01 FEBRUARY 2020 (Updated January 2022)
1.BACKGROUND
1.1 This Code of Conduct has been made under Articles 9.7 to 9.9 (inclusive) of the OutPlay Constitution as amended, and approved at the Group’s 2020 AGM on 1st February 2020 (And further updated January 2022). It should be read in conjunction with the OutPlay Constitution.
2. PURPOSE
2.1 The purpose of this Code of Conduct is to ensure a safe, secure and respectful environment for all Members of the Group and to uphold high standards of ethical behaviour for the Group, its Members and Guests. The scope of this Code of Conduct extends to inter alia:
a) The Group’s regular social sessions, training, coaching and other organised squash events
b) Post-session meals and drinks
c) Events organised by the Group or where Members play on behalf of the Group or wear the Group kit
d) Social and other events organised by the Group including those that take place during international and domestic trips
e) The Group’s social media including WhatsApp groups, Facebook, Twitter but not to the exclusion of other forms of social media
f) Member postings about the Group on social media including WhatsApp groups, Facebook, Twitter but not to the exclusion of other forms of social media
3. WHAT THE GROUP AND COMMITTEE WILL DO AND WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM US
3.1 We will respect the equal rights, dignity and worth of every Member of the Group, regardless of ability, sex, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, socio-economic status or any other characteristic.
3.2 We will treat all Group Members equally and without discrimination of any kind on the basis of any of these characteristics except as is a necessary consequence of the requirements of playing squash as a sport.
3.3 We will take appropriate action in response to any incidence of discrimination, bullying, harassment or intimidation, in accordance with this Code of Conduct including disciplinary procedures set out in Articles 10.1 to 10.12 (inclusive) of the Constitution.
4. WHAT OUR MEMBERS WILL DO AND WHAT IS EXPECTED OF THEM BY THE GROUP AND COMMITTEE
4.1 Members shall respect the rights, dignity and worth of every other Group Member.
4.2 Members shall respect the Group’s zero-tolerance approach to bullying, harassment and intimidation of other Group Members based on their ability, sex, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, socio-economic status or for any other reason.
4.3 Members shall not act in such a way as to bring the Group into disrepute, or harm the Group’s reputation or interests on an ill-founded basis.
4.4 Members shall avoid inappropriate behaviour. Inappropriate behaviour includes abusive language directed towards Members of the Group, members of other groups, other squash players, members of the public; behaviour that is dangerous; acts of violence, physical, emotional or sexual abuse.
4.5 For the avoidance of doubt, inappropriate behaviour extends to and includes the use of social media including Member postings to and about the Group on WhatsApp groups, Facebook, Twitter and all other forms of social media.
4.6 Group Members shall anticipate and be responsible for their own needs, including being organised, having the appropriate kit and equipment.
4.7 Members shall take responsibility for their own health and safety and be aware of how their behaviour on and off the squash court at the Group may adversely impact the health and safety of other Members, Guests, players from other squash teams and members of the public when participating in or attending the Group’s social sessions or other organised squash or non-squash events organised by the Group.
4.8 Members shall display courtesy and good manners towards members of other Groups, other squash players and members of the public they encounter when participating or attending the Group’s social sessions or other organised squash or non-squash events organised by the Group.
5. SAFETY
5.1 The Club will make reasonable endeavours to provide a safe, healthy playing environment for all Group Members. This may include the provision of safety equipment from time to time and the provision of advice for example in relation to public health emergencies.
5.2 It is the responsibility of all Group Members to conduct themselves on and off the court in such a manner as not to endanger or risk injury or harm to Group Members, members of the public or staff.
6. BREACHES OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT
6.1 Upon discovering a breach of the Code of Conduct, a Committee Member or other Group Member may inform the Committee. The Committee shall then decide what course of action to take in accordance with Articles 10.1 to 10.12 (inclusive) of the Constitution, bearing in mind the need to act proportionately.
6.2 The Committee may at its discretion choose to take no formal action and/or to talk to the Group Member(s) and any other persons concerned in order to determine what has taken place.
6.3 After talking to the Member(s) and any other persons concerned, if the Committee finds that a serious breach has taken place, it may choose to deal with the matter through an oral warning, or, if the matter is more serious, a written warning.
6.4 The Committee has the right to add or remove Members and non-Members from the Group’s WhatsApp groups, their social media equivalents and/or other Group social media as it deems fit.
6.5 At all times, the Committee shall deal with complaints sensitively and discretely.
6.6 Where the Committee has reason to believe that a more serious breach may have taken place, or where a Member has already received an oral or written warning on a previous occasion, the Committee shall follow the disciplinary procedure set out in Articles 10.1 to 10.12 (inclusive) of the Constitution.