CODE OF CONDUCT

TEAM ATHETICS ST VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES

Team Athletics St Vincent and the Grenadines (TASVG) is committed to providing an environment in which all individuals are treated with respect. Further, TASVG supports equal opportunity and prohibits discriminatory practices. Members of the TASVG and participants in TASVG’s programmes and activities are expected to conduct themselves at all times in a manner consistent with the values of TASVG. Conduct, which violates these values, may be subject to sanctions pursuant to TASVG’s Discipline Policy.

TASVG shall allow the IAAF to conduct doping control at any competition at which the TASVG’s athletes are participating and to conduct out of competition testing on TASVG’s athletes.

No athlete will be granted the TASVG’s consent to use an Athlete’s Representative, and no Athlete’s Representative shall be authorized, unless a written contract exists between the athlete and his Representative which contains the minimum terms set out in the IAAF Regulations concerning Federation/Athletes’ Representatives and to which TASVG has given its written approval.

All organizers, coaches, officials, managers, volunteers, staff, spectators, members and families of members of the TASVG have a responsibility to:

1. Maintain and enhance the dignity and self esteem of members and participants of the TASVG by:
   • Showing respect to all individuals regardless of gender, ethnic or racial origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, religion, political belief, disability or economic status.
   • Focusing comments or criticism appropriately and avoiding public criticism of athletes, coaches, officials, organizers, managers, volunteers, staff, spectators, members and families of members.
   • Consistently demonstrating the spirit of sportsmanship, sports leadership and ethical conduct and practices.
   • Ensuring that the rules of the sport, and the spirit of such rules are adhered to.
2. If an athlete, coach or official, abstain from the use of alcohol and tobacco while participating at the TASVG’s competitive events.
3. Take reasonable steps to manage the responsible consumption of alcoholic beverages in social situations associated with TASVG’s events.
4. Abstain from the non-medical use of drugs or the use of performance-enhancing drugs or methods.
5. Refrain from any behavior which constitutes harassment, where harassment is defined as comment or conduct, directed towards an individual or group, which is offensive, abusive, racist, sexist, degrading or malicious.
6. Refrain from any behavior which constitutes sexual harassment, where sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances or conduct of a sexual nature when submitting to or rejecting this conduct influences decisions which affect the individual, such conduct has the purpose or effect of diminishing performance, or such conduct creates intimidating, hostile or offensive environment.
7. Comply at all times with the Constitution, policies, rules and regulations of the TASVG, as adopted and amended from time to time, including complying with any contracts or agreements executed with TASVG.

ATHLETES

Athletes are the most important people in sport. Representing St Vincent and the Grenadines on a national team is a unique honour and distinction. Athletes compete to win but in the Olympic Movement, winning, while being most important, must not be attained at any cost. Fair Play and respect for all others involved in competition is also fundamentally important.

Obligations regarding Competition

An athlete should:

1. Make every effort to develop his/her own sporting abilities, in terms of skill, technique, tactics and stamina in preparation for participation in the activities for which he/she has been selected.
2. Give maximum effort and strive for the best results possible.
3. Set a positive example for others, particularly younger  members of the representative team.
4. Avoid all forms of time-wasting.
5. Always have regards to the best interests of the team.
6. Not use inappropriate language.
7. Report any medical problems in a timely fashion, where such problems may limit the athlete ability to train or compete.
8. Adhere to the TASVG’s requirements regarding clothing and equipment.

Obligations towards the team

An athlete should:

1. Make every effort to conduct oneself during competition in a manner consistent with Fair Play and the Rules governing the competition.
2. Resist any influence that might, or might be seen to, bring into question his/her commitment to the team.

Respect for the Rules of the competition

An athlete should:

1. Know and abide by the Laws, rules and spirit of the sport and the competition rules.
2. Accept success and failure, victory and defeat, equally.
3. Resist any temptation to take banned substances or use prohibited techniques.

Respect towards Opponents

An athlete should:

1. Treat opponents with due respect at all times, irrespective of the result of the competition.
2. Safeguard the physical fitness of opponents, avoid violence and rough play, and help injured opponents.

Respect towards Competition/Technical Officials

An athlete should:

1. Accept the decisions of the Official without protest.
2. Avoid words or actions which may mislead an Official.
3. Show due respect towards Officials

Respect towards Team Officials

An athlete should:

1. Abide by the instructions of his Coach and Team Officials, provided they do not contradict the spirit of this Code.
2. Show due respect towards the Officials of opposing teams.

Obligations towards spectators

An athlete should:

1. Show due respect to all spectators during competition.
2. Seek to perform in a manner that would facilitate support from spectators
3. Not engage in any activity aimed at engendering confrontation with spectators

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR COACHES

TASVG’s Coaches are key to the establishment of ethics in sport. Their concept of ethics and their attitude directly affects the behaviour of athletes under their supervision. Our Coaches are, therefore, expected to pay particular care to the moral aspect of their conduct.

Our Coaches have to be aware that almost all of their everyday decisions and choices of actions, as well as strategic targets, have ethical implications.

It is natural that winning constitutes a basic concern for coaches. This Code is not intended to conflict with that. However, the Code calls for coaches to disassociate themselves from a “win-at-all-costs” attitude.

Increased responsibility is requested from coaches involved in coaching young people. The health, safety, welfare and moral education of young people are a first priority, before the achievement or the reputation of the club, school, coach or parent.

1. TASVG Coaches must respect the rights, dignity and worth of each and every person and treat each equally within the context of the sport.
2. Ensure a safe environment by selecting activities and establishing controls that are suitable for the age, experience, ability and fitness level of athletes.
3. Avoid compromising the present and future health of athletes by communicating and cooperating with registered medical practitioners in the diagnosis, treatment and management of athletic injuries.
4. Educate athletes about the dangers of drugs and performance-enhancing substances and methods.
5. Accept and promote athletes’ personal goals and consult with and refer to other coaches and sports specialists as opportunities arrive.
6. Communicate and co-operate with the parents and families of athletes who are minors and involve them in decisions pertaining to the athlete’s development.
7. Coaches must place the well-being and safety of each player above all other considerations, including the development of performance.
8. Coaches must adhere to all guidelines laid down by TASVG.
9. Coaches must develop an appropriate working relationship with each athlete based on mutual trust and respect.
10. Coaches must not exert undue influence to obtain personal benefit or reward.
11. Coaches must encourage and guide athletes to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance.
12. Coaches must ensure that the activities they direct or advocate are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of athletes.
13. Consider the academic pressures placed on student-athletes and conduct practices and events in a manner that supports academic success.
14. Coaches should, at the outset, clarify with the athletes (and, where appropriate, parents) exactly what is expected of them and also what they are entitled to expect from their coach.
15. Coaches must co-operate fully with other specialists (e.g. other coaches, officials, sports scientists, doctors, physiotherapists) in the best interest of the athletes under his/her charge during competition.
16. Coaches must always promote the positive aspects of the sport (e.g. Fair Play) and never condone violations of the Rules and Regulations, behaviour contrary to the spirit of the Rules and Regulations or the use of prohibited substances or techniques.
17. Coaches must consistently display high standards of behaviour and appearance.
18. Coaches must not use or tolerate inappropriate language.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR OFFICIALS

Obligations towards Athletes

The team official should:

1. Set a positive example for others, particularly young athletes.
2. Promote and develop the team having regard to the interest of the athletes and the reputation of the nation.
3. Share knowledge and experience when invited to do so, taking into account the interest of the team rather than personal interests while not necessarily ignoring the latter.
4. Avoid all forms of time wasting.
5. Show due respect to Technical Officials and others involved in the competition.
6. Always have regards to the best interests of the competition, including when publicly expressing an opinion of said competition or any particular aspect of it, including others involved.
7. Not use or tolerate inappropriate language.

Obligations towards the Team

The team official should:

1. Make every effort to develop the sporting, technical and tactical levels of the members of the team, and to obtain the best results using all permitted means.
2. Give priority to the interest of the team over individual interests while in no way underestimating the value of the latter.
3. Resist all illegal or unsporting influences, including banned substances and techniques.
4. Promote ethical principles at all times.
5. Show due respect to the interests of athletes, coaches, managers, technical and other officials.

Respect towards Technical Officials

A team official should:

1. Accept the decisions of the Technical Officials and, if necessary, lodge appropriate protests.
2. Accept the decision of the Jury of Appeal.
3. Avoid words or actions which may mislead Technical Officials.
4. Show due respect towards Technical Officials

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Athlete’s / Coach’s / Official’s Signature                                 

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