Code of conduct for parents/carers involved in rowing

Parents/carers should recognise the rights of their children and ….:

• ensure that their children have fun when practising, training and competing in rowing promote the health, safety and well-being of children first and foremost
• not overemphasise winning
• listen to, respect and take into account children’s views about participation, and recognize their right to determine their participation

• encourage their children to participate for their own intrinsic enjoyment, not for the enjoyment or ambition of their parents
• encourage their children to take responsibility for their own actions, performance and behaviour
• not force children to participate in the sport, nor allow their children to compete or train when ill or injured.

Parents/carers should support their child’s involvement in training, events and competitions and ….:

• encourage their child’s effort not force their child to take part in the sport
• be willing to become a member of the club and be aware of club codes of conduct
• be aware of the club’s Welfare Officer
• be aware of the club, competition or event’s policies and procedures to ensure the safety of children and others • provide consent for their child to participate in training, competition and events
• ask about the club’s policy for recruiting coaches and officials working with children and vulnerable adults
• inform the coach of any needs of the child that may affect participation, including medical conditions or illness
• regularly discuss the sport’s requirements, its nature, duration and the relationship with coaches
• provide their children with equipment to suit the conditions, i.e. clothing suitable for cold/warm/wet weather, a water bottle, and sunscreen.
• be informed by the coach about the schedule and programme of training and the rationale behind the activities • assist clubs to care for their children, and not to treat the club as a child minding service
• make arrangements to bring and collect their child promptly at the beginning and end of sessions at the agreed times.

Parents/carers should be a good role model at clubs competitions and events and ….:

• encourage their child to accept all individuals and not to discriminate on the basis of their ability, gender, race, religion etc.
• act in a sportsmanlike way when supporting and spectating and use correct and proper language at all times
• be encouraging towards their children and others

• accept that errors are an important part of learning and not condemn children for making them
• respect officials of the club, event or competition and other participants, supporters and parents
• act with respect for the decisions of officials and coaches and without criticism
• avoid swearing at, yelling at, or chastising children, officials, coaches, or others
• raise any concerns they have about a child or coach, or their behaviour, as soon as possible with the appropriate designated person at the club or event
• guide children to follow the rules of events and competitions and to adhere to British Rowing Guidelines
• not coach their children at training and competition, unless engaged in recognised coaching responsibilities
• avoid smoking or consuming alcohol whilst supporting.

The above is based on the template provided by British Rowing

British Rowing Code of Conduct – Junior Members Rights of individuals

All participants in rowing, including children, participants and competitors, coxes, coaches, umpires, marshals and spectators have the right to:

• enjoy safe participation in rowing

• be treated as individuals at all times, to express their views and to be listened to

• determine their own goals and participation in sport and to seek support to help them develop

• receive support for their individual needs

• balance rowing and other aspects of their life to sustain enjoyable participation in the sport

• be treated with respect

• enjoy an environment free of discrimination on the grounds of gender, race, colour, disability, sexuality, age, marital status, occupation or political opinion

• participate free from the threat of abuse and not to be subject to humiliation, shame or insult • not have to endure abuse, including verbal abuse, bullying, neglect or physical abuse
• enjoy an environment free of sexual harassment and sexual abuse and not to be exploited
• not be pressurised to train or compete and allowed adequate rest and recovery time

• not to train or compete when ill or injured
• be treated in accordance with British Rowing guidelines
• receive quality coaching and instruction from appropriately qualified individuals.

Code of conduct for participants and competitors

At all times, when practicing, training or competing at clubs, competitions and events, participants and competitors should: • follow the rules and procedures of their club

• adhere to British Rowing rules and guidelines
• act in accordance with the rules of the competition or event

• Study in advance, understand and follow the rules, regulations and guidelines of the competition/event with regards to safety, emergency procedures, boating, marshalling, and cancellation; follow the directions of marshals, umpires and officials of the club/competition/event.

• accept the decisions of officials of the event.

• not to take banned substances.

• act in a sportsmanlike way during training and competition

• treat other competitors, coaches, other water users and officials of clubs, competitions and events with respect

• Avoid swearing at or shouting at others.

• Not threaten others nor engage in acts of verbal or physical abuse or other types of abuse.

• respect the rights, dignity and worth of other participants, and not discriminate on the
grounds of gender, race, colour, disability, sexuality, age, marital status, occupation or political opinion

• avoid inappropriate relationships with their coach
• keep to agreed timings, or inform the relevant person if they are going to be late.

The above is based on the template provided by British Rowing