The Northern Ireland Private Greens League (NIPGL) is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of all its members. The NIPGL believes that it is important that everyone associated with the NIPGL (including officials, club members, bowlers, parents and young people) should, at all times, show respect and understanding for the safety and welfare of others. Therefore, everyone is encouraged to be open at all times and to share any concerns or complaints that they may have about any aspect of the NIPGL.
Everyone associated with the NIPGL is expected to:
- Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants and refrain from any form of discrimination against others (including age, gender, ability, race, cultural background or religious beliefs or sexual identity).
- Respect the rules and decisions of officials.
- Avoid bullying, the use of bad language or making offensive remarks (including inappropriate use/abuse of social media or networking websites and mobile technology), making racial/sectarian references, and general inappropriate behaviour. Please refer to NIPGL Social Networking Policy.
- Refrain from taking illegal drugs or being involved with the use of illegal substances/activities.
- Not be involved in inappropriate behaviour.
- Never condone rule violations, cheating or any of the above behaviour from others associated with the NIPGL.
- Not let any allegations of abuse of any kind to go unchallenged or unrecorded if appropriate.
- Be fully aware of child protection issues and protect themselves from inappropriate situations or any false accusation (as outlined in NIPGL Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy).
- Report inappropriate behaviour or risky situations for youth members and ensure parents/ guardians are informed.
- Report accidents or incidents of alleged abuse or poor practice to the designated person.
- Treat everyone fairly and ensure they feel valued and avoid favouritism.
- Maintain confidentiality about sensitive information.
- Always respect opponents and be gracious in winning or defeat.
- Show appropriate loyalty, be positive, approachable and offer praise to promote the objectives of the Association.
- Ensure they maintain healthy, positive and professional relationships with all players. Coaches and others in positions of authority and trust in relation to players aged 16 and 17 years must not engage in sexual relationships with them while that unequal power relationship exists
- Coaches/officials should only use electronic based communications to share bowling related information with young members and avoid personal, non-sport messages/ photographs/videos or banter.
- Make the sport fun for members.
Everyone associated with the NIPGL has a right to:
- Enjoy bowling in a safe, happy and protective environment.
- Be listened to, respected and treated fairly at all times.
- Participate on an equal basis, appropriate to their ability.
- Privacy.
- Be protected from any form of abuse from others and support in the reporting of suspected abuse.
- Be protected from slanderous, derogatory or inflammatory remarks, including those made on Social Networking Sites.
- Access to professional support services.
- Not to be left vulnerable when working with young people.
- Access to on-going training and information on all aspects of leading/managing activities for youths, particularly on Safeguarding.
- Fair and equitable treatment by the NIPGL.
All Bowling clubs should offer young people a positive experience where they can learn how to play bowls in a safe and positive environment.
In particular, young people are expected to:
- Behave and listen to instructions from the team manager.
- Respect officials and accept decisions.
- Show respect to other junior members/leaders by being supportive and showing team spirit.
- Respect opponents.
- Show appropriate loyalty and be gracious in defeat or winning.
- Play fairly and never cheat or be violent/ aggressive.
- Keep themselves safe at all times.
- Not get involved in inappropriate peer pressure and push others into something they do not want to do.
- Refrain from the use of bad language or racial/sectarian references.
- Avoid bullying or making offensive remarks (including inappropriate use/abuse of social media or networking websites and mobile technology).
- Not consume alcohol (under 18 years).
- Not be involved in inappropriate behaviour.
- Refrain from taking illegal drugs or be involved with the use of illegal substances/activities.
Parents/Guardians have the right to know that their child is safe and to be informed of any problems or concerns relating to their children (including when their child is injured). Their consent should be sought for issues such as trips etc.
Parents/guardians are expected to:
- Detail any health concerns pertaining to the child on the consent form, in particular breathing or chest conditions. Any changes in the state of the child's health should be reported to the coach prior to coaching sessions.
- Detail any health concerns pertaining to the child on the consent form, in particular breathing or chest conditions. Any changes in the state of the child's health should be reported to the Team Manager prior to taking part in matches.
- Show appreciation and behave responsibly on the side-lines. Set a good example by recognising fair play and applauding good performances of all.
- Use correct and proper language at all times.
- Acknowledge the importance and role of the team manager and officials.
- Ensure their child is punctual.
- Be realistic and supportive.
- Provide their child with proper clothing and equipment.
- Ensure their child's hygiene and nutritional needs are met.
- Accept the official's judgement.
- Acknowledge the importance and role of the club coaches who provide their time free to ensure children's participation in the club.
- Promote their child's participation in playing sport for fun.
The NIPGL or Bowling Club reserves the right to discipline anyone who is in breach of this Code of Conduct.