Members and Coaches Code of Conduct

IAWA Members’ Code of Conduct | Revised October 2025

Download the Members and Coaches Code of Conduct (PDF)

1. Purpose and values

The Irish Amateur Wrestling Association (IAWA) is committed to a safe, inclusive and positive environment for everyone involved in wrestling and related recognised disciplines. Integrity, respect, fairness, accountability, welfare and sportsmanship guide all activities. This Code sets minimum standards of behaviour and supplements IAWA safeguarding, disciplinary, anti-doping and other applicable policies.

2. Scope and application

This Code applies to members, athletes, coaches, coach developers, referees, officials, club representatives, employees, volunteers, Board members, parents/guardians and spectators at IAWA activities. It applies at training, competitions, camps, meetings, travel, events and in relevant online communications. Conduct outside formal activities may be considered where it materially affects participant safety, welfare or IAWA activities, subject to fair procedures.

3. Standards expected of everyone

Treat all people with dignity and respect, regardless of age, disability, gender, family status, civil status, sexual orientation, religion, race or other protected characteristic.
Reject bullying, intimidation, harassment, sexual harassment, victimisation, abuse, threats, violence and discriminatory conduct.
Follow lawful instructions, event rules, venue safety requirements and applicable IAWA and United World Wrestling regulations.
Respect opponents, decisions of officials, volunteers, facilities and equipment.
Avoid abusive language, taunting, threatening gestures and retaliatory behaviour.
Report hazards, misconduct and safeguarding concerns through the appropriate channels.
Do not attend or participate while impaired by alcohol or drugs; comply with anti-doping requirements.

4. Safeguarding children and adults at risk

The welfare of children and adults at risk takes priority over performance or results. All participants must comply with IAWA safeguarding policies and applicable statutory reporting obligations. Adults in positions of trust must maintain appropriate professional boundaries, avoid favouritism and inappropriate one-to-one situations, and never exploit a power imbalance. Physical contact must be appropriate to the sport, necessary, explained where practicable and respectful of consent and dignity. No sexual or intimate conduct between an adult sport leader and a child is acceptable. Relevant personnel must meet IAWA recruitment, Garda vetting and safeguarding training requirements before undertaking duties. Do not promise secrecy to anyone disclosing abuse or a safeguarding concern.

5. Safe training and athlete welfare

Use age-appropriate coaching, safe progression, suitable supervision and properly maintained equipment. Coaches and athletes must recognise injury, concussion and illness risks, stop unsafe activity and follow appropriate medical advice for return to participation. Weight management must not involve coercion, humiliation, dehydration or other unsafe practices. No athlete should be pressured to train or compete while medically unfit. Respect personal privacy in changing and medical areas.

6. Athletes and wrestlers

Athletes must compete fairly, follow competition rules and the referee’s decisions, respect opponents and teammates, disclose relevant health or safety concerns to responsible staff where appropriate, and refrain from cheating, intentional injury, prohibited substances or manipulation of results. Athletes representing Ireland must comply with selection, eligibility, licensing and anti-doping requirements applicable to the relevant event. Any question about affiliation or international representation must be referred to IAWA for assessment under current rules rather than assumed to cause automatic loss of membership.

7. Coaches and coach developers

Coaches must put participant welfare first; hold appropriate qualifications and required safeguarding training; maintain professional boundaries; plan inclusive and suitable sessions; supervise responsibly; record and report accidents and safeguarding concerns; respect medical guidance; and refrain from humiliation, excessive punishment, coercive weight cutting or preferential treatment. They must communicate appropriately with parents/guardians of minors and comply with IAWA policies on travel, supervision and communications.

8. Referees and officials

Officials must be impartial, consistent, competent and courteous; prioritise safety; apply rules fairly; declare conflicts of interest; avoid public arguments or retaliation; maintain confidentiality where appropriate; and report serious misconduct through designated channels.

9. Parents, guardians and spectators

Support athletes positively without pressuring or ridiculing them. Respect officials, coaches and opponents; do not interfere with matches or training; observe venue and safeguarding requirements; and arrange safe arrival and collection of children. Raise concerns through appropriate channels rather than confrontational conduct at events.

10. Board members, administrators and volunteers

Act honestly, in good faith and in the interests of IAWA. Comply with governance obligations, financial controls and applicable policies; declare actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest; withdraw from relevant decisions where required; protect confidential and personal information; use IAWA resources responsibly; and uphold fair, respectful decision-making. Gifts or benefits that could improperly influence decisions must not be solicited or accepted.

Use respectful language online and do not publish bullying, discriminatory, threatening, defamatory or sexually inappropriate material. Obtain appropriate permission before sharing identifiable photographs or videos, particularly of children, in accordance with IAWA policy and data protection requirements. Do not film in changing rooms or private areas. Communication with minors must follow approved club/IAWA channels and appropriate parent/guardian oversight; avoid private or disappearing-message conversations between an adult leader and a child.

12. Anti-doping, integrity and fair competition

IAWA adopts the applicable Irish Anti-Doping Rules and relevant international federation requirements as amended. Participants must comply with testing and education obligations relevant to their roles. Match manipulation, bribery, deliberate rule evasion, retaliation against whistleblowers and dishonest eligibility representations are prohibited.

13. Reporting concerns and complaints

Immediate danger: contact emergency services. Child protection concerns should be reported promptly to the appropriate statutory authority and to the designated safeguarding contact in accordance with IAWA procedures; internal reporting must never delay a required statutory report. Other alleged Code breaches should be submitted to the relevant club or IAWA complaints contact under the applicable policy. Reports will be handled sensitively, shared on a need-to-know basis, and addressed with due regard to confidentiality, data protection, natural justice and protection against retaliation.

14. Breaches and fair procedures

Alleged breaches may lead to informal resolution where appropriate, investigation, interim protective measures, referral to statutory authorities or disciplinary action under the applicable IAWA procedures. Any sanction must be proportionate and subject to fair procedures, including appropriate notice, an opportunity to respond and access to an appeal where provided. This Code does not itself establish a new disciplinary tribunal or override existing constitutional procedures.

15. Acknowledgement and review

Acceptance of this Code forms part of the IAWA online membership registration and renewal process. By selecting the required acknowledgement and submitting an online membership application, the applicant confirms that they have read, understood and agree to comply with this Code and associated IAWA policies. A separate handwritten signature is not required for membership completed online. For members under 18, the parent or legal guardian completing registration must confirm acceptance on behalf of the young member and undertake to explain the relevant standards to them. Clubs should communicate relevant standards to parents, spectators, volunteers and visiting participants. The Code should be reviewed at least every two years, or sooner where legislation or governing-body requirements change.

Online registration acknowledgement: “I confirm that I have read and understood the IAWA Members’ Code of Conduct and agree to comply with it and associated IAWA policies. Where I am registering a member under 18, I confirm that I am their parent or legal guardian and accept these terms on their behalf.”