This Coaching Code of Conduct applies to all coaches of the Yukon Gymnastic Association and its affiliates.
The athlete/coach relationship is a privileged one. Coaches play a critical role in the personal as well as athletic development of their athletes. Coaches must understand and respect the inherent power imbalance that exists in this relationship and must be extremely careful not to abuse it. Coaches must also recognize that they are conduits through which the values and goals of this sporting organization are channeled. Thus, how an athlete regards this sport is often dependent on the behavior of the coach. The following Code of Conduct has been developed to aid coaches in achieving a level of behavior that will allow their athletes to become well-rounded, self-confident persons who can enjoy gymnastics at all levels.
COACHES HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO:
1. Treat everyone fairly within the context of their activity, regardless of gender, place of origin, race, sexual orientation, religion, political belief or economic status.
2. Encourage participation in gymnastics at all levels.
3. Direct comments or criticism at the performance rather than the athlete.
4. Consistently display high personal standards and project a favorable image of gymnastics and coaching by:
a) Refraining from public criticism of fellow coaches, athletes, officials or volunteers — especially when speaking to the media or recruiting athletes.
b) Abstaining from the use of tobacco products while in the presence his/her athletes.
c) Abstaining from drinking alcoholic beverages when working with athletes.
d) Discouraging the use of alcohol in conjunction with gymnastics events.
e) Refraining from the use of profane, insulting, harassing or otherwise offensive language or action in the conduct of his/her duties.
5. Ensuring that the activity being undertaken is suitable for the age, experience, ability and fitness level of the gymnast and to educate athletes as to their responsibilities in contributing to a safe environment.
6. Communicate and co-operate with registered health practitioners in the diagnoses, treatment and management of their athlete’s health and/or psychological problems.
7. Consider the gymnast’s future health and well-being as foremost when making decisions regarding an injured athlete’s ability to continue training or competing.
8. Allow the gymnast’s goals to take precedence over their own, unless they affect the safety and or well-being of the athlete.
9. Regularly seek ways of increasing professional development.
10. Treat opponents and officials with respect, both in victory and defeat and encourage athletes to act accordingly.
11. Actively encourage gymnasts to uphold the rules of their sport and spirit of fair play.
12. In the case of minors, communicate, co-operate and respect the gymnast’s parents or legal guardians, involving them in the management of their child’s development in the sport.
13. Respect and show appreciation for the volunteer who gave their time to provide a safe and enjoyable gymnastics program.
14. Be aware of the pressures placed on gymnasts as they strive to balance the physical, educational, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of their lives and conduct training and competitions in a manner so as to allow optimum enjoyment of gymnastics.
COACHES MUST:
1. Ensure the safety of the gymnasts with whom they work.
2. At no time become intimately and/or sexually involved with their athletes. This includes requests for sexual favors or threat of reprisal for the rejection of such requests.
3. Abide by the Yukon Gymnastic Association Harassment Policy.
4. Never advocate or condone the use of drugs or other banned performance enhancing substances.
5. Never provide under age athletes with alcohol or encourage its use.
