Coach Code of Conduct

COACHES’ CODE OF BEHAVIOUR AND CONSENT

The Australian Powerlifting Alliance (APA) endorses the Australian Sports Commision (ASC) Sport’s Code of Behaviour that provides guiding principles that reflect and uphold fairness, respect, responsibility and safety that lead to appropriate behaviour regardless of a person’s involvement in powerlifting as outlined below:

• Operate within the rules and spirit of APA powerlifting, promoting fair play over winning at any cost.

• Encourage and support opportunities for people to learn appropriate behaviours and skills

• Support opportunities for participation in all aspects of the sport of powerlifting

• Treat each person as an individual

• Display control and courtesy to all involved with powerlifting

• Respect the rights and worth of every person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.

• Respect the decision of officials, referees, head coaches and administrators in the conduct of powerlifting competitions

• Wherever practical, avoid unaccompanied and unobserved one-on-one activity (when in a supervisory capacity or where power imbalance will exist) with people under the age of 18 years.

• Maintain a current working with children check

• Adopt appropriate and responsible behaviour in all interactions

• Adopt responsible behaviour to alcohol and other drugs

• Act with integrity and objectivity, and accept responsibility for your decisions and actions

• Ensure your decisions and actions contribute to a safe environment

• Ensure your decisions and actions contribute to a harassment free environment

• Do not tolerate harmful or abusive behaviours.

• Place the safety and welfare of the athlete above all else

• Help each person (athlete) reach their potential – respect the talent, development stage and goals of each person and compliment and encourage with positive and supportive feedback.

• Any physical contact with a person should be appropriate to the situation and necessary for the person’s skill development or safety

• Be honest and do not allow your qualifications to be misrepresented

• Maintain appropriate insurance and provide a certificate of currency

• Report any accusations or investigations that may negatively impact your reputation or integrity as a coach, and voluntarily stand down until the matter is resolved.   

I agree to the following terms:

1. I agree to abide by the Australian Powerlifting Alliance’s Code of Behaviour (outlined above).

2. I acknowledge that the APA may take disciplinary action against me, if I breach the code of ethics (I understand that the APA is required to implement a complaints handling procedure in accordance with the principles of natural justice, in the event of an allegation against me).

3. I acknowledge that disciplinary action against me may include de-registration from the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme.

Please refer to the Harassment Free Sport Guidelines available from the Australian Sports Commission if you require more information on harassment issues.

CONSENT FORM

The World Anti-Doping Agency is responsible for the review and development of the World Anti-Doping Code (The Code). The Code in turn informs ASADA’s anti-doping programs, including the National Anti-Doping Scheme (NAD Scheme) and the IPF anti-doping rules.  (Refer to the following link: https://www.powerlifting.sport/anti-doping/ipf-anti-doping-rules )

The APA welcomes the changes to The Code. To enhance the integrity of powerlifting coaches all APA coaches are required to be compliant with Article 2.10 of The Code by signing this Consent Form and Coaches Code of Behaviour Form and returning to the APA.

I have not at any time engaged in Prohibited Association as prescribed under Article 2.10 of the World Anti-Doping Authority (WADA) Code (in effect from 1 January 2021), meaning association in a professional or sport-related capacity with any Athlete Support Personnel who:

1. is serving a period of Ineligibility; or

2. has been convicted or found in a criminal, disciplinary or professional proceeding to have engaged in conduct which would have constituted a violation of anti-doping rules; or

3. is serving as a front or intermediary for an individual described in (a) or (b) above. 

The 2021 WADA Code can be downloaded from the following link from the WADA website 

World Anti-Doping Code | World Anti Doping Agency (wada-ama.org)

Coaches under 18 are required to download this form below, have a parent/guardian sign it and attach on sign up 

Coaches over 18 can accept this code of conduct on sign up or by logging into your membership profile. Click here for instructions on how to access your profile.

You must have accepted this code of conduct to coach at APA events