Well-being and protection

We are fully committed to ensuring that all riders, parents, coaches and officials have only positive experiences when participating in our sport.

The welfare of our club members is hugely important to us, and we work tirelessly to ensure that we offer an environment that is safe and welcoming for all.

To support this, we have two Wellbeing and Protection Officers as part of our committee.

As a Scottish Cycling affiliated club, our Wellbeing and Protection Officers do not hold positions as club coaches, so that they are impartial, should there be an issue with the delivery of a session.

In accordance with Scottish Cycling’s Wellbeing and Protection Policy our Wellbeing and Protection Officers will:

  • Ensure all persons working, either paid or unpaid, with children and young people at the club are fully aware of what is required of them and operate within the guidelines of the club, the child protection policy and codes of conduct

  • Conduct the administrative work associated with processing of information on volunteers/ staff (PVG scheme applications, self-declarations)

  • Liaise closely with club volunteers/ staff ensuring that agreed procedures for the prevention of risk are followed

  • Counsel/ advise the club committee on matters of policy relating to wellbeing and child protection

  • Advise/ circulate details of opportunities for volunteers/ staff to undertake training

  • Act as the contact person for coaches, helpers, club volunteers, parents and participants on any issues concerning the wellbeing of children within the club, as well as matters relating to child protection (poor practice or alleged abuse) at the club

  • Ensure all incidents are correctly recorded and reported in accordance with Scottish Cycling policy and procedures

Policies and Procedures

As a club, the health and wellbeing of all our members is paramount. To support this we have a number of codes of conduct, policies and procedures in place.

  • As a member of the club, riders are expected to abide by the following code of conduct:

    • arrive for training and competition in good time to prepare properly

    • wear suitable kit (including a helmet) and clothing for all cycling activity sessions, as agreed with the coach

    • warm up and cool down properly on all occasions

    • play within the rules and respect officials and all their decisions

    • be a good sport by applauding all good performances, whether they are made by my club or the opposition

    • control my temper - verbal abuse of officials and other riders, or deliberately distracting/ provoking an opponent is not acceptable or permitted behaviour in any sport

    • work equally hard for myself and my club

    • respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of their gender, ability, disability, cultural background or religion

    • pay any fees promptly

    • treat all participants in cycling as I would like to be treated - not bullying or taking unfair advantage of another participant

    • cooperate with my coach, club mates and opponents - remember, without them there would be no competition thank officials and opponents after competition.

  • We recognise the vital role that parents and carers play in our sport.

    We know that young athletes perform at their best and enjoy their sport more when they have the backing of supportive family members. It can, however, be easy for parents and carers to get caught up in the behaviour from the side lines which can then detract from a young person’s positive experience.

    • Demonstrate respectful behaviour at all times. Children often copy what they see so please give them something positive to copy.

    • Encourage your child to learn the rules of the sport and play within them at all times.

    • Discourage unfair play and arguing with officials.

    • Publicly accept officials’ judgements and teach children to do likewise.

    • Help your child to recognise good performance, not just results.

    • Never force your child to take part in sport. Sport should be fun and your child will only continue to progress if they genuinely enjoy taking part.

    • Set a good example by recognising fair play and applauding the good performances of all.

    • Never punish or belittle a child for losing or making mistakes.

    • Support your child’s involvement and help them to enjoy their sport.

    • Remember that children participate in sport for their enjoyment, not mine.

    • Use correct and appropriate language at all times.

    • Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sporting activities.

    • Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, disability, cultural background or religion.

    • In order to ensure that club staff can best support your child, please share any relevant information about matters affecting your child’s wellbeing (e.g. medical conditions, additional support needs, allergies, worries at school, family bereavement etc) with coaches and club officials as appropriate.

    • Advise the coach if my child (where applicable) has to leave early or is being collected by someone other than a parent / carer, giving details of who is collecting my child, when and at what time.

    • We all want the children to get the most from their sport session, and although it is tempting to give your input, we feel it is confusing for a child to receive technical advice from the parent as well as the coach during sessions / events. A few words of encouragement are fine.

    • Make cycling fun. The more fun your child is having, the more they will learn, and the better they will perform.

    • Show appreciation and respect for coaches, officials and administrators. Remember, without them your child could not participate.

    We reserve the right to ask any parent or carer to leave a training session or event if they are in breach of any aspect of this code of conduct.

  • In line with our affiliation to Scottish Cycling, we have adopted all of their policies in relation to Wellbeing and Protection, which have been produced in conjunction with sportscotland and Children 1st.

    In line with our affiliation to Scottish Cycling, we have adopted all of their policies in relation to Wellbeing and Protection, which have been produced in conjunction with sportscotland and Children 1st.

    • Anti-Bullying Policy - this can be read here

    • Club Wellbeing and Protection Policy - this can be read here

  • All club volunteers undertaking in regulated works - Wellbeing and Protection Officer, Club Coach, Club Ride Leaders and Club Helpers have an up to date PVG completed through Disclosure Scotland.

    If you are interested in volunteering with the club on a regular basis, then it will be necessary to undergo a PVG Check. There is no cost involved in this, and our WPO will support this process.