Coaches, Instructors & Officials Policy

Our Commitment

Sapphire Gymnastics Club will:

1. Not condone, or allow to go unchallenged, any breaches of these Standards of Conduct.
2. Report any serious breaches of British Gymnastics’ policies or standards and not take or threaten any action to discourage or penalise any other member from doing so.

Personal Behaviour

1. Display high personal standards, moderate and responsible behaviour and a favourable image that is befitting to their role in the sport at all times.
2. Not behave or conduct themselves in any manner which could bring the sport of gymnastics, British Gymnastics, its Affiliated Associations or Registered Clubs into disrepute or damage the reputation of British Gymnastics.
3. Dress appropriately, with safety considerations in mind and within the accepted traditions of the sport.
4. Not consume alcohol or substances which may impact judgement, performance or behaviour before or whilst coaching, instructing or officiating; in excess at any gymnastics event; before driving on gymnastics business; or while under the age of 18 during a gymnastics event or trip.
5. Not smoke whilst coaching, instructing or officiating.
6. Not make offensive or abusive remarks or jokes, derogatory comments, suggestive comments, use unnecessary aggression or intimidation, engage in malicious gossip or call people by offensive nicknames within the gymnastics environment.
7. Not carry out unwelcome flirting, sexual advances or unnecessary touching within the gymnastics environment.
8. Not bully, harass or discriminate against an individual or group of people as a direct or indirect result of their gender reassignment, age, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, marriage or civil partnership.
9. Not cause offence or intimidation through non-verbal conduct and refrain from gestures that could be offensive.
10. Not display offensive or inappropriate pictures, objects, written material, including slogans on clothing, tattoos, graffiti, flags, badges or social media posts.

Confidentiality

1. Respect the confidentiality of information provided to them concerning participants or fellow coaches, instructors and officials, subject to any safeguarding requirements.

Competitions & Events

1. Accept success and failure, victory and defeat, with dignity.
2. Treat participants and others attending any gymnastics event with dignity and respect.
3. Not question the decisions of officials except through accepted procedures, and ensure that differences of opinion or conflicts in respect of competition decisions are dealt with through proper and accepted processes.
4. Not take bribes, bet on, attempt to manipulate results or be involved in any other form of corruption in relation to gymnastics competitions.

Safeguarding

1. Not abuse or misuse any relationship of trust or position of power or influence.
2. Report promptly any concerns, or present evidence or other information concerning any abuse or neglect of a child or adult at risk, or other matter within the scope of the British Gymnastics Safeguarding Policy, and provide full particulars of the matter to British Gymnastics.
3. Cooperate fully with British Gymnastics and other relevant authorities when requested to disclose documents, provide evidence or other information, and provide a written statement in connection with any investigation by British Gymnastics or another authority.
4. Not victimise, attempt to victimise or encourage the victimisation of any individual, or their parents, guardians or dependants, for raising concerns or making a complaint.
5. Inform British Gymnastics if they are arrested for or charged with a criminal offence.
6. Inform British Gymnastics of any criminal conviction, caution or warning issued by the police.
7. Complete a British Gymnastics Criminal Records check as described in the Criminal Record Checks Policy and Guidelines document.

Misrepresentation

1. Not misrepresent their qualifications, registrations, affiliations or professional status.
2. Not claim to represent Great Britain, the United Kingdom or British Gymnastics without the written permission of British Gymnastics.
3. Not claim to represent any of the Home Countries without the written permission of the applicable Home Country Association.

Coaching

1. Hold British Gymnastics coaching, instructing or judging qualifications appropriate to the activities their gymnasts are performing, and only coach, instruct or officiate over those disciplines, skills and activities for which they are both qualified and capable.
2. Not disparage or intimidate gymnasts or seek to poach gymnasts from their Primary Club.
3. Accept responsibility for the conduct of gymnasts coached or instructed by them.
4. Not compromise gymnasts by advocating measures that contravene competition rules in order to gain an unfair advantage.
5. Not coach or instruct a gymnast without prior agreement from the gymnast’s own coach or instructor. Where a gymnast or their parents request agreement for additional or alternative coaching, this agreement shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Acceptance of membership of a squad will imply agreement to be trained by other coaches.
6. If coaching or instructing services are requested by a gymnast from another club, discuss the matter with that club and the gymnast’s own coach or instructor.
7. Not discuss the performance of a gymnast during a competition within earshot of any coach, gymnast or member of the public.