Derry Track Club
Mission Statement
Derry Track Club exists for the enjoyment of athletics by its athletes, its coaches, officials, mentors and their families. The personal development of the athlete is considered to be of paramount importance and given priority to athletic achievement.
A. Code of Conduct
- Following a trial period of no more than six weeks, all athletes must register with the club in order to participate in club activities. Each athlete is subject to six months probation.
- Anyone absent from the club for a period of more than six weeks without communicating with the officials will have their membership terminated.
- Appropriate club clothing when possible must be worn for training sessions.
- Athletes are expected to arrive on time and ready for training sessions.
- No athlete under 18 years is permitted to leave training without specific permission from a coach or club official.
- Courtesy must be shown at all times to coaches, club officials, parents, guardians and fellow athletes including other those belonging to other clubs.
- Every athlete is entitled to enjoy his/her activity free of intimidation. No bullying, racism, violence or threat of violence, foul or sectarian language or practical jokes that demean the victim will be accepted in any circumstance. (This also applies to activities on social media and activities away from the club sessions).
- Club officials and athletes should report all disciplinary matters to the club’s disciplinary committee. The committee’s decision on any disciplinary actions to be taken will be final.
- Alcohol, drugs, gambling and smoking are strictly forbidden either at training or during travel to or during competition.
- Athletes must respect the decision of the coaches. They have the final decision concerning training and team selections.
- Athletes are responsible for their own possessions. The club cannot accept responsibility for items mislaid or stolen.
- Respect must be shown for the property of the club. Juvenile athletes are reminded that their parents/guardians may be responsible for the cost of repair or replacement of club property that has been deliberately damaged by them.
- Safety rules for the proper use of equipment must be adhered to at all times.
B. Club Activities and Competition
- Wear the official Derry Track Club clothing and singlet or crop top whilst representing the club.
- Give a commitment to the club to be present at the appointed time and place for such activities/competitions.
- Be modest in victory and gracious in defeat. Shake hands after an event regardless of who wins.
- Learn in advance the rules governing their chosen event.
- Be aware that breaches of the code of behavior may result in athletes/teams being withdrawn from training and/or competitions.
- Note that a serious breach or repeated infractions of the Code of Conduct may result in an athlete being expelled from the club.
C. Parents/Guardians
- Have all athletes present in time for training sessions.
- Arrange for the prompt collection of athletes at the end of training sessions.
- Ensure your child attends athletics because they want to and not because it is your desire.
- Ensure your child understands and agrees to comply with the club Code of Conduct and those of Athletics Northern Ireland concerning training and competitions.
- Set a good example by acknowledging the effort and sportsmanship of other athletes.
- Not place emphasis on winning at all costs.
- Treat all other parents/guardians other athletes and officials of the club with respect.
- Respect the decision of the coaches. They have the final decision concerning training techniques and team selections.
- Not interfere with coaches during training. You are encouraged to voice any queries/concerns/grievances that you may have with a coach at the end of the training session. Such discussions are not to be held in the presence of any athlete.
- Contact the club’s child welfare officer if they feel their child is being treated unfairly. The welfare officer is obliged to bring these concerns before the committee for discussion. The welfare officer is obliged to communicate the committee’s decisions regarding the matter with the parent/guardian.
D. COMMUNICATION POLICY
Our commitment
Electronic communication is essential for sharing club news and information with our members.
Our communication will be timely, appropriate and related to club business.
What we will do
We use a range of electronic tools to communicate with our members.
Our communication will protect members’ privacy, maintain clear boundaries and ensure that
bullying and harassment does not occur.
A social media manager will be appointed to provide accountability and control over material published on our club’s website and any related discussion groups or social media websites, such as Facebook, YouTube or Twitter.
Website
• Our website will include selected current information on competitions, social events, committees, policies, constitution, rules and by-laws.
• No offensive content or photos will be published.
• If we intend to publish a photo of a child, we will first seek permission from his or her parents and take care not to provide identifying information.
• We will seek feedback from members to improve the information available on the site.
SMS and email
Committee members, coaches and team managers may use SMS and email to provide information about competition, training, club-sanctioned social events and other club business, however:-
• SMS messages should be short and about club/team matters
• email communication will be used when more information is required
• communication involving children will be directed through their parents.
Social media websites
• We treat all social media postings, blogs, status updates and tweets as public ‘comment’.
• Postings (written, photos or videos) will be family-friendly and feature positive club news and events.
• No personal information about our members will be disclosed.
• No statements will be made that are misleading, false or likely to injure a person’s reputation.
• No statements will be made that might bring our club into disrepute.
• Abusive, discriminatory, intimidating or offensive statements will not be tolerated. Offending posts will be removed and those responsible will be blocked from the site.
• Members will not be allowed to promote anything other than club business or information on any athletics events through social media. Should any member wish to promote any outside body or event they should contact the committee for permission first.
What we ask you to do
We expect our members to conduct themselves appropriately when using electronic communication to share information with other members or posting material on public websites connected to the club.
Electronic communication:
• should be restricted to club matters