Over the years Coalville Basketball Club has built an excellent reputation due to the hard work of many people. This has been possible by achieving high standards of administration and sporting behaviour both on and off the basketball court.

Coalville Basketball Club follows the Code of Conduct guidelines from the sports governing body:-

ENGLAND BASKETBALL CODE OF ETHICS & CONDUCT

This Code applies to all those involved in the sport of Basketball at every level under the jurisdiction of England Basketball, including players, match officials, coaches, administrators, club officials, or spectators. All such individuals have a responsibility to act according to the highest standards of integrity, and to ensure that the reputation of Basketball is beyond reproach. Allegations of a child protection nature relating to the breaking of this Code must follow the reporting procedures as contained in regulation 7.0 (Appendix C). All other allegations not within the ambit of the England Basketball Child Protection Policy and Procedures should be addressed by the internal rules of the other host organisation concerned.

Those involved in Basketball must respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person, player and non-player alike, treating everyone equally within the context of the game. In particular, to be aware of the special needs of young people and vulnerable adults, their wellbeing, including difficulties or possible abuse experienced from within the game or from other sources. The sport has a duty to ensure that every child and young person or vulnerable adult involved in the game of Basketball is able to participate in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from abuse.

England Basketball is committed to maintaining the highest possible standards of behaviour and conduct at all Basketball games and events.


EQUITY
England Basketball is opposed to discrimination of any form and will promote measures to prevent discrimination, in whatever form, from being expressed. All those involved in Basketball must respect the rights and choices of all human beings, treating everyone equally and sensitively regardless of their gender, race, ethnic origin, cultural background, sexual orientation, religious beliefs or political affiliation.

The following codes of conduct must be adhered to at all times so that Basketball can be enjoyed by all.


COACHES
Introduction
This code is an England Basketball Coach Education Programme policy within which an accredited Basketball Coach MUST WORK. It should be used in conjunction with ALL other England Basketball/Coaching policies, procedures or recognised standards.

Through this code, coaches who are affiliated to England Basketball accept their responsibility to sports performers and their parents and families, to coaching and to England Basketball Associated Governing Bodies, employers and all other colleagues.

Humanity
The coach must respect the rights and choices of all human beings, treating everyone equally and sensitively regardless of their gender, race, ethnic origin, cultural background, sexual orientation, religious beliefs or political affiliation.

Relationships
The good Basketball Coach is concerned with:

· the safety, well being and protection of all individuals in their charge, ensuring that all training and playing demands are not detrimental to the social, emotional, intellectual and physical needs of the individual;

· encouraging independence through guiding performers to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance within training and competition;

· ensuring their behaviour is not misconstrued or open to allegations of favouritism, misconduct or impropriety, particularly where physical contact between coach and performer is necessary within coaching practice;

· ensuring performers and relevant people are aware of their qualifications and experience, respecting the rights of performers to choose to consent or decline to participate within coaching or playing situations;

· refraining from public criticism of other coaches, or match officials - the definition of public in this instance means criticism expressed before, during and after a game and in any branch of the media or in a lecture or seminar.

Integrity
The good Basketball Coach:

· abides by the rules of England Basketball;

· follows fair play and ethical guidelines;

· ensures all practices are suitable and relevant dependent upon the age, maturity, experience and ability of performers;

· promotes the prevention and education of the misuse of performance enhancing drugs and illegal substances;

· coaches must accurately present and evidence, upon request, details of their training qualifications and services;

· coaches claiming an affiliation, sponsorship or accreditation with any organisation should do so in a truthful and accurate manner;

· all coaches must declare, to the appropriate body, any criminal convictions;

· Coaches working under the jurisdiction of England Basketball will only coach individuals that are registered / affiliated to England Basketball.

Confidentiality
The coach and performer must reach agreement about what is to be regarded as confidential information. Confidentiality does not preclude disclosure of information to persons who can be judged to have a right to know.
For example:

· evaluation for selection purposes;

· recommendations for employment;

· in matters of discipline within the sport;

· in matters of disciplinary action by a sports organisation against one of its members;

· legal and medical requirements;

· recommendations to parents/family where the health and safety of performers might be at risk;

· in pursuit of action to protect children, young people and vulnerable adults from abuse.

Personal Standards
Basketball coaches within the coaching/playing environment must not attempt to exert undue influences and pressures in order to obtain personal benefit or reward.
Coaches must display high personal standards that project a favourable image of Basketball including:

· good personal appearance that projects an image of health, cleanliness and functional efficiency;

· coaches should never smoke when in the coaching environment.

· coaches should refrain from drinking alcohol to the extent that it is:

· obvious they have been drinking;

· affects their coaching competence;

· compromises performers safety.

Competence
All coaches must be appropriately qualified as per the requirements of the England Basketball Coach Education Programme. Coaches should regularly seek ways of increasing their personal and professional development. Coaches must be receptive to employing systems of evaluation that include self-evaluation and also external evaluation in an effort to assess the effectiveness of their work.
Coaches must be able to recognise and accept when to refer or recommend performers to other coaches or
structures. It is the coach’s responsibility as far as possible to:

a) verify the competence of the performer;
b) verify the competence and integrity of any other persons or structure to which they refer the performer.

Safety
Within the limits of their control coaches have a responsibility to:

· establish a safe working environment;

· ensure as far as possible the safety of the players with whom they work;

· protect children and vulnerable adults from harm and abuse;

· fully prepare their players for the activities and make them aware of their personal responsibility in terms of safety;

· ensure all activities undertaken are suitable for the experience and ability of the performers and in keeping with the approved practices as determined by England Basketball and in particular England Basketball Coach Education Programme;

· Communicate and co-ordinate with registered medical and ancillary practitioners in the diagnosis, treatment and management of their performers’ medical and psychological problems.

Approaching young players already registered with another club
Coaches should note that it is poor practice to make direct contact with a junior player currently not registered to your club with a view to them joining your club or to play for you in another tournament or competition, including representative teams. Coaches are reminded of the correct procedure to be followed when contacting young players.

EB is keen to safeguard the welfare of young players’ and to respect their individual rights and any contact from a third party should be made in the first instance via the player’s current club/coach prior to contacting the players’ parents/guardians, and the contact should only be for legitimate basketball reasons.

Equally, it is essential that anyone holding personal information about young players respects the confidentiality of such information and does not disclose this without the proper authority.

Complaints Procedure
Any individual or organisation wishing to make a complaint against a Basketball Coach, within the context of this code should follow the procedure below:

· report the matter to the employer of the sports coach and to the relevant Basketball Governing Body responsible for that area of the game.

N.B. (Employer in this instance refers to the organisation that commissioned the coach to do the coaching whether this engagement is paid or unpaid)

· complaints that refer to the protection of children and vulnerable adults should be dealt with in accordance with the procedures laid down in the England Basketball Child Protection Policy and Procedures.

The England Basketball Coach Education Programme’s Code of Ethics and Conduct closely follows the model produced by Sports Coach UK.


PLAYERS
· Treat everyone equally and sensitively regardless of their gender, race, ethnic origin, cultural background, sexual orientation, religious beliefs or political affiliation;

· All non-combatants of the playing teams, e.g. the bench, players who have been fouled out, should never re-enter the court unless otherwise authorised;

· Know and abide by the Laws, rules and spirit of the game;

· Avoid all forms of gamesmanship and time wasting;

· Safeguard the physical fitness of opponents, avoid violence and rough play and help injured opponents;

· Accept the decisions of the match officials without question or complaint (let your captain or coach ask the necessary questions) and avoid words or actions which may mislead a Match Official;

· Respect the match officials at all times;

· Exercise self-control at all times and do not use illegal or dangerous tactics;

· Give maximum effort and strive for the best possible performance during a game, even if the team is in a position where the desired result has been achieved;

· Learn to accept success and failure, victory and defeat with humility and dignity respectively and without excessive emotional displays;

· Abide by the instructions of the coach and club officials provided they do not contradict the spirit of this code;

· Treat your team-mates and opponents, coaches, club officials and match officials with respect and consideration at all times - treat them, as you yourself would like to be treated;

· Do not attempt to improve individual performance by the use of banned substances or banned techniques;

· Do not use foul, sexist or racist language at any time;

· Work equally hard for yourself and your team - your team’s performance will benefit and so will your own.

· Be a good sport, applaud all good performance, whether by your team or by the opponent;

· Remember that the aim of sport is to have fun, improve your skills and feel good;

· At the end of play applaud and thank your opponents and the match officials.


SPECTATORS
· Remember the players are taking part for their enjoyment not yours. In the majority, they are not paid professionals;

· All spectators, on no account, must enter the court unless authorised otherwise;

· Be on your best behaviour. Do not use foul, sexist or racist language or harass players, coaches or match officials;

· Verbal abuse of players or match officials is not acceptable in any shape or form;

· Show respect for opponents and match officials. Without them there would be no game;

· Acknowledge good performance and fair play by opponents as well as by your own team;

· Condemn the use of violence in all forms;

· Do not ridicule players who make mistakes;

· Do not over emphasise the importance of winning.


PARENTS
· Teach your child to treat everyone equally and sensitively regardless of their gender, ethnic origin or cultural background;

· Do not force an unwilling child to take part in Basketball;

· Encourage your child always to play by rules and to respect the match officials;

· Young people and vulnerable adults are involved in organised sport for their enjoyment - not yours;

· Never ridicule or shout at your child for making a mistake or losing a game;

· Teach your child that effort and teamwork are as important as victory, so that the result of each game is accepted without undue disappointment;

· Support all efforts to remove verbal, physical and racist abuse from Basketball;

· Turn defeat into victory by helping young people and vulnerable adults towards skill improvement and good sportsmanship;

· Remember that young people and vulnerable adults learn best by example;

· Do not question publicly the judgement of match officials and never their honesty;

· Recognise the value and importance of volunteer coaches and administrators - they give their time, energy and resources to provide recreational activities for your child;

· Insist on fair and disciplined play - do not tolerate foul play, cheating, foul, sexist or racist language;

· As a spectator you must never enter the court.


MATCH OFFICIALS
· Must treat everyone equally and sensitively, regardless of their disability, gender, ethnic origin, cultural background, sexual orientation, religion, age or political affiliation;

· Be consistent, objective, impartial and courteous when applying the rules of the game. England Basketball does not advise that match officials travel alone with young people (under the age of 18) and vulnerable adults to games. We advise you always have another adult with you at all times;

· Compliment both teams on good play when the opportunity arises;

· Use common sense to ensure that the spirit of the game is not lost;

· Encourage both teams to play within the rules and the spirit of the game;

· Show patience and understanding towards players who may be learning the game;

· Make every effort to prepare fully for a match, both physically and mentally. On a physical level, a referee must be able to keep up with the speed of the modern game, and be alert and close enough to take correct decisions from credible locations on the court;

· Not be afraid to take decisions. Referees and umpires should be fair and firm and must resist any possible influence from protests on the part of players, team officials or spectators;

· Show respect towards players and team officials;

· Be honest and completely impartial at all times, irrespective of the teams, players or team officials involved in the match;

· Decline to be appointed to a match if not completely physically or mentally fit to referee that match (because of illness, injury, or for family or other reasons);

· Inform the person or body directly responsible if unable to referee a team or teams for any reason.

· Refrain from requesting hospitality of any kind, or accept any hospitality offered and considered to be excessive;

· Always have regard to the best interests of the game, including where publicly expressing an opinion on the game or any particular aspect of it, including others involved in the game;

· Not tolerate foul, sexist or racist language from players and/or officials;

· The powers of a referee and umpire must be used with wise judgement and care. Authority and a firm approach must be combined with respect;

· Referees and umpires should have regard to protecting the players by enforcing the laws of the game.

· Referees and umpires should show due respect when speaking with the players, even in the event of infringements;

· In reports, a referee should set out the true facts and not attempt to justify any decisions;

· Referees and umpires should refrain from publicly expressing any criticism of fellow referees and umpires;

· Referees and umpires should assist with the development of less experienced referees and umpires.


CLUB OFFICIALS
· Must treat everyone equally and sensitively regardless of their gender, race, ethnic origin, cultural background, sexual orientation, religious belief or political affiliation;

· Accept the special role that you have to play in the establishment of standards by setting a good example of behaviour and conduct at all times;

· Do not manipulate the rules in order to benefit yourself personally or your club;

· Encourage all players and coaches to abide by the rules and spirit of the game;

· Do not use foul, sexist or racist language;

· Use your official position to take action against spectators who harass, abuse or use foul, sexist or racist language towards players, match officials or coaches;

· Ensure that proper supervision is provided by suitably qualified coaches and officials who are capable of promoting good sporting behaviour and good technical skills;

· Ensure all equipment and facilities meet safety standards;

· Respect the rights of other clubs;

· Show respect to match officials, coaches, players and others involved in the game;

· Not endeavour to influence the result of a game by any actions that are not strictly within the rules of the game;

· Remember sport is enjoyed for its own sake - play down the importance of awards;

· Always have regard to the best interests of Basketball, including where publicly expressing an opinion of the game and any particular aspect of it, including others involved in the game;

· Resist all illegal or unsporting influences, including banned substances and techniques.

· Promote ethical principles;

· Accept the decisions of the Match Officials without protest;

· Avoid words or actions, which may mislead a Match Official.


AREA PERFORMANCE CENTRES (APC’s)
· All coaches working within the APC’s must be CRB checked. In addition all participants at APC’s must be registered as players with England Basketball.