Snowsports - Code of Conduct

University of the West of England Snowsports Club

1.0. Introduction
This document outlines the expectations of UWE Students' Union (UWESU) along with its aims to satisfy sports club members & provide guidelines to cater for their well being, safety & behaviour whilst remaining a member of a UWESU Sport & Activities. This document shall be the basis for the safe operation of the University of the West of England Snowsports Club. Unless weeks of the autumn term for the purpose of assessing the ability of all members. UWESU operates a policy that all individuals must trial each year irrespective of ability. Training sessions are held where the ability of all club members can continually be assessed by team captains & coaching staff to aid team selection.

General Information

2.1. Membership to UWESU Sport & Activities
Membership is open to UWESU students, UWE & UWESU staff & UWESU life members in accordance with UWESU's constitution providing that they:

a) Receive a UWESU Membership card
b) register their membership to the sport club through the online UWESU membership application form
c) read & agree to comply with the UWESU Activities Code of Practice

Members are also required to comply with the Centre for Sport "Conditions of Use" when using University hired or owned facilities.


2.2. Club Purpose
To provide equal, equitable & safe opportunities for members of the University to participate in snowsports.

Activities shall include:
"¢ The introduction of novices
"¢ Provision for experienced performers
"¢ Participation in appropriate competition (specifically BUSA) & coaching programmes
"¢ Instruction on safe practice & technical aspects of the sport
"¢ Support to progress as appropriate within Performance & Coaching parameters

UWE Snowsports Club shall make provision for the encouragement of the development of the sport of snowsports as the Committee see fit.


2.3. Affiliation
UWE Snowsports Club affiliates to BUSC (British Universities Snowsports Council). All UWE Snowsports Club members having paid club subscription & registered online are affiliated to BUSC via UWESU.


2.4. Instruction
Before taking part in this activity there may be informal advice or tuition given. Instruction will cover: communication, footwear, clothing, equipment, & safety precautions. During snowsports trips abroad tuition by a qualified ski instructor can be arranged for those who feel it would be of benefit to them.


2.5. Trials/Selection Policy
Trials will be held in the first few weeks of the autumn term for the purpose of assessing the ability of all members. UWESU operates a policy that all individuals must trial each year irrespective of ability. Training sessions are held where the ability of all club members can continually be assessed by team captains & coaching staff to aid team selection.


2.6. Training, Coaching/Instruction:
The club shall seek to support persons actively involved in coaching activities in attaining Coaching & Official Qualifications as appropriate. All student members can receive funding via the Community Volunteer Programme.


2.7. Vehicles:
In order to drive UWESU hired vehicles all drivers must be tested & insured. UWESU Sport & Activities provides a nationally accredited minibus driver awareness (MiDAS) practical & theory test free of charge. UWESU Sport & Activities provides people carrier familiarisation tests & trailer & towing training & assessments free of charge.


2.8. 1st Aid:
UWESU Sport & Activities provides 1 day nationally accredited 1st aid courses for all members free of charge. Note that there must be at least 2 qualified first aiders within the club, and minimum of 2 must accompany every trip.

3.0. Health and Saftey Guidlines

3.1. Clothing and Equipment
The sports club must ensure that the appropriate clothing is worn & equipment used for, the appropriate activity. UWESU Sports & Activities recommends that all members adhere to their respective NGB guidelines.


General
Club Equipment will be controlled by the Club Equipment & Safety Officers. Equipment hired for the purpose of the club that is believed to be faulty, the direct cause of an accident or in use during an accident should be brought to the attention of the Club Equipment & Safety Officers or in their absence a Club Committee member. Clothing and equipment owned by a member is not the responsibility of the club.

There are some general guidelines for rented or members' own equipment.

Skis: Edges & bases in good condition & intact

Boots: Good fit, comfortable & all fastenings working

Bindings: Free of corrosion & damage. Moving parts should move & the release function must work properly. Bindings should be adjusted properly.

Ski poles: Good condition with baskets firmly fixed (rented poles may not have baskets). Should be straight with wrist straps for snow use, without for dry slope use.

1. Dry Slope Recreational
Suitable clothing for dry slopes consists of long trousers & a long sleeved top to prevent injury in case of a fall. Gloves or wrist guards should also be worn as there is particular danger of hand injuries on a dry slope.

2. Dry Slope Racing
Clothing guidelines should be followed as per recreational dry slope skiing. Race guards, helmets & wrist guards are strongly recommended. These will be provided by the club.

3. Ski Trips/Alpine Competition
Suitable clothing must be worn according to the trip location. For example: Alpine conditions require ski/snowboard clothing which must be water/windproof & warm, sunglasses & sunscreen provide protection against UV light.

4. Alpine Racing
Suitable clothing should be worn according to the conditions. Helmets & race guards are strongly recommended & will be supplied by the club. All event safety guidelines shall be adhered to.


3.2 Rules and Regulations
All sports & activities where applicable should be conducted according to the rules & regulations of the activity issued under the authority of BUSC, the Kings Ski Club & UWESU.

All activities irrespective of whether 'active' or 'social' organised by the club shall be run in accordance with these guidelines. Activities shall include:

• All race training
• All Competition - including dry slope racing
• All recreational trips
• All trips abroad
• Social trips as appropriate

A. Coach/Instructor/Group Leader Role:
It is the coaches/instructor/group leaders role to inform beginner/novices of all the safety features of snowsports. Also to write training plans for squads, supervise correct technique, ensure safety both on & off the slopes & to provide support during training & fixtures of UWE squads.

Coaches/instructors & group leaders shall behave in such a manner as not to place members at any greater risk as that associated with normal participation.


B. Trips & Fixtures:
Prior to visiting away locations & or using UWESU hired transport the club will complete the necessary "Trip & Transport Booking Form" - which highlights details such as destination, date & time of departure & arrival, first aiders, a list of all those travelling, their UWESU Membership card numbers & emergency contact names & telephone numbers.

ANY changes to the above details MUST be notified to the UWESU Sports & Activities Centre & the Gatehouse prior to departure.

All travelling members MUST carry with them their UWESU Membership cards for identification purposes.

Where the club is participating in a fixture/trip, squad members will be informed via the squad captain &/or club committee of the travel arrangements, event arrangements & general requirements. Trip notification will be provided by one of the above to UWESU Sports & Activities.

NB: Regular Activities - not requiring specific trip notification to UWESU Sports & Activities are: Organised training sessions based at Gloucester Dry Ski Slope.


3.3. First Aid
Members are requested to advise their group leader/committee/team mates of any medication or medical condition which may affect their health/performance (this information must also be recorded on the online registration membership) & ensure the correct medication is available at all times e.g. inhalers, epi-pens etc.

All accidents & injuries other than 'routine blisters' must be recorded on an Accident Form & passed to the Sports & Activities Manager. Any member requiring physiotherapy treatment from the UWESU Injury Clinic must be referred using an Accident Form or where applicable a UWESU Sports Physiotherapy Injury Report.

Within the club there should be at least 2 qualified 1st aiders per group/team at anyone time. Where possible a first aid kit shall be taken on every trip, training session & race.

NB: Nursing & Physio students do not qualify as substitute 1st aiders, unless they have an up-to-date 1st aid qualification.


BUSA/BUSC Competition:
All members must have paid the appropriate UWE Snowsports subscription & registered online.

Undergraduates:
Only current UWE students undertaking a minimum of 60 credits of an undergraduate course are eligible to compete for UWE in BUSA/BUSC competition.

Postgraduates:
Only current UWE students undertaking a study programme of no less than 50% of the full time student programme are eligible to compete for UWE in BUSA/BUSC competition.

NB: Any club or individual that does not adhere to the above eligibility requirements will be subject to a UWESU Sport disciplinary.


3.4. Accident Procedures

General Alpine:

• Delegate someone to cross skis 5-8m above the accident
• Allow a first aider to assess the injured person, keeping them still & warm
• Do not administer food or drink
• If evacuation is required send 2 skiiers to the nearest first aid point to call for the ski patrol
• If the accident involves several people, take down their names & addresses as in some countries skiing collisions/accidents may be subject to civil law
• Be sure to account for everyone when leaving the slopes at the end of the day
• Most accidents occur at the beginning of the day due to lack of warming up or at the end due to fatigue or over confidence
• Do not ski under the influence of alcohol

Avalanche:

• Avoid avalanche-prone slopes by obeying signs & finding out local weather
• Lee slopes & corniced slopes should be avoided, especially after heavy snowfall
• If caught in an avalanche, throw off skis & rucksack, slide on back if possible, delay departure with an axe or stick, cover mouth & nose if powder snow, & make a supreme effort in the final seconds to get near the surface
• If you witness an avalanche watch it closely to pinpoint the location of the victims & mark the point of departure with a ski stick. Search the area for victims or their belongings & use an upturned ski stick as a probe. Send for help immediately. However, do not endanger yourself or others if possible.

Complete an UWESU Accident Form within 24hrs, immediately if possible. Group Leaders/Committee members should have copies in their packs.

All Members MUST be aware of the accident/emergency procedures. An accident form must be completed & submitted to the UWESU Sports & Activities Centre.

If required, assistance from a 1st aider should be sought.

Report to club officials any injuries or incidents, this includes (an accident form must be completed & submitted to the UWESU Sports & Activities Centre:

• On the way to & from training/practices
• During any training session &/or races
• The full duration of a trip

All incidents/accidents are kept on file in the UWESU Sports & Activities Centre & are used to support any review of safety procedures.

In the event of any serious accident or incident which involves the Emergency Services or which could involve media attention please follow this procedure:

• Assess the situation.
• Ensure the safety of yourself then the group. Call the Emergency Services if necessary & ensure before your call that you are able to explain exactly where you are. You will also be expected to give them your name, the number from which you are ringing & a brief summary of the incident including possible injuries & the number of injured. If you are calling from a mobile you may in some circumstances need to ask them to ring you back if your call is indistinct.

1. Where possible treat any casualties if it is safe to do so. Always be aware of potential spine injuries - never move someone in this situation unless there is a more serious potential situation such as fire.
2. All accidents/incidents that occur MUST be reported to the UWESU Sports & Activities Centre. Contact UWE as soon as possible by ringing:

Tel: 0117 32 83288/81403/82719/83291
Hours: 09.30hrs - 17.00hrs (Mon to Fri)

Alternatively the University Gatehouse (24hrs)
Tel: 0117 32 82552
Hours: 24hrs a day 7 days a week

All incidents resulting in injury occurring in a sports facility owned or hired by UWE MUST be recorded in the accident book, located in the UWESU Sports & Activities Centre, 5th Floor F-Block, Frenchay Campus.
Please be prepared to give the following information:

• Your name
• The telephone number from which you are calling
• A brief summary of the incident & any injuries
• The number & names of people involved
• The name of any hospitals where casualties may have been taken
• The details of any police officers involved with the incident

3. You may be rung back if there are any further steps that need to be taken.
Do not make any statement to the media other than "no comment". DO NOT discuss ANY aspect of the incident with anyone who is not connected with the emergency services.


3.8. Insurance
Fully paid members that have registered online involved in club activities have insurance cover under the UWESU BUSA Gold Personal Injury Insurance Policy. This is not medical insurance, for which individuals remain individually responsible. UWE Snowsports members MUST obtain personal medical insurance for trips abroad. UWESU BUSA Gold Personal Injury Insurance does not cover skiing off piste, therefore a comprehensive travel insurance policy is recommended. Full details are available from UWESU Sports & Activities Centre &/or the club Logbook. UWESU recommends that all individuals take out appropriate individual cover.

All equipment is registered & insured with UWESU Sport & Activities. The personal property of members is not covered unless specifically noted.

4.0. Conduct of Members

Members should not act in any way that could foreseeably cause harm to themselves or anyone else, & be aware that they owe a "Duty of Care" to those who are so closely affected by their acts & omissions.

Members are expected to abide by UWESU policy (copies available from the UWESU Sports & Activities Centre & UWESU Site Offices) & BUSC policy. UWE Snowsports Club will abide by the safety codes of practice at all training facilities or race they attend.

Members will pay their own fines for any cautions or suspensions received. Neither the sports club or UWESU will take any responsibility financial or otherwise.

Any accident/incident with a vehicle owned or organised by UWESU must be reported on a Vehicle Accident Reporting Form within 24hrs of the incident or as soon as is practable.

Any member or official who is deemed by UWESU Sport & Activities to be acting in an irresponsible manner or ignoring guidelines laid down in this Code of Practice may be subject to disciplinary measures by UWE Snowsports Club, UWESU Sport & Activities, or BUSA/BUSC.


4.1. Alcohol Consumption
No alcohol is to be consumed on board transport owned or organised by UWESU.

UWESU promotes responsible drinking.

Whilst engaging in social events please ensure that you remain with the group.

Each individual has responsibility for themselves to maintain safe alcohol consumption levels, to know your limits & keep well within them.

UWESU promotes responsible drinking. For more information: www.drinkaware.co.uk & www.knowyourlimits.gov.uk

4.2. Facilities
Members are expected to treat facilities, staff, & students at the University of the West of England & other institutions & establishments with the utmost respect.


4.3. Equal Opportunities
"The University of the West of England Students' Union is a campaigning organisation which represents a diverse membership.

UWESU recognises that inequality, oppression & discrimination exists in this society.

The Students' Union will work towards a fairer society through ensuring greater equality of opportunity for its members & employees.

UWESU aims:

• To increase the quality of everyone's participation in the workforce & the educational process.
• To address attitudinal & organisational barriers to achieving greater equality of opportunity.
• To take positive action to promote fair employment practices & to eliminate discrimination against, & oppression of, individuals or groups of people on the basis of any of the following:
  • Gender
  • Disability
  • Sexuality
  • Class
  • Ethnicity
  • Nationality
  • Ethnic or national origin
  • Colour
  • Creed
  • Religion
  • Age
  • HIV
  • Status
  • Caring responsibilities
  • Marital status

UWESU believes that the oppression of the above groups & other discriminatory behaviour or language is unacceptable to the Union and will result in disciplinary action.


Note: If the Snowsports Club's incoming committee fails to attend the Annual Committee Training in the spring term the club will automatically be shut down & as a result withdrawn from all relevant leagues and activities for the forthcoming academic year.