This club is committed to ensuring that equity is incorporated across all aspects of its development. In doing so it acknowledges and adopts the following Sport England definition of sports equity.
Sports equity is about fairness in sport, equality of access, recognising inequalities and taking steps to address them. It is about changing the culture and structure of sport to ensure it becomes equally accessible to everyone in society. The club respects the rights, dignity and worth of every person and will treat everyone equally within the context of their sport, regardless of age, ability, gender, race, ethnicity, religious belief, sexuality or social/economic status. The club is committed to everyone having the right to enjoy their sport in an environment free from threat of intimidation, harassment and abuse.
All club members have a responsibility to oppose discriminatory behaviour and promote equality of opportunity. The club will deal with any incidence of discriminatory behaviour seriously, according to club disciplinary procedures.
Bishop Auckland RFC Youth & Mini/ Midi Section has a moral and legal obligation to ensure that, when given responsibility for young people, coaches and volunteers provide them with the highest possible standard of care.
Through the implementation of a policy for the Welfare of Young People in Rugby, and the support of its coaches and volunteers, Bishop Auckland RFC Youth & Mini/ Midi Section in accordance with a growing number of governing bodies, will maintain the professionalism and safeguards of good practice, which are associated with the game.
It recognises the responsibility of all those involved in rugby union (professional and volunteers) to safeguard and promote the interests and well being of the children and young players with whom they are working. It provides a framework on the recruitment, selection, suitability and deployment of individuals working with young people.
It emphasises the value of working closely in partnership with other coaches, parents, professionals and volunteers to protect children and young players from harm and discrimination.
It acknowledges that abuse does take place in sport and that raising awareness and understanding of the main forms of abuse and establishing communication and reporting procedures if abuse is suspected will further safeguard the young players, coaches and all others working within the game.
The full Policy and all Procedures are based upon guidelines and instructions that have been issued from the RFU and appear on the RFU website, copies are available within the club and / or are available from the Community Rugby Department, Rugby Football Union, Twickenham, TW1 1DS
If you have an immediate concern relating to the welfare of a young person please phone the Bishop Auckland Rugby Union's Club child protection Officer Alison Hamilton 01388 607633
More information can be found in the handbook