Player/Accompanying Person/Coach

1 Purpose of this document

The Code of Conduct (CoC) defines the expectations for parents/guardians and other accompanying persons (e.g. non-chess playing siblings), players and coaches whilst participating as a member of an England Team at International junior chess events.

A player/accompanying person/coach is expected to conform to this code; to demonstrate a high standard of behaviour and to conduct himself, or herself, in a manner befitting a representative of England; and further to abide by the Head of Delegation’s authority and decisions.

In part this document is derived from the spirit of a wider ECF Code of Conduct proposed to guide and govern its officials:

“All officials of the ECF are representatives of the organisation and must ensure that their actions do not:

• cause gratuitous offence;
• injure the ECF, its officials or its events, directly or indirectly;
• bring the game of chess or the ECF into disrepute.

This includes, among other things, ensuring that the views, rights, values and dignity of others are treated with sensitivity and respect. As ambassadors for the game and for the ECF, officials must ensure that their actions reflect such personal qualities as honesty, empathy, responsibility and good sportsmanship.

Behaviour which is contrary to the principles set out in paragraph 1 or to the FIDE Code of Ethics may be subject to disciplinary action by the ECF.“

2a Player’s Responsibilities

Each player shall:

• Respect the safety and well-being of team-mates, the delegation party and when appropriate, opponents.
• Respect other players, officials, coaches, guests, parents/guardians of players, staff employed by tournament organizers and hotel employees.
• Respect the facilities and property of the premises at which the event is held.
• Adhere to the official tournament rules and regulations and in particular, exhibit appropriate behaviour whilst in the playing hall itself.
• Observe time schedules announced by the Head of Delegation, Head Coach or coaches. These include meetings, pre-tournament training sessions and team activities, if applicable.
• Behave in an inoffensive manner, being aware of anti-social language, noise level, and any other adverse impact on others, during training, competition and free time.

Notwithstanding the specific provisions above, players will be expected to use discretion and common sense in deciding what constitutes acceptable behaviour.

Note that it is the responsibility of Parents/Guardians to ensure that their child understands the above.

2b Accompanying Persons’ Responsibilities

Accompanying persons shall:

• Ensure that their player(s) adheres to relevant aspects of this CoC.
• Ensure that their player(s) observes appropriate patterns of rest, sleep and diet as a priority.
• Ensure that their player(s) refrains from all unauthorised activities during the event, including ensuring their charge is free of drugs, tobacco, and alcohol
• Support all members of the delegation (i.e. not exclusively focusing on their own charge(s) ), and help to build a conducive team atmosphere (for example wherever possible delegations are expected to take their meals together however this will depend upon the size and logistics of each specific event). In particular the accompanying person will support the decisions of the Head of Delegation recognised by the ECF.

Further, an Accompanying Person shall not:

• Interfere with the delivery of the duties by the authorised coaches. This includes participating actively or passively in coaching sessions in team rooms or communal areas or similar unless agreed to by the Coach and Head of Delegation (where applicable).
For safeguarding purposes, if coaching needs to be undertaken in a hotel bedroom (or similar), the ECFs guidance is that an accompanying person or another person agreed with the Head of Delegation remains in the room, or within sound and/or sight of the coaching, for any player aged 17 years or less. Where a player is travelling unaccompanied, the person acting “in loco parentis” will be deemed to be the accompanying person in the preceding sentence.
• Communicate in any way with any player that contravenes the tournament rules.
• Approach tournament officials, players or coaches during the course of play to register their concerns. Such concerns should only be voiced through the Head of Delegation.
• Take any action which contributes adversely to the harmony of the overall group atmosphere and relationships between members of the team
• Seek to obtain preferential treatment for their charge which may introduce disadvantages (of any kind) to other players in the team.

Notwithstanding the specific provisions above, Accompanying Persons will be expected to use discretion and common sense in deciding what constitutes acceptable behaviour.

A relative or other person travelling independently, who wishes to visit a player, must seek prior approval of the Head of Delegation. He/she will be governed by the same CoC as an Accompanying Person.

2c Coach’s Responsibilities

As representatives of the ECF and ambassadors of chess, coaches must ensure that their actions do not deliberately cause offence to others or bring the game of chess or the ECF into disrepute.

As such, coaches shall:

• Follow the code of conduct in the current ECXF Safeguarding Children Policy
• Behave in an inoffensive manner, being aware of anti-social language, noise level, and any other adverse impact on others, during training, competition and free time.
• Abstain from drinking alcohol during the day until all games have been analysed with “their” players. Once training for the day has been completed, responsible drinking is of course permitted. Coaches must be fit and fully prepared to start training on time (as per the training schedule) each day.

Notwithstanding the specific provisions above, coaches will be expected to use discretion and common sense in deciding what constitutes acceptable behaviour.

Specific coaching expectations include:

• Prior to travel, the coach requesting a database from and familiarising him/herself with recent games played by their players.
• Whilst at the Tournament, the coach must

• Make themselves approachable to their students. He/she is expected to provide guidance and encouragement throughout the duration of the competition.
• Ensure that he/she has access to an up-to-date database of games, a tournament-sized chess set and related reading material if required. Prepare games in advance if appropriate.
• In advance of each coaching session, obtain the player’s pairing for the day and where possible analyse the opponent’s games. Prepare material and ideas for the student and then ensure the student is clear on the material discussed.
• Provide at least 45 minutes (or less time where appropriate and agreed with the Head Coach) of 1:1 coaching on the morning of each day (excluding any double round or rest days), focused on preparation for that day’s game.
• With each player (and if appropriate with other team members in attendance), review each game as soon as possible, usually on the same day on which the game is played, providing detailed and constructive feedback.

• After the Tournament (but within 3 weeks), the coach should provide the student and head of delegation with a brief written summary of the student’s performance during the tournament including their strengths and advice about their future development.

3 Prize giving and closing ceremony attendance

It is strongly preferred that all delegation members – Players, Accompanying Persons and Coaches – attend the closing Ceremony to support any team members winning prizes. If no prizes have been won, it is still beneficial for players to see other teams’ achievements in order to motivate players to improve. All those attending the closing ceremony should wear their England team t-shirt or other provided uniform.

4 Non-compliance

Any player, accompanying person or coach found to be in contravention of any of the terms in the CoC may be subject to appropriate disciplinary measures, which shall be determined by the ECF.

All contraventions by an accompanying person will be reported to the ECF Director of Junior Chess and Education by the Head of Delegation, and may jeopardise the future opportunity of their player and/or themselves in representing England.