Child Welfare - Codes for Players / Parents
Young players can benefit greatly from sports in terms of personal development and enjoyment. As part of their development our players must be encouraged to realise that due to their participation they also have a responsibility to treat others with fairness and respect. With rights there will always be responsibilities.
When a young person signs a membership form as a player with Kilmacud they are agreeing to abide by this Code of Behaviour and to any other policies or codes in your Club and National Governing Body.
YOUNG PLAYERS should be entitled to:
- Be safe and feel safe.
- Have fun and experience a sense of enjoyment and fulfilment.
- Be treated with respect, dignity and sensitivity.
- Comment and make suggestions in a constructive manner.
- Be afforded appropriate confidentiality.
- Participate in games and competitions at levels with which they feel comfortable.
- Make their concerns known and have them dealt with in an appropriate manner.
- Be protected from abuse.
- Be listened to.
YOUNG PLAYERS should always:
- Play fairly, do their best and enjoy themselves.
- Respect fellow team members regardless of ability, ethnic origin, cultural background or religion.
- Support fellow team members regardless of whether they do well or not.
- Represent their team, their Club and their family with pride and dignity.
- Respect all coaches, mentors, officials and their opponents.
- Be gracious in defeat and modest in victory.
- Shake hands before and after a game, irrespective of the result.
- Ensure that their coach/mentor/manager is informed in advance if they are unavailable for training and games.
- Know that it is acceptable to talk to the Club or juvenile Section Children's Officer with any concerns or questions they may have.
- Adhere to acceptable standards of behaviour.
- Tell somebody else if they or others have been harmed in any way.
- Take due care of Club equipment.
YOUNG PLAYERS should never:
- Cheat - always play by the rules.
- Shout at or argue with a game's official, with their coach, their team mates or opponents and should never use violence.
- Use unfair or bullying tactics to gain advantage or isolate other players.
- Spread rumours.
- Tell lies about adults or other young people.
- Play or train if they feel unwell or are injured.
- Use unacceptable language or racial and/or sectarian references.
B: Code of conduct for Parents
Parents/Guardians
Parents/Guardians have an influential role to play in assisting and encouraging their children to fully participate in Gaelic Games, whether it is when they are playing our games or attending training or coaching sessions. They should act as role models for their children as they participate in Gaelic Games.
Parents/Guardians should encourage their child to:
- Always play by the rules.
- Improve their skills levels.
- Appreciate everybody on their team, regardless of ability.
- Maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle with regard to exercise, food, rest and play.
Parents/Guardians should lead by example:
- Adopt a positive attitude to their children's participation in our games.
- Respect officials' decisions and encourage children to do likewise.
- Do not exert undue pressure on your child.
- Never admonish your own child or any other child for their standard of play.
- Be realistic in your expectations.
- Show approval for effort, not just results.
- Avoid asking a child or young person,'How much did you score today?' or 'What did you win by? or What did you lose by?' Ask them 'Did they enjoy themselves?'
- Never embarrass a child or use sarcastic remarks towards a player.
- Applaud good play from all teams.
- Do not criticise playing performances. Identify how improvements may be made.
- Do not seek to unfairly affect a game or player.
- Do not enter the field of play unless specifically invited to do so by an official in charge.
Parents/Guardians must:
- Complete and return the registration/permission and medical consent forms for their child's participation in the Club.
- Inform the coaches, and any other relevant Club personnel, of any changes in their child's medical or dietary requirements prior to coaching sessions, games or other related activities.
- Ensure that their child punctually attends, coaching sessions, games or other related activities.
- Provide their child with adequate clothing and equipment as may be required for the playing of our games, including for example helmets, shin guards, gum shields etc.
- Ensure that the nutrition/hydration and hygiene needs of their child are met.
- Listen to what their child may have to say.
- Show approval whether the team wins, loses or draws a game.
- Never attempt to meet their own needs and aspirations for success and achievement through their children's participation in games.
Parents/Guardians should assist the club by:
- Showing appreciation to volunteers, mentors and Club officials.
- Attending training and games on a regular basis.
- Assisting in the organising of Club activities and events as requested.
- Respecting the rights, dignity and worth of every person and by treating each one equally regardless of age, gender, ability, ethnic origin, cultural background or religion.
Parents/Guardians have the right to:
- Know their child is safe and to make a complaint if they believe that their child's safety is in any way compromised.
- Be informed of problems/concerns relating to their child by their team manager.
- Be informed if their child gets injured.