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CANBERRA FOOTBALL CLUB - POLICIES
Club Officials and Administrators
1. Give all players an equal chance to participate.
2. Ensure that rules, equipment, length of games and training schedules suit the age, ability and maturity level of players.
3. Provide quality supervision and instruction for players.
4. Remember that children/players participate for enjoyment.
5. Help coaches and officials highlight appropriate behaviours and skill development and help improve the standards of coaching and officiating.
6. Ensure everyone involved at our club promotes fair play, not winning at all costs.
7. Give a Code of Conduct sheet to officials, coaches, players, parents and spectators and encourage them to stick to it.
8. Think before you speak. Don't say anything that could disadvantage anyone within your club or association.
9. Compliment and encourage all players.
10. For referees: be consistent, objective and courteous when making decisions. Condemn unsporting behaviour and promote respect for all opponents.
11. Emphasise the spirit of the game rather than errors.
12. Actions speak louder than words. Be a good sport yourself.
13. Never use derogatory or foul/abusive language.
15. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
Coaches Code of Conduct
We want to ensure that games are fair, positive and enjoyable experiences for all of the children and adults involved. A football game should be friendly and unifying - a spirited social and athletic occasion for players, coaches, referees and spectators.
To clarify expectations of coach conduct, we jointly expect all coaches to conform to this code of conduct.
1. Before, during and after the game, be an example of dignity, patience and positive spirit.
2. Before a game, introduce yourself to the opposing coach and to the referee.
3. During the game, you are responsible for the sportsmanship of your players. If one of your players is disrespectful, irresponsible or overly aggressive, take the player out of the game or at least long enough for him/her to calm down.
4. During the game, you are also responsible for the conduct of the parents of your players. It is imperative to explain acceptable player and parent behavior in a preseason meeting.
5. Encourage them to applaud and cheer for good plays by either team. Discourage them (you may need to be forceful and direct) from yelling at players and the referee.
6. During the game, you are also responsible for the conduct of spectators cheering for your team.
7. During the game, do not address the referee at all. If you have a small issue, discuss it with the referee calmly and patiently after the game.
8. After the game, thank the referee and ask your players to do the same.
9. Do not make any derogatory statements to the media which will bring the game into disrepute. If you have a major complaint on any issues, or if you think the referee was unfair, biased, unfit or incompetent, report your opinion to Capital Football. Your reactions will be taken seriously if they are presented objectively and formally.
10. Never use derogatory or foul/abusive language towards players, officials or spectators.
11. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
We stress two points:
Referees - especially young and inexperienced ones - are like your players and yourself, in that they need time to develop. You can play an important role in helping them to improve by letting them concentrate on the game. You can help by encouraging them, by accepting their inevitable, occasional mistakes and by offering constructive post-game comments.
On the other hand, you could discourage and demoralize the referees by criticizing their decisions, by verbally abusing them and inciting - or even accepting - your own players' overly aggressive behavior. Your example is powerful, for better or worse. If you insist on fair play, if you concentrate on your players' enjoyment of the game and their overall, long term development, and if you support the referee, your players and their parents will notice.
If you encourage (or allow) your players to play outside the rules, if you're overly concerned about results, and if you criticize the referee harshly, your players and their parents will also notice.
Think about what you're doing during a game! Uphold the Spirit of the Game! If you follow the expectations described above, the spirit of the game will be alive and well in Canberra and will grow, along with the enjoyment of all.
Note: All coaches will have to attend a joint meeting with club committee to firstly discuss the code of conduct and then sign it.
Coaches who don't follow the expectations described above will be disciplined or removed.
Parents & Spectators Code of Conduct
1. Encourage children to participate. Do not force them. Remember that organised sport is for children's enjoyment, not yours.
2. Focus on the child's efforts and performance rather than on winning or losing.
3. Encourage players to always participate by/to the rules and official's decisions.
4. Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or losing a game.
5. Positive comments are motivational.
6. Remember that children learn best by example. Applaud good performance and efforts from each team.
7. Congratulate all participants upon their performance regardless of the game's outcome.
8. Respect officials' decisions and teach children to do likewise. Show respect for your team's opponents - without them there would be no game.
9. Show appreciation of volunteer coaches, officials and administrators. Without them, your child could not participate.
10. Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sporting activities.
11. Do not use foul language or harass players, coaches or officials.
12. Condemn the use of violence in any form, be it by spectators, coaches, officials or players.
13. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
Note: Prior to start of season, the code of conduct will be discussed with parents of each team. This will be done by the team coach and club committee member(s).
Parents found guilty of breaching the above code of conduct will be disciplined or stopped from attending matches. It could also lead to their child being expelled from the club.
Players Code of Conduct
1. Play by the rules
2. Never argue with an official. If you disagree, have your captain, coach or manager talk to the official during a break or after the game.
3. Control your temper. Verbal abuse of officials or other players, deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent is not acceptable or permitted in any sport.
4. Work equally hard for yourself and/or your team. Your team's performance will benefit so will you! Encourage your team members to their best efforts.
5. Be a good sport. Applaud all good plays whether they are your team, opponent or the other team. Be modest in success and generous in defeat.
6. Treat all players, as you would like to be treated. Do not interfere with, bully or take unfair advantage of another player.
7. Co-operate with your coach, team mates and opponents. Without them there would be no competition.
8. Play for the fun of it, and not just to please parents and coaches.
9. Be willing to train and prepare for the game.
10. Never use derogatory or foul/abusive language towards other players, officials and spectators.
11. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
Note: Prior to start of season, the code of conduct will be discussed with all players of each team. This will be done by the team coach and club committee member(s). At the end of the discussion all players U-14 and above will be required to sign the code of conduct.
Players found guilty of breaching the above code of conduct will be disciplined or expelled from the club depending on the offence.
Player and Coach Development Program
SECTION 1 - PLAYERS
Players at our club participate for all kinds of reasons and wish to play at different levels - some at a social level, others at a more advanced and competitive standard. We aim to enable each player to enjoy Football as much as possible at the level he or she is most comfortable with.
1.1 We will give every player at the Club an objective assessment at the start of each season. This assessment is designed to enable each player to measure his or her progress against an objective set of criteria, and provide a record of development as the player progresses through the Club. This assessment will enable each player to understand what level he/she is at; what progress he/she has made during the season and from season to season; and to understand what skills and fitness levels should be achievable for the players age.
1.2 The club will endeavor to provide an optional program for junior players (i.e. U11 upwards), comprising our most talented, committed and developed players, selected by a coaching panel. The program is entirely optional, and the purpose of this program is to enable us to offer opportunities for players who have the desire and ability to play soccer at a more competitive and advanced level.
1.3 We will encourage senior players and coaches to attend some of the junior teams training sessions and matches to pass on their knowledge, experience.and to show support. This would achieve the following:
- give older players responsibility and opportunity to share their experience
- greater interaction between coaches, enabling us to spread the knowledge and wisdom
- greater interaction & club involvement between teams and officials.
1.4 Selection process
The team coach or coaches will organise pre-season training for the players registered in their year, and, in agreement with the Director of Coaching, will decide and document the optional selection process. A copy of the process shall be given to the Director of Coaching before the selection process starts. The selection process can not to be started until the Director of Coaching has indicated agreement in writing of the process.
The Director of Coaching, with assistance from the respective team coaches, will decide on the most appropriate format for team selection. This process will be documented by the team coach and presented to all registered players of the respected age groups.
This selection process may, for example, take the form of a practice match or series of matches, or may take place through observation at training, or through a test or series of tests.
1.5 Appeal Process
If a player or his or her parent or guardian believes that he or she has been unfairly overlooked for a position in a team/squad, he or she or his or her parent or guardian should in the first instance write to the Secretary of the Club, who will respond within two weeks. If the player or his or her guardian wishes, he or she may put his or her case to the next Committee Meeting, and the full Committee will decide on an appropriate next step. The Committee's decision is final.
1.6 Squad/Team Size
As a club policy no junior team shall have more than 16 players. For senior sides this shall be 18 players and for under 10’s and below it shall be no more than 10 players per team.
1.7 Training Times/Duration
All junior teams will train minimum twice a week. Senior teams such as Premier League up to three times a week especially during the pre-season. Duration of trainings shall vary from two hours for the senior teams to one hour for the younger age groups i.e. 10 year old and below.
1.8 Coaching
Each team shall when ever practical have two qualified coaches. This is essential for senior teams and higher age groups in junior ranks.
SECTION 2 - COACHES
Without our Coaches we do not have teams, or a Club.
We aim to:
- support Coaches with an interest in developing their abilities
- set standards so that Coaches know what is expected of them, and
- find ways that our more experienced Coaches can help our new and less experienced ones.
Selection Of Team Coaches
Introduction
The club policy sets out how the Club Committee currently selects and appoints a coach or coaches each year. This policy is subject to revision from time to time, and anyone consulting it should contact the club Secretary or a member of the Committee to ensure that this is the most up-to-date version.
Appointment is made by the Club Committee, if necessary by a motion voted upon at a Committee Meeting. Primary responsibility for the development of club coaches rests with the Director of Coaching or the Head Coach.
2.1 Selection Process
The club has a policy of advertising for all the senior coaching positions at the end of each season.
This is usually in October and the advertisement is placed in the back pages of the Canberra Times on Saturdays.
Selection is based upon criteria such as, but not limited to, qualifications, experience, suitability and availability, as well as the ability to communicate well and harmoniously with players, other coaches, parents, media and the Committee.
Senior team coaches will be expected to have suitable qualifications as set out by ACT Football Federation. All coaches at our club, will be required to adhere to our policies of sporting behaviour or code of conduct. In addition they will be required to set a good example to all players, parents and coaches within our club and wider community.
The club committee reserves the right to suspend or reverse the appointment of any team coach. The Director of Coaching or the Head Coach will monitor progress of Team coaches, and if necessary reserves the right to reverse the appointment, after consultation with the Committee.
NOTE: Prior to appointment it is mandatory for all coaches dealing with children under the age of 18 to agree to undertake a screening process called a ‘Working with Children Check’ (WWCC). The check will be done through the Australian Federal Police.
2.2 Appeal Process
If a coach believes that his or her abilities have been overlooked and that a coach less well suited to the position has been appointed, or whose appointment is reversed and feels that he or she has been unfairly dealt with, he or she should write in the first instance to the Secretary of the Club, who will respond within two weeks. If the coach wishes, he or she may put his or her case to the next Committee Meeting, and the full Committee will decide on an appropriate next step. The Committee's decision is final.
2.3 Director of Coaching
The club will endeavour to hire a Director of Coaching and his/hers duties are:
1. Design a set of coaches selection criteria.
2. Train and monitor the team coaches and help them plan and implement training sessions.
3. Design and administer a continuing education program for the team coaches.
4. Conduct coaches clinics.
5. Design the training priorities for each age group and level.
6. Create long and short-term seasonal plans for the club and provide guidance to team coaches in designing their own team’s seasonal plans
7. Design the playing format for the in-house recreational programs, specifying the number of players on the field, the duration of games, the number of games, the size of fields, etc.
8. Organize supplementary age and level appropriate skill clinics for the players.
9. Design a Player Development Manual for the club.
10. Assist in the design of a Code of Conduct for the players and for the parents.
11. Assist the club with the technical coaching aspects of a Risk Management Policy.
12. Assist in the design and implementation a parent education program that would include: parent meetings, parent handbooks, handouts, and occasional seminars.
13. Report to the Club Board/Committee and attend the board meetings.
14. Promote the club within the community and help with public relations.
15. Represent the club at local and national coaching seminars and workshops.
16. Organize and run summer and/or school coaching clinics.
CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
NOTE: The following document has been obtained from the Australian Sports Commission. All club officials and administrators are required to read this and attend a club meeting to discuss the contents of this policy.
Children have a fundamental right to be safe from any form of abuse while involved in sport or associated activities. This is a legal requirement as well as a moral obligation. Child protection requires a commitment from all levels in sport to ensure sporting environments are safe for all children. This includes an awareness of the requirements and risks, a commitment to practices that minimise the risks, and the ability to appropriately respond to incidents of child abuse.
What is child abuse ?
Child abuse relates to children at risk of harm, usually by adults and often by those they know and trust. It is usually a pattern or cycle of behaviour, not a one-off incident. Although definitions vary slightly from state to state and from country to country, child abuse is recognised as falling into four categories:
• sexual abuse/sexual misconduct – any sexual act or sexual threat imposed on a child, including exposure to pornographic material, sexual touching, voyerism and child prostitution. Sexual abuse often involves a progression in behaviour from fondling to intercourse.
• physical abuse – non-accidental injury and/or harm to a child. This may include severe shaking, bruising, biting, scalding, throwing a child, injury caused by excessive discipline, poisoning, suffocation or strangulation.
• emotional abuse – behaviours that may psychologically harm a child. This behaviour tends to be a chronic behavioural pattern that undermines a child's self-esteem or impairs a child's wellbeing or development. It may include constant criticism, rejection, withholding praise and affection, threats or unreasonable demands.
• neglect – where a child is harmed by the failure to provide them with the basic physical and emotional necessities of life. This may include inadequate supervision of young children for long periods, failure to provide adequate and proper food, clothing, personal hygiene or medical attention.
The most common characteristics of all forms of abuse against children are an abuse of power and authority, or a breach of trust.
What is child protection?
Child protection involves legislation, policies and practices to keep children safe from harm, to protect them from people who are unsuitable to supervise or work with children and to ensure that a child’s wellbeing and best interests are paramount considerations.
Legal requirements
Every child has a right to be safe from harm. To protect this right every person and organisation has a legal duty of care to ensure anyone who participates in the organisation’s activities is given an adequate (reasonable) level of protection from all reasonably foreseeable risks of harm or injury.
This duty of care is a common law responsibility that covers both action taken AND inaction. This means that committee members, managers, coaches, staff members and volunteers have a legal responsibility to provide children with a safe environment in which to participate.
In addition to this duty of care, there are responsibilities under child protection legislation in each state and territory for both organisations and individuals that work or have contact with children. These responsibilities, such as checking and screening processes, and the reporting and investigation of child abuse vary slightly from state to state.
Two aspects of child protection legislation that are most relevant to the sport industry are reporting and screening processes.
Mandatory Reporting
Mandatory reporting is a legal requirement for specific persons (mandated person) to report reasonable suspicions of children being, or at risk of being, abused or neglected. It applies when that suspicion is formed during a person’s work, regardless of whether it is paid or voluntary work, or in the carrying out of official duties. A mandated reporter must report suspicions irrespective of who is implicated (e.g. colleague, friend, manager, volunteer). It has been introduced on the grounds that children require the assistance of adults to advise child protection agencies that they are in need of protection.
Given some people involved in sport, such as coaches, will come into contact with a large number of young participants, it is highly possible that one or more of these participants may be a victim of child abuse. If a coach does suspect child abuse has or is occurring, they are encouraged to report it to the relevant authority.
A child or young person may also advise that they are being abused. It is extremely important that this disclosure is responded to appropriately and reported to the relevant authority and/or police. It is not acceptable to minimise, ignore or delay responding to such information.
Working with Children Checks
Fundamental to every child-safe environment is recruiting staff and volunteers who do not pose a risk to children. One way this is done is by ‘screening’ applicants who wish to work with children. The term ‘screening’ is used to refer to the process of conducting a criminal history check on an individual. In some states professional disciplinary records or investigative information held by police are included in the screening process.
This screening process is called a ‘Working with Children Check’ (WWCC) and is required of people who work with children under 18 years of age in particular businesses or categories of paid or voluntary employment. The WWCC aims to prevent people with inappropriate criminal and professional disciplinary records from working with children or volunteering in children's clubs and activities. Attachment 1 provides a summary of WWCC requirements under current and proposed state and territory legislation.
Indicators of child abuse
Australian research over the past 15 years tells us that approximately one in four girls and one in eight boys under the age of 18 will be sexually abused and that a child is reported abused or neglected every four minutes in Australia. This means that at some stage a coach or other person who supervises children in a sporting context may come across a child who is a victim of abuse (occurring at home, school or elsewhere).
It is important that people working with children are aware of the indicators of abuse and have the confidence to respond to any indication that a child may have been abused. Some indicators of child abuse are:
• bruising, particularly in the face, head or neck region
• multiple bruising or injuries e.g. burns, scalds, sprains, dislocations or fractures
• injury left untreated
• differing versions of how an injury occurred
• child/relative advising of abuse
• a child, referring to someone else being abused, may mean him/herself
• sexual behaviour which is inappropriate for the age of the child
• nightmares/bedwetting/going to bed fully clothed
• a high level of distrust of other people
• an inability to relate well with adults and/or children
• extreme attention seeking behaviour, disruptive or aggressive behaviour and bullying
• seeking indiscriminate or inappropriate adult affection
• consistently dirty and unwashed
• consistently inappropriately dressed for weather conditions
• extremely anxious or depressed.
The presence of one indicator does not necessarily suggest that a child is the subject of abuse. People working with children need to consider the context in which the indicators are observed and common sense applied. If in any doubt, always call Family Services and/or the police for advice.
Responding to a disclosure of child abuse
An allegation of child abuse is a very serious matter and must be handled with a high degree of sensitivity. If a child or young person advises that have or are being abused, the initial response to this disclosure is crucial to their well-being. It is important to:
• Not panic – do not react in a shocked or critical way;
• Listen to, be supportive and do not dispute what the child says;
• Reassure the child that what has occurred is not their fault and they have done the right thing in telling;
• Ensure the child is safe;
• Be honest with the child and explain that other people may need to be told in order to stop what is happening and you will only tell someone who will make them safe;
• Ensure that what the child says is quite clear but do not elicit detailed information about the abuse (only ask enough questions to confirm the need to report the matter). Avoid asking suggestive or leading questions, although you can ask and clarify basic details (if possible) such as:
o child’s name, age and address
o names of all people involved, including any witnesses.
• Immediately report the suspected abuse to the police and/or relevant government agency. It is not your role to investigate allegations of abuse.
• At the first opportunity, make detailed notes of what occurred including information such as:
o Dates, times, location and who was present when the disclosure was made
o Description of exactly what the child said using ‘I said’, they said
o statements
o The questions you asked
o Any comments you made
o Your actions after the disclosure
• Keep any reports or documentation on disclosures confidential and secure with access strictly limited and on a ’need to know’ basis.
The relevant state or territory authority should be contacted for advice if there is any doubt about whether the complaint should be reported.
Protective boundaries
There are a range of practices that will assist those working with children to feel confident about meeting their responsibilities and to establish positive, respectful and safe relationships with children. These practices are basically common sense and many are probably already undertaken. It is important, however, to be reminded of these practices so that they become second nature and embedded in all interactions with children in sport. One of the key practices is to establish and maintain clear professional boundaries with children.
Establishing Boundaries
Child protection strategies
In order for sporting organisations to provide a safe environment for children and minimise the risk of child abuse, organisations need to implement measures that address the above points. These can include:
Clubs and associations
1. Appoint a child protection (member protection) representative. This person should be the first point of contact if a child, parent or other member of the club or association becomes concerned about an incident.
2. Have the child protection (member protection) representative appropriately trained and their details and role well advertised within the club and association. Information and training resources are available on this website and from state departments of sport and recreation and Play by the Rules
3. Adopt or update policies and procedures recommended by your national organisation. If there is not an affiliated peak organisation, the club or association should develop its own policies and procedures. The policy should include a complaints process and codes of behaviour for all roles within the sport, stating what is acceptable behaviour.
4. Adopt thorough recruitment and selection practices for paid and voluntary positions. These practices should include job descriptions, interviews, checking references and where appropriate, conducting police checks.
5. Promote the policy and procedures to all members, particularly coaches, and make them easily accessible (for example, put them on your website).
6. Ensure clubs and associations meet any specific state child protection legislative requirements (for example, in New South Wales and Queensland). National organisations need to ensure that clubs and states travelling into states/territories with specific child protection legislation for are also aware of the requirements.
7. Respond to suspected, allegations and complaints of child abuse. Where there is an incident of suspected child abuse, the child protection representative for the club or association should immediately make contact with the national organisation and/or the relevant authorities to seek advice. Refer to the principles for dealing with incidents for more information.
8. Ensure there is no harassment and victimisation of the child or the person who made the allegation on behalf of the child.
9. Use accredited coaches and officials and check that their accreditation is current.
10. Provide information to coaches and others working with children about how to recognise child abuse and give them directions on what to do if abuse is reported or suspected.
11. Conduct an education and training program to increase awareness of child abuse (various agencies in each state that can assist with this).
Coaches (and others working with children)
People working with children in sport, particularly coaches, need to be aware that not all children will understand an action or request in the same manner. One child may see an action as usual or acceptable behaviour while another may find it unacceptable. A child’s interpretation of an action may also be influenced by cultural and religious differences, gender and prior experiences. It is important therefore to be aware of your communication style.
The following principles or actions may help coaches provide a safe environment.
• Ensure your actions are at all times unambiguously professional. Give a verbal explanation, in front of all athletes (and preferably parents as well) of how, where, when and why you may need to touch athletes.
• Remember that the welfare of the child or children is always of paramount importance.
• Know what policies, complaint processes and codes of behaviour your sport has in place (at state and/or national level) and how this applies to you.
• Understand and have signed onto your sport’s code of behaviour (a requirement for coaches accredited under the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme).
• Understand how the child protection legislation in your state/territory (and in New South Wales and Queensland if you are travelling to those states with juniors) may affect you.
• Ensure that any physical contact with children is appropriate to the development of the skills required for the sport. (e.g. it would be appropriate to teach a child to float in the water by touching their back, or to hold their arms or feet to demonstrate a movement. However, it wouldn’t be appropriate to hold the child suggestively, such as on the breasts or around the groin area, as this is not essential to the development of the skills.)
• Be careful about which part of your body and how much of it is in contact with a child’s body.
• Avoid unaccompanied and unobserved activities with children. Try not to separate yourself and a child from the line of sight of other people. If you need to have a private talk to a child about their ability or behaviour, do this in an open place near others. Invite another coach or support person to join the conversation or talk to more than one child at a time.
• Use positive and age-appropriate language when talking to and in the presence of children.
• Before entering change rooms knock or announce that you will be coming in and try to have at least one other adult with you. Do not isolate yourself and a child from others in the change room.
• Introduce a club policy that the second to last child and their parent or guardian will wait with you and the child (this will also enable you to concentrate on making contact with the parent if they are late).
• Avoid the risk of being left alone with a child by having a parent, guardian or support person assist you with the training. Require that person to wait with you until all children have left.
• Do not engage in or let others engage in any of the following:
o abusive initiation or team bonding activities
o forcing children into ‘macho type’ activities
o rough, physically hurtful or sexually provocative games
o regular scapegoating, ridiculing, rejecting, isolating or taking the ‘ Mickey’ out of a child
The above strategies can also apply to older athletes, as there is still likely to be a disparity between you and your athlete in `terms of authority, maturity, status and dependence, even if the athlete has reached the legal age of consent.
Parents
Parents often turn to sport as a safe place for children to build character, develop skills, learn valuable lessons and to have fun. While involvement in sport remains a positive experience for most participants, parents are now aware that children can face the risk of being harassed and abused in sport. In addition to clubs, organisations, community groups and government agencies, parents can also play a key role in creating a safe environment for children in sport.
• When you enrol your child in a sport, ask if the club has a harassment, abuse or member protection policy and procedures in place. If not, suggest implementation within the season.
• Ask if the club has screening procedures in place. As a minimum, coaches should have job descriptions that define and limit their authority. In higher risk positions, screening should include police records check.
• Ask if the club’s coaches are accredited and have signed a coaches code of behaviour.
• Get involved and get to know your coach. Maintain open and frank communication. If things occur that disturb you, talk to the coach about them.
• Speak out when you hear language or attitudes that contribute to a negative or unsafe environment. You may wish to pursue your issues with the club executive.
• Be careful not to put coaches on pedestals. Tell your children it’s okay to say ‘no’ if the coach is doing something that makes them feel ‘creepy’.
• Make an effort to attend practices and games whenever you can.
• Be wary of private, closed practices. If they occur on a regular basis, ask the coach for an explanation.
• Be wary of any increase in the amount of time the coach spends with your children beyond the training session.
• If you volunteer in sport and are asked to take part in screening, accept this as a positive step to keeping children safe.
• Make sure you are not part of the problem. Don’t sling verbal abuse at referees, coaches or others.
• Encourage your child to play by the rules.
• Never ridicule your child for making a mistake or losing.
An allegation of child abuse is a very serious mater and must be handled with a high degree of sensitivity. The initial response to the alleged abuse of a child should be immediate in incidents that are serious or criminal in nature while less serious/urgent allegations should be actioned as soon as possible, preferably within 24 hours.
The following is a basic outline of the key principles and process to follow. More information can be obtained from the relevant agency within your State/Territory. Contact details for these agencies can be obtained from www.ausport.gov.au/ethics/contacts.asp.
INJURY MANAGEMENT
Canberra FC has the responsibility to provide a safe environment for players, coaches, referees and spectators, not only to reduce the potential of injury but also to meet legal duties of care. The club’s policy is to promote a safe sport environment for players, coaches, officials and spectators.
Football is the largest participation sport in Australia and indeed the world.
During the course of play football players accelerate, decelerate, jump, cut, pivot, turn, head and kick the ball. Football places many demands on the technical and physical skills of the player and, as a result, injuries can and do occur. There are a number of ways to play football safely and to reduce the risk of injury.
Canberra Football Club promotes safe and enjoyable participation for all; however it is important that everyone at the club is aware of their responsibility.
The club will appoint a Safety Coordinator and implement the following guidelines and procedures:
• For example:
– Safety Coordinator will have the responsibility for overseeing the development and implementation of the safety plan.
– Players should obey the rules, regulations and code of conduct of the sport.
– Coaches should provide advice on skill development, encourage fair play and safe. warm-up, stretching and cool-down procedures.
– Referees should enforce the rules of the game and check the playing environment for obstacles or damage which could cause injury to players.
– Sports trainers should be responsible for injury prevention and immediate injury management.
– Parents should be aware of the club’s safety policy and guidelines and encourage safe play.
The club will also endeavor to accomplish and provide the following:
• Emergency contact numbers/locations for nearest doctor/hospital/dentist at all times.
• Encourage club members, coaches, players, officials and parents to attend sports medicine training.
• If possible have accredited sports first aid officers and sports trainers present at all Premier League games and training sessions.
• The club will ensure that all teams have immediate access to first aid equipment.
• During player registration new and existing members must complete a pre-participation medical assessment form.
• Record all injuries which occur in training and competition in a first aid treatment book or file and review these records to determine factors causing injury or injuries at the club.
• Canberra FC will allocate resources for developing, promoting and implementing sport safety initiatives in the clubs annual budget.
• Make sure that through Capital Football all participants have personal accident insurance, professional indemnity (covers the legal liability of coaches, trainers and officials) and public liability (covers property damage and personal injury as a result of club activities).
• Regularly at committee meetings present a safety report and where necessary implement changes.
• Keep parents, players, coaches and managers informed and aware of the club’s progress in implementing sport safety practices.
• Display sport safety posters in and around the playing area and clubrooms.
• Ensure that change rooms are clean, hygienic and well maintained.
For further information on any of the above safety issues do not hesitate to contact your club committee. Similarly if you have suggestions on improving the club safety plan please come forward and contribute.
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| The lads in Perth during the Cro Tournament |
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