New Rathfarnham Athletics club members

We are a friendly club and have up to now always welcomed all new members. Unfortunately at the moment we find ourselves in a position that we have to restrict numbers as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. This restriction's continuance will be subject to Government guidelines but hopefully we will return accepting all new members again soon. Any updates will be posted on the website.

 

Please find listed below our:

1. Policy Statement on the Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children in Athletics

2. Club Child Safeguarding Statement Plan

3. GDPR Policy

 

Policy Statement on the Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children in Athletics

Rathfarnham WSAF Athletics club  is fully committed to safeguarding the well being of all of its members. Every individual in the  Rathfarnham WSAF Athletics club should at all times, show respect and understanding for members rights, safety and welfare and conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles of the organisation and the guidelines contained in the Code of Ethics and Good Practice.

In the Rathfarnham WSAF Athletics club our first priority is the welfare of the young people and we are committed to providing an environment which will allow participants to perform to the best of their ability, free from bullying and intimidation.

 

 

 

Rathfarnham WSAF Athletics Club Child Safeguarding Statement Plan

 

Section 1 – Club information

Club Name: Rathfarnham WSAF Athletics Club_ is affiliated to Athletics Ireland and provides various sporting activities and opportunities for children and young people through participation in clubs, regional/provincial events and through to AAI national teams. Organised events involve the provision of athletic championships and games that involve, in some instances,  attendance at weekend events and overnight trips for clubs and their members. Rathfarnham WSAF Athletics Club is a voluntary led organisation that provides its members with opportunities to participate in the sport of Track and Field /Cross Country, Road Running and Race Walking, across all age grades from Juvenile (u9 to u16), Youth (u18), Junior (u20), Senior (u35) and Master (35+).

• Club Name: Rathfarnham WSAF Athletics Club 

• Sport:​ Track and Field Athletics, Cross Country, Road Running and Race Walking.
• Location (National/Local level): Local and County.

• Number of members in your club: 396 (2020)

• Activities: Track and Field, Cross Country, Road Running and Race Walking.

 

Section 2 - Principles to safeguard children from harm

Rathfarnham WSAF Athletics Club  is committed to safeguarding children, and by working under the guidance of our Safeguarding Policies, our coaches/officials, working with our young people, throughout the club, seek to create a safe environment for young people to grow and develop within sport. The following set of principles should be adhered to:

• Importance of childhood - The importance of childhood should be understood and valued by everyone involved in sport.

• Needs of the child - All childrens sport experiences should be guided by what is best for children. This means that adults should have a basic understanding of the emotional, physical and personal needs of young people.

• Integrity in relationships - Adults interacting with children in sport are in a position of trust and influence. They should always ensure that children are treated with integrity and respect, and the self-esteem of young people is enhanced.

• Fair Play - All childrens sport should be conducted in an atmosphere of fair play. The principles of fair play should always be emphasised, and organisers should give clear guidelines regarding acceptable standards of behaviour.

• Quality atmosphere & ethos - Childrens sport should be conducted in a safe, positive and encouraging atmosphere.

• Competition - Competition is an essential element of sport and should be encouraged in an age appropriate manner. A child centred ethos will help to ensure that competition and specialisation are kept in their appropriate place
• Equality - All children should be valued and treated in an equitable and fair manner, regardless of ability, age, gender, religion, social and ethnic background or political persuasion

• Equality - All children should be valued and treated in an equitable and fair manner, regardless of ability, age, gender, religion, social and ethnic background or political persuasion.

 

Section 3 - Risk Assessment

This Rathfarnham WSAF Athletics Club written Risk Assessment document indicates the areas of potential risk of harm, the likelihood of the risk occurring, and gives the required policy, guidance or process documents required to alleviate these risks.  The list of risks identified and procedures to manage these risks are contained in the following categories:

Risk Identified	Procedure in place to manage risk identified
Club and Coaching Practices
Lack of coaching qualification	supervision policy/education policy
Supervision issues	supervision policy/education policy
Unauthorised photography & recording activities	photography & use of images policy
Behavioural Issues	code of conduct/safeguarding 1/complaints & Disciplinary policy

Behavioural Issues	code of conduct/safeguarding 1/complaints & Disciplinary policy
Lack of gender balance amongst coaches	Coach education policy/supervision policy
No guidance for travelling & away trips	Travel/Away trip policy, code of ethics, code of Conducts for sports leaders & parents/guardians
Risk of harm of sexual abuse of a child by a volunteer/member of staff while away on an overnight trip	Child Safeguarding Policy/Complaint & disciplinary policy
Lack of adherence with misc procedures in Safeguarding policy	Child Safeguarding Policy/Complaint & disciplinary policy

Complaints & Discipline
Lack of awareness of a Complaints & Disciplinary policy	Complaints & disciplinary procedure/communications Procedure
Difficulty in raising an issue by child &/or parent/guardian	Complaints & disciplinary/communications policy
Complaints not being dealt with seriously	Complaints & disciplinary policy

Complaints not being dealt with seriously	Complaints & disciplinary policy
Reporting Procedures
Lack of knowledge of organisational & statutory reporting procedure	Reporting procedures/coach education policy/ Code of conduct/behaviour
No DLP appointed	Reporting procedures/policy
Concerns of abuse or harm  not reported.	Reporting procedures/Child safeguarding training –                                                                                          Level 1
Not clear who YP should talk to  or report to	Post the names of the CCO & DLP on the website
Use of Facilities
Unauthorised access to designated  children’s play & practice areas & to changing rooms, showers, toilets etc….	Supervision policy/Coach Education policy
Unauthorised exit from children’s areas	Supervision policy/Coach Education policy
Photography, filming or recording in prohibited areas	Photography policy/use of devices in Private zones
Missing or found child on site	Missing or found child policy

Children sharing facilities with adults e.g. dressing room, showers etc…	Child Safeguarding policy
Recruitment
Recruitment of inappropriate  People	Recruitment policy
Lack of clarity on roles	Recruitment Policy
Unqualified or untrained people in role	Recruitment Policy
Communications
Lack of awareness of ‘risk of harm’ with members and visitors	Child Safeguarding Statement/Training Policy
No communication of Child Safeguarding Statement of Code of Behaviour to members or visitors	Child Safeguarding Statement (display)/ Code of Behaviour (distribute)
Unauthorised photography & recording activities	Photography & Use of Images Policy
Inappropriate use of social media & communications by under 18’s	Communication policy/code of conduct

General Risk of Harm
Harm not being recognised	Safeguarding policy/Child Safeguarding Training
Harm caused by:
Child to Child
Coach to Child
Volunteer to Child	Safeguarding policy/Child Safeguarding Training
Member to Child
Visitor to Child
General behavioural issue	Code of Conduct
Issues of Bullying	Anti-Bullying Policy
Vetting of staff/volunteers	Recruitment policy/Vetting policy
Issues of Online Safety	Social Media/Online Safety policy

 

Section 4 – Procedures

Our Child Safeguarding Statement has been developed in line with requirements under the Children First Act 2015, (the Children First: National Guidance, and Tusla’s Child Safeguarding: A Guide for Policy, Procedure and Practice). In addition to our Risk Assessment document described above, there are further procedures that support our intention to safeguard children while they are availing of our activities.

Rathfarnham WSAF Athletics Club has the following procedures in place as part of our Safeguarding Policies:

• Procedures for the management of allegations of abuse or misconduct by staff or volunteers against a child availing of our activities.

• Procedures for the safe recruitment of staff and volunteers to work with children in our activities.

• Procedures for access to child safeguarding training and information, including the identification of the occurrence of harm.

• Procedure for reporting of child protection or welfare concerns to Statutory Authorities.

• Procedure for maintaining a list of the persons (if any) in the relevant service who are mandated persons.

• Procedure for appointing a relevant person (Club Children’s Officer).

Please note that all procedures listed are available on request.

Jackie Kingston is the relevant person for Rathfarnham WSAF Athletics Club, and she is also a mandated person as set out in the Children First Act 2015. Jackie can be contacted on 086 3190952

 

Section 5 – Implementation

We recognise that implementation is an ongoing process. Our club is committed to the implementation of this Child Safeguarding Statement and the procedures that support our intention to keep children safe from harm while availing of our activities.

Please note the following:

• That all volunteers and staff have been furnished with a copy of this statement.

• This statement is available to parents/guardians & members of the public on request.

• This statement will be displayed in a prominent place by the Club.

The Rathfarnham WSAF Athletics Club Child Safeguarding Plan including all policies and procedures is available on request.

This Child Safeguarding Statement/Risk Assessment was undertaken on 11/01/2021

This Child Safeguarding Statement/Risk Assessment will be reviewed on 10/01/2024

Signed: ___________________________________________   Date: _____________________

( Club Children’s Officer)

Name: ___________________________________________  Phone no: ___________________

For queries on this Child Safeguarding Statement, please contact the Relevant Person (CCO)

 

 

GDPR Policy - Rathfarnham WSAF AC

Who we are

Rathfarnham WSAF Athletic Club (AC) is a community based athletic club, located at The Old Courthouse, Main Street, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14. It caters for male and female athletes of all ages from Juveniles (8-18), Junior (Under 20), Seniors and Masters (Over 35). The Club operates under the direction of Athletics Ireland (AAI) and under the IAAF Rules.

Rathfarnham WSAF AC collects personal data on those who wish to be a member of our Club. We use this data to register you with our national association, the AAI. The Club holds a 5k Road Race and a series of Juvenile Races every year around the streets of Rathfarnham and Terenure. We also collect your personal data so as to register your entry in these races.

In carrying out these roles we gather your personal data through our two websites (https://www.athleticsrathfarnham.ie and http://www.rathfarnham5krun.ie). This policy applies specifically to your personal data and provides you with information about:

• what personal data we collect;
• how we use your data;
• who we share your data with
• How long we hold onto your data for
• how we ensure your privacy is maintained; and
• your legal rights relating to your personal data.

What personal data we collect from you on our websites?

Rathfarnham WSAF AC collects personal data on those who wish to be a member of our Club through our website (https://www.athleticsrathfarnham.ie) and the PayPal online payment system. We may also collect your personal data by getting you to fill in a membership application form at open days in our Clubhouse. By ticking the consent box on both application methods you consent to Rathfarnham WSAC using your data for legitimate Club purposes only and it will not be shared with anyone outside the Club except with the AAI.

We will use your data to register you as a member of AAI and to enter you for races which the Club is taking part in. For your AAI registration we will record the following personal data:

• Name, address and contact details (E-mail and mobile phone number) of each member
• For members under 18 we also record the parents contact details
• The Date of Birth and Gender of each member
• The credit card and/or details of your bank account or these details of whoever pays a member’s annual registration fee.

We register your membership with the AAI on their website at http://www.athleticsireland.ie. We have reviewed the AAI’s data protection policy and they have assured us that they are in compliance with the GDPR.

Rathfarnham WSAF AC holds a 5k Road Race and a series of Juvenile Races every year and we collect your personal data through our website at http://www.rathfarnham5krun.ie. This information is collected on our behalf by Primo Events, an events registration organisation, at https://register.primoevents.com. Through the Primo Events website we collect the following personal information:

• Name, address and contact details (E-mail and mobile phone number) of each person who enters our races
• Date of birth and gender of each entrant
• The credit card and/or details of your bank account or these details of whoever pays the entrant’s registration fee.

By registering on the PrimoEvents website for any of our races you consent to allowing Rathfarnham WSAC contact you about future Rathfarnham 5k Running events. We have been advised by Primo Events that they are in compliance with the GDPR.

What personal data does our websites collect using cookies?

To ensure we are publishing content our members need and want, Rathfarnham WSAF AC websites collect aggregated site-visitation statistics using cookies. When someone visits these sites, a cookie is placed on the customer’s machine (if the customer accepts cookies) or is read if the customer has visited the site previously. If you choose to not have your browser accept cookies from our websites, you will need to re-enter your personal information each time that you attempt to access information.

How we use your data.

We use your data to register you with the AAI, to communicate with you about Club activities and to enter you in athletics events which Rathfarnham WSAF Athletic Club are participating in e.g. in cross country, road and track races.

 For the Rathfarnham 5k race series entries we use your personal data to categorise your race entry into the correct age category and gender for prize allocation purposes e.g. Junior (Boys or girls), Senior (Men or women), Masters (Men or women Under 35, Under 40, Under 50,etc.). We will also your E-mail to contact you about future races being organised by Rathfarnham WSAF AC.

From time to time we would like to email you regarding athletics initiatives or upcoming events we organise. If you would like to receive these emails please tick this box to consent to receiving these emails.

Who we share your data with

For members of Rathfarnham WSAF AC we will only share your personal data with Athletics Ireland for your registration with them and for athletics events which come under their remit and control. We will only share your data with Committee Members who have a need to use it e.g. to let you know about upcoming races, training sessions or race entries.

How long we hold your data for

This will vary. For Rathfarnham WSAF AC Members we will hold your data as long as you remain a member of the Club and for 5 years after you cease to be a member of the Club. This is so we can keep in contact with present and former members of the Club and inform them of events and information which are solely related to Club activities.

In the case of Rathfarnham 5k Race series entries we will only keep your E-mail which we will store for up to 10 years.

How we ensure your privacy is maintained

The security of your data is a priority for Rathfarnham WSAF AC and we are committed to respecting your privacy rights.  We will handle your data fairly and legally at all times. We will also be transparent about what data we collect about you and how we use it.  We are registered with the data protection commissioner. Our Data Protection Officer is Adam Jones who can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Our two websites are hosted in a secure environment. Only nominated Management Committee members and Coaches with a business need, will have access to your personal data through our website, to provide you with the service you signed up for.

Your legal rights relating to your data

You have the following rights in relation to data collected on our websites:

• the right to ask what personal data that we hold about you at any time
• the right to ask us to update and correct any out-of-date or incorrect personal data that we hold about you free of charge; and
• the right to have any personal data about you deleted.

If you wish to exercise any of the above rights, please email your request to our data protection officer Adam Jones at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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