Code of Conduct for Coaches and Run Leaders

Code of Conduct for Coaches and Run Leaders

As a responsible Coach/Run Leader you will:

  • Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every member and others involved in the club and treat everyone equally
  • Place the welfare and safety of the athlete above the development of performance
  • Be appropriately qualified including obtaining DBS clearance, update your licence and education as and when required by England Athletics and adhere to the terms of your licence
  • Ensure that activities you direct or guide are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of the group
  • Never try to recruit, either overtly or covertly, athletes who are already receiving coaching. If approached by an athlete receiving coaching refer immediately to the coach currently providing coaching support.
  • Try to observe a recommended maximum ratio of 1 coach or run leader to 12 athletes at a training session or work in partnership with another coach / run leader.
  • Consistently promote positive aspects of the sport such as fair play and never condone rule violations or the use of prohibited or age-inappropriate substances
  • Encourage and guide athletes to accept responsibility for their own performance and behaviour
  • Develop appropriate working relationships with athletes based on mutual trust and Do not exert undue influence to obtain personal benefit or reward
  • A coach / run leader MUST not conduct inappropriate relationships with athletes.

On Club sessions the coach / run leader will ensure that:

  • Before you start running introduce yourself to the group and briefly explain the session that they are about to undertake
    • Always ask whether anyone is new to the group or is feeling unwell or carrying an injury
    • The leaders are carrying the desired emergency equipment, which must include a mobile phone
    • Everyone has proper running shoes and suitable clothing i.e. hi-visibility tops during dark evenings
    • A head count of members in your group has been taken
    • Following the main group warm up, begin each session with a continued gentle warm-up of at least 10 minutes or one mile of light running, and then bring the group up to the desired running group pace
    • Use regular members of the group to set the pace and do not be afraid to slow down the group if it is too fast
    • Ensure the faster runner understand that if they go ahead of the main running group then they are at regular interval to perform loopbacks beyond the main group.
    • If the size of your group exceeds more than 12 runners you should bring this fact to the attention of the Run Leader Co-ordinator, who will, if possible, ensure that there are at least two qualified leaders to that group
    • If a second leader is not available then the Run Leader Co-ordinator will appoint a senior Club Member to act as a leader under the direction of the appointed leader for that group
    • Do not lead the group across private land or along busy or dangerous roads. Think of the whole group when crossing roads
    • Runners must not return to the Club or go home without informing the Group Leader. Under no circumstances should injured members return to the Club alone. Always get either a leader or a competent Club Member to accompany them back to the Club. Where necessary, a Lawley Running Club Incident form to be completed
    • Ensure that all members complete a cool down at the end of the session
    • Leader to do a head count at the end of the session and report member numbers in the session to the Run Leader Co-ordinator

Next Review Date 1/2/25