SSSA POLICIES V4.1 Reviewed and updated 09/11/2022 The SSSA policies detailed here-in include:-
Please note that as a general rule, if a scenario, situation or incident is not catered for in the above policies, the SSSA will always defer to the more comprehensive policy of a higher authority. Relevant higher authorities include the Governing Body for snowsport in Scotland, Snowsport Scotland, Children First, Sport Scotland and UK Sport. 1. Code of Conduct 1a. General Code of Conduct for all persons involved in SSSA activities including event helpers and officials This general code of conduct applies to the committee, members, parents, coaches, teachers, pupils and any other persons associated with or connected to SSSA events, who should:- 1.a.1 Respect the position and responsibility of the event organiser and their role, in accordance with published SSSA rules 1.a.2 Respect and champion the rights, dignity and worth of every individual and treat everyone equally within the context of their sport. 1.a.3 Develop an appropriate relationship with participants based on openness, honesty, mutual trust and respect. 1.a.4 Always promote the positive aspects of their sport and never condone law violations or the use of prohibited substances. 1.a.5 Always encourage participants to value their performances and not just results. 1.a.6 Never exert undue influence over participants to obtain personal benefit or reward. 1.a.7 Consistently demonstrate high standards of preparation, language, manner, punctuality and presentation. 1.a.8 Consider the well being and safety of participants ahead of the completion of an event. 1.a.9 Ensure that all equipment has been properly prepared and made safe. 1b. Additional Code of Conduct for Event Organisers The role of event organiser is considered one of the most important undertaken on behalf of the SSSA. The success or failure of any component part of an event is the responsibility of the event organiser who can be held wholly liable for any inefficiencies or failings in the event by themselves or their crew or any dissatisfaction by any of its attendees or competitors. SSSA event organisers should:- 1.b.1 Conduct themselves in a professional manner being impartial at all times 1.b.2 Accept responsibility for, and delicately manage any issues or problems occurring at the event. 1.b.3 Treat all helpers fairly and equally with due courtesy and respect 1.b.4 Support all appointed volunteers ensuring they are adequately equipped, trained, supported and nurtured to deliver their own roles successfully. 1.b.5 Ensure that all concerns, complaints, incidents or injuries are recorded on the appropriate SSSA event report after the event, and that each brought to the attention of the SSSA chair and event manager is then dealt with in an appropriate manner with due follow-up actions resolving it to the satisfaction of all parties concerned. 1c. Additional Code of Conduct for Competitors All SSSA competitors should:- 1.c.1 Ski or Snowboard because they want to – not to please parents, teachers or coaches. 1.c.2 Be positive and passionate about the event and abide within the rules. 1.c.3 Show respect to your team, coaches, opposition and officials and treat them as you would want to be treated. 1.c.4 Not show off. 1.c.5 Not bully, interfere or take unfair advantage of any competitor. 1.c.6 Swear or act inappropriately. (You are representing your school on and off the slope). 1.c.7 Be punctual. 1.c.8 Make new competitors feel welcome. 1.c.9 Ensure your equipment is properly prepared and safe and to dress appropriately for the weather conditions.
1d. Additional Code of Conduct for School Team Supervisors/Coaches, Teachers and Parents. School team supervisors, teachers and parents should:- 1.d.1 Be realistic about young competitors' ability and suitability to attend the events. 1.d.2 Ensure that their decision to involve pupils in SSSA events does not in any way put the individual’s health or wellbeing at risk. 1.d.3 Ensure that all pupils are adequately equipped to protect them from any risk arising out of their participation in SSSA events. 1.d.4 Ensure that, at events, pupils are never put in danger of any physical injury, harm or psychological trauma. 1.d.5 Ensure that pupils are familiar with, understand and adhere to the competitors code of conduct. 1.d.6 Be aware of the SSSA Child Welfare and Protection Policy. 1.d.7 Always behave in a manner that sets the right example for school pupils. 1.d.8 Always share concerns with officials at the time that risk arises or incidents happen. 1.d.9 Remember that young people participate for their own enjoyment and not that of anyone else. 1.d.10 Focus on the competitors’ efforts, rather than the winning or losing. 1.d.11 Provide positive verbal feedback and communication both during and after an event. 1.d.12 Always show appreciation of good conduct and performance by all young competitors. 1.d.13 Respect all decisions made by officials. It is hard enough for them to do their jobs without you creating additional pressures. Encourage young competitors to do likewise. 1.d.14 Show due respect and courtesy to all competitors, parents, supervisors, coaches and officials and treat them as you would wish to be treated. 1.d.15 Not behave in a manner that is intimidating or upsetting to others. 1.d.16 Not use language or communicate in a way that threatens, scorns, belittles or upsets others in any way. 1e.Logging concerns over misconduct 1.e.1 Should anyone witness or have concerns over mis-conduct please log the details on the SSSA Incident and Issue Log form. 1.e.2 All reported incidents will be investigated and if necessary, involve escalation to Snowsport Scotland for support with resolution. For complete transparency we are about to insert a link here detailing the process we follow to handle complaints, concerns or incidents. 2. School Supervision Policy 2.1 The SSSA places the safety of all people attending events as the highest priority. As such it requires every school to come with a school team supervisor appointed to supervise and safeguard the pupils both on and off the slope at all times. 2.2 Schools teams that are not adequately supervised or safeguarded may have to be disqualified and taken off the slope or mountain for their own safety. 2.3 Whilst at the event school team supervisors must continue to adhere to the safety and safeguarding policies laid down by their school or local authority. 2.4 At artificial/indoor events school team supervisors must maintain line of sight of pupils on the slope from either the bottom or side of the slope at all times. It is not necessary for school supervisors to be on the slope but they must however be capable of accessing the top and bottom of the slope on foot if required to attend to a pupil in need. 2.5 For primary schools at artificial slope events, the ratio of supervisors to pupils must meet the school's excursion policy, however the SSSA recommends that it is no less than 1 adult per 8 pupils. 2.6 For secondary schools at artificial slope events, the ratio of supervisors to pupils must again meet the school's excursion policy, however the SSSA recommends that it is no less than 1 adult per 12 pupils. 2.7 At mountain events school team supervisors should accompany their pupils onto the slopes in order to have sight of pupils at all times. Therefore all school supervisors should be able to ski or snowboard safely on moderately steep slopes and use the uplift facilities. 2.8 For primary schools at mountain events the ratio of supervisors to pupils must meet the school's excursion policy, however the SSSA recommends that it is no less than 2 adults per 8 pupils. 2.9 For secondary schools at mountain events the ratio of supervisors to pupils must again meet the school's excursion policy, however the SSSA recommends that it is no less than 2 adults per 10 pupils. 3. Safeguarding and Welfare Policy 3.1 The SSSA places the welfare and safety of all people attending events as the highest priority. As such it requires every school to come with a supervisor willing to undertake the role of safeguarding the pupils at the event. The appointed adult school team supervisor is therefore wholly responsible for the safeguarding and welfare of the pupils at the event. 3.2 Should a pupil, parent, coach, official or spectator require to speak with someone regarding a safeguarding concern or incident/issue that they feel uncomfortable raising with their ski team supervisor, they should raise the issue with the SSSA event organiser. If it can be resolved immediately then no further action will be taken, and the event organiser will note the details of the resolved incident on their event report. If the incident cannot be resolved it should be logged separately by the person concerned on the SSSA Incident and Issue Log form. 3.3 All reported incidents will be investigated and if relating to safeguarding, follow the protocol detailed below which can involve escalation to Snowsport Scotland and or Children First for support with resolution. For complete transparency we are about to insert a link here detailing the process we follow to handle complaints, concerns or incidents. 4. Complaints Policy & Procedure 4.1 Any issues, complaints or grievances will be dealt with sensitively and confidentially at all times. 4.2 If any person should wish to raise a concern or file a complaint about a matter of conduct, supervision, safeguarding or any other matter at an event , they should, in the first instance, speak to the event organiser. The approach, and subsequent discussions should be instigated at an appropriate time, that does not affect operations on the day, in a respectful manner and with appropriate respect to all individuals concerned. If a satisfactory resolution cannot be found at the time or should the complainant feel that they have a particularly sensitive issue to discuss which may require more privacy then they should log the incident and/or concern on the SSSA Incident and Issue Log form. This form should also be used for any complaints or concerns that need to be raised when not at an event. 4.3 The SSSA Vice-Chair is responsible for the handling of inbound logged incidents, complaints and issues and will acknowledge receipt of the complaint as soon as possible after receipt. If appropriate an investigation will be initiated within 14 days of the complaint being lodged. If there is any likely delay, the complainant will be informed. 4.4 Once the complaint has been investigated the SSSA Vice-Chair will provide a written response to the complainant. 4.5 If the complainant is not satisfied with the outcome they can raise a further complaint with the SSSA Chair. For complete transparency we are about to insert a link here detailing the process we follow to handle complaints, concerns or incidents. 5. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy This equality, diversity and inclusion policy has been drawn up by the SSSA in a positive effort to try and ensure that people of all gender categories, race and creed consider SSSA events accessible and inclusive. Before detailing the specifics of the policy below the SSSA would like to make clear that it would welcome feedback from anyone affected by this policy. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE: The SSSA endorses the principle of sports equality and will strive where possible to ensure that everyone who wishes to be involved in its events has a genuine and equal opportunity to do so to the full extent of their own ambitions and abilities, without regard to their age, ethnicity, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, socio economic status, sex or sexual orientation. The principle of sports equality, diversity and inclusion goes further than simply complying with legislation. It entails taking positive steps to counteract the effects of physical or cultural barriers – whether real or perceived – that restrict the opportunity for all sections of the community to participate equally and fully. ASSURANCE OF ENVIRONMENT The SSSA also assures participants of an environment in which their rights, dignity and individual worth are respected, and in particular that they are able to enjoy their sport without the threat of intimidation, victimisation, harassment or abuse.
COMMITMENT The SSSA is committed to avoid and eliminate unfair discrimination of any kind in snowsports and will under no circumstances condone unlawful discriminatory practices. Examples of the relevant legislation are detailed in the Snowsport Scotland Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy appendices, available here. https://snowsportscotland.org/our-key-documents/
MEASURES The SSSA will seek to institute or support appropriate measures that enable access to snowsports and undertake regular review of such measures. TRANSGENDER INCLUSION MEASURES (added August 2022) In alignment with UK Sport Guidance on transgender inclusion published in September 2021, the SSSA recognises the challenge of offering ‘complete inclusivity’ to transgender persons, whilst maintaining fairness in competition. In particular, including female transgender competitors (those identifying as female but assigned as male gender at birth) in the traditionally used female category, containing competitors assigned female gender at birth, can give rise to significant advantage, to the post-puberty female transgender competitor, due to their retained male physical strength attributes. GENDER CLASS: The SSSA will therefore move to using 2 mutually exclusive gender classes for its events. From 1st September 2022 the 2 gender classes will be:- Female Class [F] - This class can be entered by who are assigned female gender at birth Open Class [O] - This class can be entered by those who are assigned male gender at birth, transgender, and non-binary. FAQs I am Transgender male what category do I compete in? Transgender men who are assigned female gender at birth, or who have or are transitioning; will be able to compete within the ‘Open’ category. They are not eligible for the female category. I am Transgender female what category do I compete in? Transgender females who are assigned male gender at birth, or who have or are transitioning; will be able to compete within the ‘Open’ category. They are not eligible for the female category. What did the consultation involve? Discussion from the SSSA committee, key event organisers and team, following a review of the UK Sport paper as well as a review of multiple global governing sporting bodies and institutes. The purpose of this consultation was to review the inclusion process of transgender and non-binary athletes within the SSSA events. Why are snowsports considered a gender affected sport? At SSSA events all competitors compete on the same course on the same day, for equal opportunity at podium standing. In terms of performance outcomes and physiology/biology, athletes who are assigned male gender at birth stand at a competitive performance advantage in comparison to those assigned female gender at birth. Snowsports is a sport made up of multiple disciplines which has observed a long history and clear differentials in performance between male and female athletes. Equality Act 2010, section 195 (3) states: “A gender-affected activity is a sport, game or other activity of a competitive nature in circumstances in which the physical strength, stamina or physique of average persons of one sex would put them at a disadvantage compared to average persons of the other sex as competitors in events involving the activity”. end. |