Parents/Carers Code of Conduct

North Down Cycling Club Youth Development Promise (commitments / charter)

Within this document North Down Cycling Club (NDCC) has defined what it believes is required from the club, parents and all youth members in order to ensure that every youth member has a safe, fun and a rewarding experience as possible from their club membership.

Parents/Guardians Code of Conduct

North Down Cycling Club believes that parents should ……

Be a role model for children and maintain the highest standards of conduct when interacting with children, other parents, officials and organisers.

  • Always be present at the designated start and end of a scheduled activity
  • Be contactable at all times during any club scheduled activity
  • Support the organising of club youth events whenever possible
  • Ensure your child is properly prepared for the planned scheduled activity, considering weather conditions, nutrition and bike maintenance
  • Ensure that the planed activity is within their child’s ability
  • Always behave responsibly and do not seek to unfairly affect the race or cycling session.
  • Never intentionally expose any young participant to embarrassment or disparagement by the use of flippant or sarcastic remarks.
  • Always recognise the value and importance of the volunteers who provide sporting/recreational opportunities for their child.
  • Not publicly question the judgement or honesty of referees, coaches or organisers.
  • Respect referees, coaches, organisers and other cyclists.
  • Encourage children to play by the rules and teach them that honest endeavour is as important as winning.
  • Encourage and applaud good sportsmanship.
  • Set a good example by praising good performances.
  • Encourage mutual respect for team mates and fellow competitors.
  • Support all efforts to remove abusive/bullying behaviour in all its forms.

Youth Members Code of Conduct

NDCC wishes to provide the best possible environment for all young people involved in the sport. Young people deserve to be given enjoyable, safe sporting opportunities, free from abuse of any kind. These participants have rights, which must be respected.

Young cyclists are entitled to:

  • Be happy, have fun and enjoy cycling
  • Be safe and to feel safe
  • Be treated with dignity, sensitivity and respect
  • Participate on an equal basis
  • Experience competition at a level at which they feel comfortable
  • Make complaints and have them dealt with
  • Get help against bullies
  • Say No

They also have responsibilities that they must accept.

Young cyclists should always:

  • Listen to and follow instructions from bike leaders, coaches, officials and managers and treat them with respect
  • Play fairly and be trustworthy and accept decisions
  • Respect other youth members and leaders
  • Respect opponents
  • Challenge themselves but be realistic in their own abilities
  • Behave in a manner that avoids bringing the sport of cycling into disrepute
  • Talk to NDCC Children’s Officer if they have any problems or alternatively the designated Cycling Ulster Lead Safeguarding Officer

Young cyclists should never:

  • Cheat
  • Shout at or argue with officials, team mates or other competitors
  • Use violence or physical contact that is not allowed in the rules
  • Bully or use bullying tactics
  • Take banned substances
  • Keep secrets about any persons who may have caused them harm
  • Tell lies or spread rumours

Youth Leader Code of Conduct

NDCC has a duty of care to safeguard all children involved in club activities from harm.

  • Treating all young people equally with respect and dignity.
  • Always use appropriate language and behaviours.
  • Always putting the welfare of each young person first.
  • Making cycling fun, enjoyable and promoting fair play.
  • Developing knowledge, skills and physical fitness.
  • Involving parents/guardians wherever possible.
  • Giving enthusiastic and constructive feedback rather than negative criticism.
  • Recognising the developmental needs and capacity of young people– avoiding excessive training or competition and not pushing them against their will.
  • Securing parental consent in writing to act in loco parentis, if the need arises to administer emergency first aid and/or other medical treatment.
  • Always working in an open environment avoiding private or unobserved situations and encouraging open communication
  • Act in accordance to the NDCC Child Protection Policy

In all instances the Club will be guided by information and guidelines put in place by Sport NI, Cycling Ireland & Cycling Ulster.

Click below for a copy of the Youth Development Promise Form
North Down Cycling Club Youth Development Promise