Code of Conduct

Extended Code of Conduct to Protect Children in Sports

Introduction

Bradford Wolves FC is committed to maintaining a safe, development-focused, and inclusive soccer environment for all youth athletes. This Code of Conduct sets out clear expectations, boundaries, and mandatory safeguarding responsibilities for all adults interacting with players, including coaches, managers, team personnel, volunteers, and parents.

Detailed Conduct Expectations

• All interactions with children must be observable and interruptible at all times.
• One-on-one meetings with a player must occur only in open, public, or clearly visible settings (for example, on the field, in a lobby, or with doors open).
• Any physical contact must be brief, age-appropriate, and directly related to instruction or safety, and should be explained beforehand.
• Communication with minors must occur only through club-approved channels (TeamSnap, club email), never via personal social media or private accounts.
• Transportation of players must follow club guidelines. Whenever possible, two adults should be present, and no child should be alone in a vehicle with a non-family adult.
• Coaches must maintain professional boundaries. No private gifts, special favors, or social relationships outside soccer activities that could be perceived as grooming or favoritism.

Specific Inappropriate Behaviours

• Any romantic, sexual, or overly personal communication with a minor, including comments about their body or appearance.
• Lingering or unnecessary physical contact, such as massages, tickling, wrestling, or allowing players to sit on laps.
• Swearing at, mocking, shaming, or belittling a child for performance, appearance, or personal characteristics.
• Private texting, Snapchat messages, Instagram DMs, or late-night communication with players from personal accounts.
• Encouraging secrecy, discouraging a player from speaking with parents or guardians, or isolating a player from the group.
• Retaliating against a child or family who raises concerns or makes a report.
• Discussing adult content, intimate relationships, or other inappropriate topics with or around players.

Safety, Reporting, and Discipline

Ensuring Physical and Emotional Safety

Bradford Wolves FC is committed to providing an environment free of bullying, discrimination, harassment, and unsafe coaching practices. All adults must:

• Intervene immediately in cases of name-calling, exclusion, physical intimidation, or online bullying.
• Prohibit discriminatory or hateful comments based on race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or socio-economic status.
• Model inclusive language and behaviour and address harmful jokes or comments on the spot.
• Ensure age-appropriate training loads, with respect for rest, hydration, weather conditions, and medical guidance.
• Allow players to speak up about discomfort, injuries, or concerns without fear of punishment or reduced playing time.
• Support a team culture where effort, learning, and respect are valued over winning at all costs.

Witnessing Inappropriate Conduct

If you witness or suspect behaviour that seems questionable, unsafe, or in violation of this Code:

1. Ensure the immediate safety of the player(s) involved.
2. As soon as possible, write down what you observed (date, time, location, people involved, exact words and actions).
3. Report the concern to the Club Safeguarding Officer or Club President at the earliest opportunity.
4. Do not confront the individual directly in front of players, and do not attempt to investigate. Your role is to report.
5. Maintain confidentiality and share details only with those responsible for responding to the concern.

Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse

Any suspicion of child abuse, physical, emotional, sexual, or neglect, must be reported directly to law enforcement or child protective services without delay. This duty applies to all coaches, volunteers, and team personnel, regardless of role or relationship with the family.

• You do not need proof. Reasonable suspicion is enough to make a report.
• Reporting to the club does not replace the legal obligation to report to authorities.
• No one will face retaliation from the club for making a good-faith report of suspected abuse.

Disciplinary Action

Failure to comply with this Code of Conduct will result in appropriate disciplinary action, which may include:

• Verbal or written warning and required re-training.
• Temporary suspension from coaching, volunteering, or attending team events.
• Removal from all Bradford Wolves FC roles and activities.
• Notification to Ontario Soccer, Canada Soccer, or other governing bodies.
• Referral of the matter to law enforcement or child protection authorities when warranted.

The club reserves the right to act swiftly and decisively where children’s safety is concerned.