Code of Conduct
South African Practical Precision Rifle Federation (NPC)
Updated: 29th January 2019 — v1.0
1. Introduction#
The interpretation of the Code of Conduct shall be the same as the interpretation of the Constitution of the South African Practical Precision Rifle Federation.
2. Preamble#
This code of conduct indicates the standard of behaviour expected of a SAPPRF Member. It is a formal statement of the values and ethical standards that guide individuals in sport. It is a set of principles, and norms to which sporting people can be held accountable when representing SASSCo or SAPPRF at any sporting event. This can also be used as a point of reference when dealing with disciplinary procedures against members.
3. Background#
With the number of bad behaviours and illegal actions we have experienced in sport in the past, a mechanism on how to eliminate these actions has been sought. This is why a code of conduct has been drawn up to hold all sports persons accountable for their actions.
4. Values Statement#
The Purpose of this code is:
4.1.To outline incorrect and unacceptable actions/behaviours within sport and to encourage ethical behaviour within sport, so that when the code is contravened the appropriate disciplinary action can with consistency be taken, thus responding to offences and preventing re-occurrence.
4.2.To help to resolve conflict.
4.3.To make ethical behaviour infringement easy to identify.
4.4.To enhance the ethical reputation of sports persons.
4.5.To promote respect for human dignity, rights and social justice.
4.6.Provide a framework for all sporting persons to conduct their sporting activities according to the following ethical principles:
- 4.6.1.Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every human being.
- 4.6.2.Being fair, considerate, honest and respect for the law.
- 4.6.3.Being trustworthy and professional, accepting responsibilities for their action.
- 4.6.4.Refraining from any racial, gender, verbal, physical or emotional abuse or harassment.
- 4.6.5.Always making a positive contribution and refraining from destructive criticism.
- 4.6.6.Always acting in the interest of South African sport.
5. Applicability#
5.1.The code shall apply to any and all Members/Participants/Athletes/Spectators who participate/attend/visit/spectate any competition/event/training or practice, which is held by, or under the auspices of SAPPRF.
5.2.The code shall apply to any Administrator/Councillor/Staff or their assigns involved in the administration of SAPPRF.
5.3.The code shall apply to any coach/instructor involved in coaching a team/individual/group for any event/competition/training, which falls under the auspices of the SAPPRF.
5.4.The code shall apply to any Technical Official involved in overseeing, officiating or training at any competition/event/training or practice which falls under the auspices of SAPPRF.
6. Success of a Code of Conduct#
This code of conduct can only be successful if:
6.1.The Athletes, Participants, Officials, Coaches, Instructors and Administrators familiarize themselves with the content of the Code.
6.2.SAPPRF and Members frequently refer to this Code of Conduct for guidance.
6.3.This Code of Conduct is included/captured in the SAPPRF rules/constitution.
6.4.Anyone who fails to conform their conduct to the following code of conduct will be subject to disciplinary action according to the SAPPRF constitution and/or disciplinary procedures.
7. Morality#
Before going against the Code of Conduct, a person should ask the following questions:
7.1.Is it legal and constitutional?
7.2.What does the code of conduct say?
7.3.How would it look in tomorrow's newspaper?
7.4.How does it make me feel?
7.5.Whom else this could affect?
7.6.Would I be embarrassed if others knew I took this course of action?
7.7.Is there an alternative action that does not pose an ethical conflict?
7.8.What would a reasonable person think?
7.9.Does it comply with the federation/association's rules and regulations?
7.10.Is it against the federation/association's professional standards?
7.11.Will it reflect negatively on my federation/association or me?
7.12.Can I sleep at night?
8. All Members / Staff / Visitors / Instructors / Spectators#
I will:
8.1.Respect the Constitution and 'Rules and Regulations' of SAPPRF.
8.2.Respect others on the range, and their right to participate in their shooting activities.
8.3.Respect all administrators, technical officials, range officers and staff, and their decisions.
8.4.Refrain from the use of profane, insulting, demeaning, harassing or otherwise offensive language or behavior on or off the range.
8.5.Display high standards of behaviour that promote a positive image for shooting sports and firearm conduct.
8.6.Strive to maintain a sense of self-control and dignity at all times.
8.7.Thank Range/Facilities Owners, Range Officers, Officials and Staff after taking part in sport.
8.8.Remember to maintain a sense of integrity.
8.9.Respect the Facilities and Equipment.
8.10.Respect other's cultures and beliefs.
8.11.Show common courtesy towards Administrators, Coaches, Spectators, Technical Officials, Press, Sponsors and other Members or Visitors.
8.12.Never knowingly provide under age participants with alcohol, drugs or other intoxicating substances.
8.13.Help others to resist corrupting pressures.
8.14.At no time; make, give, issue, authorise or endorse any public statement which will have or design to have, an effect prejudicial or detrimental to the best interest of SAPPRF, SASSCo, Shooting Sports, Firearm Conduct or Sport in general.
9. Participants / Competitors / Athletes#
I will:
9.1.Respect the rules and participate in the spirit of the competition.
9.2.Respect my competitors and other participants.
9.3.Be gracious in victory and defeat and remember that winning isn't everything.
9.4.Compete fairly.
9.5.Thank officials and opposing competitors after every competition.
9.6.Never advocate or condone the use of drugs or other banned performance enhancing substances.
9.7.Reject corruption, drugs, racism, violence and other dangers to the sport.
9.8.Denounce those who attempt to discredit the sport.
9.9.Honour those who defend the sports good reputation.
9.10.Communicate and co-operate with registered medical practitioners in the diagnoses, treatment and management of medical problems and respect the concerns of these medical people have when they are considering my future health and wellbeing and when they are making decisions regarding my ability to continue to compete or train.
10. Team Members#
I will:
10.1.Give my team-mates positive inputs and feedback.
10.2.Thank officials and opposing teams after every competition.
10.3.Do my best to try to be a true team player.
10.4.To the best of my ability abstain from the use of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages in public when representing SAPPRF at local, Provincial, National and International events.
10.5.Participate in all team testing and satisfy all team program-testing objectives. (Drug and High Performance)
11. Technical Officials / Range Officers#
I will:
11.1.Make sure that every person has a reasonable opportunity to perform to the best of his or her ability, within the limits of the rules.
11.2.Avoid or put an end to any situation that threatens the safety of persons at a range.
11.3.Strive to maintain a healthy atmosphere and environment.
11.4.Not tolerate unacceptable conduct toward officials, members, visitors, athletes, spectators or myself.
11.5.Be consistent and objective in calling all infractions, regardless of my personal feelings toward individual or a team.
11.6.Handle all conflicts firmly but with dignity.
11.7.Accept my role as a role model for fair play.
11.8.Be open to discussion and contact with the members/visitors/spectators before and after competitions/events/training or practice.
11.9.Remain open to constructive criticism and show respect and consideration for different points of view.
11.10.Obtain proper training and continue to upgrade my technical and officiating skills.
11.11.Consistently display high personal standards and project a favourable image of the sport while officiating.
11.12.Uphold the international standards.
11.13.To the best of my ability abstain from the use of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages in public when officiating and working with athletes/members/visitors and other officials.
11.14.Refrain from the use of profane, insulting, harassing or otherwise offensive language or behavior in the conduct of my duties.
11.15.Never advocate or condone the use of drugs or other banned substances.
11.16.Conform to SAPPRF and/or federation's code of conduct when officiating in sport.
11.17.Show common courtesy towards participants/players/members/visitors, administrators, coaches, spectators, other technical officials, press and sponsors.
12. Coaches / Instructors (inc. Personal Training)#
I will:
12.1.Treat everyone fairly within the context of his or her activity, regardless of gender, place of origin, colour, sex, religion, political belief or economic status.
12.2.Ensure that confidentiality of participants are maintained.
12.3.Teach the students/athletes how to manage conflict and stress and use good judgment in tough situations.
12.4.Be generous with praise and give positive inputs and feedback.
12.5.Encourage a constructive attitude toward competition and practice.
12.6.Provide an equal opportunity for all to learn skills and further themselves.
12.7.Encourage individuals to continue their participation in sport shooting and firearm training/practice.
12.8.Be reasonable when scheduling training and practices.
12.9.Teach students/athletes to play fairly and to respect the rules, officials and opponents.
12.10.Ensure that all students/athletes get equal instruction, support and participation time.
12.11.Not ridicule or yell at students/athletes for making mistakes or for performing poorly.
12.12.Within the limits of my control I will make sure that equipment and facilities are safe and match the students/athlete's ages and abilities.
12.13.Remember that students/athletes need a coach/instructor they can respect and thereby set a good example.
12.14.Obtain the proper training and continue to upgrade my coaching skills.
12.15.Refrain from public criticism of fellow coaches, students, athletes, officials and volunteers especially when addressing the media.
12.16.Communicate and co-operate with registered medical practitioners in the diagnoses, treatment and management of the students/athlete's medical and psychological problems.
12.17.Consider the students/athlete's future health and well-being as foremost when making decisions regarding an injured students/athletes ability to continue participating or training.
12.18.Recognize and accept when to refer students/athletes to another coach or sport specialist, and allow the students/athletes goals to take precedence over my personal goals.
12.19.At no time become intimately and/or sexually involved with any student/athlete.
12.20.Never advocate or condone the use of drugs or other banned performance enhancing substances.
12.21.Never provide under age students/athletes with alcohol, or encourage its use.
12.22.To the best of my ability abstain from the use of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages in public when officiating and in the presence of the students/athletes.
12.23.Refrain from the use of profane, insulting, harassing or otherwise offensive language or behaviour in the conduct of my duties.
12.24.In the case of minors, communicate and co-operate with the student's/athlete's parents or legal guardians, involving them in management decisions pertaining to their child's development.
12.25.Conform to the SAPPRF and SASSCo Codes of Conduct.
12.26.Show common courtesy towards students, athletes, participants, administrators, spectators, technical officials, other coaches, press and sponsors.
13. Administrators / Councillors / Staff#
I will:
13.1.Do my best to ensure that all athletes are given an equal opportunity to participate, regardless of gender, ability or ethnic background.
13.2.Discourage any sport program from becoming primarily an entertainment for the spectators.
13.3.Ensure that all equipment and facilities are safe and appropriate to the participant's / athlete's ages and abilities.
13.4.Make sure that the age and maturity levels of the children are considered in program development, rule enforcement and scheduling.
13.5.Remember that participation is done for the participants / athletes own sake and ensure that winning is kept in perspective.
13.6.Ensure that this code of conduct is distributed, understood and agreed upon by coaches, instructors, members, visitors, athletes, spectators, staff and officials.
13.7.Ensure that coaches and officials are capable of promoting fair play as well as the development of good technical skills, and encourage them to become certified.
13.8.Promote and develop the Shooting Sports by sharing knowledge and experience.
13.9.Administer all issues relating to the sport in the best interest of the sport and not for my personal gain.
13.10.Educate and ensure high standards of risk management are maintained.
13.11.Educate Athletes to respect other cultures and beliefs.
13.12.Keep Athletes and Officials updated on protocol of other countries where they may compete.
13.13.Show common courtesy towards Participants / Players, other Administrators, Coaches, Spectators, Technical Officials, Press and Sponsors.