Code of conduct.
TL;DR.
The club is invested in the welfare and safeguarding of all its members and riders. The club will not tolerate poor behaviour, of any form, least of all behaviour that threatens the welfare of other members and or the reputation of the club. All matters resulting from poor behaviour will be dealt with as sympathetically as possible, with the interests of the riders placed at the centre of any decision that might be taken. However, depending on the severity of the behaviour, or in the case of repeated poor behaviour, the club will seek to have members and their riders banned from the club.
The longer version.
As a volunteer organisation we are dedicated to promoting the sport of BMX racing. We encourage good behaviour and sporting respect from all riders, parents/carers and supporters at all times. Before club membership is completed all member applicants or parents/carers on behalf of member applicants should read this Code of Conduct, as they are required to observe these rules.
Hawks BMX Club reserves the right to withdraw a rider from an event if the rider, parent/carer or an associate is found to have behaved in contravention of this Code of Conduct (should it be necessary, we will also notify British Cycling of any incidents).
All riders, parents/carers must observe these rules and follow any instruction given to them by a Commissaire or official during the course of any training, club, regional or national events at Hawks BMX Club. All parents/carers of younger riders are expected to educate those riders on what acceptable behaviour is and lead by example.
All riders, parents/carers and officials must conduct themselves in such a manner as to reflect the ideals of good sportsmanship.
Hawks BMX Club will not tolerate bullying of any kind be it physical, verbal or via social media platforms, email or any other form of communication.
The use of obscene or foul language or aggressive behaviour towards riders, parents, carers or committee members is forbidden. Passive aggressive behaviour is just as unacceptable as aggressive behaviour.
All views, opinions and decisions must be expressed without contempt to others.
Never bring riders or the sport of BMX racing into disrepute in or outside of the club.
Riders will be held accountable for the actions of their parents/carer and any other persons in their company at a BMX competition or event.
All riders are expected to adhere to any specific rules set out by organisers of events held at the Hawks BMX track.
All riders and parents/carers are expected to show courtesy to any committee members, volunteers, coaches or event officials and always adhere to any requests or direction without argument.
Riders should never be punished or abused for losing or making mistakes. Children’s participation in the sport is for their enjoyment, not that of the parents/carers.
Parents/carers can ask questions at the end of a session (not during the session), any further questions thereafter should be directed through the club, not to the coach.
The coaches will inform riders when they are ready to move to the next level of coaching. Riders or parents/carers should not approach the coaches about moving up to the next level.
Children under 16 CANNOT be left at the track during a session, unless in an emergency. For over 16s parents need to leave a mobile number with a committee member.
Parents/carers should not walk onto the track during a training session or race, even if there has been a crash, without being invited by a coach, committee member or official.
Riders are expected to remain in the session from beginning to end. A rider should not be taken off the track and out of the session without consultation with the club welfare officer. In circumstances where a rider has to leave a session early the coach or a committee member should be advised in advance of the session.
If someone other than a parent/carer is collecting a rider, the parent/carer must advise the coach or a committee member of the details of who will be collecting the rider.
Unless a prior arrangement has been made, all riders taking part in club activities, or parents/carers on behalf of riders, are expected to pay any fees before taking part in the club activity. Failure to pay requested fees will result in the rider being asked to discontinue their involvement in that activity until the fees have been paid. If necessary repeated non-payers will not be allowed to attend these events.
Social media communications via the Hawks club WhatsApp group, Facebook page or Instagram account, should be restricted to club matters, must not offend, intimidate, humiliate or bully any member, rider, volunteer or those associated with the club or be misleading, false or injure the reputation of members.
Disciplinary Action
The club may take the following disciplinary action at any time for non-compliance to this code of conduct.
Initially, a rider or parent/carer may be reminded of their acceptance of this Code of Conduct.
Subsequently the committee may issue an official warning to the rider and/or parent/carer in writing for non-compliance.
If a rider and/or parent/carer repeatedly fails to comply with this Code of Conduct they will be asked not to attend any official Hawks BMX events and/or training and membership may be revoked until the matter is resolved by the committee.
If any threatening or violent behaviour is displayed to any other rider, parent/carer, volunteer or committee member then the police may be notified and the club reserves the right to permanently ban that person from all club activities indefinitely.
Any concerns or issues regarding the conduct or behaviour of any riders or parents/carers should be brought to the attention of the club welfare officer so any incidents can be dealt with through the correct channels and procedures.
To report your concerns or any issues you might face, please send an email to welfare@hawksbmx.co.uk and provide as much information as possible. Your email will be reviewed by the officers of the committee and where necessary escalated within the committee.