POLICIES

AIMS & OBJECTIVES
CHILD PROTECTION & HARASSMENT
CODE OF CONDUCT
JUNIOR & YOUTH CODE OF CONDUCT
EQUITY POLICY STATEMENT
THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHIC & FILMING EQUIPMENT

AIMS & OBJECTIVES
The aim of the Club is to promote the sport of canoeing.

In order to achieve this the Club shall aim to:

1 Make canoeing accessible to all
Maintain an open and non-discriminatory membership policy

2 Encourage a healthy and active lifestyle
Maintain a broad programme of activities, events and opportunities such that all members may benefit from physical participation at least once per week for a period of not less than one hour

3 Provide family-based activity/sport
Maintain a broad programme of activities, events and opportunities such that the members of any one family may jointly participate in canoeing based activity at least once per week for a period of not less than one hour

4 Provide adventurous, competitive and recreational activity
Maintain a broad programme of activities, events and opportunities such that any member may engage in canoeing at an appropriate level of challenge or risk, measure their performance against others or standard criteria, or participate purely for pleasure and amusement

5 Build links with schools, youth and other community groups
Pursue policies and strategies that lead to the active engagement of a variety of groups and organisations from the local community in the activities of the Club
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CHILD PROTECTION AND HARASSMENT POLICY

This Club is fully committed to safeguarding the well-being of its members. All members should show respect and understanding for the rights, safety and welfare of others, and conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles of the Club.

This Club believes that taking part in Paddlesport should be a positive and enjoyable part of children’s lives. To achieve this the Club has the following aims:

• Club coaches should follow the BCU Code of Ethics.
• All Club coaches, helpers and officials working with young people should read and adhere to the BCU Child Protection and Harassment Policy. The Club will follow the guidance of the policy in the event of any concerns or allegations.
• The Club will ensure that anyone working with young people undertake a screening procedure.
• All Club members are made aware of the Club Code of Conduct.
• The Club will obtain written Medical details of young paddlers which will be made known to coaches where deemed appropriate and/or necessary.
• The Club will only use BCU qualified/up-dated coaches. Unqualified coaches can only work alongside a qualified coach. The Club will encourage and support helpers to gain qualifications and assist coaches to stay up-dated.
• The Club will identify a person whose role it is to deal with any issues concerning Child Protection and Harassment and notify this person to all members. Anyone with concerns with respect to Child Abuse or Harassment should contact that person. If that person is unavailable they can contact the Club Chairman or the BCU Child Protection /Harassment Officer.
• The Club will adopt and regularly review a Health and Safety Policy.
• The Club will review this Child Protection Policy annually. (go to the top)

CODE OF CONDUCT

It is the policy of this Club that all paddlers, volunteers, coaches and parents show respect and understanding for each other and conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles of the Club. The aim is for all paddlers to improve performance and have fun.

Everyone involved in the Club should abide by the Club Rules and Policies.

• Take care of all property belonging to the club or club members.
• Treat other Club members with respect at all times, on and off the water.
• Treat other paddlers as you would want to be treated yourself.
• Control tempers and avoid behaviour which may inconvenience or upset others.
• Cooperate and listen to your coach or Club officials.

Club Officials, Coaches and Volunteers

• Consider the well-being and safety of paddlers before the development of performance.
• Develop an appropriate working relationship with performers, based on mutual trust and respect.
• Make sure all activities are appropriate to the age, ability and experience of those taking part.
• Display consistently high standards of behaviour and appearance.
• Follow BCU and Club guidelines and Policies.
• Hold the appropriate, up-dated qualifications and insurance.
• Encourage paddlers to value their performance and not just results.
• Never condone the use of prohibited substances.

Parents/Guardians

• Help your child to recognise good performance, not just results.
• Never force your child to take part in sport.
• Never punish or belittle a child for loosing, or making mistakes.
• Publicly accept official’s judgements.
• Support your child’s involvement and help them to enjoy the sport.
• Use correct and proper language at all times.
• Set a good example by applauding good performances of all paddlers.
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JUNIOR AND YOUTH CODE OF CONDUCT

It is the policy of this Club that all paddlers, volunteers, coaches and parents show respect and understanding for each other and conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles of the Club. The aim is for all paddlers to improve performance and have fun.

All Junior and Youth members are required to abide by the following at all times:

• Cooperate fully, respecting all requests and decisions made by the coaches, helpers officials and administrators
• Be on time for training sessions and events or inform your coach if you are going to be late.
• Paddlers must control their tempers and avoid behaviour which may inconvenience or upset others.
• Be considerate and respectful to other paddlers and water users – treat other paddlers as you would want to be treated
• Paddlers must wear suitable kit for paddling as agreed with your coach.
• Take care of all property belonging to the club or any club member – be responsible for caring for your own equipment and clothing.
• Not to leave sessions without the permission of the coach or leader.
• Junior members are not allowed to smoke, consume alcohol or drugs of any kind whilst on the club premises or representing the club at events.
• Not to leave the area of supervision without the session leaders permission.
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EQUITY POLICY STATEMENT

This club is committed to ensuring that equity is incorporated across all aspects of its development. In doing so it acknowledges and adopts the following Sport England definition of sports equity:

Sports equity is about fairness in sport, equality of access, recognising inequalities and taking steps to address them. It is about changing the culture and structure of sport to ensure it becomes equally accessible to everyone in society.

• The club respects the rights, dignity and worth of every person and will treat everyone equally within the context of their sport, regardless of age, ability, gender, race, ethnicity, religious belief, sexuality or social/economic status.
• The club is committed to everyone having the right to enjoy their sport in an environment free from threat of intimidation, harassment and abuse.
• All club members have a responsibility to oppose discriminatory behaviour and promote equality of opportunity.
• The club will deal with any incidence of discriminatory behaviour seriously, according to club disciplinary procedures. (go to the top)

THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHIC AND FILMING EQUIPMENT

In line with the NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit and BCU recommendations, the Club require any person who wishes to engage in any photography to register with the Event or Session Organiser, via the Secretary if need be, prior to carrying out such photography.

• When using a photograph the Club will generally avoid full name linked with address.
• In the case of visitors, such as for a particular event, the paddler, parents or carer will usually be asked for permission to use their image via the event entry form or details
• Burton Canoe Club member’s permission will be sought through the Club membership form.
• Photographers approved by the Club will have clear proof of identification and such approval.
• Photography and video taken for the purposes of coaching and/or training will always be under the direction of a BCU qualified coach.
• Members taking and/or storing photographic images of Youth members of the Club should declare having a collection of such images to the Secretary, Event or Session Organiser, or the appropriate Coach Coordinator.
• The Secretary, Organiser, or Coach Coordinator will be responsible for recording the names of photographers in the ‘admin notes’ section of the Daily Diary.
• This policy is to be reviewed annually by the Club photographer and one of the Child Protection Officers.
• This policy takes effect as from 1st April 2004 and is not retrospective.
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