Club Policies

Code of Conduct

Our own Club Code of Conduct, plus the codes of conduct for the leagues we compete in — tap a heading to open it.

Grappenhall & Widnes Netball Club

For players, spectators, parents and coaches at every session and match.

Players

1.Have a good understanding of the rules and ensure that you try your best to play by them
2.Always show umpires and officials respect on and off court
3.Always show respect for everyone involved in the Club
4.Always show respect for the equipment provided and use of the facilities
5.Manage emotional responses effectively
6.Understand that we are an inclusive club — this means that everyone will be given opportunities regardless of ability or experience
7.Play for your own enjoyment and not just to please parents, coaches and friends
8.Understand that although we love to win, losing is part of the sport and helps us to develop
9.Have resilience throughout
10.Always listen to the advice given by coaches and try to implement this in games and training
11.Have a passion and drive to want to better your skills
12.Just try your best — it is all we can ask for

Spectators

1.Have a passion for the sport, but remember that we are playing for enjoyment firstly
2.Understand that as a club, we enforce a 'one voice' rule on match days. The Head Coach's voice should be the only one providing instruction and feedback from the sideline. Spectators are encouraged to support positively but avoid giving instructions or negative criticism
3.Be positive role models to our members on court by applauding all good play by all teams and not losing our temper
4.Be respectful to umpire decisions and accept their decisions
5.Encourage players to obey the rules
6.As a family club, we welcome feedback. Please ensure that this is constructive and delivered in an appropriate manner to the appropriate club member
7.Any complaints regarding match play at the time should be passed to your designated team manager who will then speak to umpires or contact the league
8.We all have a duty of care for the children under our supervision

Parents

1.Support your children in their netball development without adding unnecessary pressure
2.Encourage your children to always play by the rules
3.Teach your children that trying your best and improving as a team is just as important as a win
4.Be a role model by applauding good play by all teams
5.Understand that umpires are vital to the sport and matches could not go ahead without them — show respect at all times
6.Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sporting activities. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person
7.Where possible, try to be an active member of our club community and show appreciation for all of our volunteers
8.As a family club, we welcome feedback. Please ensure that this is constructive and delivered in an appropriate manner to the appropriate club member
9.Any complaints regarding match play at the time should be passed to your designated team manager who will then speak to umpires or contact the league
10.Have a solution-based approach rather than problem-based
11.Always have a positive mindset, our children's happiness is at the heart of what we do
12.We all have a duty of care for the children under our supervision

Coaches

1.Understand that your role is to develop and inspire the members of our club
2.Teach to the best of your ability at all times
3.Use your own knowledge and personal skill set in an effective way to positively develop all members
4.Understand and instil our shared vision of being an inclusive community — reasonable adjustments should be made in order to include all abilities and experience
5.Seek guidance and support where necessary
6.Instil in your players respect for officials and an acceptance of their judgement
7.Ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate for the relevant age range
8.Take on board constructive feedback and act upon this accordingly
9.Have a drive to develop your own coaching skills
10.Attend relevant meetings and training sessions organised by the Club
11.Be an active role in our family community model
12.We all have a duty to safeguard ourselves and all members
13.Ensure that personal relationships are avoided and follow our safeguarding policy

Cheshire Junior Netball League

League standards & expectations for CJNL fixtures.

Grappenhall & Widnes Netball Club participates in competitions organised by the Cheshire Junior Netball League (CJNL).

Players, coaches, officials, parents, guardians and supporters representing the club within CJNL competitions are expected to comply with the league's current rules, regulations and codes of conduct.

The league publishes its official documentation separately, and the latest CJNL documents should always take precedence over any summary provided on the Grappenhall & Widnes Netball Club website.

Representing Grappenhall & Widnes

When attending a CJNL fixture, everyone associated with Grappenhall & Widnes Netball Club is expected to:

Treat players, coaches, officials, volunteers and spectators with respect.
Promote good sportsmanship and fair play.
Respect decisions made by umpires and match officials.
Represent Grappenhall & Widnes Netball Club positively.
Support players positively regardless of the result.
Respect opposition players, coaches and supporters.
Follow venue and competition requirements.
Help create a safe, welcoming and enjoyable environment for junior players.

Players

Players should demonstrate good sportsmanship and respect towards teammates, opponents, coaches and officials.

Players should follow the rules of netball, listen to their coaches and respond appropriately to decisions made by umpires and match officials.

Competitive success is important, but player development, teamwork, enjoyment and respect should remain central to junior netball.

Coaches & Team Officials

Coaches and team officials are expected to create a positive environment for junior players.

Coaches should encourage appropriate behaviour, respect officials and opposition teams, promote player development and provide a positive example for the players they are responsible for.

Parents, Guardians & Supporters

Parents, guardians and supporters play an important role in creating a positive environment around junior netball.

Support should be positive and encouraging.

Inappropriate behaviour towards players, coaches, opposition teams, umpires or other officials is not acceptable while representing Grappenhall & Widnes Netball Club.

League Rules

Where Cheshire Junior Netball League rules or regulations apply to a competition, those requirements should be followed alongside Grappenhall & Widnes Netball Club's own policies and codes of conduct.

Where necessary, coaches and team managers will communicate relevant competition requirements to players and parents/guardians.

Official CJNL Documents

The information above is provided as a club-friendly guide and does not replace the official league documentation.

View the latest Cheshire Junior Netball League documents

Sport For All Centres

Codes of conduct for players, coaches, parents and spectators at Sport For All fixtures.

Grappenhall & Widnes Netball Club teams participating in competitions operated by Sport For All Centres are expected to follow the organisation's Codes of Conduct and applicable league regulations.

Sport For All Centres publishes specific conduct expectations for players, coaches, parents and spectators.

Players' Code of Conduct

Players are expected to:

Understand and play within the rules.
Respect umpires, referees and other officials.
Control their behaviour and temper.
Work hard for themselves and their team.
Demonstrate good sportsmanship.
Treat other players with respect.
Participate for enjoyment as well as competition.
Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person.
Accept that losing is part of competitive sport.
Listen to coaching advice and try to apply it.
Respect facilities and equipment.

These expectations reflect the official Sport For All Centres Players' Code of Conduct.

Coaches' Code of Conduct

Coaches are expected to remember that sport should provide an enjoyable and positive experience for players.

Coaches should:

Be reasonable in their expectations of players.
Promote understanding and respect for the rules.
Provide players with reasonable opportunities for court time.
Encourage respect for opponents and their coaches.
Encourage respect for officials and their decisions.
Consider players' age, ability, skills and physical maturity.
Ensure equipment and facilities are appropriate and safe.
Promote positive personal and social behaviour.
Ensure any physical contact with players is appropriate.
Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with players.
Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person.

Sport For All also asks coaches to avoid strategies designed simply to create unnecessarily high score differences against significantly weaker opposition.

Parents' & Guardians' Code of Conduct

Parents and guardians should:

Encourage children to participate for their own enjoyment and development.
Encourage players to follow the rules.
Recognise effort as well as winning.
Focus on developing skills and enjoying the game.
Applaud good play from all teams.
Avoid criticising their own child or other players.
Respect decisions made by officials.
Lead by example through their own behaviour.
Support efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sport.
Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person.
Show appreciation for volunteer coaches, officials and administrators.
Keep children in their care appropriately supervised.

Spectators' Code of Conduct

Spectators should remember that players participate in sport for enjoyment as well as competition. Spectators are expected to:

Provide positive support to players.
Accept decisions made by officials.
Respect opposition teams, officials and other spectators.
Reject violence or threatening behaviour in any form.
Encourage players to follow the rules.
Avoid foul, abusive or inappropriate language.
Never harass players, coaches or officials.
Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person.
Keep children in their care appropriately supervised.

Behaviour at Matches

Sport For All's netball regulations place responsibility on the team coach, or captain in their absence, for the conduct of the team's players, scorers and spectators.

Coaches and spectators must remain within their team's designated area and are not permitted to move up and down the sidelines.

Disciplinary Action

Sport For All Centres operates a separate disciplinary procedure. Players, coaches, spectators or teams whose behaviour breaches the required standards may face disciplinary action, including warnings, suspensions or disqualification from Sport For All competitions depending on the circumstances and severity of the incident.

Coaches are specifically responsible for ensuring their players and team spectators are aware of the relevant Codes of Conduct.

Our Expectations

When representing Grappenhall & Widnes Netball Club, we expect everyone to uphold both our own club values and the standards required by the competitions in which we participate. Our aim is simple:

Respect the game. Respect the officials. Respect the opposition. Respect each other.

We want every player to be able to enjoy netball within a positive, safe and supportive environment.

Official Sport For All Documents

The information above provides a convenient summary for our members. The current Sport For All Centres rules, regulations and Codes of Conduct take precedence.

View the official Sport For All Centres Codes of Conduct

View the Sport For All Centres Netball League Regulations

This Code of Conduct is referenced in our Safeguarding Policy and our Terms & Conditions. Any questions or concerns can be raised with a committee member or via our contact page.