Policies of Our Organisation

Article 4-6

• Coaches must ensure that practical environments are safe and appropriate. This appropriateness must take into consideration the age, maturity and skill level of the athlete. This is particularly important in the case of younger or less experienced athletes.
  up
• Coaches will always consider the physical and emotional well-being of an athlete and place these needs ahead of any other concerns, such as competition or training. Coaches will discourage athletes from competing or training if there is a likelihood that such competition or training could be detrimental to the athlete’s physical or emotional well-being.
  up
• Coaches will, wherever practical, avoid unaccompanied and unobserved one-on-one activity, when in a supervisory capacity or where a power imbalance will exist, with people under the age of 18 years.
  up

Article 7-9

• Coaches must acknowledge and respect the Rules of Competition. This respect should extend to the spirit, as well as to the letter of the rules, in both training and competition, to ensure fairness of competitive opportunity between all athletes.
  up
• Coaches must exhibit active respect for officials, by accepting the role of the officials in providing judgment to ensure that competitions are conducted fairly and according to the established rules.
  up
• Coaches have a responsibility to influence the performance and conduct of the athletes they coach, while at the same time encouraging the independence and self-determination of each athlete by their acceptance of responsibility for their own decisions, conduct and performance.
  up

Article 10-12

• Coaches must assert a positive and active leadership role to prevent any use of prohibited drugs or other disallowed performance-enhancing substances or practices. This includes education of the athletes of the harmful effects of prohibited substances and practices.
  up
• The coach must acknowledge that all coaches have an equal right to desire the success of the athletes they coach – competing within the rules. Observations, recommendations and criticism should be directed to the appropriate person outside the view or hearing of the public domain.
  up
• The coach must acknowledge and recognise that all athletes have a right to pursue their athletic potential. A coach will recognise that a previous coach-athlete relationship may exist and that prior to taking on an athlete, all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure any previous relationship has ended in a ‘professional manner’.
  up

Article 13-15

• Coaches will always recognise the athlete’s right to consult with other coaches and advisers.
  up
• Coaches will hold approved certification and qualification. Coaches will respect that coaching accreditation is an ongoing commitment, achieved through the upgrading of their knowledge by further participation in accredited programs, or workshops, as well as through practical coaching experience. Coaches also have a responsibility to share the knowledge and practical experience they gain.
  up
• Coaches must at all times, be honest and never allow their qualifications or experience to be misrepresented.
  up

Article 16-19

• Coaches must respect the image of the coach and continuously maintain the highest standards of personal conduct, reflected in both the manner of appearance and behaviour.
  up
• Coaches must never smoke while coaching or in the presence of athletes, nor consume alcoholic beverages so soon before coaching that it affects their competence or that the smell of alcohol is on their breath.
  up
• Coaches should cooperate with all individuals and agencies that could play a role in the development of the athletes they coach, including working with other coaches and where appropriate, sports science and sports medicine professionals.
  up
• Coaches must not act in any way that brings the sport of athletics, JATAFCA, JAAA in its role as the National Federation, World Athletics (Formerly. IAAF) or any other member organisation into disrepute.

The Coach is subject to the Policies, Rules and By-Laws of Jamaica Athletics Administration Association (JAAA) those of the Jamaica Track and Field Coaches Association (JATAFCA) and the Constitution and Rules of World Athletics (Formerly, IAAF) as amended from time to time.

Disciplinary Measures

A Coach who is found to be in breach of the Code of Conduct may be subject to disciplinary measures as per the Jamaica Track and Field Coaches Association (JATAFCA), By-laws and Member Policy:

Disciplinary measures and sanctions that may be imposed range from the coach making an apology, to the termination of a coach’s accreditation or other sanction deemed appropriate. Details regarding the disciplinary measures are contained in the Member Policy.

Reference:

World Athletics (formerly, IAAF) Integrity Code of Conduct.
https://www.athleticsintegrity.org/downloads/pdfs/know-the-rules/en/D1.1-Integrity-Code-of-Conduct.pdf
ASC, The Essence of Australian Sport – Code of Behaviour: Coaches, 2010
http://www.atfca.com.au/codeofethics.ews