Shannon Athletic Club
Parent and Guardian Code of Conduct Policy
| Policy owner | Shannon Athletic Club Committee
| Approved by | Club Committee
| Date approved | 08/05/2026
| Review date | Annually, or sooner if required
| Version | 1.0
| Approved by | Club Committee
| Date approved | 08/05/2026
| Review date | Annually, or sooner if required
| Version | 1.0
1. Introduction
Shannon Athletic Club (SAC) is committed to creating a safe, positive and supportive environment where children and young people can enjoy athletics, develop confidence and reach their potential.
Parents and guardians play a vital role in supporting children’s participation in sport and helping to promote a culture of respect, fairness, inclusion and enjoyment within the club.
Parents and guardians play a vital role in supporting children’s participation in sport and helping to promote a culture of respect, fairness, inclusion and enjoyment within the club.
2. Purpose of the Policy
The purpose of this policy is to:
Promote positive behaviour and respectful communication.
Support safeguarding and child welfare within the club.
Clarify the expectations of parents and guardians.
Encourage fair play, inclusion and enjoyment in athletics.
Support positive relationships between parents, athletes, coaches and volunteers.
Promote positive behaviour and respectful communication.
Support safeguarding and child welfare within the club.
Clarify the expectations of parents and guardians.
Encourage fair play, inclusion and enjoyment in athletics.
Support positive relationships between parents, athletes, coaches and volunteers.
3. Scope
This policy applies to all parents and guardians of children and young people participating in Shannon Athletic Club activities, including training sessions, competitions, events, trips and social activities.
4. Policy Statement
SAC recognises that parents and guardians are key partners in creating a positive sporting experience for children and young people.
The club expects all parents and guardians to support an environment that promotes respect, encouragement, safeguarding, inclusion and enjoyment for all participants.
The club expects all parents and guardians to support an environment that promotes respect, encouragement, safeguarding, inclusion and enjoyment for all participants.
5. Parent and Guardian Responsibilities
Parents and guardians are expected to:
Encourage children to participate and enjoy sport.
Promote fair play and respect for coaches, officials, volunteers and other athletes.
Support children positively regardless of performance or results.
Use respectful and appropriate language at all times.
Discourage bullying, intimidation or inappropriate behaviour.
Respect the decisions of coaches and officials.
Communicate concerns respectfully through appropriate channels.
Ensure children arrive prepared and are collected appropriately where required.
Provide accurate medical, emergency and registration information.
Support the club’s safeguarding and code of conduct policies.
Encourage children to participate and enjoy sport.
Promote fair play and respect for coaches, officials, volunteers and other athletes.
Support children positively regardless of performance or results.
Use respectful and appropriate language at all times.
Discourage bullying, intimidation or inappropriate behaviour.
Respect the decisions of coaches and officials.
Communicate concerns respectfully through appropriate channels.
Ensure children arrive prepared and are collected appropriately where required.
Provide accurate medical, emergency and registration information.
Support the club’s safeguarding and code of conduct policies.
6. Positive Sporting Environment
SAC encourages parents and guardians to help create an environment where children:
Feel safe, supported and included.
Can learn and develop through sport.
Are encouraged to try their best.
Understand that enjoyment and effort are more important than winning.
Develop confidence, resilience and teamwork.
Parents and guardians should avoid placing unnecessary pressure on children regarding performance or competition outcomes.
Feel safe, supported and included.
Can learn and develop through sport.
Are encouraged to try their best.
Understand that enjoyment and effort are more important than winning.
Develop confidence, resilience and teamwork.
Parents and guardians should avoid placing unnecessary pressure on children regarding performance or competition outcomes.
7. Respectful Communication and Behaviour
Parents and guardians are expected to communicate respectfully with coaches, volunteers, committee members, officials and other parents.
The following behaviour will not be tolerated:
Abusive, aggressive or threatening behaviour.
Bullying, intimidation or harassment.
Disrespectful behaviour towards children, officials or volunteers.
Inappropriate behaviour on social media or messaging platforms.
Behaviour that brings the club into disrepute.
The following behaviour will not be tolerated:
Abusive, aggressive or threatening behaviour.
Bullying, intimidation or harassment.
Disrespectful behaviour towards children, officials or volunteers.
Inappropriate behaviour on social media or messaging platforms.
Behaviour that brings the club into disrepute.
8. Supporting Children in Sport
SAC recognises that each child experiences sport differently.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to:
Listen to their child’s needs and preferences.
Encourage independence and confidence.
Support children in managing success, disappointment and competition positively.
Focus on effort, learning and enjoyment.
Work collaboratively with coaches to support the child’s development.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to:
Listen to their child’s needs and preferences.
Encourage independence and confidence.
Support children in managing success, disappointment and competition positively.
Focus on effort, learning and enjoyment.
Work collaboratively with coaches to support the child’s development.
9. Safeguarding and Welfare
Parents and guardians must support the club’s safeguarding procedures and help maintain a safe environment for all children and young people.
Any safeguarding or welfare concerns should be raised promptly with the Club Children’s Officer, Designated Liaison Person or committee member.
Parents and guardians should respect safeguarding boundaries, supervision arrangements and club procedures during activities and trips.
Any safeguarding or welfare concerns should be raised promptly with the Club Children’s Officer, Designated Liaison Person or committee member.
Parents and guardians should respect safeguarding boundaries, supervision arrangements and club procedures during activities and trips.
10. Social Media and Online Conduct
Parents and guardians are expected to use social media responsibly in relation to club activities.
They should:
Respect the privacy and dignity of children and volunteers.
Avoid posting inappropriate comments or criticism online.
Use respectful communication in messaging groups and online platforms.
Support the positive reputation of the club.
They should:
Respect the privacy and dignity of children and volunteers.
Avoid posting inappropriate comments or criticism online.
Use respectful communication in messaging groups and online platforms.
Support the positive reputation of the club.
11. Concerns and Complaints
SAC encourages open and respectful communication.
Where concerns arise, parents and guardians should:
Raise concerns calmly and appropriately.
Follow club procedures for complaints or safeguarding concerns.
Avoid discussing concerns publicly or on social media.
Allow coaches and committee members reasonable time to respond.
Where concerns arise, parents and guardians should:
Raise concerns calmly and appropriately.
Follow club procedures for complaints or safeguarding concerns.
Avoid discussing concerns publicly or on social media.
Allow coaches and committee members reasonable time to respond.
12. Breaches of the Code of Conduct
Failure to follow this Code of Conduct may result in action being taken by the club.
This may include:
Verbal or written warnings.
Meetings with committee members.
Restrictions on attendance or involvement in activities.
Further action in line with club disciplinary procedures where necessary.
This may include:
Verbal or written warnings.
Meetings with committee members.
Restrictions on attendance or involvement in activities.
Further action in line with club disciplinary procedures where necessary.
13. Review and Monitoring
This policy will be reviewed annually by the committee, or sooner if changes in safeguarding guidance, legislation or club activities require updates.
The club is committed to maintaining a respectful and child-centred environment for all members.
The club is committed to maintaining a respectful and child-centred environment for all members.
14. Approval
This policy was approved by Shannon Athletic Club Committee.
Parent/Guardian Agreement
I have read and understood the Shannon Athletic Club Parent and Guardian Code of Conduct Policy and agree to support and follow the expectations outlined within it.
Parent/Guardian Name: ____________________________________
Signature: ________________________________________________
Date: _____________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name: ____________________________________
Signature: ________________________________________________
Date: _____________________________________________________
| Chairperson signature |
| Secretary signature |
| Date |
| Secretary signature |
| Date |
