Coaches’ Code of Behaviour

In addition to Netball Victoria’s General Code of Conduct, coaches must observe the following requirements for behaviour during training, games or any other event:

1. Treat all players with respect at all times. Be honest and consistent with them.  Honour all promises and commitments, both verbal and written.
2. Promote a climate of mutual support among your players.  Encourage players to respect one another and to expect respect for their worth as individuals, regardless of their level of play.
3. Encourage and facilitate players’ independence and responsibility for their own behaviour, performance, decisions and actions.
4. Involve the players in decisions that affect them.
5. Determine, in consultation with the players, what information is confidential and respect that confidentiality.
6. Provide feedback to players in a caring sensitive manner to their needs.  Avoid overly negative feedback.
7. Refrain from any form of personal abuse towards your players.  This includes verbal, physical and emotional abuse.  Be alert to any forms of abuse directed toward your players from other sources while they are in your care.  Abide by the Netball Victoria Member Protection Policy.
8. Refrain from any form of harassment towards your players.  Treat all players fairly within the context of their sporting activities, regardless of gender, race, place of origin, athletic potential, colour, sexual orientation, religion, political beliefs, socio-economic status or any other condition.
9. Be acutely aware of the power that you as a coach develop with your players in the coaching relationship and avoid any sexual intimacy with players that could develop as a result.
10. Avoid situations with your players that could be construed as compromising.
11. At all times use appropriate training methods which will benefit the players and avoid those which could be harmful.  Ensure that the tasks, trainings, equipment and facilities are safe and suitable for age, experience, ability and physical and psychological conditions of the players.
12. Ensure the time players spend with you is a positive experience.  All players are deserving of equal attention and opportunities.  Provide training and game opportunities that ensure everyone has a reasonable chance to succeed and to improve/acquire skills and develop confidence.
13. Actively discourage the use of performance enhancing drugs, the use of alcohol, tobacco and illegal substances.  Abide by the Netball Australia Anti-Doping Policy.
14. Recognise individual differences in players and always think of the player’s long-term best interests.
15. Set challenges for each player that are both achievable and motivating.
16. Respect the fact that your goal as a coach for the player may not always be the same as that of the player.  Aim for excellence based upon realistic goals and due consideration for the player’s growth and development.
17. At all times act as a role model that promotes the positive aspects of sport and of netball by maintaining the highest standards of personal conduct and projecting a favourable image of netball and of coaching at all times.
18. Recognise your player’s rights to consult with other coaches and advisers.  Cooperate fully with other specialists (eg. sports scientists, doctors, physiotherapists etc).
19. Do not exploit any coaching relationship or information gained through Netball Victoria Programs to further personal, political, or business interests.
20. Encourage players and coaches to develop and maintain integrity in their relationship with others.
21. Respect other coaches and always act in a manner characterised by courtesy and good faith.
22. When asked to coach, ensure that any previous coach/player relationship has been ended in a professional manner.
23. Accept and respect the role of officials in ensuring that competitions are conducted fairly and according to established rules.  Know and abide by netball rules, regulations and standards and encourage players to do likewise.  Accept both the letter and the spirit of the rules.
24. Be honest and ensure that qualifications are not misrepresented.
25. Make a commitment to providing a quality service to your players.  Provide a training program that is planned and sequential.  Maintain or improve your current NCAS accreditation, seek continual improvement through performance appraisal and ongoing coach education and be open to other people’s opinion.

Links

Netball Victoria codes of conduct (click)

• Coaches (click)

 

Last modified:  26/06/2011