Club Culture, Welfare & Training

University of Bath Rugby Union is committed to creating a welcoming, respectful and supportive environment for everyone involved in our club.

Our responsibilities extend beyond the pitch. The way we train, compete, socialise, travel and communicate online affects our teammates, opponents and wider community. Maintaining a positive club culture is a shared responsibility throughout the year.

This page brings together our conduct documents, free learning opportunities, player welfare resources and support routes.

Our Culture and Conduct

We expect every member to:

• Treat teammates, opponents, officials, volunteers, staff and spectators with respect.

• Help create an inclusive environment, free from discrimination, bullying and harassment.

• Respect personal boundaries and consent.

• Never pressure anyone to drink alcohol, participate in an activity or share personal information.

• Respect anyone’s decision to opt out of a social activity.

• Behave responsibly in person, on social media and in group chats.

• Prioritise player welfare and raise concerns when something does not feel right.

• Follow club, Students’ Union, University, competition and governing body requirements.

These expectations apply to all members throughout the season, including at training, fixtures, socials and away trips.

Club Documents

Please read the current versions of:

• SU Bath Sport Policies and Regulations

• Students’ RFU Behaviour Charter — select “Behaviour Charter” on the membership page.

Concerns about conduct will be referred through the appropriate club, SU, University or governing body processes.

Training for Members

The following courses support safer rugby and a positive club culture. We strongly encourage members to complete the learning relevant to their role.

Some training is required by the University or by a particular role. Those requirements still apply alongside the recommendations on this page.

Concussion Awareness: RFU HEADCASE

Recommended for all players, coaches and volunteers.

HEADCASE explains concussion awareness and the importance of recognising and responding to a suspected concussion.

Adult players should select the Adult Players module. Coaches, match officials and volunteers should follow the relevant pathway through England Rugby Learning.

Access HEADCASE training

Read the RFU’s current access instructions

Open-access modules do not appear on your GMS record after completion. Keep any completion evidence provided.

Respect, Inclusion and Bystander Awareness

For all members.

The University’s Active Respect training covers harassment, discrimination and creating a respectful university community. The University identifies this as mandatory student training.

Use the appropriate student link, including the separate doctoral student route where relevant. A University login is required.

Access Active Respect and Bath’s #NeverOK resources

Consent

Recommended for all members.

The University’s Active Consent online training helps students understand active sexual consent. Respecting consent and personal boundaries is an essential part of our club culture.

Access Active Consent training

Select “Active consent — student training”. A University login is required.

Clean Sport and Anti-Doping

Recommended for all players, coaches and relevant support personnel.

UK Anti-Doping’s free Clean Sport Hub provides courses tailored to different roles:

• Compete Clean+: for athletes, covering anti-doping responsibilities, medications, supplements, testing and reporting concerns.

• Coach Clean: for coaches supporting clean sport.

• Clean Sport Essentials+: for athlete support personnel. This replaces the previous “Introduction to Clean Sport” course.

Explore UKAD courses and create a free account

Training for Committee, Captains and Coaches

SU Bath Training

Committee members, social secretaries, chairs, captains and vice-captains should attend the SU training relevant to their roles.

Sessions include club responsibilities, consent culture, managing disagreements and inclusion. The SU identifies BUCS captain and vice-captain training as compulsory.

View current SU training sessions and booking details

Duty to Care

Recommended for coaches, committee members and captains.

UK Coaching’s Duty to Care learning covers:

• Diversity and inclusion.

• Mental health and wellbeing.

• Physical wellbeing.

• Safeguarding.

• Safe practice.

The hub is available through free UK Coaching Club membership. Members can complete knowledge checks towards a Duty to Care digital badge.

Explore Duty to Care

Join UK Coaching Club for free

Safeguarding Essentials

Recommended for committee members, welfare officers, coaches and volunteers.

World Rugby’s free Safeguarding Essentials course introduces safeguarding, recognising risks and responding appropriately to concerns.

Access World Rugby Safeguarding Essentials

This introductory learning does not replace any RFU, SU or University safeguarding training or checks required for your role.

England Rugby Learning: 2026/27 Update

England Rugby has changed how its learning is accessed and recorded.

The RFU states that historical HEADCASE and Introduction to Safeguarding modules expired on 1 August 2026 as part of the platform transition. It recommends completing the relevant updated pathway by 31 January 2027, with a three-year renewal cycle thereafter.

Coaches, officials and volunteers should check their individual training records and current role requirements.

Read the RFU’s transition and renewal guidance

Safer Rugby and Player Development

World Rugby Passport offers free online learning. Create a free account to access modules and receive completion certificates.

Rugby Ready

An introduction to preparation, good practice and managing the risks associated with rugby.

Access Rugby Ready — select “Rugby Ready”.

Activate

A structured physical preparation programme for rugby. Particularly useful for coaches, captains and anyone leading warm-ups.

Access Activate — select “Activate”.

Tackle Ready and Breakdown Ready

Learning to support understanding of tackle and breakdown technique. Use alongside practical coaching and the rules applicable to your competition.

Access Tackle Ready and Breakdown Ready

Laws of the Game

Develop your understanding of rugby’s laws and your responsibilities as a player or official.

Explore World Rugby’s Laws of the Game learning

Integrity and Betting Awareness

Keep Rugby Onside covers anti-corruption and betting responsibilities. Keep Rugby Clean provides additional rugby-specific anti-doping education.

Access World Rugby’s integrity courses

Online learning supports development but does not replace required practical qualifications or authorise someone to coach, referee or provide medical cover.

Emergency Awareness and Wellbeing

Sudden Cardiac Arrest

UK Coaching provides a free online course on recognising sudden cardiac arrest and responding appropriately.

This is useful for players, coaches, committee members and matchday volunteers.

Complete Sudden Cardiac Arrest training

This awareness course does not replace a required first-aid qualification.

Supporting a Teammate

Zero Suicide Alliance offers free awareness training, including a University Student course. The training helps people recognise concerns, start supportive conversations and signpost to appropriate support.

Explore free suicide awareness training

Members are not expected to act as counsellors. Asking for help and connecting someone with appropriate support are valuable actions.

Injuries and Concussion

Report injuries sustained during training or fixtures to the coach or session lead and follow the relevant University reporting process.

If concussion is suspected, stop playing and tell the coach or first aider immediately. Follow current RFU guidance and the advice of the healthcare professionals managing your recovery.

Access RFU HEADCASE information

Spectators and Home Matches

Spectators are part of our club community. Please support both teams positively, respect officials and follow instructions from stewards and venue staff.

For men’s BUCS Super Rugby home fixtures on the 3G:

• Spectator capacity is 600.

• Tickets are free and first come, first served.

• No ticket means no entry.

• Ticket links and release information will be shared through our Instagram accounts and match announcements.

• Spectators must follow the club’s Spectator Charter and venue rules.

These arrangements apply throughout the season. Any fixture-specific updates will be included in the match announcement.

[Insert link to tickets or the club’s match information page]

Support and Reporting Concerns

If you experience or witness bullying, discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct or another welfare concern, support is available.

You can contact:

• Club Welfare Contact: [Insert name, role and University email]

• Club Chair: [Insert name and University email]

• University support and reporting services

You can approach University services directly without speaking to the committee first. This includes concerns involving a committee member, coach or another person in a position of responsibility.

In an immediate emergency, call 999.

Keeping Our Standards Throughout the Year

Training is a starting point. Members should put their learning into practice, follow updated guidance and complete any renewals required for their role.

Please keep your course completion records and provide evidence where requested for a club, University or governing body requirement.

Our shared aim is a club where everyone can enjoy rugby, feel included and raise concerns with confidence.