Coaching and your reputation

[leggeb4]

Coaching and your reputation

Are there any legal experts out there, that can clarify a potential problem to all coaches. You take on a child and through problems and external commitments with both parties, the sessions are not completed. The parents make a decision at the time to cut their loses and finish the sessions, then several months down the line they change their mind and want a refund on sessions not taken.
The parents produce letters stating slanderous comments against not only your honesty and integrity, but imply child safety issues. They also write to your employer and ECB. You offer to refund the parent on retraction of slanderous comments, but are faced with more slanderous emails and threats of ending your coaching qualifications and not stopping until your coaching career is ended.

What can a coach do to protect their glowing reputation against this 1 parent?

 

[FBI]

Re: Coaching and your reputation

I'm highly confused. A parent wanted you to refund him, so you did, and now he wants your career over?

 

[mas cambios]

Re: Coaching and your reputation

Personally, it seems like a gross overreaction on behalf of the parents; after all, not all of the cancellations were down to the coach. Also, the sessions were cancelled by mutual consent. At worst I feel that they could complain on grounds of poor service but even that is tenuous at best.

As for the slander then I feel that your only recourse is to seek legal advice; slander is a very delicate area and only someone well versed in it would really be able to help.

Not being privy to the whole situation it is hard to comment but I'd like to think that if the accusations are untrue then if it ever did come to court they would be thrown out and the coach compensated for any loss caused by malicious untruths.

You offer to refund the parent on retraction of slanderous comments, but are faced with more slanderous emails and threats of ending your coaching qualifications and not stopping until your coaching career is ended.

Having a second read through and the above is one area that I would be concerned with. Although I'm guessing the coach acted in good faith in offering the refund in return for the retraction, it may not be seen that way by all. Again, I'm not in full possession of the facts but that is the only thing that I feel the coached has erred in.

 

[Liz Ward]

Re: Coaching and your reputation

This is a nasty one but unfortunately, not uncommon. As Tom says, without the essentials, it is very hard to comment on this particular issue, so I shall refer generally.

Firstly, I have to say that I have a cancellation policy within my terms and conditions which sets out the protocol [notice, costs and alternatives] for cancellation by either party. All changes are made in writing [email accepted] for my records.

Secondly, and more importantly, the onus is on the parent to prove any misconduct. We are talking libel here not slander, which is easier to prove and indeed, the coach has a case to bring against the parent if this is the case and the accusations are untrue.

Thirdly, and perhaps even more importantly, if the coach is a member of the ECB CA, his/her insurance will cover legal defence if an event arising from his/her activities as a cricket coach leads to ...

(a) the insured person being prosecuted in a court of criminal jurisdiction; or
(b) civil action being taken against the insured person under legislation for unlawful discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, disability, age, religious belief or political opinion; or
(c) civil action being taken against the insured person on the serving of a Statutory Notice on the insured person under legislation for Health and Safety at Work.....

This allows the coach to insist on a retraction or the parent will be taken to court.

Whatever the coach decides to do, he/she should not 'do nothing'. No action will leave doubt amongst other parent and players.

My advice would be to contact the ECB who will refer the coach to legal advice.

I hope this helps!

 

[leggeb4]

Re: Coaching and your reputation

Yes, a total over reaction and very biased attitude by the parent. It seems in this blame culture we live in, everyone is trying to get something at the expense of others. The coach is considering finishing it at a loss to the cricket world. I'll keep the forum informed, as this cold happen to any coach at anytime.

Liz, thank you for the advice. The coach has been through ECBCA, local cricket board and awaiting legal advice from Russel Scanlon (ECBCA). All have been very supportive and helpful.

 

[Simbazz]

Re: Coaching and your reputation

Hopefully you'll get this sorted with everything still intact Pat.

 

[mas cambios]

Re: Coaching and your reputation

Out of interest, what were the implied child safety issues?

 

[micoach]

Re: Coaching and your reputation

The coach has been through ECBCA, local cricket board and awaiting legal advice from Russel Scanlon (ECBCA). All have been very supportive and helpful.

The situation sounds like a nightmare all round. Good luck the coach is doing the right thing letting the ECBCA deal with things.

 

[leggeb4]

Re: Coaching and your reputation

The safety issue concerns, were the parent stated that she didn't feel her 'teenagers' would be safe in thecare of the coach. Even though the parents were present at every session.

 

[mas cambios]

Re: Coaching and your reputation

The safety issue concerns, were the parent stated that she didn't feel her 'teenagers' would be safe in thecare of the coach. Even though the parents were present at every session.

If that was meant in the way the I think it was then it's just wrong. Nothing can destroy a reputation quicker than suggesting that.