Sunderland RFC Coaches Code of Conduct
U7 to U18
The essence of ethical conduct and good practice is summarised below.Full details can be obtained via www.rfu.com/regulations and www.rfu.com/welfare
All Coaches of young people must:
•Consistently display high standards of personal behaviour and appearance.
•Discharge legal & moral duty of care ensuring safety and welfare of young people.
•Ensure that the activities which they direct or advocate are age appropriate and within physical and mental capability and ability of the players.
•Ensure all young players are coached and play in a safe environment, with access to first aid at all times, and that equipment and facilities are safe and appropriate to the age of the player.
•Avoid overplaying young players by using a squad system. All players need and deserve equal amounts of playing and rest time.
•Plan, prepare and deliver progressive structured training programmes in preparation for and during the season in line with RFU continuum for U7’s to U12’s and the RFU/W Structured Season for U13’s to U18’s.
•Hold the current RFU coaching award or be working towards one.
•Be prepared to attend CPD courses and ensure that their knowledge and technical skills are up to date and in line with RFU philosophy and must always work within the limitations of their knowledge. www.rfu.com/coach
•Only physically handle young people for safety reasons where there is no other way of coaching a technique, and always with the permission of the child / young person and their parent or carer. Any contact or touching which is inappropriate or is aggressive is poor practice and unacceptable.
•Motivate youngsters through positive feedback and constructive criticism during coaching sessions and games.
•Never overtly criticise players or use language or actions which may cause the young player to lose confidence or self esteem.
•Allow young players to develop, not being afraid to make a mistake or to make their own decisions on the pitch.
•Remember that children and young players play for fun and enjoyment, winning is only a part of it. Keep winning and losing in perspective - encourage young players to behave with dignity in all circumstances; win with modesty, lose with dignity.
•Respect all referees and officials and accept their decisions. Lead by example and ensure players, parents and volunteers recognise and display similar conduct.
•By example promote the spirit within which the game must be played & supported.
•Never condone law violations use of foul language or use of prohibited substances.

Coaches of Young People:
•Must always be publicly open when working with young people, avoiding situations where the adult and an individual child are alone and/or unobserved.
•Work in gender appropriate pairs if supervising groups in changing rooms. Ensure young people and adults never change at the same time or in the same place. •Ensure young players are supervised at all times both on and off the field.
•Never expose young players to extremes of heat, cold, or unacceptable risk of injury.
•Never allow a young player to train or play when injured.
•Abide by RFU & Club procedures for taking young people on tour, home OR abroad.
•Never allow or encourage a young player to drink alcohol if they are under the legal age to do so.

Note: All coaches must be members of Ashbrooke Sports Club and have CRB clearance.