CODE OF CONDUCT

    1. The CODE OF CONDUCT applies to all Associated Members, officials, coaches, managers, supporters, spectators and athletes who attend, take part and participate in the sport of Biathlon.
    2. Associated Members, officials, coaches, managers, supporters, spectators and athletes are ambassadors of NW Biathlon and as such must behave in an exemplary manner befitting the image of SA Biathlon;
    3. Every official, coach, manager and athlete shall, during all events and at all times while participating in the sport of Biathlon conduct themselves in a true sportsman-like manner whether it be within the precincts of each venue or site of the tournament or at any official event or function related to the tournament or while travelling and while wearing official colours of the Association.
    4. Every official, coach, manager and athlete must be punctual and ensure that they arrive before the allotted time set for any event or function;
    5. Every official, coach, manager and athlete must conform to the dress code standards as prescribed by the Association. The official dress of the team should be worn at any departure and arrival of the team and at any official receptions where they may represent the Association;
    6. Any athlete may only leave any sports venue or event premises with the permission of the team manager;
    7. Opening and Closing Ceremonies must be attended by every official, coach, manager and athlete with due respect to all speakers and organisers;
    8. Unacceptable conduct, especially when travelling, like bad language, rowdy behaviour and singing of vulgar songs will not be permitted. Every official, coach, manager, athlete and persons accompanying the team, must respect fellow travellers and must be well behaved in public places, at venues, towards staff or hosts and respect the persons and property of others;
    9. Unsportsmanlike conduct by any official, coach, manager or athlete at any event, function, warm-up, while travelling as a team or while wearing the official dress of the Association is strictly prohibited and shall at all times conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner and give due regard to the authority of officials and the rights of opponents, spectators and others. If such violation occurs during an event, function, warm-up, while travelling as a team or whilst wearing of the official dress of the Association the person shall be subject to disciplinary action by the Association;

     

    1. Officials, coaches, managers, supporters, spectators and athletes may not use words commonly known and understood to be profane and uttered clearly and loudly enough to be heard by others. This would be considered a violation of the Code of Conduct;
    2. Officials, coaches, managers, supporters, spectators and athletes may not make obscene gestures of any kind. This would also be considered a violation of the Code of Conduct;
    3. Visible obscenities printed or displayed on clothing or any equipment of any officials, coaches, managers, supporters, spectators and athletes would also be considered a violation of the Code of Conduct.
    4. Officials, coaches, managers, supporters, spectators and athletes shall not at any time directly or indirectly verbally abuse any official, opponent, sponsor, spectator or other person while representing the Association or any Associated Member. Verbal abuse is defined as a statement about an official, opponent, sponsor, spectator or other person that implies dishonesty or is derogatory, insulting or otherwise abusive.
    5. Officials, coaches, managers, supporters, spectators and athletes may not at any time physically or sexually abuse any official, opponent, spectator or other person. Physical and sexual abuse is the unauthorised touching of or unsolicited and unwelcomed sexual advances towards an official, opponent, spectator or any other person;
    6. Substance abuse by any officials, coaches, managers, supporters, spectators and athletes will be regarded as a violation of the Code of Conduct and can lead to disciplinary action and a lifelong ban from the sport of Biathlon;
    7. The use of prescribed medication and/or drugs must be reported to the Executive Committee before any participation and checked for content. The World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA for short) code will apply and must be adhered to;
    8. NW Biathlon shall accept and abide by the spirit and terms of the South African Institute for Drug Free Sport [SAIDS] and Anti-Doping Program and the Anti-Doping Rules including the application of its sanctions to individuals and shall respect the authority of and co- operate with SAIDS and the hearing bodies in all substance abuse and anti-doping matters which are not governed by the rules of the relevant International Federation.
    9. Alcohol abuse will not be tolerated at any event, function, meeting, warm-up, while travelling as a team or whilst wearing of the official dress of the Association by any officials, coaches, managers, supporters, spectators and athletes;
    10. The use of any tobacco product or nicotine dispensing device (vaping) while wearing official Association colours will not be permitted;

     

    1. Any Associated Member or person associated with a member who brings NW Biathlon into disrepute, will be referred to the Executive Committee for further investigation and possible disciplinary action.
    2. Any member or person associated with a member who misbehaves at any meeting of the Association will be managed and placed on terms by the chairperson and if the problem persists will be referred to the Executive Committee for further investigation and possible disciplinary action in terms of these Rules.
    3. Any violation of the CODE OF CONDUCT must be referred to the Executive Committee for investigation and disciplinary action;
    4. After any investigation, the Executive Committee may at its sole discretion convene a disciplinary tribunal in order to institute a disciplinary hearing against any official, coach, manager, supporter, spectator and athlete and if the person is found to have contravened any prescript of the rules of conduct such a person may be –

    23.1 cautioned or receive a verbal warning;
    23.2 issued with a written warning;
    23.3 fined to a fine;    
    23.4 suspended for a fixed period of time;
    23.5 stripped of any medal, award or Provincial Colours;
    23.6 barred from attending any future events or competitions;
    23.7 expelled from the Association for life or any shorter period of time as may be determined by the tribunal;

    1. A disciplinary tribunal shall consist of a presiding officer and two assessors who will preside over the disciplinary proceedings, a prosecutor to present the evidence and the person accused of contravening the rules of conduct of the Association and who may be represented by a representative party at the hearing;
    2. The presiding officer, assessors and prosecutor will be appointed by the Executive Committee from the ranks of Associated members who have no interest in the outcome of the proceedings;
    3. A majority decision by the presiding officer and two assessors will prevail at any disciplinary hearing;
    4. Any decision of the disciplinary tribunal may be appealed against to the Executive Committee of the Association in accordance with the rules pertaining to appeals;

     

    1. After considering the appeal and any evidence that may have been adduced at the disciplinary hearing the Executive Committee may –

    28.1 confirm the decision or order of the disciplinary tribunal;
    28.2 uphold the appeal and set aside any order of decision of the disciplinary tribunal; and/or
    28.3 replace any decision or order of the disciplinary tribunal with a decision or order of its own given the circumstances of each case;

    1. The decision of the Executive Committee in any appeal matter will be final.