Updated April 2022
1.0 What is the Code of Conduct?
This Code of Conduct sets out the expected behaviours of all members within Reading Softball Club, when participating in any activity or event, in-person or online (including social media platforms and Spond). This includes, but is not limited to, training sessions, league fixtures, tournaments and club-based meetings (such as committee meetings) under the name of Reading Softball Club.
2.0 What are the aims of this Code of Conduct?
- To protect members.
- To protect others potentially affected by members’ actions.
- Ensure the highest possible standards of fairness, honesty, competition and behaviour.
- Reduce the risk of harm, injury, harassment and nuisance to members and the wider community.
- Create an inclusive environment.
- Detail the actions that can be taken should the Code of Conduct be breached.
3.0 To whom does this Code apply?
- All members of Reading Softball Club.
- All persons officially appointed to any additional roles within the club, such as coaches,
event organisers, club first aiders.
- All members of the club committee.
4.0 Terms of the Code of Conduct
All members/participants of Reading Softball Club agree to abide by the terms outlined below:
- Members must act responsibly at all times when participating in club-based activities and to avoid actions which could bring the club into disrepute.
- A member must not participate in action which might cause damage to themselves or others.
- Members must report any action that may cause or have caused damage to themselves and others.
- Members must respect the property of the club, and of other members.
- Members of the Club should not pressure or coerce any other member into any action with which they feel uncomfortable.
- Members should be aware of how their actions may be perceived by others.
- Members must conduct themselves in a reasonable manner relating to language, noise and behaviour.
- Members must compete in a manner of fair play, with respect for opponents and officials, demonstrating polite behaviour regardless of the nature of the competition, when representing the club in a sports fixture.
- Members must compete in a manner of fair play with respect for other members and coaches, demonstrating polite behaviour regardless of the nature of the competition, when attending training sessions.
- Members must treat facilities, staff at all sporting venues with respect and abide by any rules that may apply.
- Members must refrain from any form of harassment and/or bullying of others and respect the rights, dignity and values of others.
- Members must not encourage or pressure others into acting against the Code of Conduct.
- Members must not be unduly intoxicated at any event or activity where such behaviour could be deemed unacceptable or unprofessional.
- Members must abide by the law at all times.
- Members take responsibility for their own understanding of this Code of Conduct and the repercussions of any breaches and must seek further information or clarification if they are unsure about how it should be applied.
5.0 What happens if this Code of Conduct is breached?
If Reading Softball Club receives information that indicates an activity of a member may be in breach of this Code of Conduct, the following steps will be taken:
- The sanction process is initiated once an action is reported to a member of the club committee. Reports can be made anonymously and strict confidentiality will be ensured.
- An appropriate committee member will contact the person in question to obtain further information.
- The alleged breach will be investigated and if satisfied that a breach may have occurred it will be referred for further action. This will depend on the severity of the alleged breach.
- Members of the club committee will be responsible for reviewing and ruling on the breach, unless it involves a member of the committee. In this instance, that committee member will be removed from all investigative responsibilities until its conclusion.
- The Club committee will make a ruling on the breach and issue sanctions befitting the severity of the breach of the Code.
6.0 Sanctions for breaching the Code
Any breach of this Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action. Each of these can lead to one or more sanctions, which may include:
- Formal warning.
- Training ban.
- League match ban.
- Tournament ban.
- Time frame ban (banning from all trainings sessions, leagues match and tournaments).
- Removal from club responsibilities, if applicable (such as team captain, coaching duties etc).
- Removal from role on the club committee, if applicable, and deemed applicable after investigation decision.
- Complete removal from Reading Softball Club.
Repeat offences will also not be tolerated by the club, and as such will result in further disciplinary action, as agreed upon by the club committee. This will include further match bans, longer timed bans and possible removal from the club.
7.0 Health & Safety
Coach/Coaches:
- All equipment (such as bats, bat grip, game balls, gloves, practice bases, batting nets and tees) and grounds facilities should be safety checked before each training session and match day event, to ensure a safe environment is provided to all members and opposition.
- During practice and live play, all bases used are to be reliably secured in place before use.
- For the reference of bases in indoor softball, bases shall be secured to the floor with tape, and removed after use.
- Any items of equipment deemed to be unsafe are to be removed immediately, and not returned unless sufficiently repaired.
Non-coaching playing members
- If not reported already, it is your responsibility to report any unsafe environmental areas to the coach/coaches.
- It is also your responsibility to report or raise concerns of any items of equipment you feel is faulty and or unsafe.