Policies
Washington Running Club Code of Conduct
(Young people & Children)

As a child or young person under 18 years, I have the right to:
  • be safe and protected
  • be listened to
  • be respected and treated fairly
  • be believed
  • ask for help

Be coached by someone who has the right qualifications. As a young athlete, I will respect the code of conduct and I will:

  • always run with, and under the instruction of, my parent/carer
  • be friendly and supportive to other athletes
  • keep myself safe
  • tell my coach if I am ill or injured
  • report inappropriate behaviour or risky situations to an adult
  • compete fairly and respect other athletes and officials
  • respect the rules of my club
  • behave and listen to all instructions from my coach and officials
  • take care of equipment owned or provided by the club or training facility
  • not use bad language or take part in inappropriate or illegal behaviour
  • not bully anyone or pressure them to do things they do not want to, including online
  • in no way undermine, put down or belittle other athletes, coaches or practitioners
  • keep to agreed timings for all club activities
  • tell my parents/carers where I am or if I’m going to be late
  • not use my mobile phone or headphones (including earbuds) during training, competitions or in changing rooms
  • not carry or consume alcohol or illegal substances while training or competing in athletics
  • use safe transport or travel arrangements.

BREACH OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT I understand that if I do not follow the code, action can be taken by my club and I may:
  • be asked to apologise for my behaviour
  • receive a verbal warning from my coach
  • receive a verbal or written warning from the club committee
  • be suspended from attending club training sessions
  • be suspended or required to leave the club. Additionally, my club will always tell my parents/carers if I breach the code of conduct.
Washington Running Club Code of Conduct
Code Of Conduct (over 18 years)

As a responsible athlete, I will:
  • abide by the UKA and the HCAF Child Safeguarding Policy and Child Safeguarding Procedures (https://www.englandathletics.org/resources/view/uk-athletics-hcaf-child-safeguarding-policy/?from=1)
  • abide by the UKA and the HCAF Adult Safeguarding Policy and Adult Safeguarding Procedure (https://www.englandathletics.org/resources/view/uk-athletics-hcaf-adult-safeguarding-policy/
  • respect the rights of every athlete, coach, technical official and others involved in athletics and treat everyone equitably
  • uphold the same sporting values away from sport as I do when I am engaged in athletics
  • participate within the rules of the sport, respect decisions of coaches and officials, and demonstrate respect towards fellow athletes
  • cooperate fully with others involved in the sport such as coaches, technical officials, team managers, doctors, physiotherapists, sport scientists and representatives of the governing body in my best interests and those of other athletes
  • consistently promote positive aspects of the sport and never condone rule violations or the use of prohibited substances
  • anticipate and be responsible for my own needs, including being organised, having the appropriate equipment and being on time
  • act with dignity and display courtesy and good manners towards others
  • In no way undermine, put down or belittle other athletes, coaches or practitioners ï avoid swearing and abusive language
  • never engage in any inappropriate or illegal behaviour
  • challenge and report inappropriate behaviour and language by others
  • not misuse or abuse sporting equipment and venues
  • not carry or consume alcohol or illegal substances while training or competing in athletics
  • maintain strict boundaries between friendship and intimacy with a coach or official
  • use safe transport or travel arrangements, and park cars considerately
  • not use my mobile phone or headphones (including earbuds) during training, competitions or in changing rooms
  • act ethically, professionally and with integrity, and take responsibility for your actions
  • ensure I am fit to engage in club runs. BREACH OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT I understand that if I do not follow the code, action can be taken by my club and
I may:
  • be asked to apologise for my behaviour receive a verbal warning from my coach
  • receive a verbal or written warning from the club committee
  • be suspended from attending club training sessions
  • be suspended from the club
  • be required to leave the club
INCLUSION POLICY
Introduction
For the purposes of this policy ‘inclusion’ means access for all. It means recognising differences between individuals / groups and providing opportunities for them to participate in Athletics and Running regardless of those differences, whether this is as a participant, coach, leader, official, volunteer or member of staff.
Statement
Washington Running Club embraces diversity and difference and is committed to providing opportunities that are safe, inclusive, accessible and equitable. We want our club to be equally accessible to all members of society, whatever their age, disability, gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality or social/economic status.
We will develop a focus on inclusion, not exclusion, and ensure that we provide appropriate advice to members and volunteers to ensure that everyone can participate as fully as possible. The Inclusion Policy is intended to promote a change in attitudes and perceptions and to improve opportunities for everyone to participate at our club. We will seek to ensure that we comply with the Equality Act 2010 and the characteristics protected by it (age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership and pregnancy and maternity) and encourage our members to do so. We will seek to include everyone regardless of whether they have a protected characteristic or not.

Aims
Our aim is to provide an environment where everyone feels:
• Welcome
• Represented
• Included in decision making
• Able to participate
• Safe and free from discrimination, bullying, harassment and vilification.
The aims of the Inclusion Policy are:
• To promote the development of knowledge and understanding of disability, equity and inclusion amongst our participants, leaders/coaches, officials, volunteers and competition/event organisers by the provision of appropriate guidance and training.
• To guide and support the integration of inclusive practice into our core club/group programmes and activities.
• To contribute towards growing and sustaining numbers of people from under-represented groups participating within our club.
• To promote inclusion within Athletics and Running wherever possible and in accordance with the provisions of the Equality Act.
• To adopt inclusive practice within our competition and events.
• To promote close working partnerships with relevant groups and organisations to support the development of inclusive practice within our club.

Commitment
We will;
• Not tolerate discrimination, harassment, bullying or victimisation.
• Actively identify and reduce barriers to participation for under-represented groups.
• Consult with expert partners and other organisations to facilitate inclusive practices and remove barriers to participation.
• Ensure under-represented groups are given the opportunity to participate in all aspects of our club.
• Provide opportunities for all in coaching, officiating and leadership positions.
There are a number of measures that we will take to ensure that we are working under the guidance of the Policy and within the requirements of the Equality Act (2010).
• We will provide a welcoming environment
• We will think positively about how we can include people rather than focusing on potential barriers to participation.
• We will consider how our club/group is promoted. For example, by providing information in formats which are accessible and by using appropriate imagery.
• We will encourage people to contact us to discuss their needs and requirements to facilitate inclusion and we will ensure we consider what reasonable adjustments could be made to enable them to participate.
• We will develop the knowledge and understanding of key officials, coaches, leaders and other volunteers, of disability, equity and inclusive practice by providing appropriate guidance and training.
We will talk to people
• We will, so far as is reasonably possible, consult with relevant groups and with prospective individuals about their needs and requirements.
• We will not make assumptions and will try to speak to people about the reasonable adjustments they believe might be made to enable them to participate and to discuss how these could be made. We will make reasonable adjustments
• We will demonstrate that every effort has been made to enable everyone to participate and that inclusion not exclusion has been the priority.
• If reasonable adjustments are required to make an event/activity accessible, then we will make those reasonable adjustments.