Old Bawn Gymnastics has adopted Gymnastics Ireland’s “Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Youth in Sport in Irish Gymnastics”.

Old Bawn Gymnastics strive to ensure that the children in our club are protected and kept safe from harm whilst participating in gymnastics activities. We aim to provide gymnastics opportunities for all levels of ability from basic participation, fun and recreational levels through to competitive levels to the highest standards.

We encourage our gymnasts to work hard and through positive and encouraging coaching methods, we strive to ensure that all our gymnasts are happy and most importantly that they enjoy themselves in the gym.

CHILDREN’S OFFICERS
Aisling Kenna and Rachel Brennan are the club Children’s Officers who are the link between the children and adults in the club.

                                             
aislingoldbawngymnastics.gmail.com                  racheloldbawngymnastics@gmail.com
086-1855792                                                             086-1855789

CLUB DESIGNATED LIAISON PERSON
Andrea Brennan is the club Designated Liaison person responsible for dealing with any concerns about the protection of children.

andreaoldbawngymnastics.gmail.com
086-1855788

COMPLAINTS & DISCIPLINARY OFFICER
Joe Corbett is the club Complaints & Disciplinary Officer who is responsible for investigating any complaints.

Contact Joe on 086-1855788

OLD BAWN GYMNASTICS – CODE OF CONDUCT

 Old Bawn adheres to the Gymnastics Ireland Code of Ethics and as such we would like to outline some of the key points from the code of conduct for gymnasts and parents/guardians:

GYMNASTS

Gymnasts Should Undertake To:

• Participate fairly, do their best and enjoy themselves
• Represent themselves, their family and Club with pride and dignity
• Respect fellow team members giving support whether they do well or not
• Respect opponents and be modest in victory and gracious in defeat
• Let the coach know when you are unavailable for training or competition

Gymnasts Should NOT:

• Cheat – always participate by the rules
• Use abusive language
• Spread Rumours
• Bully or use bullying tactics to isolate another young person
• Tell lies about an adult or another young person
• Harm team members, opponents or their property

PARENTS/GUARDIANS

• Be a role model for your child and maintain the highest standard of conduct when interacting with young people, other parents, coaches and officials.
• Encourage your child to participate by the rules of gymnastics.
• Ask your child “Did you enjoy yourself?” and Not “Did you win or Lose?”
• Don’t criticise your child’s performance – seek to identify areas where they may improve
• Do listen to what young people have to say
• Do Realise the POWER OF EXAMPLE

CLUB RULES:

• Parents should notify the club if their child is unable to attend training.
• Gymnasts must arrive on time for training. Warm up is a vital part of the session.
• Attire: Gymnasts should wear a leotard for training. They may also wear shorts/leggings. Gym shoes are optional.  Male gymnasts should wear a boys’ leotard or shorts/t-shirt.
  Clothing such as dresses, jeans, skirts etc are not permitted.
• Hair: Long hair must be tied back neatly and securely. Pony-tails which come below the shoulder-line must be tucked under. Hair should not need to be re-done regularly during training, nor should it fall in front of the face on landings.
• Jewellery is not permitted and must be removed before class.
• Food is not permitted in the gym – except if you have a designated lunch time. Healthy eating is encouraged.
• Gymnasts must always endeavour to keep the gym and changing area tidy. They should dispose of any empty bottles, used tape, plasters or strapping in the bins provided.
• Gymnasts are not permitted to leave their training group without notifying their coach.
• Gymnasts must always treat their coach and group members with respect. Bullying, name calling or inappropriate behaviour of any kind will not be tolerated.
• Gymnasts must not criticize or correct other gymnasts.
• Gymnasts should always aim to foster good team spirit and are expected to encourage each other in a positive manner.
• Parents and spectators must remain in the designated viewing area at all times. Young children must be supervised.
• Parents are not permitted to engage in conversation with coaches during class time.
• Parents should not distract their children during class time.
• At the end of training, gymnasts are not permitted to leave until a parent/guardian has arrived to collect them.

CHILD SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT            

Gymnastics Ireland provides sporting activities and opportunities for young people though participation in clubs, national events and our national teams. We are committed to safeguarding children in our Club under the guidance of our Safeguarding Policies. All our volunteers and staff working with our young people, throughout our Club, seek to create a safe environment for young people to participate in our activities.

Principles to safeguard children from harm

This statement recognises that in accordance with legislation and with the requirements of our Policies that the welfare and interests of children are paramount in all circumstances. It aims to ensure that all children have a positive, developmental and enjoyable experience of Gymnastics and when participating in our activities that they do so, as far as is practicable, in a safe and enjoyable environment where everyone is respected.

 Risk Assessment

As per Section 11(7) of the Children First Act 2015, our Club has completed an assessment of the potential for harm to children when they are participating in and attending our activities under the following headings: Club and Coaching Practices; Complaints & Discipline; Reporting Procedures; Use of Facilities; Recruitment; Communications/Social Media and a further heading of General Risk of Harm. Below is a list of areas of risk identified and the list of procedures for managing these risks.

Our Child Safeguarding Statement has been prepared in accordance with the legislature requirements contained in the Children First Act 2015, Children’s First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2017), the Children (NI) Order 1995, Tusla’s Child Safeguarding: A Guide for Policy, Procedure and Practice 2017.

The procedures contained in our risk assessment support our intention to safeguard children while they are availing of our services. We have the following procedures in place as part of our Safeguarding Code and Policies:

• Procedure in respect to the management of allegations of abuse against any member, non-member or staff or volunteer of a child availing of our services.
• Procedure for the safe recruitment and selection of workers and volunteers with regard to their suitability to work with children
• Procedure for provision of and access to child safeguarding training and information including the identification of the occurrence of harm
• Procedure for the reporting of child protection or welfare concerns to Gymnastics Ireland, Tusla (ROI) and or Gateway Team (NI)
• Procedure for appointing a) a relevant person – the Club Children’s Officer shall be the relevant person, first point of contact in respect of this statement and b) Designated Liaison Person and Children’s Officer in our Club
• Procedure for maintaining a list of club members who are Mandated Persons (if known), in accordance with the Children First Act 2015 regardless of what role (if any), they hold in the club.

The Gymnastics Ireland Mandated Person, who has a legal obligation to report harm of children as per Children First Act 2015 is Dermot Howlin (Policy, Welfare & Compliance Manager), email dermot@gymnasticsireland.com or phone 01/6251125

We recognise that implementation is an ongoing process. Our Club Child Safeguarding Statement has been prepared in accordance with the requirements contained in the Children First Act 2015. Our Club is committed to the implementation of this Child Safeguarding Statement. This Child Safeguarding Statement will be reviewed within 24 months of the date below.

  Club Chairperson:

  Name:      Joe Corbett                                          26/05/2021

Club Children’s Officers:

  Name:      Aisling Kenna                                      26/05/2021

                    Rachel Brennan                                     28/04/2022

______________________________________________________________________

For any queries on this Child Safeguarding Statement, please contact our Club Children’s Officer