WRC. Code of Ethics and Behaviour June 2022

Definitions

 

Rower	Any individual who takes part or is involved in any capacity in a rowing activity, competition or event.
Coach or Coxswain	An individual who develops the skills and abilities of one or more rowers, through imparting of technical knowledge, and/or guiding practical activity, and/or supporting or coordinating activity.  Or takes a crew of rowers out on the water to participate in rowing activities.
Club Officer	A paid or unpaid individual with a role in a club or event that contributes to the running or coordination of club or event activities.  This includes members of the committee and club trustees.
Competition /Regatta	An organised group of rowing races sanctioned by British Rowing or the Cornish Pilot Gig Association (CPGA) in which the result of each race is determined by the order in which boats are placed at the finish, or a processional race, being a race in which boats are started at intervals of time or distance and of which the result is determined by means other than the order of arrival at the finish but may also include other rowing events sanctioned by British Rowing or CPGA.
Individuals	All participants in rowing, including children, parents/carers, participants, competitors, coaches, coxswains, umpires, marshals, volunteers and spectators.
Cornish Pilot Gig Association (CPGA)	The independent, self-appointed organisation that governs the sport of Gig rowing.
Social Media	Media designed to be disseminated through social interaction. Social media use internet and web-based technologies to communicate with one another and receive news, information and entertainment. Types of Social Media include networks like Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, and also blogs and podcasts
Volunteer	An individual who freely gives their time to contribute to the running of a club. They may or may not be a paying member of a rowing club
WRC	Weymouth Rowing Club

 

 

1. Introduction

 

 

Weymouth Rowing Club is committed to protecting the values and integrity of rowing, and is responsible for the safeguarding and protection of all those who take part at all levels in rowing.This Policy outlines the expectation the club has for all those who participate in the activity of rowing.

 

 

This Code of Ethics and Behaviours applies to anyone who is involved in the sport of Gig rowing in the UK, and is not limited to members of Weymouth Rowing club but to visiting members and clubs including (but not limited to);

 

• Rowers
• Parents, Guardians, Carers, Supporters
• Clubs, Competitions
• Umpires, Officials Coaches and Instructors
• Volunteers

 

As a club we believe in providing an environment that is free from bullying, harassment and victimisation, and that recognises the dignity of all individuals who participate in rowing. Every individual has an important role in modelling positive behaviours and demonstrating behaviour which is courteous and respectful, ensuring everyone is treated in an inclusive way, and is treated with the dignity they deserve.

 

The club will not tolerate bullying and harassment. When it occurs, it is essential that everyone feels safe in reporting it so that it can be addressed.

 

As a club all individuals have a responsibility to ensure they will;

 

• Protect the safety of themselves and others.
• Be honest and play fair, contribute to developing a culture of honesty and equality.
• Advocate integrity, be impartial, objective, independent, professional, and pass on the values and shared experiences from past to future generations.
• Lead by example.

 

We will ensure rowing is an accessible and inclusive sport that provides opportunities for enjoyment at all levels by;

 

• Enabling anyone to take part in rowing, no matter what their background, ethnicity, ability, sexual orientation or beliefs.
• Inspire competence, confidence, connection, character and creativity in all those who are a part of rowing
• Recognise and support the rights, dignity and worth of others
• Be considerate and support the development of the emotional as well as physical health and well-being of anyone participating in rowing.

 

Every member of Weymouth Rowing Club will be asked to;

 

• Respect and comply with the CPGA Rowing Regulations and club polices and procedures.
• Be proud and contribute to the club where possible to ensure the ongoing and successful delivery of rowing activities.

 

• Be knowledgeable and compliant with the WRC;
• Code of Conduct
• Safeguarding and Protecting Children and Adults at Risk Policies
• Health and Safety Policy

 

• Promote the positive aspects of rowing
• Be respectful in your actions and language
• Not engage in actions or display behaviour that could be deemed physical, verbal, or threatening and intimidating behaviour, this includes through the use of social media.
• Protect individuals from inappropriate actions of others, engendering an environment that is free of abuse, be that physical, verbal, or threatening and intimidating behaviour and report or call it out as appropriate.
• Advocate a healthy environment encouraging all rowers to look after themselves and avoid behaviour which could be harmful to their wellbeing
• Use funds or awards in the manner they are intended, for the purpose of improving the sport of rowing and experience, rather than for personal enrichment or gain
• Be transparent, recognise any conflicts of interest and avoid any behaviour that could bring the sport of rowing into disrepute.

 

Bullying and harassment

 

Harassment may be characterised as unwanted actions or comments that are demeaning and unacceptable to the recipient.They may be related to any personal characteristic of the individual and may be persistent or an isolated incident.The Equality Act 2010 provides a legal definition of harassment as:

 

Unwanted conduct based on someone’s; race; religion or belief; age; gender identity; sexual orientation; transgender or disability. These are often referred to as protected characteristics.

 

Having the purpose or effect of violating an individual’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that individual.

 

Bullying may be characterised as:

 

Offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour, or an abuse or misuse of power that undermines someone’s dignity.

 

Bullying or harassment may be by an individual or involve groups of people.It may be obvious, or it may be more subtle and gradual.Whatever form it takes, it is unwarranted and unwelcome to the individual.

 

Inappropriate behaviour may include, but is not limited to, the following:

 

• Verbal or written: name-calling, threatening, inappropriate sexual comments, making fun of personal circumstances or appearance.
• Social: leaving someone out on purpose, spreading rumours about someone.
• Physical: unwanted touching.

 

Examples of bullying/harassing behaviour may include:

 

• spreading malicious rumours or insulting someone by word or behaviour,
• ridiculing or demeaning someone – picking on them or setting them up to fail,
• exclusion or victimisation,
• unfair treatment,
• unwelcome sexual advances – touching, standing too close, the display of offensive materials, asking for sexual favours, making decisions on the basis of sexual advances being accepted or rejected.

 

This list is not exhaustive and is not intended to provide legal definitions. Bullying and harassment may occur face to face or virtually, through written communication, e-mail, social media, or phone.

 

Discrimination

 

The Equality Act 2010 sets out provisions to protect people from discrimination.

 

Direct discrimination is the legal term that applies when an individual is treated less favourably than someone else has been treated (or would be treated) because the person belongs to one of the protected groups. The protected characteristics are:

• race
• sex
• disability
• age
• sexual orientation
• marital or civil partnership status
• pregnancy or maternity
• religion or belief
• gender reassignment

 

It may also apply if you are treated unfairly for associating with someone who has a protected characteristic (associative discrimination).

 

How to resolve problems

 

If anyone experiences or witnesses an incident that could be considered bullying or harassment or breaches of any other Weymouth Rowing Club policy or procedure it should be reported to the club Welfare Officer, Club Chairman, Secretary or Trustee.

 

In the first instance and where appropriate the club will encourage an individual to consider having and honest and open discussion with the person concerned, about how their actions and behaviours made them feel.  Wherever possible the club would wish to resolve matters informally, without the need to involve an officer from the club.

 

Where it is not always possible to solve the issue informally the Welfare Officer, Club Chairman, Secretary or Trustee will consider the next appropriate step in line with the Clubs Complaints procedure.