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”