Never coach dangerous or foul play.
●Encourage your players to take responsibility for their own behaviour and performance.
●Strive to improve each player’s individual skills.
●Promote good rugby and encourage skilful play above winning at all costs.
●Never get involved in touchline arguments with parents, supporter, opposition, match officials or othercoaches.
●Never use foul or aggressive language, promote positivity rather than negativity.
●Never make critical statements about referees, club officials, match officials, other players or otherteams. This includes comments/posts made on social media.
Mini & Junior Parents’ and guardians’ Code
●Encourage your child to learn the rules and play within them.
●Encourage your child to follow the code of conduct.
●Help your child to recognise good performance, not just results. Set a good example by recognising fairplay and applauding good performances of all.
●Reinforce to your child that taking part and trying your best is the most important part of learning andplaying rugby. Never punish or belittle a child for losing or making mistakes.
●Never force your child to take part in sport. Support your child’s involvement and help them to enjoytheir sport.
●Publicly accept officials’ judgements.
●Never use foul or aggressive language. Promote positivity rather than negativity.
●Encourage and guide players to accept responsibility for their own performance and behaviour.
●Support your coaches – they give up their free time to coach the children. Their team selection is finaland all decisions should be supported.
●Any concerns should be addressed to your Team Manager/Head Coach in the first instance, or to theChairman.
●Any issues relating to child protection should be addressed to the Club Safeguarding Officer.
●Parents must inform the club and Head Coach/Team Manager of any medical problems their child mayhave.
●Parents must be present at training and matches. Coaches and other club officials cannot act ‘in locoparentis’ and cannot take legal responsibility for children. Please ensure that you appoint a responsibleperson to look after your child if you are unable to attend. Please notify your Team Manager or HeadCoach of any such arrangements.
●Never make critical statements about referees, match officials, other players or other teams. Thisincludes comments/posts made on social media.
Remember: WHEN YOU WEAR THE CLUB BADGE YOU REPRESENT THE CLUB. BE COURTEOUS, RESPECTFUL AND SHOW GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP AT ALL TIMES. EVERYONE MUST RESPECT OUR CLUB AND SPORTS GROUNDS AT ALL TIMES WHICH IS FOR THE USE OF ALL MEMBERS AND PLAYERS. AN INDIVIDUAL MAY BE CHARGED FOR REPAIRS FOR ANY INTENTIONAL DAMAGE CAUSED. ANY BREACH OF THIS CODE OF CONDUCT MAY RESULT IN DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS WHICH WILL BE DEALT WITH BY A CLUB OFFICER.