IBS CODES OF CONDUCT

The following Codes of Conduct adopted by the Club were last updated on 15/4/2011.

ATHLETE CODE OF CONDUCT

Compete for the “fun of it” and not just to please parents and coaches.
Play by the rules.
Do not argue with an official. If you disagree with a decision there are procedures, which should be followed to lodge your objection.
Control your temper. Verbal abuse of officials or other athletes, deliberately provoking an opponent and throwing equipment is not acceptable or permissible in any sport.
Be a good sport. Cheer all good performances.
Treat all people, as you would like to be treated. Do not interfere with, bully or take unfair advantage of another person.
Co-operate with your coach, club members, officials and opponents. Without them there would be no competition.

COACH CODE OF CONDUCT

Be reasonable in your demands on your athlete’s time, energy and enthusiasm.
Teach your athletes that rules of the competition are mutual agreements, which no one should evade or break.
Whenever possible, group athletes according to age, height, skills and physical maturity.
Avoid overworking the talented athletes. The “just average” athletes need, and deserve, equal opportunities.
Remember that juniors compete for fun and enjoyment and that winning is only part of their motivation. Never ridicule or yell at athletes for making mistakes or losing an event.
Ensure that the equipment and facilities meet the safety standards and are appropriate to the age and ability of the athlete.
The scheduling and length of training times and competition should take into consideration the maturity of the athlete.
Develop respect for the ability of opponents as well as for the judgment of officials and opposing coaches.
Follow the advice of a qualified medical practitioner when determining when an injured athlete is ready to recommence training/ competition.
Make a personal commitment to keep yourself informed of sound coaching principles and the principles of growth and development of children.
Abide by Athletics NSW sexual harassment and child protection policies.

PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT

If children are interested, encourage them to play athletics. If a child is not willing to play, do not force him or her.
Focus upon the child’s efforts and performances rather than the overall outcome of the event.
Teach children that an honest effort is as important as victory, so that the result of each event is accepted without undue disappointment.
Encourage children to always participate according to the rules.
Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or losing an event.
Remember that children learn best from example. Applaud good performances by all athletes, even if from other clubs.
If you disagree with an official, raise the issue through the appropriate channels, rather than question the official’s judgment and honesty in public. Remember, most officials volunteer their time for your child’s involvement.
Recognise the value and importance of volunteer coaches. They give their resources to provide recreational activities for your child’s involvement and deserve your support.
Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sporting activities.

SPECTATOR CODE OF CONDUCT

Athletes participate in organised sports for fun. They are not competing for the entertainment of the spectators only, nor are they “miniature” professionals.
Applaud all good performances and efforts by your club athletes and their opponents regardless of the competition’s outcome.
Show respect for your club’s opponents. Without them there would be no competition.
Respect the official’s decision. If there is a disagreement, follow the appropriate procedure in order to question the decision and teach athletes to do likewise.
Condemn the use of violence in any form, be it by spectators, officials or athletes.
Demonstrate appropriate social behaviour by not using foul language or harassing participants, coaches or officials.

CODE OF ETHICAL BEHAVIOUR FOR OFFICIALS

Athletics NSW believes that the responsibility for the ethical conduct of athletics in New South Wales rests equally with officials, athletes, administrators, coaches, spectators, parents and sponsors.

The duty of an official is to act as an impartial judge of an athletic competition.
This duty carries with it an obligation for the official to perform with accuracy, consistency, objectivity, and the highest sense of integrity.

Athletics NSW officials have the right to expect that:

Their health and safety are paramount
They are treated with respect and openness
They have access to self-improvement opportunities
They are appointed to a level of competition appropriate to their level of competence having at all times abided by the Code of Ethics.

OFFICIALS CODE OF ETHICS

The code of ethics provides a framework for a positive, safe and harassment free environment. As an official you should:

Assist in the safety and welfare of athletes.
Be a positive role model in behaviour and personal appearance.
Feel confident about what you are doing and the decisions you are making.
Value the individual.
Answer any and all questions asked of you by an athlete.
Use common sense to ensure that the “spirit of competition” is not lost.
Accept responsibility for all actions taken.
Be impartial and do not coach athletes whilst officiating.
Work as part of a team and follow instructions given by Competition Management, Referee or Chief.
Avoid any situation which may lead to a conflict or to a conflict of interest.
Be courteous, respectful and open to discussion and interaction.
Refrain from any form of personal abuse towards athletes and/or fellow officials.
Refrain from any form of harassment towards athletes and/or fellow officials.
Make personal commitment to keep yourself informed of required officiating protocols and up to date with the technical rules.

VENUE GUIDELINES

The Club and its members are also required to adhere to the following guidelines that were issued by the Management of the Beaton Park Leisure Centre.

KERRYN McCANN ATHLETIC CENTRE

Guidelines for the use of the track are displayed on the back of the grandstand. Please ensure you read and understand these prior to use.

GENERAL INFORMATION

·Patrons using the facility do so without direct supervision from Beaton Park Leisure Centre management. If you want advice on how to best use the facility please see reception for athletic clubs and contact names. By using this facility you accept that activities you may enter in to may cause injury or death.
All children under the age of 12 years must be accompanied and directly supervised by an adult at all times when undertaking track and field activities. Parents however must remain outside the track compound unless assisting coaches or using the facility for their own training.
Spectators should remain behind the spectator fence and MUST stay off the synthetic track and infield at all times.
The disabled toilet is available for your convenience. Additional amenities are located within the centre and pool areas.
The track is open during daylight hours and when the lights have been turned on. Do not utilise the track area once the lights have been turned off.
All patrons using this facility must first register at reception (except during exclusive hire periods). Casual and spectator fees must be paid prior to use and arm bands worn at all times by all participants on the track.

COACHING OF ATHLETES

All patrons coaching other patrons must hold current coaching qualifications. These must be provided to centre staff prior to coaching. Any patron coaching for a fee must pay the monthly coaches fee as set by Council.
Due to duty of care, unqualified parents may only coach their own children.
During training sessions, please do not have more than three (3) runners training abreast.

SYNTHETIC TRACK ACTIVITIES

The track and infield can be utilised by the public for track & field events only, unless prior arrangements are made with management.
To avoid collisions, please stay in one lane while running on the track. After completing a run, please move off the track (towards the outside) to allow a passage for other runners.
If you hear a runner behind you call out “track”, move to the lane on your right. This will allow the runner to pass through on your inside (left side).
On scheduled club competition days (with the exception of little athletics and carnivals who have exclusive use), please work in with club activities.
All runners need to be aware that lane barriers will close off No. 1 & 2 lanes completely during training times. This is to preserve the life of theses lanes. The barriers will only be opened during competition, carnival meets and designated bookings.

INFIELD ACTIVITIES

Do not enter the infield unless participating in or coaching specific field events, i.e. shot put, javelin, discus, long or high jump, pole vault, hammer throwing, triple jump.(Be aware of these activities at all times).
Throwers should always use the allocated designated throwing areas (shot put, discus, hammer, javelin areas) and ensure the area is clear of people before each throw. Warm ups should only be completed from the designated throwing areas.
If entering the infield ALWAYS look out for and check throwing cages and areas.
The infield should not be used to access the far side of the track.
The long/high jump areas are to be used for training and competition only. Under no circumstance should these areas be used for any other purpose (eg. sandpit for playing, high jump mats for sitting on). Jumpers should always check that the areas are free of any debris, obstacles etc. before attempting any jump. A rake should be used during training and competition to ensure that sand levels remain even in the long jump pit.
The long/high jump covers should be properly fixed into position after use.
Use of equipment (shot puts, javelins, hammers, high jump etc) is at the discretion of the Illawarra Regional Athletics Clubs (TIRAC). If you are over the age of 18 and a member of one of the local athletic clubs or a qualified athletics coach you can apply to TIRAC for acces to utilise their equipment. Please contact TIRAC on rperry2516@gmail.com for more information. Due to storage restrictions, no personal equipment can be stored on site.

USE OF SPIKED FOOTWEAR & STARTING BLOCKS

It is essential that all users of the athletics track adhere to the recommended spike length in respect to footwear. The maximum spike length is 7mm. (NOTE; A spike length of 9mm is allowed for the long and high jump areas only).
Individual starting blocks will NOT be able to be used (unless with direct permission from the Centre Management). Starting blocks are available at the reception desk. Starting blocks are only permitted to be used at designated starting areas only (eg the 2 X 60m, 100m, positions and the 200m & 400m start position).

STEEPLE CHASE

The steeple chase area is located at the railway line end. It contains a large hole, 0.55 metres deep; during competitions this may be filled with water. Please keep clear of this area unless involved in steeple chase training or competition.