VICTORIAN RACE WALKING CLUB CODE OF CONDUCT

PURPOSE

To ensure that all members, officials, volunteers, spectators and other persons engaged in the activities of the Victorian Race Walking Club have a clear understanding of the behaviour that is expected of everyone, and to make it clearly understood that breaches of these codes will result in remedial and/or disciplinary action. This document has been prepared in line with (1) the Athletics Victoria Codes of Conduct, and (2) the Athletics Victoria Child Safety Codes of Conduct. (Ref http://athsvic.org.au/about/policies/)

ALL PERSONS CONNECTED WITH THE VRWC are required to:

• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person regardless of their age, gender, ability, cultural background or religion;

• Always welcome new and visiting athletes (regardless of abilities), spectators, officials etc;

• Abide by the rules and by-laws of the VRWC, and at all times to respect the decisions of referees, walk judges and other officials;

• Act as good role models and ambassadors for the club, and never to behave in a manner that would damage the reputation of the VRWC either on or off the field;

• Never use offensive or derogatory behaviour, or engage in sledging or bullying of any person;

• Adhere to VRWC club policies as regard smoke-free areas, liquor license requirements, shared use of public pathways and other arrangements as set down by the Club committee;

• Act in accordance with the AV Child Safety Code of Conduct when dealing with underage members (See VRWC website to access the AV Code), and always place the safety and welfare of children above other considerations.

ATHLETES are required to:

• Participate in the club’s competitive programs according to their own goals, displaying fair and positive sportsmanship towards fellow athletes at all times.

OFFICIALS, JUDGES and OFFICE BEARERS are required to:

• Carry out officiating and judging duties diligently and impartially, to the best of their ability.

COACHES are required to:

• Support, encourage and involve all athletes, regardless of talent or ability, putting the physical and emotional wellbeing of athletes before performance and results;

• Encourage participants to value their performances, not just their results;

• Maintain respectful and appropriate relationships with all athletes;

• Ensure all activities are appropriate to the age, ability and experience of participants;

• Promote the positive aspects of the sport (eg sportsmanship, friendship, health and fitness gains);

• Follow all guidelines laid down by the national governing bodies (ATFCA, Athletics Australia) and the VRWC;

• Hold a current Working With Children check before commencing to coach; • Ensure a child’s parent or coach (if not one’s own athlete) is present before speaking to the child;

• Never condone rule violations, unfair or rough play, or the use of prohibited substances;

• Never make critical or derogatory remarks about other coaches or their athletes;

• Do their best to present a positive role model at all times. COMPLAINTS Any complaints members may have arising from VRWC activities, including incidences of:

• Violations of any of the above behavioural requirements;

• Officiating or technical errors which impact negatively upon an athlete’s results;

• Anything which threatens the safety of the Club environment for any members shall be reported to a race official, referee, walk judge or member of the Club committee AND ONE OTHER PERSON at the earliest opportunity.

Complaints

Any complaint or concern will be recorded in writing, for attention by the Committee.

Approval date: 17 November 2019 Review date: 17 November 2022

President’s name: Stuart Cooper Signature: ……………………………………

Vice-president’s name: Mark Donahoo Signature ……………………………………