4/23/2006 5:09:00 PM
NWCA CODE OF ETHICAL CONDUCT ETHICS Defined: Principles and standards for right action to guide wrestling coaches individually and collectively toward maintaining the highest level of professional conduct. PROFESSIONALISM Defined: Every wrestling coach at every program level must be committed to building sound educational practices, to establishing and maintaining historical traditions, while promoting the highest ethical core of values for the sport, athletes, their families, institution, and community. ETHICAL & FIDUCIARY ACCOUNTABILITIES OF COACHES Coaches are accountable for their decisions and actions that impact their wrestlers and institution. This accountability includes the impact of their decisions on human and civil rights. It further includes not knowingly participating in or condoning unfair discriminating practices as defined and protected under E.E.O.C. federal guidelines. A coach’s accountability further extends to non-participation in sexual harassment, as clearly defined by the Federal Civil Rights Act. Coaches shall not engage in any aspect of sexual harassment, including but not limited to sexual solicitation, exploitation, physical advances, and verbal/nonverbal conduct that is unwelcomed and/or offensive, contributing to hostile environment. Every wrestler must be afforded a respectful, ethical training and competition environment free of sexual harassment and hostile environment. In short, coaches should exemplify the highest moral character as a consistent role model for their wrestlers. PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES: RISK MANAGEMENT Wrestling coaches must take an active preventive role in the education of wrestlers regarding the use of unhealthy, harmful, and illegal substances including alcohol, tobacco products, and recreational or performance-enhancing drugs. It is highly recommended that wrestling coaches: 1. Be informed about basic first aid principles and CPR training. 2. Gain an awareness of the importance of prevention, care, and treatment of athletic injuries and skin infections. 3. Educate, counsel, and encourage wrestlers in the proper methods of weight management according to the NWCA Optimal Performance Calculator. Wrestlers shall be provided a safe environment for workouts and competition to the best of a coach’s and institution’s financial ability. See NWCA Leadership Training Program. PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES: EQUIPPING, ENABLING, AND EMPOWERING A WRESTLER’S HUMAN ECO-SYSTEM Wrestling coaches should ethically equip, enable, and empower the development of their Wrestlers encouraging physical, mental, social, psychological, and ethical wellness. Wrestling coaches shall uphold the honor and dignity of their profession. In all personal contact with students, parents, athletic directors, school personnel, athletic associations, officials, the media, and the public, coaches shall strive to set an example of the highest ethical and moral conduct. While each coach’s morality is a private matter, a coach’s unethical behavior can quickly erode the public’s trust in that program and in the sport of wrestling, if not upheld to the highest standards. Therefore, wrestling coaches should: 1. Exemplify honesty, fair play, and sportsmanship throughout competition. 2. Be respectful in both victory and defeat. 3. Be committed to their wrestlers’ education and academic achievement. 4. Be committed to follow safe training and conditioning techniques. 5. Understand growth and developmental stages of their athletes. 6. Never encourage, condone, or require any behavior that threatens a wrestler’s eligibility, scholarship, or amateur status. In conclusion, the National Wrestling Coaches Association represents coaches at all program levels from Division I to kids programs. Our membership includes many retired coaches and fans. Our body is only as strong as the ethical compass of each member. We take this code of ethics very seriously and we implore every coach and every other stakeholder of wrestling to do the same. The future of wrestling will be shaped by our actions and decisions. Let this always be your guide.
Code of Conduct