RFU Child Protection Guidelines for Coaches & Match Officials

 When refereeing young players match officials and coaches should:

• Recognise the importance of fun and enjoyment when officiating young players

• Provide verbal feedback in a positive way during games

• Appreciate the needs of the players

• Be a positive role model

• Recognise that safety is paramount

• Explain decisions – most young players are still learning

• Do not tolerate verbal abuse

 Coaches and Officials should not:

• Change in the same area as young players

• Shower with young players – agree with the coaches a timetable

• Be alone with young players at any time – if a young player comes into the dressing room ensure another adult is present

• Check studs without the coach being present

• Allow a young player to continue playing if you have doubts about their fitness

• Tolerate bad language from young players

• Engage in any inappropriate contact with young players

• Give a lift to a player unless there are other young people or adults in the car and the parents are aware

• Take a young player to your home

• Overtly criticise young players or use language which may cause the player to lose confidence or self esteem

• Make sexually explicit remarks to young players even in fun

 Coaches and Officials must always

• Report, in writing, to the Club or CB Welfare Officer and/or Society Secretary, behaviour by adults which you feel contravenes RFU Child Protection Policy

• Verbal bullying by coaches/parents/spectators

• Physical Abuse by coaches/parents/spectators

• Inappropriate or aggressive contact by an adult to a young person

• Verbal abuse directed at you by young people or adults

REMEMBER:

 “The welfare of all young people is paramount”