Child Protection Policy Statement

Dunboyne Athletic Club is committed to ensuring that all young people who play sport have a safe and positive experience. The club is committed to developing and implementing policies and procedures to ensure that everyone knows and accepts their responsibility in relation to a duty of care for young people. Dunboyne Athletic Club recognises that it is not the responsibility of those individuals working within the club to determine if abuse has taken place, but it is their responsibility to act upon and report any concerns. If any person within the club has a doubt to this policy’s relevance to their role and duties then please contact the club’s Child Welfare Officer here.

The Club and those involved with the club will abide by the following principles and statements:

• All young people with Dunboyne Athletic club, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, ability or disability, have the right to be protected.
• All young people participating in sport have a right to do so in a safe environment.
• All adults involved with the club will provide a safe, positive and fun sporting experience for young people.
• All volunteers, coaches and officials will understand and be supported in their roll and responsibility with regard to the duty of care for young people.
• All suspicions and allegations will be taken seriously, managed and dealt with swiftly and appropriately.
• The club will assist coaches, volunteers and officials to remain up-to-date with the latest safeguarding and child protection issues.
• The club will appoint a Child Welfare Officer whose role is to be responsible for issues concerning child welfare at the club.

Coaches, Officials and Volunteers Code of Conduct

The essence of good ethical conduct and practice is summarised below. All coaches, officials and volunteers at the club should:

• Consider the wellbeing and safety of participants before the development of performance.
• Develop an appropriate working relationship with participants, based on mutual trust and respect.
• Make sure all activities are appropriate to the age, ability and the experience of those taking part.
• Promote the positive aspects of the sport (e.g. fair play)
• Display consistently high standards of behaviour.
• Follow all guidelines laid down by the national governing body and the club.
• Hold appropriate qualifications and insurance cover.
• Never exert undue influence over participants to gain personal benefit or reward.
• Never condone rule violations, rough play or the use of prohibited substances.
• Encourage participants to value their performances and not just results.
• Encourage and guide participants to accept responsibility for their own performance and behaviour.
• Never use foul or inappropriate language.
• Never engage in any form of sexual relations with anyone under the age of 18, or vulnerable adults.
• Read, understand and put into practice all club policies and procedures.

Ensure you have fully read and understand the above code of conduct and will ensure that your conduct and practice reflects the above points.

Rules of the Club

• Membership must be paid in full each calendar year starting in January.
• Athletes must respect the instruction of their coach and/or assistant coaches. (Parents may be informed of any misconduct and the athlete in question may be excluded from training sessions).
• All members of the club must adhere to the code of ethics and good practice for children in athletics as set out in the rules and constitution of Dunboyne Athletic club. All athletes must respect fellow athletes at training and in competition and not belittle their efforts in any way.
• The coaching committee has the final decision on schedules for their athletes.
• The coaching committee shall agree with training timetables for all age groups.
• All athletes registered with Dunboyne AC are encouraged to compete in AT LEAST 3 competitions during the calendar year. A full fixture list will be provided to all athletes.
• Athletes must wear appropriate gear while training and treat all the club property with respect. Club singlet must be worn in competition. Mobile phones, MP3 players and i pods are not allowed during training sessions.
• Juvenile athletes must not leave the club premises during training sessions without informing their coach and being accompanied by a parent or guardian.
• Juvenile training takes place at track Mon and Wed 7-8pm unless informed otherwise by club coach.
• No athlete may verbally or physically abuse any other person when on club premises or attending events as a member of Dunboyne Athletic Club.
• Athletes must inform their coaches if they are injured, ill or under medication. If an athlete is unwell they should not attend training.
• PLEASE NOTE: No training on Bank Holidays. Training may be cancelled due to bad weather.

Code of Conduct for Parents/Guardians

• Parents and Senior members must remain outside the gate during Juvenile Training hours.
• Never force your child to take part in sport.
• Encourage your child to learn the skills/rules and participate/play within them.
• Emphasise the need to be aware of the safety and well being of all especially younger children, when training at the athletic track.
• Discourage unfair play, general `horse’ play, harassment, isolation of fellow athletes and arguing with officials.
• Help your child to recognise good performance, not just results.
• Set a good example by recognising fair play and applauding good performances of all.
• Never punish or belittle a child for losing or making mistakes.
• Publicly accept officials’ judgments.
• Support your child’s involvement and help them to enjoy their sport.
• Use correct and proper language at all times.
• Encourage and guide athletes/performers to accept responsibility for their own fitness levels/performance and good behaviour at all training sessions and events.

Proof of Date of Birth

To check we have the correct date of birth for you, 15 people each month from the youngest member to the oldest member will be asked to provide some form of proof of age (a scan, phone picture, or show to Registrar at the club). The club will immediately delete once validated, and as we are only doing 15 per month you will not be asked again for a few years. The only thing the club will record for our records is the date we validated. The Registrar will contact you if you are selected.