Code of Conduct for Sports Leaders

Code for Tennis and Squash Leaders

Sports Leaders play a vital role in children’s sport. The national governing bodies, the Branches, the Clubs and other Stakeholders, should ensure that the work of Leaders is guided by this safeguarding guidance and best practice whist also recognising that they are entitled to obtain a healthy sense of achievement and satisfaction through their involvement in children’s tennis.

In order to act as a role model and to promote their safety and the safety of young people the Sports Leader should:

Create a safe and enjoyable environment for children by:

• Planning and preparing appropriately and be positive during children’s activities.
• Making sure all levels of participation should be enjoyable and fun.
• Prioritising skill development and personal satisfaction over highly structured competition.
• Ensuring age and level of play appropriate and realistic challenges are set for all young participants.
• Avoiding favouritism
• Praising and encouraging effort as well as results.
• Showing respect for all involved, children and adults.

Recognise and ensure the welfare of children by:

• Not exposing a child to criticism, hostility or sarcasm.
• Never swearing at, ridiculing, shouting unnecessarily or arguing with a child.
• Being aware of the Tennis Ireland Long Term Player Development Pathway and a child’s developmental needs at each stage of the programme.
• Working in an open environment.
• Ensuring there is adequate supervision.
• Implementing Tennis Ireland and Sqush Ireland Policy on away trips.
• Involving and updating parents, especially if a problem has arisen.
• Respecting a child’s sensitivity.
• Never using physical punishment or force.
• Not using verbal or physical punishments or exclusion for mistakes.

Additional Information:

• Do not allow or engage in bullying behaviour, rough physical games, sexually provocative games, never allow or engage in inappropriate physical contact of any kind or make sexually suggestive comments about or to a child.
• Co-operate with the recommendations from medical and ancillary practitioners in the management of a child’s medical or related problems. You may request a certificate of medical fitness to ensure safe continued participation.
• Avoid carrying out any medical testing or giving advice of a personal or medical nature if not qualified to do so or undertake any form of therapy in the organisation of children’s activities. Any such activity, if qualified, must only be with parent/guardian consent and the understanding of the child.
• Keep any information in relation to a child/young person of a personal or medical nature strictly confidential unless the welfare of the child requires the passing on of this information on a need to know basis.
• Never exert undue influence over a participant in order to obtain personal benefit or reward.
• The acknowledgement of the use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco is incompatible with a healthy approach to sporting activity and must be discouraged. Avoid the use of alcohol at all times whilst responsible for young people e.g. organised play, events and on trips with young people