BRFC Youth > Policies etc
This page contains four of our Policy statements:
CHILD PROTECTION, EQUITY, ANTI-BULLYING & PHOTOGRAPHY
Brixham Youth RFC Child Protection Policy
At Brixham Youth RFC we believe that taking part in our sport should be a positive and enjoyable part of childrens lives.We want to make sure that children are protected and kept safe from physical, sexual and emotional harm while they are with the clubs coaches, helpers and other volunteers.To achieve this aim we will apply the following guidelines:
1. All coaches and volunteers who have contact with our children will complete an RFU enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check. We will maintain records to keep these checks up to date.
2. All coaches will be encouraged to complete RFU coaching courses at an appropriate level. The club will support coaches by keeping them informed of courses available within our region and paying course fees.
3. We will encourage at least one coach per age group to attend the Sports Coach UK Good Practice and Child Protection Course.
4. We will expect each coach to stay up to date with rugby, coaching and child protection issues.
5. Our Youth Registration Officer, working alongside Team Managers, will ensure all our players are registered with Devon RFU.
6. Our Child Protection Officer will be the initial point of contact to deal with any concerns regarding physical, sexual or emotional abuse within the club.
7. All coaches and volunteers will abide by RFU policies and the clubs constitution and rules, including our Good Coaches Code of Conduct (see attached).
8. As a club we will promote fair play and always play within the spirit of the laws and the letter of the Continuum.
Equity Policy Statement
Brixham Youth RFC 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, recognizing 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 the 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
BRIXHAM RFC ANTI-BULLYING POLICY
It is the policy of the Club to protect children and young people under the age of 18 playing youth rugby from possible bullying.The Club takes the problem of bullying seriously.
Bullying is not always easy to define, can take many forms and is usually repeated over a period of time.Bullying is not limited to an adult bullying a young person; it is often the case that the bully is a young person. There are three main types of bullying:
Physical (eg hitting, kicking, theft)
Verbal (eg racist or homophobic remarks, threats, name calling)
Emotional (eg persistent negative feedback, isolating an individual from activities).
All of these will include:
Deliberate hostility and aggression towards a victim
A victim who is weaker and less powerful than the bully or bullies
An outcome which is always painful and distressing to the victim.
Bullying behaviour may also include:
Other forms of violence
Sarcasm, spreading rumours, persistent teasing or theft
Tormenting, ridiculing, humiliation
Racial taunts, graffiti, gestures
Unwanted physical contact or abusive or offensive comments of a sexual nature.
The competitive nature of rugby union makes it a potential environment for the bully.
This may manifest it self in some of the following ways:
A parent who pushes too hard
A coach who adopts a win at all costs philosophy
A player who intimidates others
An official who is over officious.
In the first instance, incidents of bullying should be reported to the Club via its Child Protection/Welfare Officer.
Club members must be alert to the signs of bullying and refer cases promptly.
Failure to respond to incidents may be interpreted as condoning the behaviour the Club wishes to avoid giving this impression to bullies and victims alike.In the event of an incident of bullying being reported to the Club, the Club will
Investigate the incident
Talk separately to the those accused of bullying and their alleged victims.
On completion of the investigation the Club will decide on appropriate action, such as (but not limited to):
Obtaining an apology from the bully(ies) to the victim(s)
Informing the parents of the bully(ies)
Insisting on the return of items borrowed or stolen
Insisting the bully(ies) compensate the victim(s)
Holding Club or age group discussions about bullying
Provide support for the lead coach of the victim(s)
Brixham Youth RFC Photo and Video Policy
The English RFU has approved an overarching policy on photos and videos and our clubs policy is derived from these requirements and is set out below.
1.Circumstances
The Club has identified the following circumstances under which photographic images of junior or mini players may be taken. This is meant to be an indicative list of circumstances provided for guidance and is not exhaustive or complete:-
Video coaching session for training purposes
Action shots General photos of players during a game
Team photographs posed group photos
Awards and ceremonies
Press coverage - local newspapers and specialist rugby press
Tours & festivals at other clubs & grounds (Subject to Host clubs policy when away)
2.Permission
All parents/guardians to be asked to sign a form approving the taking and use of photos, videos etc. Those taken or used by Brixham Youth RFC itself being in accordance with full RFU guidelines (see Child Protection Policy). The Club will not be responsible for photographs/videos taken or used by any third parties
.3.Exceptions
If a parent/guardian chooses not to sign the declaration or changes their mind at a later date, then the Club reserves the right not to allow the relevant player to participate in events where they could be expected to be photographed/videoed. The Club may consider allowing the relevant player to participate provided their parent/guardian is present throughout and undertakes to supervise and monitor such child for the purposes of photos/videos. If the parent or guardian is unable to prevent unauthorised photographs/videos and is unhappy about this, they should immediately withdraw their player from the match concerned.
4.Other Clubs
In the case of other clubs with whom the Club comes into contact (matches, festivals etc), the Club will advise them that they should not allow their players to participate unless they have either parental approval in respect of photographs or, absent that, an adult or guardian assigned to monitor such child as mentioned in section 3 above.
5.Monitoring
Generally, the Club wishes to make it clear both to parents/guardians of its own players and also to other clubs that it will not be providing any photo-monitors for the purposes of controlling the taking of photographs or videos by third parties and if this causes concern to parents/guardians or to other clubs they will need to make their own provision.
The Brixham Youth RFC Parental Declaration on Photography and Video
Player(s)Name :
.. Age Group :
.......
Name :
.. Age Group :
.......
Name :
.. Age Group :
.......
Parental Declaration:
I
.. Parent/Guardian/Carer of the above Brixham Youth RFC Player/s have been made aware of the RFU and Club Policy on the taking of photographs and video recordings. I hereby give my permission for my child/children to be photographed/videoed in accordance with that policy and I confirm that I am legally entitled to give this consent.I also confirm that
.. (name(s) of child) is/are not the subject of any court order. I acknowledge that if I later change my mind I can withdraw my permission at any time and my child/children will be treated in accordance with Para. 3 above of the club policy.
Signed:
..Date:
Filed with other permissions: date: