Coaches - PDM Basketball

Purpose

The purpose of this Code of Conduct (“Code”) is to ensure a safe and positive environment (within club programs, activities, and events) by making all individuals aware that there is an expectation, at all times, of appropriate behaviour.
NUCLEUS SPORTS ACADEMY and its clubs (PDM BASKETBALL) are committed to providing an environment in which all individuals are treated with respect. It supports equal opportunity and prohibits discriminatory practices. Individuals are expected to conduct themselves at all times in a manner that shows respect, integrity, and fairness to all.
Conduct that violates this Code may be subject to sanctions from the club, Provincial/Territorial Sport Organization, or Canada Basketball.

Application of This Code

This Code applies to conduct that may arise during the course of club business, activities, and events, including but not limited to: its administrative environment, competitions, practices, training camps, tryouts, travel, and any meetings of the club.
This Code also applies to the conduct of individuals that may occur outside of the club’s business, activities, events, and meetings when such conduct adversely affects relationships within the club and is detrimental to the image and reputation of the club.

Responsibilities

All Individuals have a responsibility to:
1. Maintain and enhance the dignity and self-esteem of club members and other individuals by:
  1. Demonstrating respect to individuals regardless of body type, physical characteristics, athletic ability, gender, ancestry, colour, ethnic or racial origin, nationality, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, religion, religious belief, political belief, disability, or economic status;
  2. Focusing comments or criticism appropriately and avoiding public criticism of athletes, coaches, officials, organizers, volunteers, employees, and members;
  3. Consistently demonstrating the spirit of sportsmanship, sport leadership, and ethical conduct;
  4. Acting, when appropriate, to prevent or correct practices that are unjustly discriminatory;
  5. Consistently treating individuals fairly and reasonably;
  6. Ensuring adherence to the rules of basketball and the spirit of those rules.
2. Refrain from any behaviour that constitutes harassment, where harassment is defined as comment or conduct directed towards an individual or group, which is offensive, abusive, racist, sexist, degrading, or malicious. Types of behaviour that constitute harassment include, but are not limited to:
  1. Written or verbal abuse, threats, or outburst;
  2. Displaying visual material which is offensive or which one ought to know is offensive in the circumstances;
  3. Unwelcome remarks, jokes, comments, innuendo, or taunts;
  4. Leering or other suggestive or obscene gestures;
  5. Condescending or patronizing behaviour which is intended to undermine self-esteem, diminish performance or adversely affect working conditions;
  6. Practical jokes which cause awkwardness or embarrassment, endanger a person’s safety, or negatively affect performance;
  7. Any form of hazing where hazing is defined as “Any potentially humiliating, degrading, abusive, or dangerous activity expected of a junior-ranking participant by a more senior person, which does not contribute to either’s positive development, but is required to be accepted as part of a team, regardless of the junior-ranking person’s willingness to participate. This includes, but is not limited to, any activity, no matter how traditional or seemingly benign, that sets apart or alienates any teammate based on class, number of years on the team, or athletic ability.”
  8. Unwanted physical contact including, but not limited to, touching, petting, pinching, or kissing;
  9. Unwelcome sexual flirtations, advances, requests, or invitations;
  10. Physical or sexual assault;
  11. Behaviours such as those described above that are not directed towards a specific individual or group but have the same effect of creating a negative or hostile environment;
  12. Retaliation or threats of retaliation against an individual who reports harassment to the club.
3. Refrain from any behaviour that constitutes sexual harassment, where sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual comments and sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, or conduct of a sexual nature. Types of behaviour that constitute sexual harassment include, but are not limited to:
  1. Sexist jokes;
  2. Displaying sexually offensive material;
  3. Sexually degrading words used to describe a person;
  4. Inquiries or comments about a person’s sex life;
  5. Unwelcome sexual flirtations, advances, or propositions;
  6. Persistent unwanted contact.
4. Abstain from the non-medical use of drugs or the use of performance-enhancing drugs or methods. More specifically, the club adopts and adheres to the Canadian Anti-Doping Program. Any infraction under this program shall be considered an infraction of this Code and shall be subject to disciplinary action, and possible sanction. The club will respect any penalty enacted pursuant to a breach of the Canadian Anti-Doping Program, whether imposed by the Provincial/Territorial Sport Organization, Canada Basketball, or any other sport organization.
5. Refrain from associating with any person for the purpose of coaching, training, competition, instruction, administration, management, athletic development or supervision of the sport of competitive basketball, who has incurred an anti-doping rule violation and is serving a sanction involving a period of ineligibility imposed pursuant to the Canadian Anti-Doping Program and/or the World Anti-Doping Code and recognized by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES).
6. Refrain from the use of power or authority in an attempt to coerce another person to engage in inappropriate activities.
7. In the case of adults, avoid consuming alcohol in situations where minors are present, and take reasonable steps to manage the responsible consumption of alcoholic beverages in adult-oriented social situations associated with club events.
8. Respect the property of others and not willfully cause damage.
9. Promote basketball in the most constructive and positive manner possible.
10. Adhere to all federal, provincial, municipal, and host country laws.
11. Comply at all times with the bylaws, policies, procedures, rules and regulations of the club, as adopted and amended from time to time.

Coach Responsibilities

In addition to the Code of Conduct (above), coaches have additional responsibilities. The coach-athlete relationship is a privileged one and plays a critical role in the personal, sport, and athletic development of the athlete. Coaches must understand and respect the inherent power imbalance that exists in this relationship and must be extremely careful not to abuse it, consciously or unconsciously. Coaches will:

Standards & Conduct

Meet the highest standards of credentials, integrity and suitability, including but not limited to such considerations established by the Club Screening Policy, so that the community is satisfied it has minimized the risk of an unsafe environment
Report any ongoing criminal investigation, conviction or existing bail conditions, including those for violence; child pornography; or possession, use or sale of any illegal substance
Under no circumstances provide, promote or condone the use of drugs (other than properly prescribed medications) or performance-enhancing substances and, in the case of minors, alcoholic beverages, cannabis, and/or tobacco
Respect all other teams and athletes from other teams and, in dealings with them, not encroach upon topics or actions which are deemed to be within the realm of ‘coaching’, unless first receiving approval from the coach who is responsible for the team or athlete(s) involved
Not engage in a intimate/sexual/romantic relationship with an athlete of under the age of 18 years, or an intimate/sexual/romantic relationship with an athlete over the age of 18 if the coach is in a position of power, trust or authority over such athlete
Recognize the power inherent in the position of coach and respect and promote the rights of all participants in sport. This is accomplished by establishing and following procedures for confidentiality (right to privacy), informed participation, and fair and reasonable treatment. Coaches have a special responsibility to respect and promote the rights of participants who are in a vulnerable or dependent position and less able to protect their own rights
Dress professionally, neatly, and inoffensively
Use inoffensive language, taking into account the audience being addressed

On the Court

Be reasonable when scheduling practices and games. I will remember the other interests and obligations of my players.
Teach players to play fair and respect the rules of the game as they are written.
Ensure that all players get equal instruction and support.
Recognize and reward all achievements other than just scoring points.
Never ridicule or yell at my players for making mistakes, performing poorly or losing. I will remember that children play to have fun and satisfaction and must be encouraged to have confidence in themselves.
Ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate for my player’s age and size.
Teach your team to respect the opposing teams, judgment of the referees and other administrators and will lead by example.
Follow a physician’s advice to decide when injured players are ready to play again.
Remember that children need a coach they can respect. I will be generous with deserved praise and set a good example.
Keep informed on sound coaching techniques based on the principles of growth and development of children and continue to upgrade my coaching skills.
Plan your season in advance and ensure I share it with my players and parents, particularly at the beginning of the season.

Conduct that violates this Code may be subject to sanctions from the club, the Provincial/Territorial Sport Organization, or Canada Basketball.

Coaches Code of Conduct