Northern Saints Football Club Anti-Bullying Policy and Code of Conduct
In addition to the Northern Saints code of conduct, all players and supporters must abide by the EDFL code of conduct. Failure to adhere to the code of conduct may result in the withdrawal or suspension of your registration to play with the Northern Saints Football Club.The EDFL code of conduct can be viewed at the following link: http://essendondfl.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Code-of-Conduct-Players-Parents.pdf
Code of Conduct
The Northern Saints Football Club Code of Conduct applies to all of our players, coaches, officials, volunteers, partners, members and supporters. By registering with the Northern Saints Football Club you immediately agree to abide by these principles.
The Northern Saints Football Club is dedicated to providing a safe and enjoyable environment in which each of our members can grow and develop, offering its members and families an opportunity to belong and participate in a community organisation. In keeping with the guidelines we expect all members of the football clubs community to be respectful, kind and caring towards one another.
The Northern Saints recognise that we all have a role to play within the club and community as we are a member of the extended Fawkner North Coburg Sports Association and Moreland council. We must be mindful of the role we play within the club and the impact that this role can have on the greater community.
It is critical within a community based football club that values drive our behaviours and conduct. All members of the Northern Saints Football Club are expected to abide and support the following values:
Sportsmanship, respect and honesty: Recognising the contribution that all people make to our football club, treating them with dignity and consideration, as well as caring for the surrounds which we utilize and play in. We encourage that all members of the extended Northern Saints community are treated in a manner in which we would like to be treated ourselves.
A club free of discrimination and bullying: The club is committed to the development and promotion of equal opportunity for all. This applies to external recruitment, internal appointments and opportunity for training and promotion regardless of sex, creed, colour, race, age, disability, religious beliefs or ethnic or national origin.
The club will not accept a culture of bullying (defined as behaviour which causes hurt and/or distress, is repeated and, involves the use of power in an unfair way. It can take many forms such as: humiliation, intimidation, and victimisation. It can be verbal, physical, social or psychological in nature. Bullying may be directed toward an individual or a group). The club will promote a culture where each individual has the right to feel safe and secure and the right to feel respected and supported by others within the community.
A zero tolerance approach will be taken to sexism, bullying, homophobia, racism and any form of discrimination at Northern Saints Football Club.
The Northern Saints are committed to the following preventative measures in relation to discrimination and bullying:
· Professional development for members
· Community awareness about bullying
· Provision of programs to encourage resilience, life and social skills
· Training in conflict resolution, mediation and problem solving
Intervention in relation to bullying incidents may include counselling, mediation, formal apologies, and referral to anger management programs. The Northern Saints Football Club also reserves the right to suspend or terminate an offender’s membership or contact with the club. Depending on the severity of the incident offenders, will be told they are not welcome at the Northern Saints Football Club.
The Northern Saints Football Club will provide support for victims of these acts. The priority of the club will be to ensure the victim is ok, the appropriate steps to deal with the situation are taken and the required guidance and support is provided. Victim’s voices will be heard and access to counselling services will be provided.
All members of the Northern Saints community are expected to support the club in its undertakings and encourage the club to take any necessary disciplinary action for breaches of the Code of Conduct. All members are encouraged to inform a committee member should bullying or discrimination occur, the report of which will then be passed on to the management team.
Indemnity
By registering to train and play football with the Northern Saints Football Club. I understand that the Association has appropriate insurance cover and I agree that I will only pursue claims for damages or injuries against the said insurance policies, and not its officers, servants or agents.
By registering I declare that:
1. Any personal details I have given the club are complete and correct.
2. In the case of injury or accident and if I cannot be contacted, I give permission to the team designated First Aid Officers (Trainer) to seek medical treatment or call for an ambulance. I will be responsible for any cost incurred.
3. I understand that as part of this Registration with Northern Saints Football Club that I will be expected to provide assistance with team support activities during the season.
4. I will adhere to all the Club’s rules, policies and ethos at all times.
I understand that the club is able to terminate my registration if it is deemed that I have behaved in a way that is contrary to the Northern Saints Code of Conduct, club values or is deemed to represent the club in a negative light. Decisions on registrations will be made by the Board of the Northern Saints Football Club. Decisions are final and I accept that the club is within its rights to terminate registration at any time.
Anti-Bullying Policy
Statement of Intent
We are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all our members so they can participate in sport in a relaxed and secure atmosphere.
Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at the Northern Saints Football Club.
If bullying does occur, all club members should be able to feel free to tell club leaders and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. We are a TELLING club. This means that anyone who knows that bullying is happening is expected to tell the Club Welfare Officer.
What is Bullying? Bullying is the use of aggression with the intention of hurting another person. Bullying results in pain and distress to the victim.
Bullying can be:
• Emotional - being unfriendly, excluding or tormenting others (e.g: threatening gestures)
• Physical - pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence
• Racist - racial taunts, graffiti or gestures
• Sexual - unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments
• Homophobic – bullying based on or focussing on the issue of sexuality
• Verbal – name calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours or teasing
• Cyber - abuse or threats involving any use of the internet, such as email, chat or social media. Can also involve use of phones or text messages and misuse of technology such as camera and video facilities.
Why is it Important to Respond to Bullying? Bullying hurts. No one deserves to be a victim of bullying. Everybody has the right to be treated with respect and as an equal.
The club has a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to issues of bullying.
Objectives of this Policy
• All club members, whether they be players, coaches, supporters, volunteers or parents should have an understanding of what bullying is, know what the club policy is on bullying and follow it at all times.
• All club players, coaches, supporters, volunteers or parents should know what to do if bullying arises and how bullying is reported.
• As a club we take bullying seriously. All members of the club should be assured that they will be supported when bullying is reported.
Signs and Symptoms of Bullying
A person, especially a child, may not always ask for support when being bullied. They may feel afraid, ashamed or embarrassed and that the person they tell will think they are weak. Victims of bullying may think that they deserve to be bullied or are ‘dobbing’ by telling someone what is happening to them. There are many signs that someone is being bullied (particularly amongst children). Adults should be aware of these possible signs and should investigate if someone is:
• finding excuses for not wanting to attend training or games (e.g. feeling sick, has an injury, has too much work to do) or talking about hating their sport
• wants to be driven to training or matches instead of walking
• alienated from social or shared activities
• has bruising or other injuries
• becomes uncharacteristically nervous, worried, shy or withdrawn
• clothing or personal possessions are missing or are damaged
• repeatedly loses money or possessions
• suddenly prone to lashing out at people either physically or verbally
These signs and behaviours could indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered a possibility and should be investigated
Procedures
1. Report bullying incidents to the Club Welfare Officer, members of the club committee or an adult you can trust.
2. In cases of serious bullying, incidents will be referred to the Club Welfare Officer.
3. In serious cases parents will be informed and asked to come in to a meeting to discuss the problem.
4. If necessary and appropriate, police will be consulted.
5. The bullying behaviour or threats of bullying will be investigated and the bullying stopped quickly.
6. An attempt will be made to help the bully/bullies change their behavior.
7. If mediation fails and the bullying continues the club will initiate disciplinary proceedings according to the club constitution.
Recommended Club Actions
When dealing with an incident of bullying the club will follow the procedure outlined below:
1. Reconciliation by getting the parties together. It may be that a genuine apology solves the problem.
2. If this fails or is not appropriate a small panel (made up of the Chairman, Club Welfare Officer, Secretary and committee members) will meet with the person who is alleging bullying to get details of the allegation. If the person alleging bullying is a child a parent should be in attendance. Minutes should be taken for clarity, which should be agreed by all as a true account.
3. The same people should meet with the alleged bully and their parent/s to notify them of the incident that has been raised and to get their view of the allegation. Minutes should again be taken and agreed.
4. If bullying has in their view taken place the individual should be warned and put on notice of further action i.e. temporary or permanent suspension if the bullying continues. Consideration should be given as to whether a reconciliation meeting between parties is appropriate at this time.
5. In some cases the parent of the bully or bullied player may be asked to attend training sessions, if they are able to do so, and if appropriate. The club committee will monitor the situation for a given period to ensure the bullying is not being repeated.
6. All coaches involved with both individuals should be made aware of the concerns and outcome of the process i.e. the warning.
Outcomes
1. The bully/bullies may be asked to genuinely apologise. Other consequences may take place.
2. In serious cases, suspension or even exclusion will be considered.
3. If possible, the people involved will be reconciled.
4. After the incident/incidents have been investigated and dealt with, each case will continue to be monitored to ensure repeated bullying does not take place.
Prevention
1. The club will have a written constitution, which outlines what is acceptable and proper behavior for all members. The anti-bullying policy will be included in the written constitution.
2. All club members and parents will sign to accept the constitution upon joining the club.
3. The Club Welfare Officer will raise awareness about bullying and why it matters. If issues of bullying arise in the club, the Club Welfare Officer will meet with members to discuss the issue openly and constructively.
You may also wish to access any of the following websites designed to give advice and guidance to parents and children who are faced with dealing with bullying:
HELP ORGANISATIONS:
https://kidshelpline.com.au/teens/issues/bullying
https://thebullyproject.com.au/home/
https://www.humanrights.gov.au/what-bullying-violence-harassment-and-bullying-fact-sheet
Northern Saints Football Club Smoking and Vape Free Policy
To protect and enhance indoor air quality and to contribute to the health and well-being if all players, families, supporters and visitors, the Northern Saints Football Club shall be entirely smoke free and vape free.
Please read the complete policy below:
Northern Saints Football Club Illegal Drug Policy
The Northern Saints Football Club understands and accepts that it has a duty of care to provide a safe and healthy environment, free of illegal drugs. This policy reflects a commitment by the club to the health, safety and welfare of all it's members. Please take the time to read the complete policy in the attached file below.
 2019-NSFC-Club-Drug-Policy.pdf (174kB) |