What Is Safeguarding?
Safeguarding is not just about protecting young people and vulnerable adults in cycling; it is also about safeguarding your Club and your volunteers. The more aware you are about how sport can be used to harm young people the more vigilant you will be. The Cycling Ireland Code Of Practice For Young and Vulnerable Cyclists outlines our policy and procedures for the protection of young people and provides valuable information for clubs.
Phoenix Cycling Club have devised a child protection policy to help safeguard younger riders. This policy also applies to vulnerable adults.
This is operated in the conjunction with the official Cycling Ireland code of conduct.
http://www.cyclingireland.ie/downloads/ci code of conduct.pdf
Our first priority is the welfare of the young riders and we are committed to providing an environment which allows them to perform to the best of their ability free from bullying and intimidation.
Junior riders are bound by the same rules and guidelines as senior riders, e.g. they have to wear a helmet, obey the rules of the road, etc. Please see the other sections of this site for details.
If there any queries about this policy, or complaints regarding violations, the CPO (Child Protection Officer) can be reached via KAREN JACK/PETER BROWN The phone number is also available on request.
The Lead Safeguarding Officer for Cycling Ulster is Julie Rea
Mobile: 0775993346
Email : julierea@ntlworld.com
Cycling Ireland has a part-time paid employee in charge of Safeguarding
Email : safeguarding@cyclingireland.ie.
Please note that the policy may be updated as needed.
1. Juniors (16-18 year olds)
1.1 All Juniors must complete at least one C group spin/ be considered safe/fit/experienced enough before joining faster club spins. A form should be signed and kept by club secretary/group captain/ and the parent /guardian (some way of doing this online)
1.2 Juniors are permitted to go with ability groups, with parental consent.
1.3 Juniors must have a charged, working phone with credit (in protective waterproof plastic) when going on a spin.
1.4 Parents’ phone number(s) should be given to group leader.
1.5 Juniors on a spin must be accompanied by at least one adult and one Junior, or two adults, at all times.
1.6 Juniors are permitted to leave the spin to go home, with parental consent.
1.7 Juniors must notify the group leader when leaving the spin, and must send a text to the group leader when they have arrived home.
2. Youth (12-16 year olds)
2.1 Youths can only attend designated Youth runs or Club Spins when accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Youth Spins
2.3 Youth spins will be ability based.
2.4 Youth spins will start and finish in the same place.
2.5 Parents’ phone number(s) must be given to group leaders.
2.6 Youths must have a charged, working phone with credit (in protective waterproof plastic) on every spin.
2.7 Youths must bring a tube, tyre levers, a pump, a small amount of money and some food on every spin.
2.8 If there is a puncture or crash, the whole group will wait together.
2.9 Youth riders will only be allowed to leave the spin to go home, if it is within 5km, with written parental consent. A text must be sent when they have arrived home.
2.10 Youths will be accompanied until a parent arrives at the spin pick up point.
2.11 There will be a minimum ratio of two adults to eight youth riders at every spin.
2.12 Distance Guidelines for Youths:
U14 Nov-Feb 30-50-60km
Mar-Apr 30-50km
U16 Nov-Feb 40-80-100km
Mar-Apr 70-90km
2.13 On every spin, youths will be coached in developing good group skills and good cadence.
Phoenix Cycling Club believe that all Parents should:
- Be a role model for children and maintain the highest standards of conduct when interacting with children, other parents, officials and organisers.
- Always behave responsibly and do not seek to unfairly affect the race or cycling session.
- Never intentionally expose any young participant to embarrassment or disparagement by the use of flippant or sarcastic remarks.
- Always recognise the value and importance of the volunteers who provide sporting/recreational opportunities for their child.
- Not publicly question the judgement or honesty of referees, coaches or organisers.
- Respect referees, coaches, organisers and other cyclists.
- Encourage children to play by the rules and teach them that honest endeavour is as important as winning.
- Encourage and applaud good sportsmanship.
- Set a good example by praising good performances.
- Encourage mutual respect for team mates and fellow competitors.
- Support all efforts to remove abusive/bullying behaviour in all its forms.
Phoenix Cycling Club wishes to provide the best possible environment for all young people involved in the sport. Young people deserve to be given enjoyable, safe sporting opportunities, free from abuse of any kind. These participants have rights, which must be respected.
Young cyclists are entitled to:
- Be happy, have fun and enjoy cycling
- Be safe and to feel safe
- Be treated with dignity, sensitivity and respect
- Participate on an equal basis
- Experience competition at a level at which they feel comfortable
- Make complaints and have them dealt with
- Get help against bullies
- Say No
They also have responsibilities that they must accept.
Young cyclists should always:
- Listen to and follow instructions from bike leaders, coaches, officials and managers and treat them with respect
- Play fairly and be trustworthy and accept decisions
- Respect other youth members and leaders
- Respect opponents
- Behave in a manner that avoids bringing the sport of cycling into disrepute
- Talk to NDCC Children’s Officer if they have any problems or alternatively the designated Cycling Ulster Lead Safeguarding Officer
Young cyclists should never:
- Cheat
- Shout at or argue with officials, team mates or other competitors
- Use violence or physical contact that is not allowed in the rules
- Bully or use bullying tactics
- Take banned substances
- Keep secrets about any persons who may have caused them harm
- Tell lies or spread rumours
