The RFU is committed to the ongoing promotion of the welfare of all its participants, including children, young people and all adults, including those at risk. All participants are entitled to feel safe and protected from any form of abuse or neglect and have the right to take part in a safe, respectful and enjoyable environment. Amersham & Chiltern RFC takes its responsibility for the welfare and wellbeing of everyone involved in our game very seriously and expects the rugby environment to be inclusive, safe and enjoyable.

This Code of Conduct is adapted from the RFU Code of Conduct template and has been written in conjunction with the principles of the UK Coaching Code of Practice, the RFU Age Grades Codes of Practice, and the RFU Core Values of Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship. It applies to all members, players, coaches, match officials, volunteers, spectators and parents/guardians at Amersham & Chiltern RFC.

1. SCOPE / APPLICATION

This Code applies to all persons involved in rugby under the auspices of Amersham & Chiltern RFC, including but not limited to players, coaches, match officials, administrators, volunteers, supporters, and parents/guardians/carers. It applies at all times when individuals are involved in club activities, including training, matches, tours, social events, travel, online activity and any conduct that may affect the safety, reputation or wellbeing of the club, its members or rugby more widely.

2. CORE VALUES & BEHAVIOURS

The core values of Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship are important for children, young people and adults in rugby. They lie at the heart of what we do

and should guide behaviour both on and off the pitch. Amersham & Chiltern RFC is committed to developing a culture that lives and breathes these values, is free from abuse, discrimination and harm, and where everyone feels safe and able to raise concerns and challenge concerning behaviour they see or hear.

Key behaviours include:

- Treat others with respect and courtesy

- Promote fairness, inclusion, and diversity

- Avoid abusive or discriminatory language or behaviour

- Accept officials’ decisions and respect authority

- Encourage positive, safe, and supportive conduct

- Refrain from violence, intimidation or harassment

- Avoid conduct bringing the club or sport into disrepute

Everyone involved in the club must help create a culture of accountability, safety and inclusion. If anyone has seen, heard or experienced anything that has made them feel unsafe or uncomfortable, they are encouraged to speak up promptly through club channels or the RFU Speak Up process.

3. SPECIFIC CODES OF CONDUCT

Players:

- Play to win, but not at all costs.

- Abide by the laws of the game and respect officials’ decisions.

- Respect opponents, teammates, and spectators.

- Never use abusive or bullying behaviour.

- Report unsafe or inappropriate conduct.

Coaches & Team Staff:

- Lead by example, with integrity and respect.

- Prioritise player welfare and development.

- Use age-appropriate methods.

- Refrain from public criticism of others.

- Promote inclusion and respect.

Match Officials:

- Apply the laws fairly and consistently.

- Communicate clearly and courteously.

- Manage dissent respectfully.

Parents, Guardians & Supporters:

- Be positive role models.

- Encourage players respectfully.

- Never abuse players, coaches, or officials.

- Respect decisions and promote fair play.

Club Officials & Volunteers:

- Conduct duties with honesty and transparency.

- Uphold the club’s safeguarding and equality policies.

- Respond to concerns promptly and fairly.

4. VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS (VAWG), IMAGE ABUSE AND RELATED MISCONDUCT

Amersham & Chiltern RFC has zero tolerance for Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), misogyny, sexual harassment, stalking, domestic abuse, coercive or controlling behaviour, threats, intimidation, humiliation, abuse of power, sexual misconduct, or any conduct that normalises, excuses or trivialises violence, abuse or harassment against women and girls.

This includes conduct occurring in person, online, by phone or message, through social media, in club spaces, on tours, during travel, at social events, or outside formal club activity where the conduct may affect the safety, dignity, reputation or wellbeing of any person connected with the club or the sport.

Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to:

· Physical violence, threats of violence, intimidation, stalking, harassment, coercive or controlling behaviour, and domestic abuse.

· Sexual harassment, unwanted sexual comments, gestures, messages, jokes or conduct, and any abuse of trust, power or position.

· Creating, requesting, possessing, sharing, threatening to share, forwarding or otherwise distributing intimate images or videos without consent.

· Nudification, deepfake, digitally altered or AI-generated intimate images or videos, including creating or sharing such material, threatening to do so, or encouraging others to do so.

· Taking, storing or sharing images in changing rooms, toilets, showers or other private spaces without explicit permission and a legitimate safeguarding-compliant purpose.

· Victim blaming, retaliation, intimidation of witnesses, or discouraging any person from reporting concerns.

Any concern involving VAWG, image abuse, nudification, sexual misconduct, children, young people or adults at risk must be treated seriously, recorded appropriately, and referred promptly to the Club Safeguarding Officer and/or appropriate statutory authorities

where required. The club will prioritise safety, confidentiality, non-retaliation and fair process, and may impose interim measures while concerns are investigated.

5. RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Everyone has the right to be safe, respected and protected from abuse, discrimination and harm, and everyone has a duty to uphold this Code. Breaches can be reported via the Club Safeguarding Officer, the Chair, the Honorary Secretary or the RFU Speak Up process. The club will handle matters sensitively, confidentially and fairly, subject to safeguarding, disciplinary or legal obligations.

Chair chair@acrfc.com

Club Safeguarding Officer safeguarding_acrfc@outlook.com

Honorary Secretary honorarysecretary@acrfc.com

RFU Speak UP www.englandrugby.com/the-rfu/policies/speak-up-policy

6. SANCTIONS

Breaches will be addressed through club safeguarding and/or disciplinary processes and may result in sanctions including education, warnings, restrictions on participation, suspension, expulsion, referral to the RFU, referral to statutory agencies, or other action considered necessary to protect individuals and the integrity of the club and the sport. Serious misconduct, including VAWG, image abuse, nudification, harassment, discrimination, violence or safeguarding concerns, may result in immediate interim action while the matter is assessed. The A&C RFC Complaints Policy includes further detail on procedure and sanctions.

7. ADOPTION & REVIEW

This Code was approved by the A&C Trustees on 25/6/26 and will be reviewed annually. It will be uploaded to the club website, made available in the clubhouse at Ash Grove, Weedon Lane, Amersham HP6 5QU and shared with all members.