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Sports Council Policies

Basingstoke Voluntary Sports Council adhere to the basic policy guidelines issued by Sport England and relevant Governing bodies as should all sports clubs within the Basingstoke & Deane Sporting Community.

Sports Club Policies

A successful sports club needs clear policies to ensure safety, fairness, and legal compliance. Essential policies include Safeguarding (for children and vulnerable adults), Health & Safety (risk assessments, first aid), Codes of Conduct (for players, parents, and coaches), Equality & Diversity, and Disciplinary Procedures. 

Organising policies into clear categories helps protect your members and volunteers while ensuring smooth club operations. 

1. Safety & Welfare

  • Safeguarding Policy: Vital for protecting children and adults at risk. This should outline how to spot signs of abuse and the exact steps to report concerns. 
  • Health and Safety Policy: Details how to safely manage risks, including maintenance of club equipment, first aid procedures, and emergency actions. 
  • Concussion/Injury Protocol: Guidelines for managing on-field injuries, return-to-play criteria, and concussion reporting. 

2. Governance & Conduct

  • Code of Conduct: Sets behavioral expectations for players, coaches, officials, and parents. It should cover anti-bullying, fair play, and zero tolerance for discrimination. 
  • Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Policy: Ensures your club is accessible and open to all, outlining how you prevent discrimination based on race, gender, age, or ability. 
  • Disciplinary & Grievance Procedures: A clear, step-by-step process outlining how members can make complaints and how the club handles rule breaches or appeals. 

3. Administration & Operations

  • Club Constitution / Governing Document: The foundational rules of your club, outlining how the committee is elected, voting rights, and the club’s core objectives. 
  • Volunteer & Recruitment Policy: Outlines the safe recruitment of staff and volunteers, including background checks (such as DBS checks in the UK) and role descriptions. 
  • Data Protection & Privacy Policy: Ensures member data is stored securely and compliant with data privacy laws. [1, 2]

Where to Find Templates & Guidance

Depending on your location and sport, National Governing Bodies (NGBs) provide sport-specific guidance and templates that you can adapt to your club's needs.

Safeguarding Specifics: The NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) offers comprehensive templates and advice.