check out the people who are coaching or managing your child

take an active interest in your child’s participation

attend training and competitions whenever possible

ensure that your child does not take unnecessary valuable items to training or competition

know exactly where your child will be at all times and who they are with

return a written informed consent form to the Club/Team Manager/Chaperone, including next of 
kin details, health and medical requirements, before your child goes to any ‘away’ events

inform your child’s coach of any illness or disability that needs to be taken into consideration 
for athletic performance

provide any necessary medication that your child needs for the duration of any trips never make 
assumptions about your child’s safety

work with the club’s Child Protection Officers to ensure the continuing safety of your child and 
all other members  

remember that coaches, officials, club officers and committee members are all volunteers and 
should be treated with respect. None of them is paid and are all giving freely of their time 
for the benefit of your children.

respect that some of our coaches may be teachers and teachers in your child’s school. 
Whilst working for Orwell Panthers they are in their own time and on no account should 
they be approached to discuss school business. There is a time and place for all things.

be aware that by supporting the athletes you too are representing Orwell Panthers A C 
and you should never act in a way that will bring the club or its members into disrepute. 
This could be at club meetings, training sessions or at competitions where you may be 
clearly identified as connected to the club.

never take the law into your own hands. If you suspect that an athlete is being bullied or in any 
way abused it is absolutely essential that you do not take direct action but you inform one of 
our Child Protection Officers (Paul Davis or Pat Palmer) who have been specially trained 
and will take the necessary action to resolve the problem. In the absence of a Child Protection 
Officer, you should contact the Team Manager or the athlete’s coach. Any direct action on your 
part could make matters worse for all concerned.