At Lewes Rugby Club we believe that taking part in our sport should be a positive and enjoyable part of our childrens' lives. 

we want to make sure that children are protected and kept safe from physical, sexual and emotional harm while they are with the Club's coaches, helpers and other volunteers.

We have these aims:

1. All coaches will go on an appropriate Rugby Union course before they begin working with Children

2. All coaches and other volunteers will have a job description, and be Criminal Records Bureau checked.

3. We actively encourage more women to become coaches.

4. All coaches will be qualified to the appropriate level before they are allowed to be the lead coach of an age group .

5. The Club will encourage and help coaches to stay up-to-date with rugby, coaching and child protection issues.    Each lead coach will attend an NCF Coach Protection Workshop

6. All coaches will be given a copy of the Club's Code of Conduct for Coaches and be expected to keep

it all times.

7. The Club will keep written records of attendance, parental consent and accidents.

8. We will provide a written policy covering Heath and Safety, First Aid Parental and Player codes of Conduct and Photography.

9. The Club will provide coaches and parents with a written procedure for dealing with accusations or suspicions of child abuse.

10. The Club will promote 'fair play' and always play within the spirit of the laws and the letter of the continuum.

11 We will identify a person to be Child Protection Officer, whose role is to deal with any concerns about physical, sexual or emotional abuse within the Club.

Bob Lockyer - Paul Harman, Jackie Wood, Carol McMillan, Tony Phillips, Janet Anthony, Jan Smith

If you have any complaint regarding the behaviour of any person concerned with the care/training, etc., of children in this Club please contact one of the above, or any other Club Official immediately.

The RFU has approved a policy on photos and videos which Clubs are required to have in place:

1.     The Club has identified the following circumstances under which photographic images of junior or mini players may be taken. This is meant to be an indicative list of circumstances provided for guidance and is not exhaustive or complete:-

·       Video – coaching session for training purposes

·       Action shots – General photo’s of players during a game

·       Team photographs – posed group photo’s

·       Awards and ceremonies

·       Press coverage - local newspapers and specialist rugby press

·       Tours and festivals at other clubs and grounds (Dependant upon the Host club’s policy)

2.     All parents/guardians to be asked to sign a form approving the taking and use of photos, videos etc. Those taken or used by Lewes RFC itself being in accordance with full RFU guidelines (see RFU Child Protection Policy). The Club will not be responsible for photographs/videos taken or used by any third parties.

3.     If a parent/guardian chooses not to sign the declaration or changes their mind at a later date, then the Club reserves the right not to allow the relevant player to participate in events where they could be expected to be photographed/videoed. The Club may consider allowing the relevant player to participate provided their parent/guardian is present throughout and undertakes to supervise and monitor such child for the purposes of photos/videos. If the parent or guardian is unable to prevent unauthorised photographs/videos and is unhappy about this, they should immediately withdraw their player from the match concerned.

4.     In the case of other clubs with whom the Club comes into contact (matches, festivals etc), the Club will advise them that they should not allow their players to participate unless they have either parental approval in respect of photographs or, absent that, an adult or guardian assigned to monitor such child as mentioned in 3. above.

5.     Generally, the Club wishes to make it clear both to parents/guardians of its own players and also to other clubs that it will not be providing any photo-monitors for the purposes of controlling the taking of photographs or videos by third parties and if this causes concern to parents/guardians or to other clubs they will need to make their own provision.

The Lewes RFC Parental Declaration on Photography and Video

Player

Name/s :…………………………………………….. Age Group : ……….......

Parental Declaration:

I ………………………………………….. Parent/Guardian of the above Lewes RFC Player/s have been made aware of the RFU and Club Policy on the taking of photographs. I hereby give my permission for my child/children to be photographed in accordance with that policy.

I acknowledge that if I later change my mind I can withdraw my permission at any time and my child/children will be treated in accordance with Para. 3 above of the club policy.