Code of Conduct

Ashford Tri Club aims to be a friendly and inclusive triathlon club, assisting our members with opportunities for training and competition in triathlon and associated sports.

This code of conduct helps in meeting this aim.

It is a condition of Membership to the club to comply with all requirements within this Code of Conduct during training and participation in events connected to Ashford Tri Club.

The purpose of this Code of Practice is to uphold standards of ethical behavior for both club coaches and athletes. The components of ethical behavior are: integrity, responsibility, competence and confidentiality

You must act in a sensible way, be responsible for your own behavior at all times in connection with Ashford Tri Club.

Failure to comply with the requirements of this Code of Conduct could result in cancellation of membership and or dismissal from coaching duties.

The Code of Conduct extends to all club social media groups, email communications, sporting events, training and other events that may be connected to Ashford Tri Club.

Club members participating in coached group sessions will be deemed to have accepted the Code, and to endorse and subscribe to the principles and responsibilities embodied in them

  • “A coach” in this context is anyone qualified by BTF, British Cycling or UKA to coach and is a recognized Coaching Member of the Club
    An “athlete” is a Member of the club who participates in any coached session with Ashford Tri Club or participates in an event as a member of the club.
  • The athlete-coach relationship is a two-way relationship where the athlete’s well being comes first. The core of the relationship is a mutual commitment by both the athlete and coach, to the sport in general and to athletics training in particular.
  • Coaches and athletes agree that participating in, or continuing a training session, is a decision that can only be made each individual athlete; coaches will not exert undue pressure on athletes, beyond reasonable encouragement. Bullying, use of critical language and sarcasm, or otherwise undermining any athlete’s self-esteem are totally unacceptable.
  • Coaches will treat everyone whom they are coaching or who is participating in a coached session with equal dignity and respect, irrespective of their ability, gender, age, ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability or political persuasion
    Athletes and coaches will treat each other with mutual trust and respect.
  • The coach may collect a great deal of personal information about an athlete in order to help her/him achieve her/his goals. The coach and athlete must reach agreement on what will be considered confidential and the coach must respect that agreement.

Accidents/Incident

All accidents and/or incidents that occur during Club sessions must be reported to the person leading the session at the earliest available chance. Within the club’s GDPR policy session details are only held for a limited time.

Social Media

The Club runs a number of social media groups for the benefit of members; the Code of Conduct applies to all members when using Ashford Tri Club social media groups.

Social media groups include but are not restricted to Facebook or Twitter. The Committee will determine which Members are entitled to access to social media groups run by Ashford Tri Club. Any comments or behavior contrary to the requirements of the Code of Conduct will result in immediate review and removal of the posts as well as possible suspension from the social media group until the Committee is satisfied the behaviors will not be repeated. Further offences may lead to a review of membership by the committee.

Roles and Responsibilities

The coach will:

  • Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every athlete, regardless of background or ability
  • Place the welfare and safety of the athlete above the development of performance
  • Challenge inappropriate behavior or language by others
  • Never put themselves in a position where exploitation or abuse of vulnerable athletes could occur or could have been thought to have occurred
  • Ensure that they are properly qualified for activities that they coach and update their license and education as and when required by BTF/UKA
  • Whilst in a coaching role, strictly observe a clear boundary between friendship and intimacy with athletes
  • Turn up in good time for each session and/or assure that there is adequate cover for each session provided, or adequate notice of cancellation
  • In advance, clarify the content and purpose of a particular session
  • Lead sessions with enthusiasm and to the best of their abilities, consistently promoting the positive aspects of the sport (e.g. health and social benefits and fair play) and never condoning rule violations or use of prohibited performance-enhancing drugs
  • Make clear the limits of their commitment, and any reasons why they may refuse to coach any particular athlete
  • Always ask the athlete’s permission and explain the reason why before touching the athlete
  • Listen and be sensitive to athletes’ concerns and make them a primary concern when prescribing the training session
  • Act as a good role model by consistently displaying good standards of behavior, appearance and safe training practice in their own training
  • Recognise and accept when it is in the athlete’s interest to refer athletes to other, more qualified coaches or other specialists for advice
  • Invite and listen to feedback from the athletes they are coaching
  • Report any suspected misconduct by other coaches to the appropriate authorities Club’s Welfare Officer, BTF, police, as appropriate.

The member/athlete will:

  • Accept responsibility for their own behavior and performance in training and in competition
  • Great others with fairness and respect, showing patience with others and respecting diversity
  • Act in a dignified manner and not bring the sport or the club into disrepute
  • Avoid swearing and abusive language and irresponsible behavior including behavior that is dangerous to yourself or others, acts of violence, bullying, harassment and physical or sexual abuse
  • Participate in sessions with enthusiasm and to the best of their abilities
  • Follow the coaches’ instructions, including taking responsibility for reading any briefings or risk assessment for the session
  • Turn up in good time for the start of the session with suitable footwear and gear, and with adequate arrangements for post-training re-hydration and nutrition made
  • Let the coach know of any factors liable to have an impact on their ability to train or compete or their long-term health (e.g. wellness or health issues, medication, injury, illness, impending or recent competition, work or home pressures)
  • Whilst in an athlete role, strictly observe a clear boundary between friendship and intimacy with the coach (es)
  • Avoid destructive behavior and leave athletics venues as you find them
  • Challenge anyone whose behavior falls below this policy.
  • Report any suspected misconduct by other coaches to the Club’s Welfare Officers in the first instance
  • Give feedback to the coach on how the session felt for them and whether there are any consequential problems
  • Consistently promote positive aspects of the sport such as fair play and never condone rule violations or the use of prohibited substances
  • Show appreciation to those throughout the club who help them participate in athletics, including the coaches

Violations of the Code of Conduct

Coaches or athletes/members who want to raise possible breaches of the Code of Conduct should in the first instance contact a member of the Committee.

All complaints regarding the behaviour of members should be submitted in writing to the Secretary.

The Management Committee will meet to hear complaints within fourteen days of a complaint being lodged. The committee has the power to take appropriate disciplinary action including the termination of membership. As set out in the “Membership” Section 3 within the Clubs Constitution.

The outcome of a disciplinary hearing should be notified in writing to the person who lodged the complaint and the member against whom the complaint was made within fourteen days of the hearing.

There will be the right of appeal to the Membership following disciplinary action being announced. The committee should consider the appeal within fourteen days of the Secretary receiving the appeal.