Sports Coach Code of Conduct

As a Wychavon District Council Sports Development Coach you must be committed to providing a quality service for developing sport for young people in Wychavon. Coaches must also be committed to personal development and take advantage of training opportunities provided.

The Coach must at all times:

• Ensure they portray a smart professional appearance, wearing any appropriate clothing supplied by Sports Development.
• Ensure they are wearing identification, supplied by Wychavon District Council.
• Complete any administrative duties including facility and safety checks, checks on first aid procedures, the registration and collection of any necessary fees and the collection and safety of any equipment and resources required.
• Always behave in a manner that will uphold the good reputation of Wychavon District Council.
• Ensure they have adequate insurance cover, through their National Governing Body (NGB) or other appropriate organisation (those employed by the council are covered through the councils scheme)
• Ensure they are CRB checked and cleared.
• Ensure they have and keep up to date any appropriate sports qualifications.
• Ensure they have attended or are committed to attending additional courses that form part of the minimum operating standards. Including the following:

               Safeguarding and Protecting Children
               Equity in your Coaching
               How to Coach Disabled Children in Sport
               First Aid

Additional Courses to include:

              Introduction to Long Term Athletic Development (LTAD)
              Introduction to the FUNdamentals of Movement
              Multi-DSkills Clubs in Practice

• Thoroughly plan, prepare and evaluate all coaching sessions delivered.

Prior to a coaching session the coach must:

• Establish who else is on site in case of an emergency and how best to contact them should the need arise. This is especially relevant for after school extra curricular sessions.
• Be Prepared. If a session is due to start at 2pm then you must be ready to start the session at 2pm having already completed the necessary safety checks / risk assessment and set up all the relevant equipment ready for the session.

When leading a session the coach is responsible for:

• Ensuring the delivery of safe and enjoyable sessions
• Adhering to the Code of Ethics for coaches
• Promoting the Fair Play message in ALL sessions
• Promoting School Club Links

On the completion of a course / project the coach must:

• Return all equipment, resources and clothing borrowed
• Personally complete ant evaluation forms and/or distribute and collect any participant evaluation forms
• Provide feedback to Sports Development

The Responsible Sports Coach

• Sports Coaching helps the development of individuals through improving their performance.
• Identifying and meeting the needs of individuals.
• Improving performance through a progressive programme of safe, guided practice, measured performance and/or competition.
• Creating an environment in which individuals are motivated to maintain participation and improve performance.
• Be aware of the Wychavon Child Protection Policy

Coaches should comply with the principles of good ethical practice listed below:

• Coaches must respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person and treat everyone equally within the context of their sport.
• Coaches must place the well being and safety of the performer above the development of performance.  They should follow all guidelines laid down by the sports governing body and hold appropriate insurance cover.
• Coaches must develop an appropriate working relationship with performers (especially children), based on mutual trust and respect.  Coaches must not exert undue influence to obtain personal benefit or reward.
• Coaches must encourage and guide performers to accept responsibility for their own behavior and performance
• Coaches should hold up-to-date and nationally recognized governing body coaching qualifications.
• Coaches must ensure the activities they direct or advocate are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of the individual.
• Coaches should, at the outset, clarify with performers (and where appropriate with their parents) exactly what is expected of them and what performers are entitled to expect from their coach.  A contract may sometimes be appropriate.
• Coaches should co-operate fully with other specialists (e.g. other coaches, officials, sports scientists, doctors, and physiotherapists) in the best interests of the performer.
• Coaches should always promote the positive aspects of their sport (e.g. fair play) and never condone rule violations or the use of prohibited substances. Coaches must consistently display high standards of behavior and appearance.
• Sports Coaching helps the development of individuals

The Roles and Responsibilities Of a Wychavon District Council Sports Coach

As a Wychavon District Council Sports Development Coach you must be committed to providing a quality service for developing sport for young people in Wychavon.  Coaches must also be committed to personal development and take advantage of training opportunities provided.

The coach must at all times:

• Ensure they portray a smart professional appearance, wearing any appropriate clothing supplied by Sports Development.
• Ensure they are wearing identification, supplied by Wychavon District Council.
• Complete any administrative duties including facility and safety checks, checks on first aid procedures, the registration and collection of any necessary fees and the collection and safety of any equipment and resources required.
• Always behave in a manner that will uphold the good reputation of Wychavon District Council.
• Ensure they have adequate insurance cover, through their National Governing Body (NGB) or other appropriate organization (those employed by the council are covered through the Councils scheme).
• Thoroughly plan, prepare and evaluate all coaching sessions delivered.

Prior to a coaching session the coach must:

• Establish who else is on site in case of an emergency and how best to contact them should the need arise.  This is especially relevant for after school extra curricular sessions.
• Be prepared.  If a session is due to start at 2pm then you must be ready to start the session at 2pm having already completed the necessary safety checks / risk assessment and set up all the relevant equipment ready for the session.

When leading a session the coach is responsible for:

• Ensuring the delivery of safe and enjoyable sessions
• Adhering to the Code of Ethics and Conduct for coaches
• Promoting the Fair Play message in ALL sessions

On the completion of a course/project the coach must:

• Return all equipment, resources and clothing borrowed.
• Personally complete any evaluation forms and/or distribute and collect any participant evaluation forms.
• Provide feedback to Sports development.

Further Information

If you have any questions regarding Sports Coaching please contact:

Mark Williams,
Sports Development Officer,
Telephone: 01386 565229 - between 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday
Email: mark.williams@wychavon.gov.uk