Southend Swifts 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 and understanding for the safety and welfare of others.

COACHES & OFFICIALS  should 

§              Consider the wellbeing and safety of participants before the development of performance.

§                  Develop an appropriate working relationship with participants, based on mutual trust and respect.

§                 Make sure all activities are appropriate to the age, ability and experience of those taking part.

§                  Promote the positive aspects of the sport (e.g. fair play).

§                 Display consistently high standards of behaviour and appearance.

§                  Follow all guidelines laid down by the national governing body and the club.

§                  Hold appropriate valid qualifications and insurance cover.

§                  Never exert undue influence over performers to obtain personal benefit or reward.

§                  Never condone rule violations, rough play or the use of prohibited substances.

§                  Encourage participants to value their performances and not just results.

§                  Encourage and guide participants to accept responsibility for their own performance and behaviour 

               PLAYERS

·         must play within the rules and respect officials and their decisions.

·         must respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of age, gender,    ability, race, cultural background or religious beliefs or sexual identity.

·         should keep to agreed timings for training and games or inform their coach if they are going to be late.

·         must wear suitable kit for training and match sessions, as agreed with the coach.

·         must pay any fees for training or events promptly.

·         are not allowed to smoke on club premises or whilst representing the club at games or competitions.

·         are not allowed to consume alcohol or drugs of any kind on the club premises or whilst representing the club. 

PARENTS

·         Encourage your child to learn the rules and play within them.

·         Discourage unfair play and arguing with officials.

·         Help your child to recognise good performance, not just results.

·         Never force your child to take part in sport.

·         Set a good example by recognising fair play and applauding 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.

·         Encourage and guide performers to accept responsibility for their own performance and behaviour.

·         At training sessions you are welcome to watch but please do so from a vantage point outside the playing area for your own safety and that of the players and coaches.

·         When spectating, please support and encourage the team and avoid any personal comments to players, coaches, officials or other spectators before, during or after the game

·         Accept the coach’s decisions about who will play and for how long, these decisions are based on many factors but are solely the coach’s

·         Please do not smoke or consume alcohol or drugs on the club premises  

Members 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 Paul May or Stephen Pearl.

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY 

Southend Swifts Basketball Club wholly endorses and implements England Basketball’s Child Protection Policy & Procedures 2005. The full details of this policy can be found on  the England Basketball Website – www.englandbasketball.co.uk. 

All those adult members of Southend Swifts Basketball Club who are responsible for the supervision and management of all basketball players under the age of 18 years in the Club will ensure that all those players are: 

• allowed access to the game in a way that is appropriate for their age and ability;
• coached and trained by appropriately qualified people;
• not required to play in so many games, or to attend training sessions, as to become a threat to their well being;
• not subjected to verbal or racial abuse from any source, especially from the bench and spectator gallery, including references to height, weight etc.;
• not subjected to bullying or undue pressure from any source;
• encouraged to achieve their full potential at all levels;
• instructed on how to behave, both on and off the court;
• afforded respect, confidentiality and privacy in a playing and training situation and any other Basketball environment.

When coaching and training young players the Club coaches will: 

• always ensure that the environment in which they train and play is safe and open
• treat all children and young people equally, and with respect and dignity;
• always put the welfare of each child and young person first, before winning or achieving goals;
• build balanced relationships based on mutual trust which empowers children and young people to share in the decision-making process;
• make sport fun, enjoyable and promote fair play;
• keep up to date with the technical skills, qualifications and insurance in basketball;
• be an excellent role model - this includes not smoking or drinking alcohol in the company of children and  young people and to promote a healthy lifestyle;
• give enthusiastic and constructive feedback rather than negative criticism;
• recognise the developmental needs and capacity of children and young people – avoiding excessive training or competition and not pushing them against their will;
• contact the parents as soon as possible if there is an injury;
• provide first aid equipment and ensure there is a first aider present at all training sessions and games;
• keep a written record of any injury that occurs, along with the details of any treatment given;

If any parent has any concern about the way their child is being treated or has a concern about the behaviour of any club coaches or officials with regard to child protection issues then they must contact the Club’s Child Welfare Officer – Paul May (07767 768440) and fully report their concerns. The Club’s Welfare Officer will deal with the matter as soon as possible and at the latest within 7 days of receipt of the report.