CODE OF CONDUCT FOR SPORTS COACHES

Principle

Statement

Issues

Rights

Coaches must respect and champion the rights of every individual to participate in sport

Coaches should

	Assist in the creation of an environment where every individual has the opportunity to participate in a sport and activity of their choice
	Create and maintain an environment free of fear and harassment
	Recognise the rights of all athletes to be treated as individuals
	Recognise the rights of athletes to confer with other coaches and experts
	Promote the concept of a balanced lifestyle, supporting the well-being of the athlete both in and out of the sport

Relationships

Coaches must develop a relationship with athletes (and others) based on openness, honesty, mutual trust and respect

Coaches

	Must not engage in behaviour that constitutes any form of abuse (physical, sexual, emotional, neglect, bullying)
	Should promote the welfare and best interests of their athletes
	Must avoid sexual intimacy with athletes either while coaching them or in the period of time immediately following the end of the coaching relationship
	Must take action if they have a concern about the behaviour of an adult towards a child
	Should empower athletes to be responsible for their own decisions
	Should clarify the nature of the coaching services being offered to athletes
	Should communicate and cooperate with other organisations and individuals in the best interests of athletes

Responsibilities -

Personal Standards

Coaches must demonstrate proper personal behaviour and conduct at all times

Coaches

	Must be fair, honest and considerate to athletes and others in their sport
	Should project an image of health, cleanliness and functional efficiency
	Must be positive role models for athletes at all times

Responsibilities - Professional Standards

To maximise benefits and minimise the risks to athletes, coaches must attain a high level of competence through formal qualifications and commit to ongoing training that ensures safe and correct practice.

Coaches will

	Provide a safe environment that maximises benefits and minimises risks to athletes in achieving their goals
	Promote the execution of safe and correct practice
	Be professional and accept responsibility for their actions
	Make a commitment to providing a quality service to their athletes
	Actively promote the positive benefits to society of participation in sport
	Contribute to the development of coaching as a profession by exchanging knowledge and ideas with others
	Gain National Governing Body (WHU) qualifications appropriate to the level at which they coach.

Adapted by kind permission of Sports Coach UK from their Coaches Code of Conduct 2001

The WHU has produced a Child Protection Policy.

All persons working with or in contact with children under the auspices of the WHU will be subject to this Child Protection Policy.