Code of conduct

November 2023

This policy provides a guideline to the standard of conduct and ethical behaviour, which is expected of all Glasgow Roller Derby (GRD) members. 

Contents

  • Members’ Code of Behaviour

    • Supporting a Safe Environment

    • Supporting a Welcoming and Inclusive Environment

    • Team Ethos and Sporting Conduct

  • General Conduct

    • Timekeeping and Absence

    • Skills and Improvements

    • Public Relations

    • General

  • Board of Directors’ Code of Behaviour

  • Officials’ Code of Behaviour

  • Coaches’ Code of Behaviour

  • Volunteers’ Code of Behaviour

Members’ Code of Behaviour 

  1. Members must support a Safe Environment during practices and games. 

This includes: 

  1. Never skating while under the influence of drugs or alcohol (including a hangover that affects your ability), or during injury against doctor’s orders. 

    1. A skater should cease to skate immediately if any injury occurs to the head and should not return on-skates for the remainder of the session.  

    2. Members must report any injury which restricts skating ability to the Head of Training  and Attendance Officer(s).

  2. Be mindful of illness, if you are unwell or have a potential contagious illness, please do not attend training.

  3. Ensure your skates and protective equipment are in good working order and do not pose any threat or issue to others, equipment or venue.

  4. Protective equipment must adhere to WFTDA kit and uniform requirements, and must be worn when standing. Referees are exempt from mouth guards. 

  5. Pregnant skaters can skate at their own discretion and can inform the league when they are comfortable and ready to do so.

  6. Contact information must be up to date in case of emergency. Ensure the secretary is kept informed of any changes at the earliest possible time.

  7. Waivers - each season (Jan-Dec) a MEMBER should sign the relevant waiver. If a member joins during a season, they must sign the waiver before skating.

If a member becomes aware of an unsafe environment, they must inform the coach/HoT or Directors as soon as possible.

  1. Members should support a Welcoming and Inclusive Environment. This includes:

  1. Equality of treatment , regardless of gender, place of origin, ethnicity , sexual orientation, religion, age, political belief, health (physical or mental), immigration or economic status. 

  2. Encouragement - Every  skater, referee, coach, trainer and volunteer should be given equal support and encouragement, especially those new to GRD or in a new role. They should be recognised as being new to these roles and given time to develop their skills.

  3. Constructive comments should be targeted  at performance/skill rather than individual. If you wish to give another member constructive comments, ask them for permission first. 

  4. Respect- being rude, insulting, spreading malicious gossip, slanderous comments, harassment, back biting etc. will not be tolerated. This can also include, but is not limited to, posts on GRD/public/private forums, web pages (including personal blogs, websites and social media accounts) and in the media. Anything that is deemed in violation of this policy will be dealt with according to our disciplinary process; disciplinary action can include removal of posting rights, ejection from forums and public groups, revoked committee access, demotion within the league, and suspension or removal from the league.

  5. Respect- acts or threats of physical violence or intimidation is cause for dismissal.

  6. We will actively work towards becoming an anti-racist league.

  7. We will work to provide a safe, positive and welcoming environment for all members and be supportive to each other at all times.

  8. We are an inclusive league welcoming Trans, Non-Binary, CIS-gender and LGBTQIA+ members.

As a WFTDA league, GRD requires its members to keep certain information on WFTDA matters within the confines of the league’s private forum. Breach of these conditions is taken very seriously and consequences will echo the above actions.  All members must sign the WFTDA NDA annually.

3) Members should have a thoughtful and strong team ethos and should exhibit good sports conduct at all times:

  1. Treat all skaters and officials with fairness and respect, both in victory and defeat.

  2. Be considerate and listen with an open mind to opinions.

  3. Discuss questions, concerns or problems openly and rationally.

  4. Play by the rules and encourage others to do the same.

  5. Never argue with an official or coach. If you disagree, ask your Team Captain/HoT to deal with the matter, or contact conflict resolution.

  6. Please control your temper. Verbal abuse of officials or other skaters is not acceptable or permitted. 

Although we may not all always get along or share opinions, we must respect each other on and off the track. 

General conduct

  1. Time keeping and absence

  1. Please try to arrive 10-15 mins before training begins, put your equipment on in the changing room and be in the hall ready to start 5 mins before the session start time. 

  2. Members are responsible for maintaining their own regular attendance at practice, as per the Attendance policy.

  3. Members are responsible for their dues, as per the Dues policy.

  1. Skills and improvements

  1. All skaters/officials should meet Skills Requirements as set by the Training Committee before they are allowed to scrimmage/play or referee. 

  2. Skaters should be willing to take direction/suggestions from coaches or trainers about skills, tactics and game rules.

  3.  Skaters should also make an effort to learn new skills and be committed to improving themselves as individuals and team-mates. 

  4. Skaters can ask for feedback at any time from their Captain, mentor or HoT.

  5. Skaters are responsible for their own fitness level outwith GRD.

  1. Public Relations

Members must conform to the rules regarding the Public Relations for the league.

  1. At practices, promotional public appearances, and events, whether GRD sponsored    or not, all GRD members must be conscious of their actions. Please represent yourself and, by extension, the league in a manner consistent with this code of conduct.

  2. Only members approved by the Board of Directors or Head of the PR Committee may represent themselves to the media as a spokesperson for the league.

  3. All members will maintain confidentiality regarding league and WFTDA matters. 

  4. No member shall disclose any information that has not been publicly broadcast by the league (e.g. website, press releases, or interviews).

  5. Members should never make negative comments regarding another league, skater or official in public discussion or forums or web pages (including personal blogs, websites and social media accounts) or in the media, unless it has been determined as the official view of the league.

 4)  General

Names and Numbers

If desired, members should choose a Derby Name and persona, that is not already taken, that is not offensive and does not reflect poorly on GRD. Numbers are mandatory and must be chosen using these same guidelines, and in accordance with WFTDA requirements. 

After Parties or Social Events

Members should conduct themselves in an appropriate fashion that reflects the values and ethos of the league.

Jewellery, Piercings, Tattoos or Body Art

GRD follows the WFTDA guidelines which states the following:

“Jewellery may be worn during gameplay unless deemed a safety hazard by the officials. It is recommended that jewellery be taped or removed. Jewellery must not interfere with gameplay or cause danger to other Skaters. Jewellery is worn at the risk of the wearer.

Jewellery, Piercings, tattoos or body art that are deemed to be unsafe, unsuitable or offensive will require to be removed or covered.

 Nails should be trimmed to no longer than 1⁄4 inch (0.64 centimetre), as measured from the fingertip. If nails are longer than 1⁄4 inch (0.64 centimetre), each finger must be taped.”

Clothing

Members agree not to wear clothing that goes against GRD league values. 

Participation

All members should actively participate in the league. This includes, but is not limited to; committee work, forum discussion and voting.

Members are expected to adhere to the Bylaws and all official GRD and WFTDA documents and rules.

Board of Directors’ Code of Behaviour

In addition to the above members’ guidelines, Directors will: 

  1. Involve members in the planning, leadership, evaluation and decision-making related to the league where appropriate. 

  2. Ensure that equal opportunities for participation in sports are made available to all members, in line with the ED and I policy.

  3. Ensure that facilities and any equipment provided are safe and appropriate to the ability level of participating members in conjunction with the Training Committee.

  4. Maintain the Code of Conduct regarding members, officials, coaches and the media, distribute and enforce where necessary. 

  5. Encourage Members to realise their potential and participate. 

  6. Be held accountable to the entire league. 

Officials’ Code of Behaviour 

In addition to the above members’ guidelines, Officials will: 

  1. Be consistent, objective and courteous in calling all infractions. Direct comments at the performance rather than the individual if this is part of your role. 

  2. Treat participants and other officials with due respect. Verbal or physical behaviours that constitute harassment or abuses are unacceptable, and if any such behaviour is witnessed as being instigated by or directed towards officials it should be brought to the attention of the Head Referee or Head of Officials. Compliment participants on their efforts and refrain from public criticism of participants and fellow officials. 

  3. Be vigilant to help ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate. 

  4. Keep informed of current rulesets and sound officiating principles.

  5. When in a leadership role ensure the safety of the officials with whom they work. 

Coaches’ Code of Behaviour 

In addition to the above members’ guidelines, Coaches will: 

  1. Be reasonable in your demands on members’ time, energy and enthusiasm.

  2. Direct constructive  comments at the performance rather than the skater.

  3. Ensure the safety and welfare of the persons with whom they work. Ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate.

  4. Refrain from the use of insulting, harassing or otherwise offensive language in the conduct of their duties. 

  5. Ensure that the activity being undertaken is suitable for the skaters and educate members as to their responsibilities in contributing to a safe environment. 

  6. Encourage league members to work on their own personal development and to meet their potential.

  7. Be aware of doctors’/other health professionals' advice when assessing a skater’s ability to return to training after an injury or long-term absence. 

  8. Keep yourself informed of current rulesets and sound coaching principles.

Volunteers’ Code of Behaviour 

GRD League Volunteers may or may not also be League Members. However, when representing the league we would expect them to adhere to the same high behavioural standards as league members. This may include: 

  1. Display high personal standards and project a favourable image of roller derby and volunteering. 

  2. Attend to their volunteer duties, as directed, in a timely manner. 

  3. Ensure the safety of themselves and those with whom they work.

  4. Respect skaters, coaches, officials, and other volunteers’ dignity; verbal or physical behaviours that constitute harassment or abuse are unacceptable and will be dealt with seriously.

Any member found violating this Code of Conduct will have their membership reviewed by the Board of Directors and action, such as a formal warning or expulsion without refund of dues paid, may be taken.