Code of Conduct for Garden City Runners members

As a responsible member you will:

  • Follow the run leader and coaches’ instructions
  • Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every member, coach, technical official and others involved in running and treat everyone equally.
  • Uphold the same values of sportsmanship off the field as you do when engaged in running.
  • Cooperate fully with others involved in the sport such as coaches, technical officials, team managers, doctors, physiotherapists, sport scientists, medical personnel and representatives of the club in the best interests of the yourself and other members.
  • Consistently promote positive aspects of the sport such as fair play and never condone rule violations or the use of prohibited or age-inappropriate substances.
  • Anticipate and be responsible for your own needs including being organised, having the appropriate equipment and being on time.
  • Inform your coach of any other coaching that you are seeking or receiving.
  • Always thank the coaches and officials who enable you to participate in running.
  • Treat your fellow club members with respect.
  • Refrain from causing harm, either physical or mental, to other club members.
  • Challenge anyone whose behaviour falls below these standards and those of UK Athletics welfare policies
  • Report any suspected misconduct by other coaches to the Club’s Welfare Officers in the first instance

As a responsible member, when participating in or attending any running activities, including training/coaching sessions and competition events you will:

  • Endeavor to perform to the best of your ability
  • Act with dignity and display courtesy and good manners towards others
  • Not bring the club into disrepute
  • Avoid swearing and abusive language and irresponsible behaviour including behaviour that is dangerous to yourself or others, acts of violence, bullying, harassment and physical and sexual abuse
  • Challenge inappropriate behaviour and language by others
  • Never engage in any inappropriate or illegal behaviour
  • Avoid destructive behaviour and leave running venues as you find them
  • Not carry or consume alcohol to excess and/or illegal substances.
  • Avoid carrying any items that could be dangerous to yourself or others excluding training equipment used in the course of your running activity

In addition, members, especially young members and vulnerable adults, should follow these guidelines on safe participation in running:

  • Notify a responsible adult if you must go somewhere (why, where and when you will return)
  • Do not respond if someone seeks private information unrelated to membership such as personal information, home life information
  • Strictly maintain boundaries between friendship and intimacy with a coach or technical official
  • Never accept lifts in cars or invitations into homes on your own without the prior knowledge and consent of your parent/carer
  • Use safe transport or travel arrangements
  • Report any accidental injury, distress, misunderstanding or misinterpretation to your parents/carers and club Welfare officer as soon as possible.
  • Report any suspected misconduct by coaches or other people involved in the club to the club welfare officer as soon as possible

Reviewed October 2019 by Brad Smith