This club is committed to ensuring that equity is incorporated across all aspects of its development. In doing so it acknowledges and adopts the following Sport England definition of sports equity:

Sports equity is about fairness in sport, equality of access, recognising inequalities and taking steps to address them. It is about changing the culture and structure of sport to ensure it becomes equally accessible to everyone in society.

The club respects the rights, dignity and worth of every person and will treat everyone equally within the context of their sport, regardless of age, ability, gender, race, ethnicity, religious belief, sexuality or social/economic status.

The club is committed to everyone having the right to enjoy their sport in an environment free from threat of intimidation, harassment and abuse.

All club members have a responsibility to oppose discriminatory behaviour and promote equality of opportunity.

The club will deal with any incidence of discriminatory behaviour seriously, according to club disciplinary procedures.

All match officials should:

• Recognise the importance of fun and enjoyment when officiating young players.
• Provide positive verbal feedback in a constructive and encouraging manner during games.
• Emphasise the spirit of the game.
• Appreciate the needs of the young players before the needs of the sport.
• Understand the physical, social and psychological development of young players.
• Be a positive role model. You set an example, and as such comments you receive should be positive and supportive.
• Look to self-improvement, e.g. participation in Mini/Midi or National 15-a-side courses.

All match officials must:

• Recognise that the safety of young players is paramount.
• Explain decisions - all young players are still learning.
• Always penalise foul play.
• Play advantage whenever possible in order to let the game flow.
• Show empathy for the age and ability of young players.
• Be consistent and objective.
• Ensure that verbal abuse from players, coaches or spectators is not tolerated and is dealt with by club officials immediately.
• Be aware of and abide by the RFU Child Protection Guidance policies and procedures.

REMEMBER

OFFICIALS WORKING WITH YOUNG PLAYERS UP TO THE AGE OF 12 MUST OFFICIATE TO THE RULES LAID DOWN IN THE RFU RUGBY CONTINUUM, AND MUST KEEP THEMSELVES UPDATED ON RULES CHANGES.

OFFICIALS WORKING WITH YOUNG PLAYERS AGED 13+ MUST OFFICIATE ACCORDING TO THE UNDER-15 AND UNDER-19 LAW VARIATIONS AND KEEP THEMSELVES UPDATED ON RELEVANT CHANGES.

All coaches and assistant coaches of young players should:

• Recognise the importance of fun and enjoyment when coaching young players.
• Understand that most learning is achieved through doing.
• Appreciate the needs of the players before the needs of the sport.
• Be a positive role model - think what this implies.
• Keep winning and losing in perspective - encourage young players to behave with dignity in all circumstances.
• Respect all referees and the decisions they make (remember it could be you refereeing next week) and ensure that the players recognise that they must do the same.
• Provide positive verbal feedback in a constructive and encouraging manner to all young players, both during coaching sessions and games.

All coaches and assistant coaches of young players must:

• Provide experiences which are matched to the young players' ages and abilities as well as their physical and mental development.
• Ensure that all youngsters are coached in a safe environment, with adequate first aid readily to hand.
• Avoid the overplaying of the best players by using a squad system which gives everybody a satisfactory amount of playing time.
• Never allow a player to train or play when injured.
• Ensure good supervision of young players both on and off the field.
• Recognise that young players should never be exposed to extremes of heat, cold or unacceptable risk of injury.
• Develop an awareness of nutrition as part of an overall education in lifestyle management.
• Recognise that it is illegal for young players under 18 to drink alcohol.
• Ensure that your knowledge and coaching strategies are up to date and in line with RFU philosophy.
  
• Be aware of and abide by the RFU recommended procedures for taking young people on residential tours at home and abroad.
  
• Be aware of and abide by the policies and procedures outlined in the RFU Policies and Procedures for the welfare of young people in Rugby Union.

REMEMBER

COACHES WORKING WITH YOUNG PLAYERS UP TO THE AGE OF 12 MUST FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES LAID DOWN BY THE RFU RUGBY CONTINUUM.

COACHES WORKING WITH YOUNG PLAYERS AGED 13+ MUST BE AWARE OF THE UNDER-15 AND UNDER-19 LAW VARIATIONS, INCLUDING THOSE THAT APPLY TO CROSS BORDER MATCHES.

• Consider the well-being and safety of participants before the development of performance.
• Develop an appropriate working relationship with performers, based on mutual trust and respect.
• Make sure all activities are appropriate to the age, ability and experience of those taking part.
• Promote the positive aspects of the sport (e.g. fair play).
• Display consistently high standards of behaviour and appearance.
• Follow all guidelines laid down by the national governing body and the club.
• Hold the appropriate, valid qualifications and insurance cover.
• Never exert undue influence over performers to obtain personal benefit or reward.
• Never condone rule violations, rough play or the use of prohibitive substances.

All players are encouraged to:

• Recognise and appreciate the efforts made by coaches, parents, match officials and administrators in providing the opportunity for you to play the game and enjoy the rugby environment.
• Understand the values of loyalty and commitment to adults and team mates.
• Recognise that every young player has a right to expect their involvement in rugby to be safe and free from all types of abuse.
• Understand that if an individual or group of young players feel they are not being treated in a manner that is acceptable, then you have a right to tell an adult male either at the rugby club or outside of the game.

All players should:

• Play because you want to do so, not to please coaches or parents.
• Remember that skill development, fun and enjoyment are the most important parts of the game.
• Be attentive at all training and coaching sessions.
• Work equally hard for yourself and your team - both will then benefit.
• Recognise good play by all players on your team and by your opponents.
• Be a sportsman - win or lose.
• Play to the Laws of the Game and accept, without question, all referees' decisions.
• Control your emotions. Verbal or physical abuse of team mates, opponents or match officials is not acceptable.
• Treat all players, as you would like to be treated. Do not interfere with, bully or take advantage of another player.

All spectators are encouraged to:

• Act as positive role models to all young players.
• Be familiar with, and abide by, the RFU Child Protection Guidance in relation to verbal and emotional abuse.
• Respect the rugby club with regard to spectator behaviour.

All spectators should:

• Remember children play sport for their enjoyment not yours.
• Acknowledge good individual and team performance from all youngsters irrespective of the team for whom they play.
• Respect match officials' decisions. Remember - they are volunteers providing an opportunity for youngsters to play rugby.
• Never verbally abuse young players, match officials, fellow spectators or coaches. Such behaviour can create a negative environment for young players and their behaviour will often reflect this.
• Acknowledge effort and good performance rather than the 'win at all costs' ethic.
• Verbally encourage all youngsters in a positive way. If you do want to shout make sure it is 'for', not 'at' the players.
• Encourage all youngsters irrespective of their ability - never ridicule any individual player, regardless of the team for whom they play.