Everyone involved in basketball, both adults and young people have a responsibility to treat everyone with dignity, respect, sensitivity, and fairness. Be aware of the special needs of young people and vulnerable adults and recognise that some face additional barriers.

Coaches
All coaches agree to:

• Consider the safety and wellbeing of all individuals in their charge;

• Ensure their behaviour is not misconstrued or open to allegations of favouritism, misconduct, or impropriety;

• Follow guidance on good practice when working with young people/vulnerable adults and report any concerns for their wellbeing to the relevant authority or body; age or a vulnerable adult. While the coach-player relationship exists, the coach should not only refrain from initiating a relationship, but should also discourage any attempt by a player to initiate an intimate relationship, explaining the ethical basis of the refusal;

• Ensure that all training and playing demands are not detrimental to the wellbeing of the players and are reasonable dependent upon the age, maturity, experience and ability of the players;

• Ensure their competence and ability is sufficient so that the safety of players is not compromised:

• Encourage players to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance;

• Respect the rights of players to choose to decline to participate within coaching or playing situations; never put a player on court if they are injured or unfit to do so

• Declare any affiliation, sponsorship, or accreditation in a truthful and accurate manner;

• Be receptive to employing systems of evaluation that include self- evaluation and also external evaluation in an effort to assess the effectiveness of your work;

• Abide by all rules and policies of Lincoln Basketball;

• Comply with all safeguarding and first aid policies and procedures

• Promote prevention and education regarding the misuse of performance enhancing drugs and illegal substances;

• Declare any history or instances where you were disciplined, dismissed, cautioned, warned or convicted of any offence relating to children/young people/vulnerable adults on a Self-Declaration form submitted to the Lincoln Basketball;

• Not attempt to exert undue influences and pressures to obtain personal benefit or reward;

• Must be able to recognise and accept when to refer or recommend players to other coaches or structures;

• Agree what information will be treated confidentially (this does not preclude disclosure of information to persons who can be judged to have a right to know such as in matters of discipline, legal and medical requirements or where an individual’s health, safety or wellbeing may be at risk);

• Be a positive role model;

• Never use foul, sexist or racist language or act in a violent/abusive manner;

• Refrain from undue public criticism of coaches, players, or match officials.

• Refrain from posting negative or derogatory comments on social media about other clubs, players, coaches, or officials 

• Refrain from posting any comments on social media which bring the reputation of LincolnBasketball into disrepute.

• Declare any history or instances where you were disciplined, dismissed, cautioned, warned or convicted of any offence relating to children/young people/vulnerable adults on a Self-Declaration form submitted to LincolnBasketball.

Players
All players agree to:

• Treat everyone equally and sensitively regardless of age, disability, gender, race, ethnic origin, cultural background, sexual orientation, religious beliefs or political affiliation;

• Treat your team-mates and opponents, coaches, club officials and match officials with respect and consideration at all times - treat them as you would like to be treated;

• Not use foul, sexist, racist language or offensive gestures at any time;

• Know and abide by the rules and spirit of the game;

• Avoid violence and rough play and help injured opponents;

• Accept the decisions of the match officials without question or complaint (let your captain or coach ask the necessary questions) and avoid words or actions which may mislead a Match Official;

• Abide by the instructions of the coach and club officials, provided they do not contradict the spirit of this Code of Conduct or the rules of basketball;

• Give maximum effort and strive for the best possible performance through the whole game, even if it is considered already over;

• Concentrate on the game, do not react/respond to undue criticism from spectators, parents, opposition coaches or opposition club officials. Raise any concerns calmly and professionals to the match officials to respond, deal and report.

• Learn to accept victory and defeat with humility and dignity and without excessive emotional displays;

• Work equally hard for yourself and your team - your team’s performance will benefit and so will your own.

• Be a good sport, applaud all good performance, whether by your team or by the opponent;

• Thank your opponents and the match officials at the end of play.

• Refrain from undue public criticism of coaches, players, or match officials.

• Refrain from posting negative or derogatory comments on social media about other clubs, players, coaches, or officials 

• Refrain from posting any comments on social media which bring the reputation of LincolnBasketball into disrepute.

• Declare any history or instances where you were disciplined, dismissed, cautioned, warned or convicted of any offence relating to children/young people/vulnerable adults on a Self-Declaration form submitted to LincolnBasketball.

Young People
There are additional requirements for how young people should be treated by adults and how young people should treat their peers.

Adults to young people:

• Be aware of how your language and behaviour may have an effect and ensure you do not use foul language, humiliate or bully any young person;

• Make sure you are fully aware of and follow the latest guidance on working with young people;

• Treat everyone with respect and dignity, recognising the additional needs or disadvantages of those with disabilities or from minority backgrounds;

• Set a good example as young people will learn from you;

• Make sure disciplinary actions are non violent/humiliating and use

• rewards, praise and acknowledgment to reinforce good behaviour;

• Listen and act if a young person tells you they’re being bullied or abused.
  
  
  

Young people to each other should:

• Never bully, spread rumours or tell lies about other young people;

• Welcome and include new players whatever their background or ability;

• Control your emotions - verbal or physical abuse is not acceptable at any

• time;

• Don’t show off or try to humiliate other players;

• Don’t ridicule or blame team mates who make mistakes;

• Make sure you tell your coach/parents if another young person confides in you and you think they need help.

In all cases:

• Refrain from undue public criticism of coaches, players, or match officials.

• Refrain from posting negative or derogatory comments on social media about other clubs, players, coaches, or officials 

• Refrain from posting any comments on social media which bring the reputation of LincolnBasketball into disrepute.

• Declare any history or instances where you were disciplined, dismissed, cautioned, warned or convicted of any offence relating to children/young people/vulnerable adults on a Self-Declaration form submitted to LincolnBasketball.

Officials
All match officials must:

• Treat everyone equally and sensitively, regardless of their disability, gender, ethnic origin, cultural background, sexual orientation, religion, age or political affiliation;

• Not tolerate foul, sexist or racist language;

• Only officiate in games or competition where all individuals are registered/affiliated to Lincoln Basketball and Basketball England;

• Be honest, consistent, objective, impartial and courteous when applying the rules of the game. Officials must resist any possible influence from protests on the part of participants or spectators of the game.

• Claim any affiliation, sponsorship or accreditation in a truthful and accurate manner;

• Show patience and understanding towards players who may be learning the game;

• Make every effort to prepare fully for a match, both physically and mentally. On a physical level, be able to keep up with the speed of the game, and be alert and close enough to make correct decisions;

• Ensure focus is maintain at all times, do not be distracted by mobile phones or personal devices unless identified prior to the game and are used to benefit the game;

• Decline to be appointed to a match if not completely physically or mentally fit to participate in that match (because of illness, injury, or for family or other reasons);

• Have regard to protecting the players by enforcing the laws of the game.

• Show due respect when speaking with participants in the game, even in the event of infringements;

• Set out the true facts in reports;

• Assist with the development of those with less experience.

• Refrain from undue public criticism of coaches, players, or match officials.

• Refrain from posting negative or derogatory comments on social media about other clubs, players, coaches, or officials 

• Refrain from posting any comments on social media which bring the reputation of LincolnBasketball into disrepute.

• Declare any history or instances where you were disciplined, dismissed, cautioned, warned or convicted of any offence relating to children/young people/vulnerable adults on a Self-Declaration form submitted to LincolnBasketball.

Parents/Guardians
All family/guardians of participants will:

• Teach your child to treat everyone equally and sensitively regardless of their age, disability, gender, race, ethnic origin, cultural background, sexual orientation, religious beliefs or political affiliation; gender, ethnic origin or cultural background;

• Support all efforts to remove verbal, physical and racist abuse from basketball;

• Not force an unwilling participant to take part in basketball;

• Remember that young people are involved for their enjoyment - not yours;

• Encourage all to play by the rules and respect the match officials;

• Never ridicule or shout at a participant for making a mistake or losing a game;

• Teach that effort and teamwork are as important as victory, so that the

• result of each game is accepted without undue disappointment;

• Remember that young people and vulnerable adults learn best by example;

• Refrain from publicly questioning the judgement or honesty of match

• officials;

• Recognise the value and importance of volunteers in basketball. They give their time, energy and resources to provide recreational activities for others.

• Not shout abuse at officials, coaches, players or other spectators;

• Refrain from undue public criticism of coaches, players, or match officials.

• Refrain from posting negative or derogatory comments on social media about other clubs, players, coaches, or officials 

• Refrain from posting any comments on social media which bring the reputation of LincolnBasketball into disrepute.
  
  
  

Spectators
All spectators of games under the jurisdiction of Lincoln Basketball will:

• Not use offensive, discriminatory or obscene language or gestures. Not harass or verbally abuse players, coaches, match officials or fellow spectators in any form;

• Treat everyone equally and sensitively regardless of age, disability, gender, race, ethnic origin, cultural background, sexual orientation, religious beliefs or political affiliation;

• Condemn the use of violence in all forms and refrain from any violent or aggressive behaviour;

• Show respect for opponents and match officials. Without them there would be no game;

• Acknowledge good performance and fair play by opponents as well as by your own team;

• Remember the players are taking part for their enjoyment not yours;

• Not ridicule players who make mistakes;

• Not over emphasise the importance of winning;

• Not enter the court unless authorised otherwise;

• Not shout abuse at officials, coaches, players or other spectators.

• Refrain from undue public criticism of coaches, players, or match officials.

• Refrain from posting negative or derogatory comments on social media about other clubs, players, coaches, or officials 

• Refrain from posting any comments on social media which bring the reputation of LincolnBasketball into disrepute.

• Declare any history or instances where you were disciplined, dismissed, cautioned, warned or convicted of any offence relating to children/young people/vulnerable adults on a Self-Declaration form submitted to LincolnBasketball.