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The athlete/coach relationship is a privileged one. Coaches play
a critical role in the personal and athletic development of
athletes. They must understand and respect the inherent power
imbalance that exists in this relationship and must be extremely
careful not to abuse it. Coaches must also recognize that they are
conduits through which the values and goals of a sport organization
are channeled. How an athlete regards his/her sport is often
dependent on the behaviour of the coach.
The following Code of Conduct sets guidelines that will help
coaches to assist Special Olympics BC athletes to become
well-rounded, skilled, and self-confident in sport and in life.
Coaches have a responsibility to:
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Treat everyone fairly within the context of their activity,
regardless of gender, place of origin, colour, sexual orientation,
religion, political belief or economic status.
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Direct comments or criticism at the performance rather than the
athlete.
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Consistently display high personal standards and project a
favourable image of their sport and of coaching
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Refrain from public criticism of fellow coaches; especially when
speaking to the media or recruiting athletes.
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Abstain from drinking alcoholic beverages when working with
athletes.
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Discourage the use of alcohol in conjunction with athletic
events or victory celebrations at the playing site.
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Refrain from the use of profane, insulting, harassing, or
otherwise offensive language in the conduct of his/her duties.
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Ensure that the activity being undertaken is suitable for the
age, experience, ability, and fitness level of the athletes, and
educate athletes as to their responsibilities in contributing to a
safe environment.
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Communicate and cooperate with registered medical practitioners
in the diagnoses, treatment, and management of their athletes'
medical and psychological problems. Consider the athletes' future
health and well-being as foremost when making decisions regarding
an injured athletes' ability to continue playing or training.
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Recognize and accept when to refer athletes to other coaches or
sport specialists. Allow athletes' goals to take precedence over
your own.
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Regularly seek ways of increasing professional development and
self-awareness.
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Treat opponents and officials with due respect, both in victory
and defeat and encourage athletes to act accordingly. Actively
encourage athletes to uphold the rules of their sport and the
spirit of such rules.
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In the case of minors, communicate and cooperate with the
athlete's parents or legal guardians, involving them in management
decision pertaining to their child's development.
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Ensure that all athletes have filled out a medical form and you
are familiar with any special medical needs. In case of emergency,
have a First-Aid kit and Emergency Action Plan at all practice
sessions and competitions. An incident report form must be
completed for any treatment received.
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Create a lesson plan and method of evaluation for the sports
training program.
Coaches must:
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Ensure the safety of the athletes with whom they work.
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At no time become intimately and/or sexually involved with their
athletes. This includes requests for sexual favours or threats of
reprisal for the rejection of such requests.
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Respect athlete's dignity; verbal or physical behaviours that
constitute harassment or abuse are unacceptable.
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Never advocate or condone the use of drugs or other banned
performance enhancing substances.
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Never provide under age athletes with alcohol.
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