Subscriptions for this year are now due.

There are forms in the clubhouse for membership or one can be downloaded here: Subscription

Please contact Paul Johnston on 07912 215826 for any enquiries.

Memberships Available are:

Family (one or both parents and their children under 18) – £120
Adult – £75
Senior Citizen [60 years old and over] – £50
Student – £30
Country – £30
Under 18 years old on 1st April 2024 – £20
Under 12 years old on 1st April 2024 – £15
Under 12 years old on 1st April 2024 with adult hitting partner – £20

CLUB RULES

The Club is on the Register of Community Amateur Sports Clubs, and its Constitution can be seen here (opens in pdf format on a new page): Constitution

The club has a Safeguarding Policy which can be found Here.

Windermere Tennis Club

Safeguarding Policy

Reporting a Safeguarding Concern within the Tennis Environment

Concerns arise about the behaviour of a member of staff, coach or volunteer towards a child/children. Make a note of anything you/the witness has seen/said, with dates and times

Useful Contacts

British Tennis Services team: 020 8487 7000

Email: safeandinclusive@lta.org.uk

NSPCC: 0808 800 5000

Emergency Services: 999

YES

Crime/Immediate risk:

Call Police/ Social Services

Medical:

Call an Ambulance

Is the Club Welfare Officer available?

YES

If your Club Welfare Officer is unavailable please report to the Safeguarding Team for advice and complete Reporting a Concern Form

Club Welfare Officer contacts the Safeguarding Team for advice and guidance and provides the completed Reporting a Concern Form

Level 2/3 Serious Concern (i.e. suspected abuse)

LTA inform SPC, conduct investigation, inform Police/LADO

Level 1 (Low level i.e. poor practice)

LTA investigate or tennis club investigate with support from the LTA

Appeal process

Concern dealt with by club (internal discipline/appeals process). If LTA disciplinary investigation undertaken a hearing is held by LRC/SPC*

Outcome of disciplinary process (e.g. no case to answer, advice or warning/sanction)

Safeguarding Team in conjunction with SPC makes decision as to Level of concern.

LTA consults with SPC re interim suspension and notifying other organisations. Consultation with Police/LADO and strategy discussion to agree investigative process. Internal Investigation may be delayed pending police enquiries.

LTA await outcome of Children’s Social Care or Police investigation (e.g. NFA, criminal prosecution, assessment of risk). Full disciplinary investigation undertaken and SPC hearing held. Outcome i.e. removal of coach accreditation, further training, approved for accreditation.

If you are unable to contact the Welfare Officer or the LTA Safeguarding Team, please contact your Local Authority Children’s Services Team and follow their advice

Note: You should inform the parent/carer of the concern, unless you believe it would put the child/adult at risk, yourself or others at risk

Is there an immediate risk to a young person or vulnerable adult?

*SPC – Safeguarding and Protection Committee

*LRC – Licensing and Registration Committee

Safeguarding Policy

Policy statement

The Windermere Tennis Club is committed to prioritising the well-being of all children and adults at risk, promoting safeguarding in our club at all times, including all programmes and events we run. This Policy strives to minimise risk, deliver a positive tennis experience for everyone and respond appropriately to all safeguarding concerns/disclosures.

Use of terminology

Child: a person under the age of eighteen years.

Note that some legislation in Scotland defines a child as a person under sixteen years old. However, where there is any safeguarding concern, anyone under the age of 18 is regarded as a child unless advised otherwise by the LTA Safeguarding Team .

Adult at risk of abuse or neglect: a person aged eighteen years or over who is, or may be, in need of community care services by reason of disability, age or illness; and is, or may be, unable to take care of, or unable to protect him or herself against abuse or neglect.

Safeguarding children: protecting children from abuse and neglect, preventing the impairment of children’s health or development, ensuring that they grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care, and taking action to enable all children to have the best life chances.

Safeguarding adults at risk: protecting adults from abuse and/or neglect. Enabling adults to maintain control over their lives and make informed choices without coercion. Empowering adults at risk, consulting them before taking action, unless someone lacks the capacity to make a decision, or their mental health poses a risk to their own or someone else’s safety, in which case, always acting in his or her best interests.

(See appendix A for full glossary of terms).

Scope

This Policy is applicable to all staff, volunteers, committee members, coaches and club members. It is in line with national legislation and applicable across the UK.

Advice, guidance and support is available from the LTA Safeguarding Team.

Responsibility for the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Code of Conduct and Reporting Procedure

SAFEGUARDING IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY: NOT RESPONDING TO A SAFEGUARDING CONCERN IS NOT AN OPTION.

Our club’s committee has overall accountability for this Policy and its implementation
Our club Welfare Officer is responsible for updating this Policy in line with legislative and club developments
All individuals involved in/present at the club are required to adhere to the Policy and Code of Conduct
The LTA Safeguarding Team and Tennis Scotland, Tennis Wales and Tennis Foundation Safeguarding Leads can offer support to help clubs proactively safeguard.

Where there is a safeguarding concern/disclosure:

The individual who is told about, hears, or is made aware of the concern/disclosure is responsible for following the Reporting a Safeguarding Concern Procedure. Unless someone is in immediate danger, they should inform their club Welfare Officer, LTA Safeguarding Team or National Safeguarding Lead.
The club Welfare Officer and Safeguarding Leads are responsible for reporting safeguarding concerns to the LTA Safe Safeguarding Team.
The LTA Safeguarding Team is responsible for assessing all safeguarding concern/disclosures that are reported to them and working with the club Welfare Officer and national Safeguarding Leads to follow up as appropriate on a case-by-case basis, prioritising the well-being of the child/ adult at risk at all times. Dependent on the concern/disclosure, a referral may be made to:

The police in an emergency (999);
Cumbria Safeguarding Hub (0333 240 1727)
LTA (020 8487 7000)
NSPCC (0808 800 5000)

Breaches of the Safeguarding Policy, Code of Conduct and Reporting Procedure

Breaches of this Policy and/or failure to comply with the outlined responsibilities may result in the following:

Disciplinary action leading to possible exclusion from the club, dismissal and legal action
Termination of current and future roles within the club and roles in other clubs, the LTA, Tennis Wales, Tennis Scotland and the Tennis Foundation.

Actions taken by players, parents or carers, staff, consultants, volunteers, officials, coaches inside or outside of the club that are seen to contradict this Policy may be considered a violation of this Policy.

Whistleblowing

Safeguarding children and adults at risk requires everyone to be committed to the highest possible standards of openness, integrity and accountability. As a club, we are committed to encouraging and maintaining a culture where people feel able to raise a genuine safeguarding concern and are confident that it will be taken seriously.

What is whistle blowing?

In the context of safeguarding, “whistle blowing” is when someone raises a concern about the well-being of a child or an adult at risk.

A whistle blower may be:

a player;
a volunteer;
a coach;
other member of staff;
an official;
a parent;
a member of the public.

How to raise a concern about a child or an adult at risk at the club

If a child or an adult at risk is in immediate danger or risk of harm, the police should be contacted by calling 999.

Where a child or an adult at risk is not in immediate danger, any concerns about their well-being should be made without delay to the Club Welfare Officer. The Club Welfare Officer will pass the details of the concern on to the LTA Safeguarding Team at the earliest opportunity and the relevant local authority and the police will be contacted, where appropriate.

If, however, the whistle blower does not feel comfortable raising a concern with the Club Welfare Officer, the whistle blower should contact the LTA Safeguarding Team directly on 020 8487 7000, the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) or the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000.

The Club Welfare Officers can be contacted at any reasonable time. They are: Janette Osliff and Gillian Winters.

Information to include when raising a concern

The whistle blower should provide as much information as possible regarding the incident or circumstance which has given rise to the concern, including:

their name and contact details (unless they wish to remain anonymous);
names of individuals involved;
date, time and location of incident/circumstance; and
whether any witnesses were present.

What happens next?

All concerns raised by a whistle blower about the well-being of a child or an adult at risk will be taken seriously and every effort will be made to deal with each concern fairly, quickly and proportionately.

If the whistle blower does not believe that the concern has been dealt with appropriately and wishes to speak to someone outside the club or the LTA Safeguarding Team, the NSPCC Whistleblowing advice line should be contacted on 0800 028 0285 or by emailing help@nspcc.org.uk.

Support

The club will not tolerate any harassment, victimisation or unfair treatment of, and will take appropriate action to protect, whistle blowers when they raise a concern in good faith.

Codes of Conduct

All members of staff and volunteers agree to:

Prioritise the well-being of all children and adults at risk at all times
Treat all children and adults at risk fairly and with respect
Be a positive role model. Act with integrity, even when no one is looking
Help to create a safe and inclusive environment both on and off court
Not allow any rough or dangerous behaviour, bullying or the use of bad or inappropriate language
Report all allegations of abuse or poor practice to the club Welfare Officer
Not use any sanctions that humiliate or harm a child or adult at risk
Value and celebrate diversity and make all reasonable efforts to meet individual needs
Keep clear boundaries between professional and personal life, including on social media
Have the relevant consent from parents/carers, children and adults before taking or using photos and videos
Refrain from making physical contact with children or adults unless it is necessary as part of an emergency or congratulatory (e.g. handshake / high five)
Refrain from smoking and consuming alcohol during club activities or coaching sessions
Ensure roles and responsibilities are clearly outlined and everyone has the required information and training
Avoid being alone with a child or adult at risk unless there are exceptional circumstances
Refrain from transporting children or adults at risk, unless this is required as part of a club activity (e.g. away match) and there is another adult in the vehicle
Not abuse, neglect, harm or discriminate against anyone; or act in a way that may be interpreted as such
Not have a relationship with anyone under 18 for whom they are coaching or responsible for
Not to have a relationship with anyone over 18 whilst continuing to coach or be responsible for them

All children agree to:

Be friendly, supportive and welcoming to other children and adults
Play fairly and honestly
Respect club staff, volunteers and Officials and accept their decisions
Behave, respect and listen to your coach
Take care of your equipment and club property
Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of age, gender, ability, race, culture, religion or sexual identity
Not use bad, inappropriate or racist language, including on social media
Not bully, intimidate or harass anyone, including on social media
Not smoke, drink alcohol or drugs of any kind on club premises or whilst representing the club at competitions or events
Talk to the club Welfare Officer about any concerns or worries they have about themselves or others

All adults agree to:

Positively reinforce your child and show an interest in their tennis
Use appropriate language at all times
Be realistic and supportive
Never ridicule or admonish a child for making a mistake or losing a match
Treat all children, adults, volunteers, coaches, officials and members of staff with respect
Behave responsibly at the venue; do not embarrass your child
Accept the official’s decisions and do not go on court or interfere with matches
Encourage your child to play by the rules, and teach them that they can only do their best
Deliver and collect your child punctually from the venue
Ensure your child has appropriate clothing for the weather conditions
Ensure that your child understands their code of conduct
Adhere to your venue’s safeguarding policy, diversity and inclusion policy, rules and regulations
Provide emergency contact details and any relevant information about your child including medical history

This Policy is reviewed every two years (or earlier if there is a change in national legislation).

This Policy is recommended for approval by:

Club Committee Chair Janette Osliff Date: 01/11/18

Club Welfare Officers Janette Osliff and Gillian Winters Date: 01/11/18

Appendix A: Glossary of Terms

Safeguarding: protecting children from abuse and neglect, preventing the impairment of children’s health or development, ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care, and taking action to enable all children to have the best life chances. Enabling adults at risk to achieve the outcomes that matter to them in their life; protecting their right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. Empowering and supporting them to make choices, stay safe and raise any concerns. Beginning with the assumption that an individual is best-placed to make decisions about their own wellbeing, taking proportional action on their behalf only if someone lacks the capacity to make a decision, they are exposed to a life-threatening risk, someone else may be at risk of harm, or a criminal offence has been committed or is likely to be committed.

Abuse and neglect

Physical abuse: A form of abuse which may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child or adult at risk. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces illness

Sexual abuse: Involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in abuse sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example, rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing. They may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via the internet). Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children

Emotional abuse: The persistent emotional maltreatment of a child or adult at risk such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on their emotional development. It may involve conveying to a child/ adult at risk that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person; not giving them opportunities to express their views; deliberately silencing them or ‘making fun’ of what they say or how they communicate. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed, including interactions that are beyond a child or adult at risk’s developmental capability, as well as overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning, or preventing them participating in normal social interaction. It may involve seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another. It may involve serious bullying (including cyber bullying), causing a child or adult at risk to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child, though it may occur alone.

Neglect: The persistent failure to meet a child/ adult at risk’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of their health or development. It may involve a parent or carer failing to:

provide adequate food, clothing and shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment);
protect a child/ adult at risk from physical and emotional harm or danger;
ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate care-givers); or
ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment.

It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s or adult at risk’s basic emotional needs. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse.

Additional examples of abuse and neglect of adults at risk

Financial abuse: having money or property stolen; being defrauded; being put under pressure in relation to money or other property; and having money or other property misused.

Discriminatory abuse: treating someone in a less favourable way and causing them harm, because of their age, gender, sexuality, gender identity, disability, socio-economic status, ethnic origin, religion and any other visible or non-visible difference.

Domestic abuse: includes physical, sexual, psychological or financial abuse by someone who is, or has been a partner or family member. Includes forced marriage, female genital mutilation and honour-based violence (an act of violence based on the belief that the person has brought shame on their family or culture). Domestic abuse does not necessarily involve physical contact or violence.

Psychological abuse: including emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, isolation or withdrawal from services or supportive networks.

Organisational abuse: where the needs of an individual are not met by an organisation due to a culture of poor practice or abusive behaviour within the organisation.

Self-neglect: behaviour which threatens an adult’s personal health or safety (but not that of others). Includes an adult’s decision to not provide themselves with adequate food, clothing, shelter, personal hygiene, or medication (when indicated), or take appropriate safety precautions

Modern slavery: encompasses slavery, human trafficking, criminal and sexual exploitation, forced labour and domestic servitude. Traffickers and slave masters use whatever means they have at their disposal to coerce, deceive and force individuals into a life of abuse, servitude and inhumane treatment.

A person who is being abused may experience more than one type of abuse
Harassment, and bullying are also abusive and can be harmful
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is now recognised as a form of physical, sexual and emotional abuse that is practised across the UK
Child Sexual Exploitation is recognised as a form of sexual abuse in which children are sexually exploited for money, power or status
Child trafficking is recognised as child abuse where children are often subject to multiple forms of exploitation. Children are recruited, moved or transported to, or within the UK, then exploited, forced to work or sold
People from all cultures are subject to abuse. It cannot be condoned for religious or cultural reasons
Abuse can have immediate and long-term impacts on someone’s well-being, including anxiety, depression, substance misuse, eating disorders and self-destructive Conducts, offending and anti-social Conduct
Those committing abuse are most often adults, both male and female. However, child-to-child abuse also takes place.

Appendix B: What to do if a disclosure from a child or adult at risk is made to you:

Listen carefully and calmly to the individual
Reassure the individual that they have done the right thing and what they have told you is very important
Avoid questioning where possible, and never ask leading questions
Do not promise secrecy. Let the individual know that you will need to speak to the Welfare Officer/LTA Safeguarding Team because it is in their best interest. If you intend to speak to the police or social care, you should let them know this too.
Report the concern. In an emergency, call the police (999), otherwise talk to the Welfare Officer/LTA Safeguarding Team as soon as possible. Do not let doubt/personal bias prevent you from reporting the allegation
Record details of the disclosure and allegation using the LTA Reporting a Concern Form. Make certain you distinguish between what the person has actually said and the inferences you may have made. Your report should be sent to the LTA Safeguarding Team within 48 hours of the incident. If you do not have access to this document, write down the details using what you have available then sign and date it.

Appendix C: Reporting a Safeguarding Concern outside the Tennis Environment

What to do if you are worried that a child is being abused outside the tennis environment (e.g. at home, school or in the community) but the concern is identified through the child’s involvement in tennis

Member of staff, coach or volunteer made aware of concerns about child’s welfare or safety (e.g. suspicions of bullying at school, allegations of abuse within the family etc.) Make a note of anything the young person/witness has said, and what you have seen with dates and times

Useful Contacts

British Tennis Services team: 020 8487 7000

Email: safeandinclusive@lta.org.uk

NSPCC: 0808 800 5000

Emergency Services: 999

Safeguarding Team consider need for support or advice for original referrer, Club Welfare Officer or others involved.

Does the young person require immediate attention?

Complete reporting a concern form and forward to the police/Social care and LTA Safeguarding Team within 24 hours

Note: You should inform the parent/carer of the concern, unless you believe it would put the child/adult at risk, yourself or others at risk

YES

Call an Ambulance and inform them you have a child protection concern

Is the Club Welfare Officer available?

YES

If your Club Welfare Officer is unavailable please contact police/social care without delay. The Safeguarding Team can be contacted for advice during office hours.

Club Welfare Officer reports to local police/Social Care without delay. The Safeguarding Team can be contacted for advice during office hours.

The club has a Diversity and Inclusion Policy which can be found Here.

British Tennis Diversity and Inclusion Policy

Including Code of Conduct and Reporting Procedure

Windermere Tennis Club

Concern Reporting Procedure

Anyone who has concerns that they or someone else is being discriminated against or has been a victim of discriminatory language or behaviour should:

Respond

Listen carefully to what the person is telling you. Do not interrupt; keep questions to a minimum; do not promise to keep the information secret

Refer

Is someone in immediate danger?

YES

Call the police (999)

THEN

Talk to the club’s Welfare Officers in confidence

Janette Osliff 07765 664240

(jenosliff@hotmail.co.uk)

and/or

Gillian Winters 07908 166054

(ian.winters64@yahoo.co.uk)

Talk to the LTA Safe and Inclusive Tennis Team * (020 8487 7000) as soon as possible [Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm]. If the Safe and Inclusive Tennis Team is unavailable and you want advice before the next working day, call the NSPCC (0808 800 5000) or Parent Line Scotland (0800 028 2233) if your concerns is about a child.

If your concern us about an adult ask them for details of your Local Authority Adult Social Care Services.

Hate crime can alternatively be reported through True Vision at www.report-it.org.uk

Record

Write an objective account of your concerns immediately using the Reporting a Concern Form found in our website Safe and Inclusive Tennis page. Send it to the LTA Safe and Inclusive Tennis Team within 48 hours of the concern/disclosure (safeandinclusive@lta.org.uk)

Handling a concern/disclosure can be emotionally difficult. If you would like to talk to someone after making a concern/disclosure, contact the LTA Safe and Inclusive Tennis Team by phone 020 8487 7000 or email safeandinclusive@lta.org.uk

* In Wales? You can also contact the Wales Safe and Inclusive Tennis Lead (029 2046 3335). In Scotland? You can also contact the Tennis Scotland Safe and Inclusive Tennis Lead (0131 444 4154).

(See appendix C for more details on what to do if a disclosure from a child or adult at risk is made to you)

Diversity and Inclusion in Windermere Tennis Club

This Policy sets out our commitment and includes our Safe and Inclusive Standards, Code of Conduct (page 8) and Reporting Procedure (page 2) and it supports our overall aims for diversity and inclusion that are to ensure that:

Tennis is diverse and inclusive
Diversity and inclusion are embedded in our club’s culture and our behaviours
We create a culture where inclusive leadership thrives
We take a proactive approach using positive action to ensure that communities and individuals are valued and able to achieve their full potential.

To achieve these aims we believe that everyone involved in Tennis has a vital role to play in promoting diversity and inclusion and we ask everyone to become Safe and Inclusive Tennis Champions – proactively promoting Safe and Inclusive tennis and taking action against all forms of discrimination.

We are proud to have a Diversity and Inclusion Policy that demonstrates our commitment to making tennis diverse and inclusive. The commitment to Diversity and Inclusion is upheld by all – Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), Tennis Scotland, Tennis Wales and the Tennis Foundation.

These commitments are fully supported by the Windermere Tennis Club Committee.

Together we can make a positive difference to people from different backgrounds to participate in Tennis at our club.

Thank you.

Diversity and Inclusion Policy

Policy Statement

This Diversity and Inclusion Policy, Standards, Code of Conduct and Reporting Procedure are applicable to Windermere Tennis Club and is based on similar policies of:

The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA)
Tennis Scotland
Tennis Wales
The Tennis Foundation.

As a club we contribute actively to enable more people to play tennis more often, in a manner that it is safe, inclusive, and fair. This applies regardless of a person’s age, disability, gender reassignment status, sex, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, race or sexual orientation, socio-economic status or any other background.

We recognise that many concerns and/or disclosures may have both safeguarding and diversity and inclusion elements to them. This policy reflects this through its reporting procedures, which replicate the safeguarding concern reporting procedures.

This Policy strives to minimise risk and support our venue, programmes, events and individuals to deliver and experience a positive tennis experience for everyone. The Reporting Procedures in page 2 outlines how to respond to safeguarding or discrimination concerns/disclosures.

Use of Terminology

We have adopted the following definitions to explain our approach to diversity and inclusion in tennis:

Discrimination – treating someone in a less favourable way and causing them harm, because of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation

Diversity – acknowledging, celebrating and respecting the differences between groups of people and between individuals. We will work to ensure that people can be assured 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.

Harassment – unwanted conduct related to a relevant protected characteristic, which has the purpose or effect of violating an individual’s dignity or creating and intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that individual or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment. The focus is on the perception of the complainant not the intent of the perpetrator. Employees can complain of behaviour they find offensive even if it is not directed at them.

Inclusion – ensuring that tennis is equally accessible to any member of the community so they can be fully involved in whatever capacity they choose; and that they are supported to achieve their potential in any capacity e.g. player, employee, volunteer, coach or official. We will work to ensure that people have a genuine and equal opportunity to participate to the full extent of their own ambitions and abilities, that they feel respected and valued and are not singled out, with regard to their age, disability, gender reassignment status, sex, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, race or sexual orientation, socio-economic status or any other background.

Positive action – Windermere Tennis Club is committed to 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. We will ensure that we institute, support or contribute to appropriate measures or initiatives that enable access to tennis and participation in associated activities by people from any group that is under-represented in tennis or has difficulty accessing it and that they can do so with dignity or without being singled out.

(See Appendix A for full glossary of terms)

Scope

Windermere Tennis Club has direct safe and inclusive responsibility for:

Staff, consultants, coaches and officials they employ;
Volunteers, including board members and councillors they recruit;
Venues they own;
Events and programmes they run; and
Ensuring all accreditation requirements are met by accredited coaches, officials and venues.

We recommend and support the development of good diversity and inclusion practice to:

Accredited coaches, officials and venues;
Players, parents and carers;
Volunteers recruited by other organisations;
Venues hired by or on our behalf
Club Events.

This Policy is in line with national legislation (see appendix B for details of the relevant legislation) and applicable to our club, specifically to every person and place that we have direct safe and inclusive responsibility for.

Responsibility for implementation of the Diversity and Inclusion Policy

Diversity and inclusion is everyone’s responsibility: not responding to discriminatory or unacceptable language and behaviour is not an option.

The club’s Committee and Chair have overall accountability for this Policy and Reporting Procedure, for being the strategic lead on diversity and inclusion and for ensuring compliance with the relevant legislation (see Appendix for details).
The club’s chair Janette Osliff and Welfare Officers Janette Osliff and Gillian Winters have overall responsibility for implementation of the policy.
The Chair and Welfare Officer of the club are responsible for updating this Policy and Reporting Procedure in line with legislative and organisational developments; and develop a strategic and proactive approach to diversity and inclusion and respond to discrimination concerns.
The Windermere Tennis Club’s Welfare Officers, Janette Osliff and Gillian Winters, are responsible for supporting the club to identify where diversity and inclusion support is required; to implement safe and inclusive procedures; promote diversity and inclusion principles, including the Safeguarding and Reporting Procedure, to all the venues they manage, programmes, events and individuals including players, parents and carers.
All staff, consultants, coaches, officials and volunteers involved in tennis are responsible for raising diversity and inclusion concerns with the club’s Welfare Officer to start with; then the Safe and Inclusive Tennis team if applicable, as outlined in the Reporting Procedure.
Players, parents and guardians are responsible for upholding the Code of Conduct and Reporting Procedure.
The Windermere Tennis Club committed to:

- formally adopt this policy,
- take steps to ensure that our committee, members, participants and volunteers behave in accordance with the policy, including where appropriate taking disciplinary action under our constitution;
- ensure that access to membership as well as access to participation is open and inclusive;
- publish accurate information about the location and accessibility of our facilities; and
- support measures and initiatives that British Tennis may institute or take part in to advance the aims of this policy as part of our commitment to our LTA membership.

Where there is a diversity and inclusion concern/disclosure:

The individual who is told about, hears, or is made aware of the concern/disclosure is responsible for following the Concern Reporting Procedure above

Breaches of the Diversity and Inclusion Policy, Standards, Code of Conduct and Reporting Procedure

Where there are concerns that diversity and inclusion good practice has not been followed, all staff are encouraged to follow your club’s whistleblowing policy; consultants, coaches, officials, volunteers and players are encouraged to:

If someone comes to you with a concern around discrimination, listen to their complaint, reassure them and advise them of the routes listed above (1-3).

Breaches of this Policy and/or failure to comply with the outlined responsibilities may result in the following by the LTA, Tennis Scotland, Tennis Wales and/or the Tennis Foundation:

Venues – Potential removal of LTA accreditation
Staff – disciplinary action leading to possible dismissal and legal action.
Contracted consultants, officials and coaches – termination of current and future roles within all four organisations and possible legal action.
Recruited volunteers, including councillors and board members – termination of current and future roles within all four organisations and possible legal action.

Actions taken by staff, consultants, volunteers, officials, coaches, venues, clubs and/or events outside of the LTA, Tennis Scotland, Tennis Wales and/or the Tennis Foundation that are seen to contradict this Policy may be considered a violation of this Policy.

Where an appeal is lodged in response to a safeguarding decision made by the LTA Safe and Inclusive Tennis Team and Safeguarding and Protection Committee and/or Licensing and Registration Committee, an independent appeal body such as Sport Resolutions may be used. Their decision is final.

Related policies and guidance

· Safeguarding Policy	· Disciplinary Policy
· Grievance Policy	· Harassment Policy
· Bullying Policy	· Complaints Policy
· Transgender Policy	· Whistle-blowing Policy
· Data Protection Policy	· And others as may be identified from time to time.

Codes of Conduct

All members of staff and volunteers agree to:

Prioritise the well-being of all children and adults at risk at all times
Treat all children and adults at risk fairly and with respect
Be a positive role model. Act with integrity, even when no one is looking
Help to create a safe and inclusive environment both on and off court
Not allow any rough or dangerous behaviour, bullying or the use of bad or inappropriate language
Report all allegations of abuse or poor practice to the club Welfare Officer
Not use any sanctions that humiliate or harm a child or adult at risk
Value and celebrate diversity and make all reasonable efforts to meet individual needs
Keep clear boundaries between professional and personal life, including on social media
Have the relevant consent from parents/carers, children and adults before taking or using photos and videos
Refrain from making physical contact with children or adults unless it is necessary as part of an emergency or congratulatory (e.g. handshake / high five)
Refrain from smoking and consuming alcohol during club activities or coaching sessions
Ensure roles and responsibilities are clearly outlined and everyone has the required information and training
Avoid being alone with a child or adult at risk unless there are exceptional circumstances
Refrain from transporting children or adults at risk, unless this is required as part of a club activity (e.g. away match) and there is another adult in the vehicle
Not abuse, neglect, harm or discriminate against anyone; or act in a way that may be interpreted as such
Not have a relationship with anyone under 18 for whom they are coaching or responsible for
Not to have a relationship with anyone over 18 whilst continuing to coach or be responsible for them

All children agree to:

Be friendly, supportive and welcoming to other children and adults
Play fairly and honestly
Respect club staff, volunteers and Officials and accept their decisions
Behave, respect and listen to your coach
Take care of your equipment and club property
Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of age, gender, ability, race, culture, religion or sexual identity
Not use bad, inappropriate or racist language, including on social media
Not bully, intimidate or harass anyone, including on social media
Not smoke, drink alcohol or drugs of any kind on club premises or whilst representing the club at competitions or events
Talk to the club Welfare Officer about any concerns or worries they have about themselves or others

All adults agree to:

Positively reinforce your child and show an interest in their tennis
Use appropriate language at all times
Be realistic and supportive
Never ridicule or admonish a child for making a mistake or losing a match
Treat all children, adults, volunteers, coaches, officials and members of staff with respect
Behave responsibly at the venue; do not embarrass your child
Accept the official’s decisions and do not go on court or interfere with matches
Encourage your child to play by the rules, and teach them that they can only do their best
Deliver and collect your child punctually from the venue
Ensure your child has appropriate clothing for the weather conditions
Ensure that your child understands their code of conduct
Adhere to your venue’s safeguarding policy, diversity and inclusion policy, rules and regulations
Provide emergency contact details and any relevant information about your child including medical history

Appendix A:

Glossary of terms

Age: This refers to a person belonging to a particular age group, which can mean people of the same age (e.g. 32-year old’s) or range of ages (e.g. 18 – 30-year old’s, or people over 50).

Age

This refers to a person belonging to a particular age group, which can mean people of the same age (e.g. 32 year olds) or range of ages (e.g. 18 – 30 year olds, or people over 50).

Bisexual or Bi: – refers to a person who has an emotional and/or sexual orientation towards more than one gender.

Bullying: can involve any form of physical, emotional, sexual or discriminatory abuse. It can also include cyber-bullying – using social media or mobile phones to perpetrate bullying.

Direct discrimination: treating someone less favourably than another person because of a protected characteristic.

Disability: A person having a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on that person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.Disability

A person has a disability if s/he has a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on that person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

Discrimination: treating someone in a less favourable way and causing them harm, because of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Discrimination by association: discrimination against someone because they are associated with another person who possesses a protected characteristic.

Discrimination by perception: discrimination against someone because of the belief that someone possesses a protected characteristic.

Diversity: acknowledging and celebrating the differences between groups of people and between individuals.

Equality: treating everyone with fairness and respect and recognising and responding to the needs of individuals. Taking positive actions to address existing disadvantages and barriers affecting how people engage with and participate in tennis. Equality is about ensuring that every individual has an equal opportunity to make the most of their lives and talents, and believing that no one should have poorer life chances because of where, what or whom they were born, what they believe, or whether they have a disability. Equality recognises that historically, certain groups of people with particular characteristics e.g. race, disability, sex and sexuality, have experienced discrimination.

Ethnicity: the social group a person belongs to, and either identifies with or is identified with by others, as a result of a mix of cultural and other factors including language, diet, religion, ancestry and physical features traditionally associated with race. Ethnicity is essentially self-defined and may change over time.

Gay: refers to a man who has an emotional, romantic and/or sexual orientation towards men. Also, a generic term for lesbian and gay sexuality – some women define themselves as gay rather than lesbian.

Gender identity: this is an individual’s internal self-perception of their own gender. A person may identify as a man, as a woman, as neither man or woman (non-binary) or as androgyne/polygender.

Gender reassignment: The process of changing or transitioning from one gender to another.

Harassment: unwanted conduct related to a relevant protected characteristic, which has the purpose or effect of violating an individual’s dignity or creating and intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that individual or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment. The focus is on the perception of the complainant not the intent of the perpetrator. Employees can complain of behaviour they find offensive even if it is not directed at them.

Hate crime: crime that is targeted at a person because of hostility or prejudice towards that person’s disability, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or transgender identity. This can be committed against a person or property.

Homophobia: the fear, unreasonable anger, intolerance or/and hatred toward homosexuality, lesbian gay and bisexual people whether that person is homosexual or not.

Inclusive leadership – leaders who are aware of their own biases and preferences, actively seek out and consider different views and perspectives to inform better decision-making. They see diverse talent as a source of competitive advantage and inspire diverse people to drive organisational and individual performance towards a shared vision.

An Inclusive Leader – is a role model exemplar of inclusive behaviour; listens to and seeks out the views of diverse people and takes account of these views, without bias, in the decisions they make; appreciates that a diverse group of people will generate more creative solutions to problems and encourages this; inspires people through a shared vision of future success and motivates them to deliver it; leverages difference for high performance and provides responsive excellence to customers’, clients’ and service users’ needs; provides positive feedback to boost people’s self-efficacy; puts effort into helping diverse people identify their talents and develop them for performance now and future advancement; communicates authentically and honestly in a way that inspires trust, loyalty and well-being.

Inclusion: recognising that people from different backgrounds may have difference needs and expectations and may experience barriers in trying to access tennis. An inclusive venue is one that takes steps to attract and engage with people from many different backgrounds and meet their needs so that everyone has a positive experience and has the opportunity to achieve their potential.

Indirect discrimination: a practice, policy or rule which applies to everyone in the same way, but that has a worse effect on some people than others.

LGBTQ: an acronym for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Questioning.

Lesbian: a woman who has an emotional romantic and /or sexual orientation towards women.

Monitoring equality: refers to data collection and analysis to check if people with protected characteristics are participating and being treated equally. For example: monitoring of the number of people with a disability who play tennis at our venue.

Non-binary – an umbrella term for a person who does not identify as only male or only female, or who may identify as both.

Positive action: a range of lawful actions that seek to overcome or minimise disadvantages (for example in employment opportunities) that people who share a protected characteristic have experienced, or to meet their different needs.

Pregnancy and maternity: pregnancy is the condition of being pregnant or expecting a baby. Maternity refers to the period after the birth, and is linked to maternity leave in the employment context. In the non-work context, protection against maternity discrimination is for 26 weeks after giving birth, and this includes treating a woman unfavourably because she is breastfeeding.

Questioning: it refers to the process of exploring your own sexual orientation and/or gender identity.Positive action

Race: refers to the protected characteristic of race. It refers to a group of people defined by their race, colour, and nationality (including citizenship) ethnic or national origins.

Radicalisation, extremism and terrorist behavior: Radicalisation is the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and/or forms of extremism. Extremism is vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. There is no single way to identify an individual who is likely to be susceptible to extremist ideology. The internet and the use of social media can be a major factor in the radicalisation of people.RaceRefers to the protected characteristic of race. It refers to a group of people defined by their race, colour, nationality (including citizenship) ethnic or national origins

Reasonable adjustment: What is considered reasonable will depend on all the circumstances of the case including the size of an organisation and its resources, what is practicable, the effectiveness of what is being proposed and the likely disruption that would be caused by taking the measure in question as well as the availability of financial assistance

Religion or belief: religion has the meaning usually given to it but belief includes religious and philosophical beliefs including lack of belief (e.g. atheism). Generally, a belief should affect your life choices or the way you live for it to be included in the definition.

Sex: refers to the biological makeup such as primary and secondary sexual characteristics, genes, and hormones. The legal sex is usually assigned at birth and has traditionally been understood as consisting of two mutually exclusive groups, namely men and women.

Sexual orientation: a person’s emotional, romantic and/or sexual attraction to another person.

Trans: an umbrella term to describe people whose gender is not the same as, or does not sit comfortably with, the sex they were assigned at birth. Trans people may describe themselves using one or more of a wide variety of terms, including (but not limited to) transgender, cross dresser, non-binary, genderqueer (GQ).

Transphobia: the fear, unreasonable anger, dislike, intolerance or/and hatred toward trans people, whether that person has undergone gender reassignment or is perceived to have done that.

Transsexual Person: someone who has started the process of changing their gender identity is undergoing or has undergone gender reassignment. Refers to a range of lawful actions that seek to overcome or minimise disadvantages (e.g. in employment opportunities) that people who share a protected characteristic have experienced, or to meet their different needs.

Unconscious bias or implicit bias: this refers to a bias that we are unaware of, and which happens outside of our control. It is a bias that happens automatically and is triggered by our brain making quick judgments and assessments of people and situations, influenced by our background, cultural environment and personal experiences.

Refers to a person who has the protected characteristic of gender reassignment. This may be a woman who has transitioned or is transitioning to be a man, or a man who has transitioned or is transitioning to be a woman. The law does not require a person to undergo a medical procedure to be recognised as a transsexual,

Victimisation: when someone is treated badly because they have made or supported a complaint or grievance.

Appendix B:

Legislation

The Equality Act 2010[1] legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society. It replaced previous anti-discrimination laws with a single Act, making the law easier to understand and strengthening protection in some situations. It sets out the different ways in which it’s unlawful to treat someone.

It is against the law to discriminate against anyone because of:

age
being or becoming a transsexual person
being married or in a civil partnership
being pregnant or on maternity leave
disability
race including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin
religion, belief or lack of religion/belief
sex
sexual orientation

These are called ‘protected characteristics’.

People are protected from discrimination:

at work
in education
as a consumer
when using public services
when buying or renting property
as a member or guest of a private club or association

People are also protected from discrimination if:

they are associated with someone who has a protected characteristic, e.g. a family member or friend
they have complained about discrimination or supported someone else’s claim

Discrimination can come in one of the following forms:

direct discrimination – treating someone with a protected characteristic less favourably than others.
indirect discrimination – putting rules or arrangements in place that apply to everyone, but that put someone with a protected characteristic at an unfair disadvantage.
harassment – unwanted behaviour linked to a protected characteristic that violates someone’s dignity or creates an offensive environment for them.
victimisation – treating someone unfairly because they’ve complained about discrimination or harassment.

[1] http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/contents