Codes of Conduct

What does County Antrim Harriers expect from you?

1. Arrive on time to all sessions you wish to participate in having accepted the appropriate Clubforce invite.
2. Respect the club officials, coaches in run fitness, leaders in run fitness, volunteers, and their decisions.
3. Appropriate dress including hi visibility clothing and appropriate footwear. A body/head torch during the winter months is particularly useful. (Don’t forget that sometimes you might arrive when it is quite warm, but as the sun goes down it can get quite cold, so don’t forget to bring warm clothes for the end of the evening).
4. Bring a bottle of water if you can carry it to make sure you have something to drink as it’s important to stay hydrated throughout physical exercise. This is particularly important for improvement sessions and all sessions in hot weather.
5. Let the coaches/run leader know if you have any injury or illness that might affect you taking part.
6. When the coach is explaining something, you should listen to them and make sure you know what you have to do.
7. We encourage all members to give their all to each session in particular at the improvement sessions.
8. Members should carry a mobile phone in-case of emergency. Don’t use your mobile phone during training sessions unless it is an emergency.
9. Follow the highway code on all running routes especially in the summer months.
10. Be courteous to other members of the community. Do not force members of the public off footpaths or public walkways.
11. Do not wear headphones during sessions.
12. Don’t do anything that might cause possible danger to others.
13. Don’t do anything that might prevent anyone else from enjoying the session. If anyone is found bullying or being unkind to others, they will be asked to leave the group.
14. Look out for your fellow runners including those non-members when out on sessions and at races. Run in groups if possible.
15. Actively participate in club sessions and activities.
16. Attend the AGM
17. Most importantly you must have fun!

What can you expect from County Antrim Harriers?

1. We will do our very best to stick to the programme planned out, but sometimes circumstances beyond our control that mean we have to change our plans.
2. We will risk assess each session to ensure members safety.
3. We will treat everybody fairly and try to make sure everyone has a good time.
4. We will explain what we expect you to do and why.
5. We will encourage you to do your very best.

Codes of Conduct – Coaches

All of our coaches in run fitness and leaders in run fitness follow codes of conduct laid down by UK Athletics and Athletics NI - See Appendix 1. Essentially, they set out rules which we follow to ensure the safety and security of everyone involved with the club. The essence of good ethical conduct and practice is summarised below.

All coaching volunteers will:

• Treat all athletes with equal respect and dignity.
• Put the welfare and safety of the athletes above all else.
• Treat each other with respect.
• Arrive to all sessions in good time.
• Always ask permission before touching an athlete.
• Listen and act upon any concerns brought to them by an athlete.
• Display consistently high standards of behaviour and appearance and conduct themselves in a professional manner.
• Conduct sessions with enthusiasm and promote the positive aspects of training.
• Be appropriately qualified for their role and keep their licence and accessNI checks up to date.
• Ensure that the sessions they conduct are appropriate to the age, ability, and experience of those taking part.
• Coaches and leaders should encourage athletes that they are responsible for their own health, safety, performance, and behaviour.
• Follow all guidelines laid down by the UK Athletics/Athletics NI and the club.
• Encourage participants to value their performances and not just results.

Codes of conduct – Athletes

As a responsible athlete you will: 

• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every athlete, coach, technical official and others involved in athletics and treat everyone equally.
• Cooperate fully with others involved in the sport such as coaches, technical officials, and representatives of the governing body in the best interests of yourself and other athletes.
• Consistently promote positive aspects of the sport such as fair play and never condone rule violations or the use of prohibited substances.
• Anticipate and be responsible for your own needs including being organised, having the appropriate equipment and being on time.
• Always thank the coaches and officials who give up their time to facilitate the sessions.

As a responsible athlete, when participating in or attending any athletics activities, including training/coaching sessions and competition events you will: 

• Act with dignity and display courtesy and good manners towards others.
• Do nothing to bring the club into disrepute.
• Avoid swearing and abusive language and irresponsible behaviour including behaviour that is dangerous to yourself or others, acts of violence, bullying, harassment, and physical and sexual abuse.
• Challenge inappropriate behaviour and language by others
• Never engage in any inappropriate or illegal behaviour
• Avoid destructive behaviour and leave athletics venues as you find them.
• Not carry or consume alcohol to excess and/or illegal substances whilst on training or a race.
• Avoid carrying any items that could be dangerous to yourself or others excluding athletics equipment used in the course of your athletics activity.

Appendix 1 – UK Athletics/Athletics NI Codes of Conduct Coaches