CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

The Midland Golf Union is committed to ensuring that all children and young people have a safe and positive experience playing golf. It recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of children and young people by protecting them from poor practice, abuse and bullying.

It is committed to working in partnership with the English Golf Union Limited and the English Women's Golf Association to ensure the sport of golf is one within which children and young people involved can flourish in a safe environment. Individuals may also receive advice through the English Golf Union Limited or the English Women's Golf Association, should they choose to do so, in order to understand best practice and how to manage any welfare or child protection issues that may come to light.

The Lead Protection Officer at the English Golf Union Limited will assist the Midland Golf Union, County Unions, and golf clubs affiliated to it, with:

1. General Enquiries
2. Criminal Records Bureau applications
3. Good practice for golf clubs
4. Disclosures from children, parents, volunteers, coaches and any other party working with children
5. Training for volunteers and coaches
6. Implementation of policies and procedures at club level.

The Midland Golf Union is committed to promoting child protection and best practice to all County Golf Unions affiliated to the Midland Golf Union. All golf clubs affiliated to those County Unions that provide opportunities for young golfers should endeavour to do so to the highest possible standards.

General Principles:
I. The child or young person's welfare is paramount.
II. All children and young people within golf, regardless of age, gender, ability, disability, race, religious belief or sexual orientation have the right to be protected.
III. All suspicions and allegations will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
IV. All children and young people have the right to be safe and be treated with dignity and respect.
V. Individuals within golf clubs will receive support through their County Union in matters of education and training in order to be aware of and understand best practice and how to manage any welfare of child protection issues that may come to light.
VI. Individuals may also receive advice through the English Golf Union Limited or the English Women's Golf Association, should they choose to do so, in order to understand best practice and how to manage any welfare or child protection issues that may come to light.

PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Parents and / or guardians have a responsibility to be aware of and support the principles and guidelines of the Midland Golf Union’s Child Protection Policy.

They should:

1) Complete the Parental Consent Form:
 Signifying that they accept the conditions of the MGU relating to their child participating in events.
 On occasions, children may be photographed for training or publicity purposes.
 Parents / guardians who do not wish their child to be photographed for these purposes should inform the MGU on the Consent Form.
 
2) Familiarise themselves with the MGU Child Protection Policy:
 They should seek the support of the MGU officials in creating and maintaining a safe environment for children in which to participate and enjoy the game of golf.
 They should be at ease with the MGU Child Protection Policy, but be ready to raise any matters with an appropriate official which may give rise to concern.

3) Arrange transportation enabling their child to arrive punctually at an event or match:
 It is important to communicate with either the Chairman of Junior Golf or Championship Chairman if transporting children to a venue, and /or collecting them after an event, may cause a problem.
 Parents / guardians should leave emergency contact numbers with officials at an event, especially if they anticipate problems may occur.

4) They should encourage and foster a spirit of fair play in their child, without  applying pressure to him / her to play beyond their physical, mental and emotional capabilities. Children should be treated as Vulnerable young adults ... no matter their apparent bravado.

JUNIOR TOURNAMENT CODE OF CONDUCT
Play in junior events organised by the MGU will be governed by the Rules of Golf and the Rules of Amateur Status as approved by the R & A Rules Limited, and the local rules of each host club as approved by the Championship Committee.

The following are strictly prohibited:

• The use of motorised buggies, unless authorised by the Championship Committee on medical grounds;
• Caddies or bag-carriers, unless authorised by the Championship Committee;
• Shirts without collars or sleeves;
• Denim trousers or shorts;
• Training shoes;
• Any other item of dress which may, in the opinion of the Championship Committee, be considered to be inappropriate [e.g. track suits, any visible item of jewellery involving body piercing].
• Alcoholic beverages.
• Smoking, or any other banned substance, either on or off the course.
• Cellular phones, except in extreme emergency.
• DMD that measure more than just distances.
• Portable cassette, CD players, including earphones, or games consoles.

Spectators, including parents and close relatives of the players, are allowed to follow the players, but must observe the following rules:

• Spectators must not interfere with any discussion involving the Tournament Rules Committee.
• Spectators must maintain a distance of not less than 10 metres [30 feet] from the players when walking between tees and greens.
• Spectators must not walk on any tee or green.
• All discussions regarding rules, or any other matter which may arise during play, shall be confined to the players, or an authorised Tournament Official.
• Other than for general applause and encouragement, spectators are requested not to speak to the players, and are strictly forbidden from giving advice to the players.
Penalty of breach of this rule [Rule 8].
Matchplay: Loss of hole: Strokeplay: 2 stroke penalty.

Players must hand in their scorecard immediately upon completing their round, which must be signed by the player and counter-signed by the marker.
ANY PROTEST MUST BE PRESENTED TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP COMMITTEE BY THE PLAYER AND MUST BE MADE BEFORE THE RETURN OF THE SCORECARD.
IF AFTER RECEIPT OF A VERBAL WARNING A PLAYER, OR SPECTATOR, SHALL CONTINUE TO ACT IN BREACH OF THE ABOVE CONDITIONS, OR BEHAVE IN A MANNER WHICH IS DEEMED UNACCEPTABLE BY THE CHAMPIONSHIP COMMITTEE, THEY SHALL BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE COURSE.