CLUB RULES – When you join Bramhall Runners you agree to adhere to these rules.
During Club sessions it is necessary for all Club Members to show due care, consideration and courtesy to other road users to ensure our mutual safety. These principles also extend to consideration for private property when using public rights-of-way in off-road running. During Club activities all members are expected to wear reflective tops when out running on the roads during the hours of darkness. (The Club will provide reflective tops on loan for those members who forget). Also any members who are responsible for other members by leading or co-leading groups during the hours of darkness must lead by example and wear a reflective top.
When running during the hours of darkness, group leaders will plan routes which are well-lit and where there are pavements along most of the route.
The use of headphones is discouraged on on-road training runs.
The Committee accepts no responsibility for any loss, damage, accident or injury suffered as a result of participating in any Club activities.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
The safety of our runners and members is very important to us. Any Safety issues should be brought, by email, to the attention of the Club Secretary for the appropriate action to be taken. The Club will seek to be aware of any members that have First Aid qualifications in case of emergency. The Club will provide a stocked First Aid Kit available on Club Nights.
SESSIONS
The Club will organise various coached sessions Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday. The Club will also organise other informal running activities.
Social events are organised for all Members from time to time throughout the year.
The Club will organise events/races throughout the year. These are non profit making and the proceeds go towards the chosen charity.
It is hoped that Members undertake to take part in the rota for helping at Club-organised races for marshaling or for other duties.
CODE OF CONDUCT: SENIOR ATHLETES
As a responsible athlete, I will:
Abide by the UKA and the HCAF Child Safeguarding Policy and Child Safeguarding Procedures
Abide by the UKA and the HCAF Adult Safeguarding Policy and Adult Safeguarding Procedures
Respect the rights of every athlete, coach, technical official and others involved in athletics and treat everyone equitably
Uphold the same sporting values away from sport as I do when I am engaged in athletics
Participate within the rules of the sport, respect decisions of coaches and officials, and demonstrate respect towards fellow athletes
Cooperate fully with others involved in the sport such as coaches, technical officials, team managers, doctors, physiotherapists, sport scientists and representatives of the governing body in my best interests and those of other athletes
Never condone rule violations or the use of prohibited substances
Anticipate and be responsible for my own needs, including being organised, having the appropriate equipment and being on time
Inform my coach of any other coaching that I am seeking or receiving
Act with dignity and display courtesy and good manners towards others
In no way undermine, put down or belittle other athletes, coaches or practitioners
Avoid swearing and abusive language whilst in athletic venues, at club functions and events, or when as part of a team/ squad
Never engage in any inappropriate or illegal behaviour
Challenge and report inappropriate behaviour and language by others
Not misuse or abuse sporting equipment and venues
Not carry or consume alcohol or illegal substances while training or competing in athletics
Maintain strict boundaries between friendship and intimacy with a coach or official
Use safe transport or travel arrangements
Act ethically, professionally and with integrity, and take responsibility for your actions.
As part of England Athletics rules do not race under somebody else’s race number – Transfer of race numbers to be done through the race organiser
I recognise that I am bound by the UKA Anti-Doping Regulations, and submit to the authority of UK Anti-Doping in the application and enforcement of the Anti-Doping Rules. UK Anti-Doping Rules apply to all member participating in athletics for a minimum of 12 months from the commencement of membership whether or not the member is a citizen of, or resident in, the UK. Any athlete wishing to retire from the sport of athletics must put this in writing to the club and their Home Country Athletics Federation (Athletics Northern Ireland / England Athletics / Scottish Athletics / Welsh Athletics) and cancel any applicable membership. Official retirement will remove the athlete from being under the auspices of UKA’s Anti-Doping Rules.
BREACH OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT
I understand that if I do not follow the code, action can be taken by my club and I may:
Be asked to apologise for my behaviour
Receive a verbal warning from my coach
Receive a verbal or written warning from the club committee
Be suspended from attending club training sessions
Be suspended from the club
Be required to leave the club.
The Coach: Code of Conduct
As a responsible coach you will:
Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every athlete and treat everyone equally, regardless of background or ability
Place the welfare and safety of the athlete above the development of performance
Develop appropriate working relationships with athletes (especially under 18s), based on mutual trust and respect
Not exert undue influence to obtain personal benefit or reward
Encourage and guide athletes to accept and take responsibility for their own behaviour and performance and give them as much autonomy as possible
Never do something for an athlete that they can do for themselves (in the case of some disabled athletes or vulnerable adults tasks of a personal nature may be requested or necessary. In such cases the full understanding and consent of the athlete, parent or carer should be sought and the individual’s dignity should be respected.)
Avoid critical language or actions, such as sarcasm, that undermine the athletes self esteem
Not spend time alone with a young athlete unless clearly in view of others
Ensure that parents/carers know about and have approved in advance if taking a young athlete away from the usual training venue
Respect the right of young athletes to an independent life outside athletics
Make sure you are appropriately qualified for activities that you coach and update your licence and education when required by UK Athletics
Adopt safe training regimes appropriate to the age, stage of development and capacity of the athlete
At the outset, clarify with athletes (and where appropriate their parents or carers) exactly what is expected of them and what performers are entitled to expect from you
Never try to recruit, either overtly or covertly, athletes who are already receiving coaching
Challenge inappropriate behaviour or language by others
Report any suspected misconduct by other coaches or athletics personnel (see figure 1 in ‘Athletics Welfare’)
Consistently display high standards of behaviour and appearance
Social media Code of Conduct – The behaviours and actions you would consider to be unacceptable in the ‘real’ world, are also unacceptable online. Be courteous and respectful to club members and other runners and clubs etc. Our social media policy is an extension of the club’s code of conduct.
ALLOCATION OF CLUB PLACES IN THE LONDON MARATHON
Bramhall Runners is affiliated to England Athletics (North West Region), and may be allocated guaranteed entries in the London Marathon each year.
Any Club Member who wishes to be considered for a Club place must furnish the Secretary with proof of race entry, or of a failed attempt at entry. This may take the form of either a letter sent to the Secretary by the end of May signalling that an attempt at online entry has been made and rejected because entries had already closed, or a rejection letter following the ballot (and copied to the Secretary by not later than the end of November).
The member is not to already have gained a Club place in the draw of London Marathon.
All such applicants will be considered and if there are a few applicants, name will be drawn out of a hat at the Christmas Party in December.
Preference shall be given to a person:
1) who is a fully paid up member of the Club for at least 1 year prior to application;
2) who is a regular active member of the Club (attending Club Nights etc.);
3) who is considered to have made the greater contribution to Club activities (athletic, social or organisational), preferably within the preceding Club year.
For all events or races in which a Club Team (or Teams) is entered, members of the team(s) must wear Club vest/t shirt wherever possible.
Revised: March 2025
Julie Fairclough (Secretary)