Twickenham Rugby Football Club

Club Equity Policy

Twickenham Rugby Football Club Rugby 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, recognising 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 a 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.

Mini and Juniors - Code of Conduct

Twickenham Rugby Football Club Rugby is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of all its members. The club believes that it is important that members, coaches, administrators and parents associated with the club should, at all times, show respect. You are encouraged to be open at all times and to share any concerns or complaints that they may have about any aspect of the club with either Gareth Clissold (Minis Chair), Andy Rees (Juniors Chair), Brendan O’Sullivan (Child Welfare Officer) or any other Member of the Executive Committee if your issues are still not resolved).
As a member of Twickenham Rugby Football Club Rugby you are expected to abide by the following junior club rules:

• Play because you want to – not to please parents or coaches.
• Skill development, fun and enjoyment are the most important part.
• Never argue with the referee.
• Play well for yourself and your team. Understand the importance of team loyalty.
• It is a ‘team’ game! It is very rewarding to play rugby with your mates. Don’t try and grab all the glory yourself.
• Be a good sport; recognise all good play whether by your own team or your opponents win or lose.
• If you lose, accept it with good grace and try harder next time.
• Treat all players as you would like to be treated; do not show off, do not interfere with, bully or take unfair advantage of any player.
• Be attentive at all training and coaching sessions.
• Play by the Laws of the game and accept without question, the referee’s decision.
• Wear your Club kit with pride and remember that you are a representative of the club when you are wearing it.
• We do not accept bad behaviour or bad sportsmanship or any breach of the above codes.
• Where necessary, internal disciplinary hearings will be held with the parent and child present.
• Control your temper.
• Listen to your coaches and referees, work with teammates. Without them and your opponents, you cannot play!

Additional Junior Players Codes of Conduct

• All members must play within the rules and respect officials and their decisions.
  All members must respect opponents.
• Members should keep to agreed timings for training and competitions or inform their coach or team manager if they are going to be late.
• Members must wear suitable kit (boots with safety studs, mouth guards, and club kit) for training and match sessions, as agreed with the coach/team manager.
• Members must ensure that they bring adequate water for rehydration during training sessions.
  Members must pay any fees for training or events promptly.
• Junior members are not allowed to smoke on club premises or whilst representing the club at competitions.
• Junior members are not allowed to consume drugs of any kind on the club premises or whilst representing the club.

Parents / Carers Code of Conduct

• Encourage your child to learn the laws and play within them.
• Discourage unfair play and arguing with officials.
• Help your child to recognise good performance and playing fairly, not just results.
• Never force your child to take part in sport; they should play for their enjoyment not yours.
• Never ridicule or yell at your child for making mistakes.
• Support and encourage your child. Console them when they lose, but encourage them to try harder next time.
• Set a good example by recognising fair play and applauding the good performances of all.
• Never punish or belittle a child for losing or making mistakes.
• Publicly accept officials’ judgements.
• Support your child’s involvement and help them to enjoy their sport.
• Use correct and proper language at all times.
• Do not question a referee or a linesman’s judgement or their honesty. There is no place for ‘touchline rage’ in mini or junior rugby.
• Breaches of the above could result in your membership being withdrawn.
• Support all efforts to remove verbal or physical abuse from junior rugby.
• Report anything that concerns you to the Chairman of the Mini or Junior Section.
• Help the club function properly by turning up on time with the appropriate kit.
• Be prepared to help out if asked.

Value the importance of the volunteer coaches. They give up their time to provide recreation for your child. Support their decision when your child has not been selected for a game. If you have issues with the way a coach is performing, talk to them first. Refer any issues to the Chairman of the Mini or Junior section.

Coaches Code of Conduct

• Young players develop at different times; provide experiences matched to the player’s ages and abilities, as well as their physical and mental development.
• Don’t overload young players with demands, technical information and tactics – remember they are children and they are playing rugby for fun.
• Ensure youngsters are coached in a safer environment with first aid to hand.
  Avoid the overplaying of the best players, by using a squad system which gives every player satisfactory playing time.
• Winning isn’t everything – teach your players to enjoy taking part and performing to the best of their ability. Encourage each player to reach his or her potential.
• Never question an official’s judgement or honesty.
• Coaches behaviour should be exemplary at all times, ensuring that players and parents have a good role model which practically demonstrates and supports the Codes of Conduct.
• Never allow a player to train or play when injured.
• Ensure supervision of players, on and off the field.
• Never abuse, yell, criticise or ridicule children for making mistakes or losing a game.
  Recognise that young players should never be exposed to extremes of temperature, or unacceptable risk of injury.
• Be aware of and abide by, the policies and procedure outlined in the Club's RFU/Sport England Child Protection policy.
• Be organised – establish a structure for the season, prepare a coaching plan for each session, have the appropriate kit. Above all, communicate to players, parents and fellow coaches to set expectations.
  Make sure players develop an understanding of the laws of the game, that they respect opponents, teammates, coaches and officials.
• Coaches working with players up to the age of 12 must follow the guidelines laid down by the RFU Rugby Continuum. CRB clearance is compulsory.
• Coaches working with players 13+ must be aware of the law variations, according to the RFU Rugby Continuum. CRB clearance is compulsory.
• Qualification at RFU 1st 4 Sport National NVQ Level 1 and above is mandatory for Head Coaches. Assistant coaches will need to working towards this, or have also passed this award.
• Ensure players and parents behaviour is appropriate and in keeping with the spirit of the game and the expectations of the club.

Mini / Junior Guiding Principles

Responsibilities of Parents, Coaches, Managers and Helpers
Under guidance from Middlesex Rugby Football Union, Coaches, Managers and Helpers cannot take legal responsibility or act in parentis loco for players whose parent or guardian leaves them during a session. Therefore parents cannot treat the club as a crèche and must remain responsible at all times.

Child Protection

All coaches, helpers and parents will be vetted as a condition of joining Twickenham RFC Mini and Junior section. Failure to agree to this requirement will automatically lead to their application for membership being rejected. Any suspicious incident must be reported immediately to the Chairman.

Management and Coaches

Twickenham RFC Mini and Junior section is run by a Management Team consisting of the Officers of the individual sections. Decisions of the Management Team are final in the operation of each section. Parents, guardians and carers are encouraged to raise any issue with the Officers or the Management Team, which meets monthly. Lead coaches are to be supported in their leadership of their age group. Any issues regarding a child (health, attendance etc) should be brought to the Lead Coach’s attention. Lead coaches have the final say in selection matters and the organisation of the age group. Parents must accept the decisions of Lead Coaches graciously. Any of the Officers may be consulted should a parent have any issue with a Lead coach / coach.

Behaviour

Players and supporters of any Twickenham RFC team are expected to uphold the traditions of the game in terms of behaviour and generosity to all players and officials. Specifically players and supporters must not question the decisions of match officials. Swearing and abuse is specifically discouraged. Players, coaches and parents will be reprimanded for foul language and inappropriate behaviour, resulting ultimately in expulsion from the club, at the discretion of the Management Team.

Club Support and Communication

The Mini and Junior sections are run on a volunteer basis. All parents and guardians are expected to support the club by actively participating in the functioning of the club helping with organising an age group, coaching if qualified, organising social events, tour preparation and other activities as requested. Club communication is principally by email, via the club website www.twickenhamrugby.co.uk or by telephone. Parents must notify the registration secretary of any changes to their email and home address.

Club Premises

Parents and guardians are responsible for their children at all times. Specifically all parents, guardians and children must abide by the rules of Twickenham RFC. No one will be allowed into the bar area in muddy clothing. Changing facilities and showers are available and must be used if a child is to enter the clubhouse. Entry will be refused at the discretion of Twickenham. Whilst on club premises all club members are expected to behave courteously to fellow users of the club. Parents and guardians are responsible for their child’s safety on club premises and should acquaint themselves and their child with the hazardous areas, e.g. stairs, doors and car park.

Fees

Parents or guardians must promptly pay for registration fees. There are registration days on where all registration fees should be paid. In cases of difficulty in paying the fees, please consult the Treasurer or Chairman, where alternative methods of payment such as monthly standing orders or direct debits will be considered.

Mini / Junior Safety Guidelines

Medical Consent

Should a parent or guardian not be present when a child suffers an injury, then you consent to your child being taken to hospital and receiving medical treatment if this, in the opinion of a coach or qualified First Aider, is considered the appropriate action.

Tetanus Injection

Middlesex RFU recommends that, if not already done so, mini and junior players should have a preventative course of tetanus injections.

Severe Weather Clothing

Parents or guardians are responsible for ensuring players come adequately equipped to cope with the weather conditions that can occur during the winter months. Additional clothing, gloves, hats and waterproof equipment should be available.

Gum shields / Mouth guards

Twickenham RFC mini and junior section considers gum shields mandatory and should be obtained as soon as possible. Alternatively gum protectors may be purchased from the club shop. Players will not be allowed to take part in training sessions or matches if not wearing a gum protector / shield unless the parent or guardian specifically accepts the risk of so doing.

Protective Equipment

Boots and shin guards are advised. Boots should be worn in match conditions. All other safety equipment must carry the ‘IRB approved’ label or it will be deemed to breech the IRB standards and will not be allowed to be used.

Boot Studs

Studs with jagged edges pose a serious danger to other players particularly in the older age groups where there is more likelihood of players lying on the ground. Only studs conforming to BS6366 1983 or equivalent are allowed. All aluminium studs are acceptable and can be purchased from the club shop. Studs should be examined regularly to ensure there are no missing studs or rough edges.