What can I expect from Hampstead and Westminster Hockey Club?

HWHC will have:

* A chance for you to become a member

This will be explained to you when you arrive at the club.

You will receive information on how much this will cost, kit you will require, rules of the club, when training sessions are and match information.

All this information is also on this website.

* Qualified coaches

The coaches understand and know how to help you play the best hockey you can.

* Volunteers

Any adult working within the club will have been on training to ensure they know how to support and look after you.

The club will have First Aiders, Team Managers and a Welfare Officer.  Make sure you know who these people are and introduce yourself to them!

* Rules

There are rules of the game of hockey which you will learn as you play.

There will be rules of the club which you will also learn for example junior members are not allowed to smoke.

These are there for your safety and are not be broken.

* Opportunities for you to play

There will be teams and squads of boys and girls your own age that you will get to know and learn how to play hockey with.

* Matches and competitions

There will be a chance for you to train and play in your club team against other clubs.

* Anti bullying policy

This clearly states how the club will deal with any situations of bullying, either adult to young person or young person to young person.

* Safeguarding / Child Protection Policies and Procedures

This provides the club with ways of ensuring you are safe and enjoy your hockey.

* Codes of Conduct

These clearly state how club member must act towards you and support you.  This includes coaches, volunteers, club officials and parents.

What does the club expect from me?

HWHC is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing and safety of all its members. The club believes that is important that members, coaches, officials and parents associated with the club, should at all times, show respect to others and are encouraged to be open at all times to share any concerns or complaints that they may have about any aspect of the club.

As a member of HWHC you are expected to abide by the following Junior Club rules:

* All members must play within the rules and respect officials and their decisions.

* All members must respect opponents.

* All members should keep to agreed timings for training and competitions or inform their coach or team manager if they are going to be late or missing for whatever reason.

* All members must wear suitable kit - Shin pads, gum shields are COMPULSORY.

* All members must pay any fees for training or events promptly.

* All members under 16 are not allowed to smoke on club premises or whilst representing the club at events.

* All members are not allowed to consume illegal substances of any kind on the club premises or whilst representing the club at events.

* All members are not allowed to consume alcohol on the club premises or whilst representing the club unless the circumstances deem it legal under British law and a parent or guardian is present.

Don't keep it To Yourself

You have the right to:

* Have fun when playing hockey

* Be safe when playing hockey

* Enjoy your hockey

* Make friends through hockey

* Be treated with respect by adults involved in hockey

Are you worried?

* My coach is bullying me

* Another adult at hockey is bullying me

* Another member of my team is bullying me

* One of the coaches or volunteers is threatening me

* An adult is making me do things which I know are wrong

* Someone is touching me and making me feel uncomfortable

* Someone is constantly teasing me, shouting at me or kicking and punching me

* Someone is making suggestive remarks or asking me to do things of a sexual nature

* Someone is acting in a way which makes me feel lonely, upset, unsafe or embarrassed

If the answer is YES  - Don't keep it to yourself - Ask for help

Who can I talk to?

Talk to your Club Welfare Officer

It can sometimes be difficult to speak to an adult about how you are feeling.

* You might think that an adult will not understand

THEY WILL LISTEN

* You may think that they will not believe you

THEY WILL BELIEVE YOU

* You may be scared that they will tell other people that you do not want to know

THEY WILL ONLY TELL SOMEONE WHO CAN HELP

* You might think they have not got time to talk to you

THEY WILL ALWAYS MAKE TIME TO TALK

It's better to talk to someone:

* Ignoring your worries or concerns could make them worse

* Talking to someone will begin to tackle your worries and concerns

* You only have to share information that you want to share

* Telling someone will begin to help you

What will happen if I talk to someone?

Your Club Welfare Officer will know what to do and how to help.  They will be able to ensure that you are safe and they will believe you.

There are policies and procedures which they will use.  These will provide information of who to contact, how to contact them and what they can do to help.

Confidentiality

The Club Welfare Officer cannot promise to keep the information you share a secret.  However they do have to keep it  CONFIDENTIAL.  This means that they will have to tell only the person/people who can help.

When you are talking to the Club Welfare Officer ask them to explain who they need to speak to and why.  They may say one of the following:

* England Hockey Lead Child Welfare Officer

They will know what to do if the behaviour of adult/s towards you is upsetting you. Talking to this person will begin to help the situation and ensure you can play hockey in a happy and safe environment.

* Social Services or the Police in an emergency

Social Services or the police will be called if the Club Welfare Officer thinks you may come to more harm or are in danger.  This is to help you and ensure you are safe.

Who is my Club Welfare Officer?

Karen Horton

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

07709350872

Alternative sources of help, advice and support:

NSPCC 0808 800 5000 www.thereforeme.com Support and advice for 12-16 yr olds via the website

Childline 0800 1111 www.childline.org.uk Free helpline for children and young people

Kidscape 0207 730 3300 www.kidscape.org.uk Support on bullying