Safeguarding
The welfare of young people under the age of 18 playing rugby is paramount, therefore, like the game of rugby, we like to take safeguarding seriously within the club, we are constantly working hard towards generating an environment for the players to feel safe and of course always have fun.
At all times we are always looking into ways of improving therefore, raising awareness to players, club members and the supporting community is fundamental to achieving this. We have a duty to ensure that safeguarding children is prioritised and that each child’s rugby experience is as good as possible.
The club has its own Safeguarding Policy, Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults Policy and we follow guidelines and procedures adopted from the Rugby Football Union.
DBS checks are a requirement for all our coaches, club staff and parent volunteers and to be in compliance with the club’s code of conduct. All players, coaches and volunteers are expected to follow the guidelines as set by the club’s Safeguarding Policy and the RFU Safeguarding Policies and Procedures.
The great facilities we have at Newlands Park enables the club to offer its home to the RFU to host Rugby courses and training. Safeguarding, In touch and Rugby Ready courses, attract many coaches, safeguarding officers/assistants and parent volunteers from numerous clubs in the county and neighbouring counties to Newlands Park. If you wish to get involved and take an active role in the club please contact us via email or speak with your Team Manager/Coach.
Cheltenham Tigers Rugby Football Club (RFC) acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and vulnerable adults involved in Cheltenham Tigers RFC from harm.
Helen Perry
Safeguarding Officer
Cheltenham RFC
Email: safeguarding@cheltenhamtigers.com
Code of Conduct
Participate for the ‘fun’ of it, not just to please your parents or coach.
Play to the Laws of the Game.
Accept all the referee’s decisions.
Control your temper – you and your team will benefit.
Recognise all good play, whether by your team or by your opponents’ team – adopt a good sporting attitude.
Treat all players as you yourself would like to be treated. Don’t interfere with, bully, or take unfair advantage of any player.
Remember, as well as enjoyment, the aim of the game are to improve your skills and feel good. Do not be a show-off.
Co-operate with your coach, referee, team mates, and opponents, for without them you do not have a game.
Work equally hard for yourself and your team. Your team’s performance will benefit and so will your own.
RFU Tour Guidance and Policy
Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults Policy
- Cheltenham Tigers Rugby Club acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and vulnerable adults involved in Cheltenham Tigers RFC from harm.
- Cheltenham Tigers RC confirms that it adheres to the Rugby Football Union’s Safeguarding Policy and the procedures, practices and guidelines and endorses and adopts the Policy Statement contained in that document.
- A child is anyone under the age of 18 engaged in any rugby union activity. However, where a 17-year-old male player is playing in the adult game it is essential that every reasonable precaution is taken to ensure his safety and wellbeing are protected.
- The Key Principles of the RFU Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults Policy are that:
- The welfare of the child or vulnerable adult (as appropriate) is, and must always be, paramount to any other considerations.
- All participants regardless of age, gender, ability or disability, race, faith, culture, size, shape, language or sexual identity have the right to protection from abuse or harm.
- All allegations or suspicions of abuse, neglect, harm and poor practice will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly, fairly and appropriately.
- Working in partnership with other organisations, statutory agencies, parents, carers, children and young people is essential for the welfare of children and young people.
- Children have a right to expect support, and personal and social development delivered by an appropriately recruited, vetted and managed in relation to their participation in rugby union, whether they are playing, volunteering or officiating in the community or professional areas of the sport.
- Cheltenham Tigers RFC recognises that all children have the right to participate in sport in a safe, positive and enjoyable environment whilst at the same time being protected from abuse, neglect, harm and poor practice. Cheltenham Tigers RFC recognises that this is the responsibility of everyone involved, in whatever capacity, at the club.
- Cheltenham Tigers RFC will implement and comply with the RFU Code of Conduct and the Codes of Conduct for Coaches, Spectators and Officials as appropriate. Cheltenham Tigers RFC will ensure its spectators, parents, members and officials are all aware of and have accepted the RFU Photographic Policy as set out on the RFU website.
- Cheltenham Tigers RFC will endeavour to comply with the Guidance for Websites as set out on the RFU website.
- The Club Safeguarding Officer is Helen Perry who can be contacted on 07980 567595 or in non-urgent circumstances via e-mail at safeguarding@cheltenhamtigers.com. If you witness or are aware of an incident where the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult has been put at risk you must in the first instance inform the Club Safeguarding Officer. They will then inform the CB Safeguarding Manager and the RFU Safeguarding Executive. If an incident involves the Club Safeguarding Officer you should inform the head of the Mini and Junior Section, Nick Ralph and either the CB Safeguarding Manager or the RFU Safeguarding Executive.
- All members of Cheltenham Tigers RFC who have regular supervisory contact with children or management responsibility for those working with children must undertake an RFU Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau disclosure.
- Cheltenham Tigers RFC will ensure that all its members, whether they are coaches, parents, players or officials will comply with the Best Practice Guidance as issued by the RFU. In summary, the following are NOT acceptable and will be treated seriously by the club and may result in disciplinary action being taken by the club, the CB or the RFU:
- Working alone with a child, children, vulnerable adult, or adults.
- Consuming alcohol whilst responsible for children or vulnerable adults.
- Providing alcohol to children or allowing its supply.
- Smoking in the presence of children. Humiliating children or vulnerable adults.
- Inappropriate or unnecessary physical contact with a child or vulnerable adult.
- Participating in, or allowing, contact or physical games with children or vulnerable adults.
- Having an intimate or sexual relationship with any child or vulnerable adult developed as a result of being in a position of trust.
- Making sexually explicit comments or sharing sexually explicit material.
- Cheltenham Tigers RFC manages the changing facilities and arranges for them to be supervised by two adults (RFU DBS checked) of the appropriate gender for the players using the facilities. Cheltenham Tigers RFC ensures that all its coaches, parents, officials and spectators are aware that adults must not change at the same time, using the same facilities as children or vulnerable adults.
- Cheltenham Tigers RFC will ensure that all volunteers will receive the support and training considered appropriate to their position and role. The RFU “Managing Challenging Behaviour” Policy has been adopted and circulated amongst the club workforce both, voluntary and paid.
- Any events held on Cheltenham Tigers RFC premises must comply with this Policy and if appropriate a Safeguarding Plan should be discussed and circulated to those affected. Any tours, overseas or domestic, undertaken by Cheltenham Tigers RFC must comply with the relevant RFU Regulations and Guidance relating to tours.
