• Recognising that all children and young people have the right to freedom from abuse.

• Ensuring that all our coaches, officials and volunteers are carefully selected.

• Accepting responsibility for helping to prevent the abuse of children and young people in their care.

• Responding swiftly and appropriately to all suspicions or allegations of abuse, by providing parents and children with the opportunity to voice any concerns they may have.

• Ensuring that access to confidential information is restricted to the person responsible for children and young people or the appropriate external authorities

• Reviewing the effectiveness of the Northern Club Child Protection Policy and its activities each year at its Annual General Meeting

• Appointing a Child Welfare Officer within each playing section, who shall be responsible for children and young people, who will take specific responsibility for child safety and who will act as the main point of contact for parents and children and outside agencies.

• Sign a Personal Disclosure Form that must be forwarded to the sport's governing body, or the appropriate body acting in lieu.

• Ensure all parents/guardians of juniors involved in the club activities and events have completed a Parental Consent Form.

• Ensure that all persons, including coaches, officials and volunteers working with juniors within the club or on behalf of the club, have completed a Personal Disclosure Form.

• Forward a copy of an individual's Personal Disclosure Form to the sport's governing body, or the appropriate body acting in lieu, for immediate consideration.

• Keep confidential records of all documentation in a secure manner so that it can be produced should it be required for reference by an authorised Executive.

• Refer any concerns or allegations to the appropriate body using the Child Protection Referral Form.

• Ensure that coaches, officials, volunteers, parents/guardians and juniors have access to the Northern Club Child Protection Policy and Procedures Document.

The Northern Club is committed to ensuring that equity is incorporated across all aspects of its development. In doing so it acknowledges and adopts the following Sport England definition of sports equity:

• Sports equity is about fairness in sport, equality of access, recognising inequalities and taking steps to address them. It is about changing the culture and structure of sport to ensure it becomes equally accessible to everyone in society.
• The club respects the rights, dignity and worth of every person and will treat everyone equally within the context of their sport, regardless of age, ability, gender, race, ethnicity, religious belief, sexuality or social/economic status.
• The club is committed to everyone having the right to enjoy their sport in an environment free from threat of intimidation, harassment and abuse.
• All club members have a responsibility to oppose discriminatory behaviour and promote equality of opportunity.
• The club will deal with any incidence of discriminatory behaviour seriously, according to club disciplinary procedures.

The Northern Club is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of all its members. The club believes that it is important that members, coaches, administrators and parents associated with the club should, at all times, show respect, be encouraged to be open and to share any concerns or complaints that they may have about any aspect of the club with the appropriate Child Welfare Officer .

As a member of the Northern Club 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.
• Members should keep to agreed timings for training and competitions or inform their coach or team manager if they are going to be late.
• Members must wear suitable kit – [see individual sections for each kit] – for training and match sessions, as agreed with the coach/team manager.
• Members must pay any fees for training or events promptly.
• Junior members under 16 are not allowed to smoke on club premises or whilst representing the club at competitions.
• Junior members will not be sold alcohol.
• Junior members will not be sold prohibitive drugs of any kind on the club premises.
• Ball games are not allowed on the grassed enclosure immediately in front of the clubhouse.
• It is illegal for persons under the age of 18 to play the fruit machines.
• The use of mobile phones in the clubhouse is forbidden. Members are asked to go outside when making calls.
• Only members of 17 years and over are allowed in the snooker room.
• Children under the age of 12 are only allowed in the clubhouse and grounds in the care of their parents or a responsible adult and shall be restricted to the lounge unless there is a private function or they are sat in the well watching TV. Children may not sit at the bar.
• Children aged 12 and under must be out of the clubhouse by 21.00 hrs and off the premises by 21.30 hrs (22.00 hrs from May to Aug), the only exceptions to this shall be junior members participating in sport on that day or attending private functions.

As an adult responsible for a junior member or guest of the Northern Club, you are expected to abide by the following rules:

• Encourage your child to learn the rules and play within them.
• Discourage unfair play and arguing with officials.
• Help your child to recognise good performance, not just results.
• Never force your child to take part in sport.
• Set a good example by recognising fair play and applauding the good performances of all.
• Never punish or belittle a child for losing or making mistakes.
• Support your child’s involvement and help them to enjoy their sport.
• Use correct and proper language at all times.
• Observe the club junior rules.
• Refrain from parking in front of or next to residents' driveways in Elm Avenue as this severely restricts their access.
• Ensure that children in your care of 12 years and under are supervised at all times in the grounds and the clubhouse, where they are restricted to the lounge unless there is a private function or they are sat in the well watching TV.
• Ensure that children in your care aged 12 and under are out of the clubhouse by 21.00 hrs and off the premises by 21.30 hrs (22.00 hrs May to Aug), except for junior members participating in sport on that day or attending private functions. Children of 12 years and under may not sit at the bar.
• You are asked to ensure that children do not play on the cricket covers or sight screens, or the hockey goals as this can cause costly damage or injury, or on the bowling greens.
• Ball games are not allowed on the grassed area immediately in front of the clubhouse.
• Children may play on the cricket outfield when no matches are in progress, but should keep well away from the cricket tracks in the middle of the field. When matches are taking place, children may play on other parts of the Clubs grounds, where it is physically safe to do so, will not cause damage or distract team players and always subject to parental supervision. The hockey astroturf may be used when cricket pitches are in use, provided children wear the appropriate footwear and are under supervision.

The junior rules exist for the safety and protection of children.