SMSU Sports Club Membership Code of Conduct

St Mary’s University Student Sport Code of Conduct 1. Purpose This code of conduct is to ensure;  All student sport activity complies will all current Students’ Union and University codes of conducts and policy.  All students understand their responsibilities as a member of a sport club.  All students, members and committee members, know how to raise any issues or complaints they having regarding student sport.  All students understand the consequences and process if the Code of Conduct is breached.  St Mary’s retains good relationships with local community, other institutions and all other relevant stakeholder.

Additionally the code of conducts aims to ensure the 4 values of student sport strategy are embedded within student sport and upheld by students;    

Inspirational – to inspire the students to understand and reach their full potential Community – to enhance life at St Mary’s and make a positive difference to communities at a local, national and global level Inclusivity & respect – to make sport inclusive to all and respect and value everyone’s contribution Ambition – to have high standards and be confident and ambitious in constantly working to be the best

2. When does the code of conduct apply?

This code of conduct applies at any time when a student is associated with and/or are representing St Mary’s student sport. This includes when students are taking part in activity, both athletically and socially, which is organised by St Mary’s or by an individual club.

It also includes any time when a student’s activity, in person or online, can be linked to an activity organised by St Mary’s or by an individual club. This includes social media communications and wearing St Mary’s/sports club clothing.

3. Responsibility of all members All sports club members have a responsibility to;     

Treat all those involved in St Mary’s student sport (staff and students) with respect.

Show respect to match officials, oppositions, coaches and team mates.

Show sportsmanship to both the opposition and other team mates.

Acknowledge and recognise good team and individual performances, from all those involved.

Be aware of your behaviours on and off the pitch, and ensure you are abiding by the student sport core values at all times.

   

Treat the facilities and the equipment made available to you during training and matches with respect.

Raise any issues they have regarding the organisation of or their participation in student sport to a committee member. See section 5.

Abide by the rules and regulations set by British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) and any other relevant National Governing Body (NGB) Play, train and compete in line with the spirit of sport, including the anti-doping rules set by UK Anti-doping (UKAD)

4. Responsibility of coaches All coaches employed by the university sign up to a coaches’ code of conduct at the start of their employment.

5. What happens if I have a complaint or issue?

If a member has a complaint or issue they should raise it with a committee member of their club. The committee member is then responsible for investigating the complaint or issue and if appropriate notifying and involving the Sport Development Team.

If a member has a complaint or issue with a committee member they should either raise it to another committee member or if they don’t feel this is appropriate, raise it with the Sport Development Team.

Any issues passed to the Sport Development Team will initially be investigated and if the team deem it necessary, the issue will be passed to the Students’ Union Disciplinary Committee who will investigate the issue in accordance with the Students’ Union disciplinary process.

6. What happens if I breach the code?

If any member of the Sport Development Team believe there has been a breach of the code the following steps will take place;  In the first instance the students involved will be communicated with and asked to meet with the Sport Development Team  If the issue cannot be resolved, the issue will be referred to the Students’ Union Disciplinary Committee who will investigate the issue in accordance with the Students’ Union disciplinary process.

In serious instances, a students’ sports club membership may be withdrawn.

7. Declaration Any student who joins a sports club agrees to abide to the code of conduct. The online process for purchasing membership contains a mandatory tick box to agree to the code of conduct.

This code of conduct is available for anyone to view online – www.stmaryssu.co.uk/clubs