The following guidelines have been produced to support and protect all those
involved in working with Junior Archers.
They will continue to be reviewed and amended as required.
Whilst these guidelines have been written with Junior Clubs in mind, they may
be applied at any Club with a Junior membership.
Given the current legislation, we expect these guidelines to be adopted as
a minimum standard.
These guidance notes are written to protect both Juniors, and the Seniors who
supervise them. Juniors should continue to be encouraged to practice Archery
in a safe environment.
These guidance notes do not replace any legislation issued by the Government
on the protection of Children.
Graham Potts
Chairman, National Junior Committee
May 2000
Guidelines for Junior Associate Clubs
- Preferably no fewer than two (2) adults must form the General Management
of the Club, one of which must be a GNAS member.
- If Junior Clubs accept children under the age of eight (8), the club should
not accept responsibility for the ‘care’ of those children. A parent or guardian
must remain with those children at all times. Where a parent brings children
under the age of eight (8), other than their own children, they must be made
aware that they have to remain to care for those children.
- The names and addresses of the Adults must be lodged with the County Association,
and copies available to GNAS or valid authority on request. The Club officials
must notify the County Association of any changes to the senior management
of the club.
- The names, addresses and telephone contact numbers of all Junior members
of the Club must be available at the club ground when the club are meeting.
- The normal shooting (meeting) times of the Junior Club must be made available
to the County Association. This does not preclude the club from arranging
extra sessions as required.
- At all times when the Juniors are shooting, they must be supervised by a
minimum of TWO adults, (one of whom must be a GNAS member). If two (2) GNAS
members are not available, then a parent/legal guardian must attend, and either
they or the other adult must be a GNAS member. i.e. At no time should one
adult take charge of a group of Juniors or a single Junior (except parent/legal
guardian – child relationship, where GNAS rules of shooting apply).
- The senior members should make themselves aware of the arrangements that
are in place for the arrival and departure of all Junior members. This would
include ensuring that the adults responsible for a session are always present
well ahead of the time a session is due to commence, so that the children
are not left unattended. It also includes ensuring that adults are aware of
who will be collecting children and ensuring that the adult members do not
depart until the last child has been collected. There may not be specific
arrangements for some older children, with them arriving and departing alone,
but adults should still be aware of this fact.
- All information relating to the organisation, coaching and normal shooting
times of the club should be made available to all parents/legal guardians
as per the attached pro-forma. The parents/legal guardians should acknowledge
receipt by signing and returning to the club administrator both parts of the
pro-forma, and both parents/legal guardian and the club should retain a copy
of both parts of the pro-forma.
Coaching and Teaching Junior Archers (Under
18’s)
- A parent or Legal Guardian may teach or coach their own child, on their
own, as the GNAS Rule of Shooting permit.
- At all times when the Juniors are shooting, they must be supervised by a
minimum of TWO adults, (one of whom must be a GNAS member). If two (2) GNAS
members are not available, then a parent/legal guardian must attend, and either
they or the other adult must be a GNAS member. i.e. At no time should one
adult take charge of a group of Juniors or a single Junior (except parent/legal
guardian – child relationship, where GNAS rules of shooting apply).
- Parents/Legal Guardians of Junior archers must be made aware that minor
physical contact may be necessary as part of coaching. On each occasion when
physical contact is required, the Junior must give their verbal consent.
- These guidelines are in addition to any guidance or instruction issued by
the GNAS Coaching Committee.
Remember, the well being of children left in your charge is your responsibility.
Guidance for Tournament Organisers where
Juniors are competing
- Tournament Organisers should not accept responsibility for the care of children.
If a parent asks if they may leave their child, you should make it clear that
you cannot accept that responsibility. If a parent goes off and leaves their
child unaccompanied, without informing you, then that parent is still liable
for the care of their child.
- Where older children arrive at a tournament unaccompanied by a parent or
legal guardian, without previous agreement from the tournament organiser,
the parent is still responsible for the care of that child.
- Neither of the above points will absolve a tournament organiser, or their
club or association, from their general liabilities for the health and safety
of all competitors, spectators, and workers irrespective of age.
Guidance for Coaches working in Schools
There are two scenarios involved:
- Where the coach is a GNAS qualified Coach and a member of the school staff.
- Where the coach is a GNAS qualified Coach but is not a member of the school
staff.
Scenario 1
In this situation the Coach is either a teacher or a member of the ancillary
staff. In the first case then the usual rules apply as laid down within the
school, in the second the ancillary staff becomes an "authorised person" and
the same rules as for teachers apply.
Scenario 2
In this situation the Coach should ask that the school recognise him/her as
an "authorised person" in which case they work under the same rules as a teacher.
NOTE
In all cases working with single children is not advised
unless you are a teacher simply to avoid difficult situations that can arise
if a child decides to make a complaint against you.
This can happen to teachers as well!
Always ensure that the school has a record of when you are
on the school site and that you are insured.
I, the Parent/Legal Guardian of _____________________________ agree to the above conditions in which I leave my child for the duration of the archery sessions.
The normal plans for arrival / departure of my child will be
Signed: _______________________________________________(Parent/Legal Guardian)
TO BE RETAINED BY THE PARENT OR LEGAL
GUARDIAN AND BY THE CLUB
Agreement between Parent or Legal Guardian
and the Archery Club PART 2
Name of Child: ____________________________ Date of Birth: _________________
I have read and understand the details of Part 1 of the agreement between the
Archery Club and myself regarding my child.
Signed:________________________________________________(Parent/Legal Guardian)