BALLYCASTLE TENNIS CLUB
VOLUNTEERING POLICY AND VOLUNTEERS CODE OF CONDUCT
VALUES
1. Ballycastle Tennis Club values the involvement of volunteers in our club and recognises volunteers as a core part of our team.
2. Insofar as the Club benefits from the skills, experience and enthusiasm of volunteers, we believe that volunteers should be able to gain personal benefits from the experience too.
3. The Club is committed to ensuring equality of access to volunteering opportunities and equality of treatment for our volunteers
PREPARATION AND PLANNING
4. The Club identifies roles for volunteers which extend the opportunities for members at all levels to enjoy playing tennis and being members of the club.
5. All volunteers are provided with details of the tasks and duties required to fulfil their role.
6. All volunteers are covered by public liability insurance.
7. The Club endeavours to provide adequate facilities and resources to enable volunteers to fulfil their roles
RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION
8. Volunteer opportunities are widely promoted throughout the Club.
9. All potential volunteers must attend an informal chat/interview to assess whether the opportunity matches the potential volunteer’s skills. Additional measures may be implemented depending on the nature of the volunteer role.
MANAGEMENT OF VOLUNTEERS
10. All volunteers are properly briefed about the role to be undertaken and given all the necessary information to enable the volunteer to carry out the role with confidence.
11. Volunteers can contact the activity organiser at any time for further guidance and support.
Code of Conduct for Volunteers
Volunteers involved in sport for young people have a great opportunity to be a positive role model and help build an individual’s confidence.
Volunteers are expected to:
Ensure the safety of all children by careful supervision, proper pre- planning of coaching sessions, using safe methods at all times.
Consider the wellbeing and safety of participants before the development of performance.
Encourage and guide participants to accept responsibility for their own performance and behaviour.
Treat all young people equally and ensure they feel valued. Have no favourites.
Encourage all children not to discriminate on the grounds of religious beliefs, race, gender, social classes or lack of ability.
Not allow any rough or dangerous play, bullying, or the use of bad language or inappropriate behaviour.
Appreciate the efforts of all young people and not over-train the young people. Never exert undue influence over performers to obtain personal benefit or reward.
Be positive, approachable and offer praise to promote the objectives of the club at all times.
Not let any allegations of abuse of any kind to go unchallenged or unrecorded if appropriate. Incidents and accidents to be recorded in the club incident/accident book. Parents will be informed.
Report accidents or incidents of alleged abuse or poor practice to the designated person.
Administer minor first aid in the presence of others and where required refer more serious incidents to the
club "first aider".
Have access to telephone for immediate contact to emergency services if required.
Foster team work to ensure the safety of youth members in their care.
Ensure the rights and responsibilities of youth members are enforced.
Not abuse members physically, emotionally or sexually.
Maintain confidentiality about sensitive information.
Respect and listen to the opinions of young people.
Take time to explain coaching techniques to ensure they are clearly understood.
Develop an appropriate working relationship with participants, based on mutual trust and respect.
Be a role model, displaying consistently high standard of behaviour and appearance (disciplined/committed/time keeping), remember children learn by example.
Refrain from smoking and consumption of alcohol during club activities or coaching sessions.
Never condone rule violations, rough play or the use of prohibited substances.
Protect themselves from false accusation:
Not spending excessive amounts of time alone with children away from others
Never taking children to their home
Not administering First Aid involving the removing of children’s clothing unless in the presence of others
Hold appropriate valid qualifications and insurance cover.
Make the sport/activity fun.
Volunteers have a right to:
· Access ongoing training and information on all aspects of leading/managing activities for youths, particularly on safeguarding.
· Support in the reporting of suspected abuse.
· Access to professional support services.
· Fair and equitable treatment by the governing body/club.
· Be protected from abuse by children/youths, other adult members and parents.
· Not to be left vulnerable when working with children.
· A proper description of the tasks and duties required to fulfil their role.
Any misdemeanours and general misbehaviour will be dealt with immediately and reported verbally to the designated person. Persistent breach of the code will result in dismissal from the club/sport.
Dismissals can be appealed by the coach/volunteer with final decisions taken by the club committee or referred to the governing body depending on the disciplinary procedures within the sport.
Emergency Action/First Aid
All coaches, leaders and members should be prepared with an action plan in the event of an emergency and be aware of our First Aid Procedures.
This will include: Access to First Aid equipment
Telephone contact if the participant is a minor
Telephone contact to the Emergency Services
VOLUNTEERING POLICY AND VOLUNTEERS CODE OF CONDUCT
VALUES
1. Ballycastle Tennis Club values the involvement of volunteers in our club and recognises volunteers as a core part of our team.
2. Insofar as the Club benefits from the skills, experience and enthusiasm of volunteers, we believe that volunteers should be able to gain personal benefits from the experience too.
3. The Club is committed to ensuring equality of access to volunteering opportunities and equality of treatment for our volunteers
PREPARATION AND PLANNING
4. The Club identifies roles for volunteers which extend the opportunities for members at all levels to enjoy playing tennis and being members of the club.
5. All volunteers are provided with details of the tasks and duties required to fulfil their role.
6. All volunteers are covered by public liability insurance.
7. The Club endeavours to provide adequate facilities and resources to enable volunteers to fulfil their roles
RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION
8. Volunteer opportunities are widely promoted throughout the Club.
9. All potential volunteers must attend an informal chat/interview to assess whether the opportunity matches the potential volunteer’s skills. Additional measures may be implemented depending on the nature of the volunteer role.
MANAGEMENT OF VOLUNTEERS
10. All volunteers are properly briefed about the role to be undertaken and given all the necessary information to enable the volunteer to carry out the role with confidence.
11. Volunteers can contact the activity organiser at any time for further guidance and support.
Code of Conduct for Volunteers
Volunteers involved in sport for young people have a great opportunity to be a positive role model and help build an individual’s confidence.
Volunteers are expected to:
Ensure the safety of all children by careful supervision, proper pre- planning of coaching sessions, using safe methods at all times.
Consider the wellbeing and safety of participants before the development of performance.
Encourage and guide participants to accept responsibility for their own performance and behaviour.
Treat all young people equally and ensure they feel valued. Have no favourites.
Encourage all children not to discriminate on the grounds of religious beliefs, race, gender, social classes or lack of ability.
Not allow any rough or dangerous play, bullying, or the use of bad language or inappropriate behaviour.
Appreciate the efforts of all young people and not over-train the young people. Never exert undue influence over performers to obtain personal benefit or reward.
Be positive, approachable and offer praise to promote the objectives of the club at all times.
Not let any allegations of abuse of any kind to go unchallenged or unrecorded if appropriate. Incidents and accidents to be recorded in the club incident/accident book. Parents will be informed.
Report accidents or incidents of alleged abuse or poor practice to the designated person.
Administer minor first aid in the presence of others and where required refer more serious incidents to the
club "first aider".
Have access to telephone for immediate contact to emergency services if required.
Foster team work to ensure the safety of youth members in their care.
Ensure the rights and responsibilities of youth members are enforced.
Not abuse members physically, emotionally or sexually.
Maintain confidentiality about sensitive information.
Respect and listen to the opinions of young people.
Take time to explain coaching techniques to ensure they are clearly understood.
Develop an appropriate working relationship with participants, based on mutual trust and respect.
Be a role model, displaying consistently high standard of behaviour and appearance (disciplined/committed/time keeping), remember children learn by example.
Refrain from smoking and consumption of alcohol during club activities or coaching sessions.
Never condone rule violations, rough play or the use of prohibited substances.
Protect themselves from false accusation:
Not spending excessive amounts of time alone with children away from others
Never taking children to their home
Not administering First Aid involving the removing of children’s clothing unless in the presence of others
Hold appropriate valid qualifications and insurance cover.
Make the sport/activity fun.
Volunteers have a right to:
· Access ongoing training and information on all aspects of leading/managing activities for youths, particularly on safeguarding.
· Support in the reporting of suspected abuse.
· Access to professional support services.
· Fair and equitable treatment by the governing body/club.
· Be protected from abuse by children/youths, other adult members and parents.
· Not to be left vulnerable when working with children.
· A proper description of the tasks and duties required to fulfil their role.
Any misdemeanours and general misbehaviour will be dealt with immediately and reported verbally to the designated person. Persistent breach of the code will result in dismissal from the club/sport.
Dismissals can be appealed by the coach/volunteer with final decisions taken by the club committee or referred to the governing body depending on the disciplinary procedures within the sport.
Emergency Action/First Aid
All coaches, leaders and members should be prepared with an action plan in the event of an emergency and be aware of our First Aid Procedures.
This will include: Access to First Aid equipment
Telephone contact if the participant is a minor
Telephone contact to the Emergency Services