WPA COACHES

WPA has a duty of care to offer a variety of courses, workshops and seminars to all coaches (potential and qualified), therefore providing the necessary tools for suitable qualifications, and continuing coach education at all levels.

CODE OF CONDUCT

The primary role of the Coach is to assist an athlete to develop their full athletic potential, over a short-term and long-term period, ensuring they do so in an ethical and respectful manner. The following criteria should be adhered to:

• They must respect basic human rights, without discrimination of gender, race, colour, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, or any other status
• They must respect the dignity of each individual, including the right for freedom from physical, or sexual, harassment and advances
• They must respect the image of the Coach, and always maintain a high standard of personal conduct, in both appearance and behaviour
• They must ensure the practical environment is always safe, taking account of the age, maturity and skill level of the individual
• They must acknowledge and respect all Rules of Competition, and this should include the spirit, as well as, the letter of the law, in both competition and training, to ensure fairness
• They must show an active respect to officials, by accepting the officials ability to ensure that competitions are conducted fairly and according to the Rules
• They have a responsibility to influence the performance and conduct of those athletes they coach, while also encouraging their independence and self-determination by accepting responsibility for their own decisions, conduct and performance
• They must also assert a positive and active role to prevent any use of prohibited drugs, or other banned substances, or practices
• They must acknowledge that all coaches have an equal right to desire success for the athletes they coach, within the rules of competition. Any observations, recommendations or criticisms of coaching practice should be directed to the individual concerned outside the view, or hearing, of the public
• They should never solicit, in any way, athletes who are already receiving coaching from fellow coaches, or offer unsolicited advice to those athletes at any time
• They should hold recognized coaching qualifications, and realize that coaching is an ongoing commitment achieved by constantly upgrading their knowledge by attendance at accredited courses, workshops and seminars
• They have a responsibility to share their knowledge and practical experience as necessary
• They should seek and fully cooperate with all individuals and associations that could assist the development of the athletes they coach, including working openly with other coaches, using the expertise of sports scientists, sports physicians, sports physiotherapists.

2020WPACoachesRegistrationForm

CoachesCodeofConduct

OFFICIALS

WPA technical officials oversee the running of all WPA events. All officials have passed qualification courses. They ensure that events are of a high technical standard. They enforce rules, judge placings, record times, check equipment, and generally see that organizational standards are met. Team and age category rule clarifications.

LICENCES
Temp license runners count for team prizes if they are wearing club colours. Athletes with license numbers from another province do NOT count for local teams, even if they are wearing the local club colours (they must buy a local license or else they only count for the individual prizes).

ATHLETES
Foreign athletes do not count for team prizes, even if they are wearing local club colours. ASA rules put the onus on the club to inform the officials if a certain athlete is not eligible for the team.
Athletes that move from another province must get clearance from their old Province before a local club may accept them. Athletes that move between local clubs must have clearance from the old club before they may join a new club.

OPEN VS SENIOR AGE CATEGORY
The prizes for the overall winners of the race must always be OPEN (i.e. anyone can win). A few races also offer Senior prizes. It is NOT necessary to wear age category tags for Senior competition. ANYONE not wearing an age tag is deemed to be in the Senior category if there is one, or only counts for the Open prizes.

2020WPATechnicalOfficialsRegistrationForm