SAFEGUARDING
AND WELFARE
JULES ARMSTRONG
CLUB WELFARE OFFICER
OXTON HC HAS ADOPTED ENGLAND HOCKEY’S SAFEGUARDING POLICY.
At Oxton HC, the safety, welfare, and well-being of young people and vulnerable adults is paramount. We fully endorse and adopt England Hockey’s Safeguarding Policy and work alongside statutory agencies to ensure a secure sporting environment.
Safeguarding Principles
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Everyone’s Responsibility: While our Club Welfare Officer leads safeguarding actions, ensuring a safe environment is the collective duty of all players, parents, coaches, and volunteers.
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DBS & Recruitment: All coaches, team managers, and volunteers operating in regulated activities undergo formal Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) verification and relevant safeguarding training before taking up their role.
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Zero Tolerance: All allegations of poor practice, harassment, or abuse are taken seriously and responded to swiftly in accordance with England Hockey reporting procedures.
Click here to view OHC’s Safeguarding reporting process.
You can report concerns about safeguarding, welfare, behaviour/conduct, discrimination, or poor/unsafe practice or facilities anonymously via this online form, or by contacting our Club Welfare Officer directly on 07870217042 or emailing julesaoxton@gmail.com
SPIRIT OF HOCKEY
Oxton Hockey Club expect all those involved with the club, whether they be players, coaches, umpires or spectators to behave in a reasonable manner at all times.
INTRODUCTION
Hockey prides itself on fostering an open and welcoming community for individuals from all backgrounds, ensuring that everyone who wants to experience hockey can be involved, feel valued, and be safe. England Hockey is dedicated to promoting and protecting the welfare of all participants, urging everyone to consistently uphold and promote the values and integrity of our sport.
The code of conduct is designed to ensure that everyone in our sport, from players and coaches to umpires, officials, and spectators, contributes to an environment that is safe, respectful, and enjoyable for all.
By adhering to this code and embracing these values, we demonstrate the behaviours expected of participants within the game. These values unite us as a sport—it is reflected in how we communicate, treat each other with respect, act with integrity, behave within our community, involve others, and see hockey as a force for good in society.
WHAT WE WANT THE SPORT TO BE
Hockey is a sport rooted in inclusivity, mutual support, and respect, where passion fuels participation and challenges are met with resilience.
Winning gracefully, accepting losses with dignity, respecting officials and their decisions are fundamental values we want to continue to be upheld.
This ethos extends beyond the field, encompassing all roles within the game, from administrators to committee members and beyond. By embracing and adhering to this code, we maintain the sport’s reputation, support its goals, and enrich its culture.
Oxton Hockey Club expect all those involved with the club, whether they be players, coaches, umpires or spectators to behave in a reasonable manner at all times.
Values uphold and protect our sense of fairness and help define how we behave with each other both on and off the pitch. Values are not rules, but rather a guide – a moral compass that sets expectations for our behaviour in every aspect of the game. Whether you are playing, coaching, umpiring, running your club, or managing the governing body, these values guide how we interact and what we can expect from one another
SPIRIT OF HOCKEY VALUES
We are inclusive to ensure everyone can feel a part of the hockey community
Acknowledge, embrace, and respect the diversity of individuals involved in hockey, nurturing an inclusive and welcoming environment regardless of background, ability, or identity.
Inspire, motivate, and make a positive difference, recognising the influence we can have on the experience of all in the hockey community.
Contribute to the physical and mental well-being of the hockey community by fostering a positive and supportive environment.
We are inclusive to ensure everyone can feel a part of the hockey community
Respect the rights of every individual to participate in hockey, setting a positive example for others.
Conduct ourselves in a manner that takes all reasonable measures to protect our own safety and the safety of others.
Act responsibly and sustainably, minimising our impact on the environment. Respect facilities and equipment by taking care to leave places clean.
We are inclusive to ensure everyone can feel a part of the hockey community
Play fairly and within the rules of the game, recognising the spirit of fair play in hockey by being respectful towards others.
Accept defeat graciously, while always displaying good sportsmanship to opponents, coaches, staff and officials.
Uphold honesty, kindness, and integrity in all our behaviours, whether on the pitch or off it.
We are inclusive to ensure everyone can feel a part of the hockey community
Be willing to challenge others in the right manner if they are bringing the sport into disrepute and take all possible steps to prevent it.
Actively promote the reputation of the sport and serve as ambassadors for hockey.
Demonstrate resilience in the face of challenges.
PLAYING SAFE HOCKEY
You can view all of our published policies on this separate page.
Photography & video
Click here to see our separate page explaining our photography & video recording policy and consent process.
England Hockey resources
The links below take you to England Hockey’s website for current information on the following:
Injury Reporting – Injury Reporting Policy_V1.0
https://www.englandhockey.co.uk/governance/safeguarding/injury-reporting
Concussion, Pregnancy and Head, Eye and Face protection;
https://www.englandhockey.co.uk/governance/safeguarding/planning-safe-hockey