Swansea Gymnastics Safeguarding & Well-Being Team

As a gymnast taking part in gymnastics, this is what you must follow so that we can make sure everyone is happy and safe.

I have the right to:

• Enjoy the time I spend in gymnastics and be safe.
• Be listened to.
• Be included and treated fairly.
• Be respected.
• Feel welcomed, valued and not judged.
• Be told how to tell someone when something isn’t right.
• Be able to tell someone that something isn’t right without worrying about what will happen next – I will not get in trouble for talking about my worries.

How I will behave:

• Make gymnastics environments a welcoming and friendly place to be.
• Celebrate my teammates; tell them when they’ve done well and be there for them when they’re struggling.
• Respect and celebrate differences in our environment and do not be mean to people because of our differences. Everyone is welcome here!
• Tell an adult, like my safeguarding and well-being officer, about any bullying, even if I’ve just seen or heard something.
• Treat other people with respect and celebrate everyone’s’ different levels of skill and talent.
• Respect the staff, coaches and judges, and the staff and gymnasts from other teams.
• Be a good sport, celebrate when I win and be gracious when I don’t.
• Be safe and kind to others online.

What I will do:

• If something isn’t right, or if something makes me feel sad or scared, I will tell someone, like my safeguarding and well-being officer, my gymnast representative or any other adult that I would be happy talking to.
• Keep myself safe by listening to my coach.
• When I’m in the gym, stay in the places where I’m supposed to be, don’t wander off without telling an adult.
• Take care of the equipment.
• Make it to training and competitions on time and if I’m running late, let my coach know.
• Bring the right equipment to practice and competitions and wear the correct clothing.

Remember – it’s okay if you’re having a bad day, we all need help at times, let your club safeguarding and well-being team know, or an adult you can trust, they can help.

As someone who facilitates gymnastics activities, this is what you must follow so that we can make sure everyone is happy and safe.

I have the right to:

• Enjoy the time I spend within my gymnastics environment and be supported in my role.
• Feel welcomed, valued and not judged based on my protected characteristics.
• Be informed of the safeguarding and reporting procedures and what I need to do if something isn’t right.
• Use the safeguarding and reporting procedures without fear of retribution.
• Have access to ongoing training in all aspects of my role.
• Be listened to, respected and treated fairly.
• Be protected from physical or emotional abuse, including from other staff, gymnasts or guardians, and be supported to resolve conflicts.

How I will behave:

• Make the environment a friendly and welcoming place to be.
• Respect the gymnast’s trust and rights whilst being honest and open with them.
• Champion everyone’s right to take part and celebrate difference in our environment without discriminating against anyone, regardless of their protected characteristics. Everyone is welcome here!
• Lead by example when it comes to fair play, positive behaviour, and commitment to the sport.
• Develop positive relationships with guardians and update them regularly about their child’s development.
• Use constructive and positive methods of developing gymnasts’ skills, without humiliating or harming them.
• Consider my behaviour – do not engage in any behaviour that constitutes abuse, poor practice or is in breach of the code of conduct.
• Behave appropriately online in accordance with the Welsh Gymnastics Digital Environment Policy.
• Challenge and address instances of poor, negative, aggressive or bullying behaviour.
• Respect my position of trust and maintain appropriate boundaries and relationships with gymnasts.

What I will do:

• Implement Swansea Gymnastics Safeguarding Policies and Procedures.
• Report any concerns, allegations of abuse or wellbeing worries to the Safeguarding & Well-being team via welfare@swanseagymnastics.org.uk
• Listen to any concerns that guardians or gymnasts might have and, if necessary, report them and follow up.
• Keep any coaching qualifications, DBS certificates and safeguarding training up to date.
• Keep gymnasts in my sessions’ safe by supervising appropriately, using safe methods and techniques and by putting the gymnasts’ safety first.
• Make sure I have appropriate staffing ratios of adult to participants before the session begins.
• Ensure all equipment is fit for purpose, safe to use and accessible.
• Stop any activity if an injury happens, administer minor first aid and call for help when necessary.
• Do not smoke, abuse substances or drink alcohol in any gymnastics environment or when I am representing gymnastics.

As a parent, guardian, or carer of someone taking part in gymnastics, this is what you must follow so that we can make sure everyone is happy and safe.

I have the right to:

• Be assured that the gymnasts in our care are safeguarded during their time with us.
• See any of our policies and procedures at any time.
• Know who the safeguarding and wellbeing officer responsible for the gymnasts is and have their contact details.
• Know what training and qualifications our staff have.
• Be informed of problems and concerns.
• Know what happens if there’s an accident or injury.
• Be informed of injuries and see records of any accidents.
• Have your consent sought for all activities.
• Have any concerns about any aspect of the gymnasts’ welfare listened to and responded to.

How I will behave:

• Learn what gymnastics means to the gymnast and what respect their wishes are.
• Take the time to talk to them about what you both want to achieve through sport but ultimately it is their choice whether they want to participate.
• Listen when the gymnasts says they don’t want to do something.
• At the centre, accept coaches’ feedback/decision making, do not enter into the gymnasium at any time other than when instructed to do so by a staff member.
• At a competition, accept the officials’ judgement, do not approach the judges’ table, and do not enter the field of play or warm up area.
• Behave positively while watching – only shout encouragement.
• Think about the way you react and behave; it will have an effect on everyone around you.
• Encourage the gymnast to respect and celebrate difference within the sport.
• Encourage the gymnast to understand and manage their expectations when competing.
• Use social media responsibly when discussing gymnastics.
• Talk to the gymnast about embracing good etiquette and fair sport.
• Encourage the gymnast to play by the rules.
• Ensure the gymnast understands their code of conduct.

What I will do:

• Make sure the gymnast has the correct kit, clothing and sustenance for the session.
• Make sure they arrive to sessions on time and are picked up promptly; or let the coach know if you’re running late or if the gymnast is going home with someone else.
• Complete all consent, contact and medical forms and update us straight away if anything changes.
• Stay up to date with all monthly fee payments and competition expenses.
• Maintain an open and positive relationship with the coach. Remember they are the coach, not you; you should talk to them with respect and encourage your child to do the same.
• Use social media positively.