Codes of Good Conduct for Coaches and Officials
Codes of Conduct will ensure that all children and young people and the individuals who work with them will enjoy the game in a safe environment.
When working with young people coaches and officials must adopt the following guidance:
1. They must always be publicly open when working with young people. They must avoid situations where the adult and an individual child are alone and/or unobserved, e.g. individual skill session after a team training session. They must work in pairs and never alone with a group or individual.
2. Rugby is a physical game. Situations will occur when, in order to teach or coach certain techniques, it is necessary to make contact with the player. However the following must apply:
Parents and young players must be made aware of situations in which this may happen when they join the club.
Physical handling must only be used for safety reasons or where there is no other way of coaching the technique and always with the permission of the child/young person and their parent/carer.
3. Any contact or touching which is inappropriate (not directly related to the coaching context) or is aggressive is poor practice and is unacceptable.
4. If groups are to be supervised in changing rooms, always ensure that individuals work in pairs, and that gender is appropriate.
Children/young people must not change at the same time or in the same place as adults.
5. Where mixed teams compete away from home they must always be accompanied by at least one male and one female adult.
6. Volunteers and professionals must respect the rights, dignity and worth of all and treat everyone with equality.
7. Coaches must place the well-being and safety of the player above the development of performance. This means that coaches must adhere to the following guidelines:
Avoid overplaying of players (particularly talented players). All players need and deserve equal opportunity to play and to rest.
Remember that children/young people play for fun and enjoyment and that winning is only a part of it.
Motivate youngsters through positive feedback and constructive criticism.
Ensure that contact skills are taught in a safe, secure manner paying due regard to the
Never allow young players to train/play when injured. If unsure, err on the side of caution.
Ensure equipment and facilities are safe and appropriate to the age and ability of the players.
8. At least one coach per age group must hold a current RFU coaching award or a recognised award. All other coaches should hold a current RFU coaching award or be working towards one.
9. Coaches must keep up-to-date with knowledge and technical skills and should be aware of their own limitations. Coaches must only work within the limitations of their knowledge and qualifications.
10. Coaches must ensure that the activities which they direct or advocate are appropriate to the age, maturity and ability of the players.
11. Coaches, managers, volunteers and parents must always promote the positive aspects of their sport (e.g. fair play), and never condone law violations or use of prohibited substances.
12. Coaches and team managers must consistently display high standards of personal behaviour and appearance.
13. Coaches, volunteers and parents must never overtly criticise players or use language or actions which may cause the player to lose self esteem or confidence.
14. Young people must not be allowed to drink alcohol or encouraged to drink alcohol if they are under the legal age to do so.