Codes of Conduct

purpose

Netball France, Member Organisations and Affiliates seek to provide a safe, fair and inclusive environment for everyone involved in netball.

To achieve this, Netball France, Member Organisations and Affiliates require certain standards of behaviour of players/athletes, coaches, officials, administrators, parents/guardians (of child participants) and spectators.

The Codes of Conduct are underpinned by the following core values:

  • To act within the rules and spirit of netball;
  • To display respect and courtesy towards everyone involved in netball and prevent discrimination, bullying and sexual harassment;
  • To prioritise the safety and well-being of children and young people involved in netball; and
  • To encourage and support opportunities for participation in all aspects of netball.

scope

The Codes of Conduct applies to the following people, whether they are operating in a paid or unpaid/voluntary capacity in Netball France or with a Member Organisation or Affiliate:

  • Individual Members;
  • Individuals sitting on boards, committees and sub-committees;
  • All employees, volunteers, independent contractors and other workplace participants;
  • Any other person that is a member of or affiliated to Netball France;
  • Parents, guardians, spectators and sponsors and any other person to the full extent that is possible; and
  • Any other Person who has agreed to be bound by this Policy.

The Codes of Conduct applies to each of the above person at all times during netball related activities and at all times when acting in any capacity, whether voluntary or paid, on behalf of Netball France, a Member Organisation or Affiliate.

breach

Any alleged breach of the Codes of Conduct should be managed using the process outlined in the relevant Netball France, Member Organisations or Affiliates Constitution or policies.

role specific codes of conduct

In addition to the General Code of Conduct, Netball France has developed role-specific codes of conduct.

  • Administrator Code of Conduct
  • Coach Code of Conduct
  • Player Code of Conduct
  • Umpire Code of Conduct
  • Parent/Guardian Code of Conduct
  • Spectator Code of Conduct
  • Bench Officials Code of Conduct
  • Media Code of Conduct

General Code of Conduct

As a person required to comply with this Policy, you must meet the following requirements with regard to your conduct during any activity held or sanctioned by Netball France, Member Organisations or Affiliates:

 

  1. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all people involved in netball regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background, marital status, race, colour, disability, sexuality, age, occupation religious or political opinion.
  2. Respect the confidentiality and sensitivities of any information they hold on other individuals.
  3. Be ethical, fair, considerate and honest in all dealings with others.
  4. Make a commitment to providing quality service.
  5. Operate within the rules and spirit of netball including, but not limited to, National guidelines, constitution and policies which govern Netball France, Member Organisations and Affiliates. 
  6. Do not use your involvement with netball to promote your own beliefs, behaviours or practices where these are inconsistent with those of Netball France, Member Organisations or Affiliates.
  7. Demonstrate a high degree of individual responsibility especially when dealing with persons under 18 years of age, as your words and actions are an example.
  8. Always place the safety and welfare of children above other considerations. 
  9. Avoid unaccompanied and unobserved activities with persons under 18 years of age, wherever possible. 
  10. Comply with all relevant French laws, particularly anti-discrimination, occupational health and safety and child protection laws 
  11. Refrain from any behaviour that may bring Netball France, Member Organisations or Affiliates into disrepute. 
  12. Provide a safe environment for the conduct of the activity. 
  13. Show concern and caution towards others who may be sick or injured. 
  14. Be a positive role model. 
  15. Be responsible and accountable for your conduct. 
  16. Protect individual’s and Netball’s reputation and not take any action or make inappropriate comments about a fellow participant, coach, official, volunteer or member of Netball France’s staff that could bring the Sport or those associated with delivering the Sport into disrepute, including making comments on social media. Members are expected to follow Netball France’s guidance and policies on social media technology.
  17. Respect the result of the game and not attempt to influence the result or seek to achieve personal gain on a result which they could either by playing, coaching or officiating, or through involvement influence. 
  18. Promote the positive aspects of the sport and never condone the use of inappropriate or abusive language, inappropriate relationships, bullying, harassment, discrimination or physical violence. 
  19. Not impinge on others enjoyment of Netball or their own performance by consuming alcohol or smoking immediately prior to or while participating in the sport, or while safeguarding children, young people or vulnerable adults 
  20. Ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate in a fair, honest environment by rejecting cheating, abide by the Anti-Doping policies and not taking illegal substances immediately prior to or while participating in Netball.
  21. Abide by the relevant Netball France role-specific codes of conduct and understand the consequences if you breach, or are aware of any breaches of this Code of Conduct. 

Administrator Code of Conduct

In addition to Netball France’s General Code of Conduct, you must meet the following requirements with regard to your conduct during any activity held by or under the auspices of Netball France, Member Organisations or Affiliates in your role as an administrator: 

  1. Be fair, considerate and honest in all dealings with others. 
  2. Be professional in, and accept responsibility for your actions. Your language, presentation, manners and punctuality should reflect high standards. 
  3. Resolve conflicts fairly and promptly through established procedures. 
  4. Maintain strict impartiality. 
  5. Be aware of and comply with your legal responsibilities, including under anti-discrimination, child protection and occupational health and safety legislation. 
  6. Develop a positive netball environment by emphasising enjoyment and by providing appropriate development and competitive experiences. 
  7. Involve all relevant stakeholders (players, coaches, umpires, parents) in the planning, evaluation, leadership and decision-making related to netball programs and events. 
  8. Ensure activities, equipment and facilities are safe and appropriate to the ability level of participating players. Activities, rules, equipment, length of games and training schedules should take into consideration the age, ability and maturity level of the participants. 
  9. Ensure that everyone (administrators, coaches, players, umpires, parents, spectators, sponsors and physicians) emphasise fair play in netball activities and games.
  10. Where appropriate, distribute the National Codes of Conduct to coaches, players, umpires, parents, spectators and the media.

Board Member and Sub-Committee Member Code of Conduct

In addition to Netball France’s General Code of Conduct, you must meet the following requirements with regard to your conduct during any activity held by or under the auspices of Netball France, Member Organisations or Affiliates in your role as a committee member or sub-committee member: 

  1. Promote and embed Netball France’s values, aims and policies. 
  2. Act only in the interests of Europe Netball, World Netball, and Netball France.
  3. Establish and maintain robust and comprehensive governance processes and regimes
  4. Actively contribute to the effective work of the Committee through:
    1.  detailed preparation and reading of all papers circulated prior to meetings. 
    2. regular attendance, participation and contribution at meetings, including challenging constructively. 
    3. ensuring timely response to agreed actions, requests for information and guidance. 
    4. attending the AGM/EGM and Netball France events as and when required 
    5. deal with issues of clarification ‘offline’ before meetings in order maintain a sharp focus on agenda items during meetings to ensure that meetings run to time and time is fully utilised. 
  5. Attend relevant training events and take reasonable steps to ensure awareness of public policy, statute and other issues that may affect the work of Netball France.
  6. Listen to and respect the views of others. 
  7. Seek positive and constructive resolution to those issues where differences in opinion exist, and where a vote is taken accept the decision of the majority. 
  8. Observe the highest ethical standards of impartiality, integrity and objectivity in relation to Netball France funds and its management. 
  9. Act in a way considered to be in good faith and most likely to promote the success of Netball France for the benefit of its members as a whole including not using your position to obtain for yourself, family members or close associates employment or other advantages with Netball France, World Netball or Europe Netball. 
  10. Maximise value for money through ensuring that services are delivered in the most economical, efficient and effective way within available resources and that independent validation of performance is achieved wherever practicable. 
  11. Maintain focus on the strategic development through planning, prioritising, performance monitoring and evaluation. 
  12. Notify the appropriate authorities should your personal circumstances change, and a conflict develops or if you are charged or convicted of a criminal office which would result in you not being a fit and proper person to hold your position within Netball. 
  13. Immediately declare any conflict of interest to the board.
  14. Support other Committees and individuals in their leadership of the organisation. 
  15. At all times act as an ambassador and advocate for Netball France, promoting Netball France’s key messages and always presenting the sport and its people in a positive light. 
  16. Not attempt to exercise individual authority over Netball France or its staff and volunteers except as explicitly set out in policies. 
  17. Respect confidentiality and not pass any information gained through involvement with the Committee to a third party without approval of the President. 
  18. Sub Committee Members must work only in conjunction with the appropriate Committee member and not in isolation nor must a Sub committee member recruit non committee members to assist them unless it is with the full knowledge and approval of the Board.

Coach Code of Conduct

In addition to Netball France’s General Code of Conduct, you must meet the following requirements with regard to your conduct during any activity held by or under the auspices of Netball France, Member Organisations or Affiliates in your role as a coach: 

  1. Operate within the rules and spirit of netball, promoting fair play. 
  2. Develop a positive netball environment by emphasising enjoyment and by providing appropriate development and competitive experiences. 
  3. Support opportunities for participation in all aspects of the sport. 
  4. Treat each person as an individual. Respect the rights and worth of every person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background, marital status, race, colour, disability, sexuality, age, occupation religious or political opinion.
  5. Display control, courtesy and respect to all involved with netball. 
  6. Respect the decisions of umpires, officials, other coaches and administrators in the conduct of netball programs and competitions. 
  7. 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. 
  8. Ensure activities, equipment and facilities are safe and appropriate to the ability level of participating players. Activities, rules, equipment, length of games and training schedules should take into consideration the age, ability and maturity level of the participants. 
  9. Act with integrity and objectivity, and accept responsibility for your decisions and actions. 
  10. Ensure your decisions and actions contribute to a safe environment. Place the safety and welfare of the players above all else. 
  11. Ensure your decisions and actions contribute to an environment free of sexual harassment, bullying, discrimination or victimisation. 
  12. Any physical contact with player should be appropriate to the situation and necessary for the player’s skill development. 
  13. Adopt responsible behaviour in relation to alcohol and other drugs.
  14. Be honest and do not allow your qualifications/accreditation to be misrepresented. 

Player Code of Conduct

In addition to Netball France’s General Code of Conduct, you must meet the following requirements with regard to your conduct during any activity held by or under the auspices of Netball France, Member Organisations or Affiliates in your role as a player: 

  1. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of fellow players, coaches, officials and spectators. 
  2. Refrain from conduct which could be regarded as sexual harassment, discrimination, bullying or victimisation. 
  3. Respect the talent, potential and development of fellow players and competitors. 
  4. Participate fairly and safely. 
  5. Be frank and honest with your coach concerning illness and injury and your ability to train and play fully. 
  6. Conduct yourself in a responsible manner relating to language, temper and punctuality. 
  7. Abide by the rules and respect the decision of the umpires. Be courteous and use the correct process when seeking a rule clarification. 
  8. Be honest in your attitude and preparation to training. Work equally hard for yourself and your team. 
  9. Co-operate with coaches and staff in relation to programs that adequately prepare you for competition. 
  10. Do not engage in practices that affect sporting performance (alcohol, tobacco and drug use). 
  11. Applaud all good play, by your own team and opponents.
  12. Respect and acknowledge the contribution of those who create the opportunity for you to play (e.g. scorers, coaches, timekeepers, administrators and umpires). 

 

Umpire Code of Conduct

In addition to Netball France’s General Code of Conduct, you must meet the following requirements with regard to your conduct during any activity held by or under the auspices of Netball France, Member Organisations or Affiliates in your role as an umpire: 

  1. Umpire in accordance with the Official Rules of the Game. 
  2. Treat all players, coaches, bench officials and other umpires with respect. 
  3. Place the safety and welfare of the players above all else, including by: 
    • Ensuring the court and its surrounds are compliant with the rules. 
    • Taking appropriate action to manage dangerous play. 
  4. Maintain a high standard of personal behaviour at all times. 
  5. Be a positive role model through behaviour and personal appearance projecting a favourable image of netball and umpiring at all times. 
  6. Refrain from conduct which could be regarded as sexual harassment, discrimination, bullying or victimisation. 
  7. Be courteous, respectful and open to discussion and interaction with other netball participants. 
  8. Maintain or improve your current performance level and seek continual improvement. 
  9. Be honest and do not allow your qualifications/accreditation to be misrepresented. 

Parent/Guardian Code of Conduct

In addition to Netball France’s General Code of Conduct, you must meet the following requirements with regard to your conduct during any activity held by or under the auspices of Netball France, Member Organisations or Affiliates in your role as a parent/guardian: 

  1. Encourage your child to participate but do not force them. 
  2. Focus upon your child’s efforts and performance rather than the overall outcome of the event. This assists your child in setting realistic goals related to his/ her ability by reducing the emphasis on winning. 
  3. Teach your child that an honest effort is as important as winning, so that the result of each game is accepted without undue disappointment. 
  4. Encourage your child to play always according to the rules. 
  5. Be a model of good sports behaviour for children to copy. Applaud good play by all players. 
  6. Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or losing a game. 
  7. If you disagree with an umpire or coach raise the issue through the appropriate channels rather than question their judgement and honesty in public. 
  8. Refrain from conduct which could be regarded as sexual harassment, discrimination, bullying or victimisation. 
  9. Recognise and respect the value and importance of paid and volunteer administrators, coaches and umpires. They give up their time and resources to provide recreational activities for players and deserve your support. 
  10. Be courteous in communication with administrators, coaches, players and umpires. Teach your child to do the same. 
  11. Support the use of age appropriate development activities and modified rules. 
  12. Do not use inappropriate language, harass athletes, coaches, officials or other spectators.
  13. Do not arrive at a netball activity under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  14. Do not use Social Media technology to bring the game into disrepute or make an inappropriate comment about an athlete, coach, official, volunteer or member of Netball France staff.

Spectator Code of Conduct

In addition to Netball France’s General Code of Conduct, you must meet the following requirements with regard to your conduct during any activity held by or under the auspices of Netball France, Member Organisations or Affiliates in your role as a spectator: 

  1. Remember that most players (in particular children) participate in netball activities for fun. They are not participating for entertainment of spectators only. 
  2. Applaud good performance and efforts by all players. When watching a game congratulate both teams on their performance regardless of the game’s outcome. 
  3. Respect the decision of the umpires. Encourage players to play according to the rules and the official decisions, and develop your own knowledge of the rules. 
  4. Never ridicule or abuse a player for making a mistake during a competition. 
  5. Refrain from conduct which could be regarded as sexual harassment, discrimination, bullying or victimisation. 
  6. Do not use foul language, sledge or harass administrators, coaches, players, umpires or other spectators. 
  7. Condemn the use of violence in any form, be it by administrators, coaches, players, umpires or other spectators. 
  8. Support the use of age appropriate development activities and modified rules. 

Bench Officials Code of Conduct

In addition to Netball France’s General Code of Conduct, you must meet the following requirements with regard to your conduct during any activity held by or under the auspices of Netball France, Member Organisations or Affiliates in your role as a Technical Official: 

  1. Officiate in accordance with the Official Rules of the Game and Event/Competition Guidelines. 
  2. Treat all players, coaches, umpires and other bench officials with respect. 
  3. Act with integrity and objectivity, and accept responsibility for your decisions and actions. 
  4. Be consistent and impartial when making decisions. 
  5. Maintain a high standard of personal behaviour at all times. 
  6. Be a positive role model through behaviour and personal appearance projecting a favourable image of netball and officiating at all times. 
  7. Refrain from conduct which could be regarded as sexual harassment, discrimination, bullying or victimisation. 
  8. Be courteous, respectful and open to discussion and interaction. 
  9. Maintain or improve your current performance level and seek continual improvement.
  10. Be honest and do not allow your qualifications/accreditation to be misrepresented. 

Media Code of Conduct

In addition to Netball France’s General Code of Conduct, you must meet the following requirements with regard to your conduct during any activity held by or under the auspices of Netball France, Member Organisations or Affiliates in your role as a media representative: 

  1. Report and interpret honestly, striving for accuracy and fairness. 
  2. Do not allow personal interest, or any belief, commitment, payment, gift or benefit, to undermine your accuracy, fairness or independence. 
  3. Disclose conflicts of interest that affect, or could be seen to affect, the accuracy, fairness or independence of your journalism. Do not improperly use a journalistic position for personal gain. 
  4. Use fair, responsible and honest means to obtain material. Identify yourself and your employer before obtaining any interview for publication or broadcast. 
  5. Respect private grief and personal privacy. 
  6. Do your utmost to achieve fair correction of errors. 
  7. Be aware of the difference between adult netball programs and children’s netball programs and treat them accordingly. 
  8. Place the isolated incidents of unsportsmanlike behaviour in proper perspective, rather than make such incidents the “highlight” of the event. 
  9. Focus upon player’s fair play and their honest effort.