Code of Conduct, Behaviour & Anti-Bullying Policy (Young People)

Statement of Intent

ADL provides young people with life-changing international athletic, academic, and cultural opportunities. To maintain a safe, inclusive, and high-performance environment, all participants are expected to adhere to high standards of behaviour, sportsmanship, and personal integrity. ADL maintains a zero-tolerance stance toward bullying, harassment, discrimination, and severe misconduct.

Expected Behaviours

• —Respect & inclusion - treat fellow athletes, coaches, officials, staff, opponents, host families, and venue personnel with respect and courtesy.
• —Integrity & fair play - compete with dedication, abide by the rules of the sport, and accept official decisions gracefully.
• —Punctuality & preparation - arrive on time for training, matches, meals, meetings, and transit, fully equipped and ready.
• —Property care - respect host facilities, team transport, accommodation, and personal belongings.
• —Communication - follow instructions from tour leaders and chaperones without argument.

Strictly Prohibited

• —Possession, consumption, or distribution of alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco, or nicotine/vaping products.
• —Leaving designated rooms or host accommodation outside authorised hours or without direct chaperone permission.
• —Bullying and intimidation of any form.
• —Entering room quarters assigned to adults, staff, or members of another gender.
• —Theft, vandalism, or breaking the laws of the destination country.

Recognised Forms of Bullying

• —Physical - pushing, kicking, hitting, tripping, damaging property, or theft.
• —Verbal - name-calling, taunting, insulting, threatening, or derogatory remarks regarding performance, background, or identity.
• —Emotional/relational - deliberately excluding peers from group activities, spreading rumours, or isolation.
• —Cyberbullying - abusive texts, posts, or messages via social media, group chats, or online gaming platforms.

ADL's Anti-Bullying Protocol

No incident of bullying - whether online, on the pitch, or in travel accommodation - is dismissed as "harmless banter". Young participants are taught and empowered to report bullying immediately to an ADL chaperone, coach, or the Designated Safeguarding Lead, and staff intervene right away to ensure the immediate physical and emotional safety of the person affected.

Disciplinary Escalation

• —Level 1, minor - punctuality issues, mild bad sportsmanship, messy rooms, minor noise disturbances - results in an on-site verbal warning, temporary loss of minor privileges, and a reflection chat.
• —Level 2, moderate - persistent Level 1 issues, swearing at officials/peers, minor curfew breach, excluding peers - results in an official written warning, formal notification to parents/carers, and temporary exclusion from the starting lineup or recreational activities.
• —Level 3, severe - bullying/harassment, alcohol/tobacco/drug use, theft, major curfew breach, physical violence - results in immediate suspension from the programme, urgent contact with parents/carers, potential immediate repatriation home at the parent's expense, and permanent removal from the pathway.