29 October 2007
Being the parent/ guardian of an athlete can be a joy, a chore, and everything in between. The nature of your son or daughter’s experience will be determined in large part by their own ability, their own motivation, the ability of their coaches, the availability of competitions and programmes, and your attitude as a parent.
1. Be realistic about their motivation.
2. Be realistic about their athletic ability.
3. View physical fitness as fundamental to success.
4. View mental fitness as fundamental to success.
5. View sportsmanship as fundamental to success.
6. Be aware that elite performance requires elite commitment and sacrifice.
7. Be ready to support coaches and officials.
8. Be ready to deal constructively with disappointment.
Team Officials
All team officials have been selected by UKA due to the skills and abilities they have in managing athletes and coordinating logistics and activities at events and Championships. All officials will have completed a Criminal Records Bureau check and received appropriate training and support from UKA.
UKA, in conjunction with the Home Countries and Child Protection in Sport Unit of the NSPCC have developed comprehensive Welfare Policy and Procedures. The Policy and Procedures, along with a number of supporting documents can be viewed at www.ukathletics.net/welfare
Parents / Guardians attending competitions / events
When attending a competition please recognise that the athlete is the responsibility of the team management and must adhere to the management rules and regulations. Whilst you may wish to spend time with your son or daughter or offer advice you must not hinder the team schedule, training, competition or activity programme.
If you have any concerns regarding the welfare of your son or daughter at UK Athletics events, please contact the Team Leader who will be able to assist you in addressing this. If you are unable to contact the Team Leader, please call the UKA Performance or Competition teams on 0121 7138 400.
Post competition, (if appropriate) the Team Leaders will provide opportunities for you to meet with your son or daughter at a suitable time and location.
UKA unfortunately cannot provide Visas, make travel arrangements, arrange accreditation or tickets for parents to attend events.
UKA and the Local Organising Committee do not permit parents / guardians to reside in team hotels during events, however information on alternative accommodation details can be obtained from championship web sites or by contacting dedicated sports travel agencies within the UK (details of which are easy to find on the internet or in Athletics Weekly).
What happens in the event of an emergency?
Prior to departure, emergency contact details will be supplied to parents. We would ask that during the competition you only contact team officials in the event of a family or medical emergency.
All team officials will have access to emergency contact information on each athlete and will contact you should the need arise.
Welfare
In January 2005, the UK Athletics Welfare Policy and Procedures manual was produced and circulated. The documents have been produced in conjunction with the Home Countries of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, assisted by the Child Protection in Sport Unit of the NSPCC.
Our aim was to provide a clear guidance on what to do in different circumstances and the procedures clarify the roles and responsibilities of individuals and lines of communication.
The Policy and Procedures, along with a number of supporting documents can be viewed at www.ukathletics.net/welfare
If you have any concerns regarding child welfare, please contact the child protection officer, David Brown CBE via e-mail on childprotection@ukathletics.org.uk, post at Athletics Welfare PO Box 332, Sale, Manchester M33 6XL or telephone on 0161 223 4246. There is also a confidential child protection phone line you can call on 0800 3163 003.
