Code of Ethics

TENNIS SOUTH AFRICA COACHES CODE OF ETHICS:

  1. Treat all students with respect, be honest & consistent and honour all promises both verbal and written
  2. Recognise student’s right to consult with other coaches and/ or advisors for example: Doctors, Physiotherapists and Scientists etc
  3. Treat all Students fairly within the context of their sporting activities, regardless of gender, race, place of origin, athletic potential, colour, sexual orientation, religion, political beliefs, socio –economic status and any other condition
  4. Encourage students to be independent, responsible for their own behaviour, performance, decisions and actions.
  5. Involve students in decisions that involve them.
  6. Determine in consultation with students and others, what information is confidential and respect confidentiality.
  7. Encourage mutual support among young students. Also encourage students to respect one another and to expect respect for their worth as individuals regardless of their level of play.
  8. Use appropriate training methods which in long term will benefit the students and avoid those which could be harmful. (LTPD*)
  9. Ensure that training/task/lessons are suitable for the age, experience, ability physical and psychological conditions of the students. (LTPD*)
  10. Be acutely aware of the power that you as a coach develop with your students in a coaching relationship and avoid any sexual intimacy with students that could develop as a result. Also avoid situations that could be construed as compromising.
  11. Discourage the use of performance enhancing drug, the use of alcohol and tobacco and any illegal substance.
  12. Respect the fact that your goal as a coach may not always be the same as that of the student. Aim for excellence based on realistic goals and consider the students phase of growth and development
  13. Recognise individual differences in students and always think of the student’s long term best interest. Set challenges for each student which is both achievable and motivating.
  14. At all times act as a role model that promotes the positive aspects of sport and of tennis by maintaining the highest standards of personal conduct and projecting a favourable image of tennis and coaching at all times.
  15. Do not exploit any coaching relationship to further personal, political or business interests at the expense of your students.
  16. Encourage students and coaches to develop and maintain integrity in their relationship with others.
  17. Honour all professional relationships with your colleagues, and treat colleagues with dignity and respect.
  18. When asked to coach a student, ensure that any coach-student relationship has been ended by the student/others in a professional manner.
  19. Act in full accordance with institutional (SASCOC, ITF etc.), Provincial/Regional and national governing body (TSA) rules, and report any violation of any governing body rules.
  20. Accept and respect the role of official in ensuring that competitions are conducted fairly and according to established rules. Know and abide by tennis rules, regulations and standards, and encourage students to do likewise. Accept both the letter and the spirit of the rules.
  21. Be honest and ensure that qualifications are not misrepresented.
  22. Be open to other people’s opinion and willing to continually learn and develop. *Long Term Player Development
  23. Constantly strive to improve your knowledge and understanding of tennis and actively involve yourself in continuous education.
  24. Active TSA licenced coaches agree to pay their yearly membership fee in a timely manner