Empower Wrestling Code of Conduct – Wrestlers

Purpose of our Codes of Conduct

Our code of conducts reflects the British Wrestling standards of behaviour for wrestlers, coaches, parents and visitors and also incorporates the views of its members. They act to provide a clear framework within which anyone involved in the club are expected to conduct themselves. 

General wrestlers Code of Conduct

– Wrestlers should arrive on time for their class and be prepared to train. If they arrive more than 10 minutes late they must ask permission to join the class. 

– Wrestlers under the age of 18 should be dropped off and collected from the gym by a responsible adult and should never leave the gym unaccompanied.

– Failure to attend on a regular basis without good reason or notification may result in wrestlers losing their place. Should they wish to re-join they will be added to the waiting list.

– Wrestlers must wear the appropriate clothing. The dress code is a t-shirt and joggers for girls and t-shirt jogger or shorts for boys. Recreational participants may wear tight fitting shorts (not jeans) or leggings and a t-shirt should they wish. Wrestlers should have socks or wrestling shoes only, not barefoot.

– Long hair must be tied back (boys and girls).

– EW follow the British Wrestling guidance for the participation of members with body piercings. If the piercing can be removed it should be, if it cannot then it should be sufficiently covered to ensure it will not cause harm and the Head Coach should be informed in order to undertake a risk assessment.

– Wrestlers should bring a drink to ensure hydration, this must be in a sports bottle and kept in the changing rooms. No fizzy drinks, energy drinks or chewing gum is allowed in the gym.

– Wrestlers should make sure that they have any relevant medical treatment on them in case a situation arises where they might need to use it. Coaches should be aware of this and the child and coach should know how to use it if appropriate (e.g. inhalers for asthma).

– Turn off mobile phones and do not use them in the gym.

– All members are expected to maintain a good standard of behaviour at all times. Disruptive or threatening behaviour of any kind including bullying is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

– Avoid using bad language.

– Be polite and considerate to others and treat other people’s belongings with respect.

– Wrestlers should not climb upon or use any equipment unless instructed to do so by a coach. Wrestling equipment and premises should be respected at all times.

– For their own safety wrestlers must listen carefully and follow the instruction of the coach at all times.

– Smoking, drinking alcohol or taking drugs is strictly prohibited.

Competitive Wrestlers Code of Conduct (In addition to the above)

– Wrestlers on the squad programme must not attend another wrestling club without prior approval of the club head coach.

– Wrestlers on the squad programme must consult the head coach before participating in any other wrestling or martial art related activities (such as MMA, KICKBOXING) in order to determine whether or not it will interfere with their training and development.

– It is not recommended that squad wrestlers participate in any other sport to a competitive level.

– Wrestlers need to come to training with the correct equipment (ear protectors, gloves, shin pads, wrestling shoes etc…)

– Squad wrestlers’ training attendance will be monitored and wrestlers with under 80% attendance will have their squad place reviewed.

Empower Wrestling Code of Conduct – Parents

Purpose of our Codes of Conduct

Our code of conducts reflect the British Wrestling  standards of behaviour for wrestlers, coaches, parents and visitors and also incorporate 

the views of its members. They act to provide a clear framework within which anyone involved in the club are expected to conduct themselves.

General Parent Code of Conduct

– Encourage your child to learn the codes of conduct and abide by them.

– Ensure your child knows who the club welfare officers are and how to contact them if they have a concern.

– Never force your child to take part in sport, support your child’s involvement and help them to enjoy sport.

– Set a good example by recognising good sportsmanship and applauding the good performances of all.

– Be patient with your child’s progress. Wrestlers  progress according to their age, ability and stage of maturation. Parents should bare in mind that long term improvement is the ultimate goal.

– Please leave the coaching to the trained coaches. Parents should not pressure their children, offer coaching advice or undermine any goals set between the wrestlers and coach. It is the coaches role to offer constructive advice relating to the wrestlers performance.

– Endeavour to make sure that your child arrives on time to all sessions and is collected on time at the end of each session.

– If your child is going to be late or absent inform the head coach.

– Ensure your child is dressed appropriately with their hair tied back and wearing no jewellery.

– Ensure your child has plenty to drink, especially in hot weather

– Always pay subscriptions promptly and respond to calls, texts, emails or letters quickly.

– Ensure your child has any necessary medication with them at all times and they and their coach knows how and when to use it.

– Ensure the club holds up to date personal information on your child.

– Inform your child’s coach of any disability, injury or aliment which may affect their performance or safety in the gym or the safety of others. 

– Reinforce with your child the high standards of behaviour expected from them and support the coaches in implementing this, including listening and following instructions.

– Use correct and appropriate language at all times and avoid any behaviour which could be interpreted as intimidating, this includes threatening, bullying, trying to gain an unfair advantage and public disparagement of the club and its members/coaches.

– If using social media and discussing wrestlers do so in a sensible and positive manner which reflects well upon yourselves, your child and the club.

– The use or possession of drugs, alcohol, or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol while on the premises is strictly prohibited and any persons breaking this rule will be asked to leave the club and the police called.

– Do your upmost to stay informed and up to date with club events by reading letters, emails and texts which are distributed, looking at the clubnoticeboard and checking the club’s website and social media pages regularly.

– No photography or video recording equipment (including photo and video imaging mobile phones) may be used by parents, carers or visitors during training sessions. On competition days please fill in a request form and register with the event at reception if you wish to take photos and/or videos.

– Do not attempt to communicate with your child or another child during training sessions or competitions (including during breaks).

Squad Parent Code of Conduct (In addition to the above)

– Publicly accept officials’ judgements

– Discourage challenging officials’ decisions

– Encourage your child to value performance and not just results.

– Help your child to develop good healthy eating habits, especially prior to training and competition and ensure that they have sufficient rest.

– Be supportive and a stabilising influence through the inevitable ups and downs of training and competition.

Last updated April 2018

Empower Wrestling Complaints Procedure

Empower Wrestling aims to address all concerns raised by users of its services in a prompt and effective manner, with the intent that the complainant is satisfied with our response and that lessons learned are implemented to improve our club. 

It is often the case that a service user will not want to make a formal complaint but wants their concerns acknowledged, and an apology made. This does not mean that the underlying cause is any less important than those that go further and the issue needs addressing and resolving if it has merit. 

Logging all complaints is important to allow us to identify areas where there is scope to improve our services and where a particular trend emerges that, in isolation, may have gone unnoticed.

Remember, that unless there has been an incident of serious misconduct, Empower Wrestling fosters a culture of no blame and supports staff to learn from potential mistakes or errors in judgement. 

This is how you can make a complaint and how you can expect us to deal with it:

All complaints should be made in writing and addressed to either the head coach or the club welfare officer(s) or both

We will acknowledge the complaint within 3 working days, agree an appropriate person to deal with the complaint (which may be a group of people)and let you know how long we expect it to take before we can provide you with a response. 

We will gather all the required information and investigate the allegations, updating you if appropriate. 

We will provide you with a final response in writing

Put any action points into practice 

Last updated April 2021

Empower Wrestling Disciplinary Procedure

This Policy has been written in line with British Wrestling guidelines and in conjunction with the Yorkshire Regional Welfare Officer. This policy also takes into consideration advice from the NSPCC child protection in sport unit and their managing challenging behaviour guidelines. In line with these guidelines behaviour has to be of extreme origin before the discipline policy comes into effect.

Empower Wrestling operates a three stage disciplinary procedure in the event of breaches of its code’s of conduct. In almost all cases, disciplinary action will be taken only when informal discussions have failed to resolve an issue.

Anyone whose behaviour breaches the relevant code of conduct will receive a verbal warning from the Head Coach. The parents (if necessary) and Welfare Officer(s) must be informed.

If the behaviour continues to be challenging then a written warning will be issued.

In extreme cases and where the written warning has no effect, the person will be suspended or expelled from the club at the discretion of the Head Coach and club Welfare officer. In the event of gross misconduct the person may face immediate suspension or exclusion.

Last updated May 2021

Empower Wrestling Health and Safety Policy Statement

EW is committed to ensuring the health, safety and welfare of its employees, volunteers, members and any other persons e.g. visitors, contractors, who enter the club’s premises. 

The overall responsibility for health and safety rests with Omid Nafari & Shahi Zeb. Omid Nafari and Shahi Zeb are responsible for managing the health and safety policy. 

This statement of our health and safety policy sets out our main aims and objectives in this area and outlines the ways in which we go about fulfilling these aims and objectives. Our policy has been drawn up in the light of British Wrestling guidance, statutory health and safety requirements and the common law duty of care. 

Our agreed aims and objectives are as follows:

– To manage the risks associated with our activities so that accidents and work related ill health can be avoided. 

– To ensure that all equipment and apparatus that we use is fit for purpose, regularly inspected and properly maintained.

– To ensure that the storage that we use for equipment and apparatus, and that used for any hazardous substances, is well maintained and that items are stored safely. 

– To provide all our staff and volunteers with the induction, supervision, instruction and training, necessary for the proper performance of their duties.

– To conduct consultations with our staff and volunteers on all matters which affect their health and safety.

– To provide a safe working environment for our employees, volunteers and members.

– To fulfil the health and safety responsibilities that we may have for other persons visiting or working on our premises. 

To fulfil these aims we have taken the following actions:

– We have introduced a health and safety management structure which identifies an individual member of staff responsible for managing each main area of our health and safety policy. 

– We have conducted risk assessments on all of our facilities, equipment and procedures and these assessments are regularly reviewed. 

– Additional risk assessments are conducted to cover particular groups such as young people, new and expectant mothers and disabled people.

– We have implemented the actions arising from risk assessments and communicated the results to our staff and volunteers.

– We have included in the induction programme for new members of staff and volunteers, an introduction to health and safety matters and responsibilities, and we arrange for additional training and up to dating to be provided wherever necessary. 

– We conduct regular inspections of all equipment and apparatus, and our storage facilities, and take prompt action to remedy any deficiencies. 

– We have introduced robust reporting procedures.

– We have produced plans for dealing with emergencies such as emergency evacuation of our premises and have introduced appropriate procedures which are subject to regular testing. 

– We conduct regular inspections to ensure that all he main routes into and out of our premises are kept clear and properly maintained and that all health and safety equipment is in proper working order.

– We communicate regularly with the owners of the premises to ensure that each side’s responsibility for health and safety matters is properly understood and managed.

– We review our health and safety policy at least once a year with additional reviews following any changes in our operating methods, changes in our organisational structure, and the issue of new BW guidance. 

Safety arrangements statements 

We have introduced special measures in particular areas of health and safety (such as first aid) and these measures are set out in their own right. These statements cover particular issues that relate to the topic under discussion, and should be read in conjunction with the main policy document. 

First Aid

All of our club coaches hold a current, valid, first aid certificate and are trained to respond to incidents. At least one of these members of staff is always on site whilst lessons are in progress. The first aid box and defibrillator are located ON THE WALL CLEARLY LABELLED FIRST AID BOX with the accident/incident reporting folder. Should an incident occur where someone requires first aid, this will be dealt with appropriately and an incident form will be completed, signed and filed. If it is serious accident that requires medical treatment RIDDOR will be informed

Last updated April 2021

Empower Wrestling Equality Policy

EW is committed to exemplary standards of conduct through the principles of equality and good ethical and moral frameworks. The club encourages individuals from all communities to become involved in all levels of participation, coaching, officiating and management. The club will ensure that all coaches, staff members and club members adhere to the following equality principles.

– All persons must respect the rights, dignity and worth of every human being.

– All individuals must be treated fairly and equally regardless of gender, age, ethnic origin, religion or political persuasion or disability.

– Equality must permeate throughout strategic and development plans.

– An equal professional service will be provided for all participants and discrimination through race, gender or disability will not be tolerated.

– Sexual and racial harassment and discrimination is prohibited.

The equality policy will be enforced through the discipline procedures that are also in place to enforce the clubs code of conduct.

Last updated April 2021