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
4. Club constitution and rules
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.
Section 1 – Club information
Club Name: Rathfarnham W.S.A.F. 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 W.S.A.F. 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: 420(2024)
Activities: Track and Field, Cross Country, Road Running and Race Walking.Know that their child is safe while training and competing with the club
Section 2 - Principles to safeguard children from harm
Rathfarnham W.S.A.F. 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:
Section 3 - Risk Assessment
This Rathfarnham W.S.A.F. 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:
Club and Coaching Practices
Risk Identified
Lack of coaching qualification
Procedure in place to manage risk identified
Supervision policy/education policy
Risk Identified
Supervision issues
Procedure in place to manage risk identified
Supervision policy/education policy
Risk Identified
Unauthorised photography & recording activities
Procedure in place to manage risk identified
Photography & use of images policy
Risk Identified
Behavioural Issues
Procedure in place to manage risk identified
Code of conduct/safeguarding 1/complaints & Disciplinary policy
Risk Identified
Lack of gender balance amongst coaches
Procedure in place to manage risk identified
Coach education policy/supervision policy
Risk Identified
No guidance for travelling & away trips
Procedure in place to manage risk identified
Travel/Away trip policy, code of ethics, code of Conducts for sports leaders & parents/guardians
Risk Identified
Risk of harm of sexual abuse of a child by a volunteer/member of staff while away on an overnight trip
Procedure in place to manage risk identified
Child Safeguarding Policy/Complaint & disciplinary policy
Risk Identified
Lack of adherence with misc procedures in Safeguarding policy
Procedure in place to manage risk identified
Child Safeguarding Policy/Complaint & disciplinary policy
Complaints & Discipline
Risk Identified
Lack of awareness of a Complaints & Disciplinary policy
Procedure in place to manage risk identified
Complaints & disciplinary procedure/communications Procedure
Risk Identified
Difficulty in raising an issue by child &/or parent/guardian
Procedure in place to manage risk identified
Complaints & disciplinary/communications policy
Risk Identified
Complaints not being dealt with seriously
Procedure in place to manage risk identified
Complaints & disciplinary policy
Risk Identified
Complaints not being dealt with seriously
Procedure in place to manage risk identified
Complaints & disciplinary policy
Reporting Procedures
Risk Identified
Lack of knowledge of organisational & statutory reporting procedure
Procedure in place to manage risk identified
Reporting procedures/coach education policy/ Code of conduct/behaviour
Risk Identified
No DLP appointed
Procedure in place to manage risk identified
Reporting procedures/policy
Risk Identified
Concerns of abuse or harm not reported.
Procedure in place to manage risk identified
Reporting procedures/Child safeguarding training – Level 1
Risk Identified
Not clear who YP should talk to or report to
Procedure in place to manage risk identified
Post the names of the CCO & DLP on the website
Use of Facilities
Risk Identified
Unauthorised access to designated children’s play & practice areas & to changing rooms, showers, toilets etc….
Procedure in place to manage risk identified
Supervision policy/Coach Education policy
Risk Identified
Unauthorised exit from children’s areas
Procedure in place to manage risk identified
Supervision policy/Coach Education policy
Risk Identified
Photography, filming or recording in prohibited areas
Procedure in place to manage risk identified
Photography policy/use of devices in Private zones
Risk Identified
Missing or found child on site
Procedure in place to manage risk identified
Missing or found child policy
Risk Identified
Children sharing facilities with adults e.g. dressing room, showers etc…
Procedure in place to manage risk identified
Child Safeguarding policy
Recruitment
Risk Identified
Recruitment of inappropriate People
Procedure in place to manage risk identified
Recruitment policy
Risk Identified
Lack of clarity on roles Recruitment Policy
Procedure in place to manage risk identified
Recruitment policy
Risk Identified
Unqualified or untrained people in role
Procedure in place to manage risk identified
Recruitment Policy
Communications
Risk Identified
Lack of awareness of ‘risk of harm’ with members and visitors
Procedure in place to manage risk identified
Child Safeguarding Statement/Training Policy
Risk Identified
No communication of Child Safeguarding Statement of Code of Behaviour to members or visitors
Procedure in place to manage risk identified
Child Safeguarding Statement (display)/Code of Behaviour (distribute)
Risk Identified
Unauthorised photography & recording activities
Procedure in place to manage risk identified
Photography & Use of Images Policy
Risk Identified
Inappropriate use of social media & communications by under 18’s
Procedure in place to manage risk identified
Communication policy/code of conduct
General Risk of Harm
Risk Identified
Lack of awareness of ‘risk of harm’ with members and visitors
Procedure in place to manage risk identified
Child Safeguarding Statement/Training Policy
Risk Identified
Harm not being recognised
Procedure in place to manage risk identified
Safeguarding policy/Child Safeguarding Training
Risk Identified
Harm caused by:
Child to Child, Coach to Child, Volunteer to Child, Member to Child,Visitor to Child
Procedure in place to manage risk identified
Safeguarding policy/Child Safeguarding Training
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 W.S.A.F. Athletics Club has the following procedures in place as part of our Safeguarding Policies:
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:
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
Who we are
Rathfarnham W.S.A.F. 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 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:
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:
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 info@athleticsrathfarnham.ie
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:
If you wish to exercise any of the above rights, please email your request to our data protection officer Adam Jones at info@athleticsrathfarnham.ie
Article I
The name of the club shall be Rathfarnham WSAF Athletic Club (the Club)
Article II
Aims and Objectives of the Club
To promote athletics in Dublin, involving the wider community where possible.
To strive to achieve excellence in competition at all levels for both individual athletes and teams.
Provide a framework to become one of the most successful Clubs in Ireland.
The word “Athletics” shall be deemed to include Track and Field, Road Running, Race Walking, Cross Country Running and Mountain Running (as defined in IAAF Constitution)
Article III
Affiliation & Membership
a. The club shall be affiliated to the Athletics Association of Ireland (A.A.I.) In the event of any conflict between the Rules or Code of AAI and the Rules of the Club the AAI Rules or Code shall apply.
b. Membership of the Club shall consist of:
Categories (1), (2) & (3) shall be termed ordinary members.
Categories (4), (5) & (6) shall be termed associate members and shall be admitted to membership on application to and sanction by the Management.
c. The Management Team reserves the right to refuse admission to the Club, if, in the opinion of Management, the applicant is not a fit person to join the club.This section refers to renewal of membership as well as to new applicants.
Article IV
The Management
a. The management shall be elected each year at the annual general meeting and shall discharge the affairs of the club between general meetings.
b. The Management shall be elected by ballot or if unopposed by a proposer and seconder at the Annual General Meeting of the Club.
c. The management shall consist of six (6) members as follows:
d. The management shall appoint a chairperson as necessary
Article V
Functions of the Management
Article VI
The President
Rules
Rule 1.
Affiliation
Members of the club shall be required to pay an annual subscription as set by the Management. Membership fees shall be payable on 2nd January each year. Members who by the 2nd of February (2nd March in the case of juvenile and junior athletes) have not paid their membership fee in full will not be permitted to compete in Club/AAI competitions until such time as their membership is paid.
Rule 2
Voting
All elections shall be by secret ballot.
Voting in all other matters may be by secret ballot.
Rule 3
Meetings
Rule 4
Conduct
(i) Stage I: In the event of a first breach, the member will receive a verbal warning from the chairperson of the Club and this verbal warning will be recorded by the chairperson. The chairperson will only take such action having received the approval of a majority of the Management.
(ii) Stage 2: In the event of a second breach, the member will receive a written warning from the chairperson of the Club and this will be recorded by the chairperson of the Club. The chairperson of the Club will only take such action having received the approval of the majority of the Management.
(iii) Stage 3: In the event of a third or subsequent breach, a Disciplinary Sub-Committee of the Club comprising three club members, one of which may be the chairperson of the club, shall consider the conduct complained of. The Disciplinary Sub-Committee shall, having first made the allegations known to the member in writing, call upon the said member to give an explanation in writing within 7 days of being requested to do so by the Disciplinary Sub-Committee. If the member fails to provide a satisfactory explanation the Disciplinary Sub-Committee may impose a sanction upon the member.
(iv) The Disciplinary Sub-Committee may impose any sanction which it considers appropriate in the circumstances, ranging from admonishment to suspension or expulsion for any breach of the Constitution or the Rules of the Club, subject only to a right of appeal by the member as set out below.
(v) The member can appeal in writing within 7 days to the Management and the Management shall have the power to reverse or confirm the decision of the Disciplinary Sub-Committee. Either party may request a face-to-face meeting between the parties prior to the Management reaching it’s decision and which meeting, if requested, shall take place with 10 days of receiving the member’s notice of appeal. The decision of the Management shall be final and the member will be notified in writing of such decision within a further 7 days.
All athletes should note the times and venues of AAI events and attend punctually.
Rule 5
Duties of the the following:
Management Team Administration Manager
Finance Manager
Coaching Manager
Public Relations Manager
Events Manager
Development Manager
Rule 6
Duties of the President
Rule 7
Rule 8
Changes and or amendments to the Constitution