Club Policies

Medical Certificates

The Club wishes to advise that it is Policy that no player is allowed to play whilst Medical unfit. It has been a long time Policy the NO player in Junior/Senior football be allowed to play if concussed the previous game.
A medical certificate is now required for any Player concussed or returning from a long term injury such as head Injury, broken Bone or other medical Injury which would prevent them from playing under normal circumstances. The Medical Certificate is to be held by the Committee or team manager prior to playing and returning from injury. The Medical Certificate is to be attached to the Club Copy team Sheet and returned to the Registrar.

Gloves

The Club has witnessed players during the past year wearing gloves while playing/training.
It has been a long time policy that NO player in Junior Football wear gloves without a medical certificate at this Club. The Committee needs to approve of wearing gloves, not Coach or any other member of the Club.
Gloves are not allowed to JETS level, as it’s the Clubs belief they hinder the players learning skills.

No Smoking Policy

The Werribee Junior and Amateur Football Club recognises that passive smoking is hazardous to health and that non-smokers should be protected at all times, where possible, from tobacco smoke.
The Committee hereby adopts the following no smoking policy which applies to all members, administrators, officials, players, coaches and visitors of the Werribee Junior and Amateur Football Club.
The Following areas of all our grounds are to be Smoke Free:

Administration and Office areas
Club Social Rooms
Change Rooms and Toilets
Eating areas (including canteens)
Coaches, trainers, officials and volunteers to refrain from smoking while they are acting in an official capacity
Players to refrain from smoking while in uniform
Cigarettes not to be sold (including vending machines)
All social functions at Club premises to be smoke fee
All social functions outside of club premises to be smoke free where possible
All coaches to discuss with players the effects on performance of smoking and actively promote this policy

Any person not complying with this policy will be asked by any committee or official of this club to refrain from smoking. If said person persists on ignoring this policy, said person, shall be asked to leave and summoned to appear before the Committee, to explain their actions. The Werribee Junior and Amateur Football Club will regard anyone who willfully disregards this policy with bringing the club into disrepute, and the committee will take appropriate action.

Heat policy

This policy shall remain in force and will be reviewed from time to time to ensure that we continue to provide a safe and healthy environment to all members of the Werribee Junior and Amateur Football Club.
The policy is as follows:
An announcement will be made available on the Quit Info-Line (9644 0185) between 9.30 am and 11.00 am on the day of a match where the temperature is expected to reach 30 degrees. Where high temperatures are forecast for the match day at 6pm the day before a match, clubs and umpires must ensure that they check for this announcement.

When it is announced that the Heat Policy is to be adhered to, the following is to apply:

The length of each quarter shall be 22 minutes plus time on.
The length of the half time break shall be twenty (20) minutes.
The length of the three-quarter time break shall be ten (10) minutes.
Water carriers to be permitted to be on the playing arena during play, provided they not go within 50 metres of play, and not interfere in any way with the play.
Field umpires will also be encouraged to delay the re-commencement of play after a goal has been scored by 20-30 seconds so as to allow water carriers some additional time to provide water to players.
In relation to Reserves and Club XV111 matches the above rules shall apply, except that the length of each quarter shall not be altered.

Blood Rule

a.) The W.R.F.L. will adopt the A.S.M.F. infectious diseases policy.
b.) BLOOD RULE.

Upon a player being noticed by an umpire with blood on him, the umpire must stop the games by blowing his whistle and cross his arms above his head to indicate the player concerned must leave the ground to be attended too. This applies to a player with blood on him or his uniform whether it is his/her blood or not. The player concerned shall be directed to leave the ground through the coaches box.
A trainer may remove any player bleeding profusely at any part of the Ground for treatment and that player must be replaced from the coaching bench and if the player is to return to the ground he/she must go through the coaches bench.
The game shall not be restarted until a replacement player takes up a position in the region of where the other player was and the other player is completely off the ground. The replacement player can come onto the field before the other player is off.
Should umpires have Blood on themselves or their uniforms, they must leave the ground to be attended to as provided for.
The attention required is for any bleeding to be stopped and/or any visible blood on his/her person uniform is completely cleaned up and the uniform must be replaced or washed.
This Rule applies to all persons, players, runners, water boys, umpires, trainers and any person entitled to be on the ground during game times.

WARNING: Current research shows that the AIDS virus does survive outside the body for a number of days. Cleaning should be done with detergent, bleach and water.
GREAT CARE MUST BE TAKEN.

Responsible Alcohol Management

The Werribee Districts Football Club has an ongoing commitment to responsible alcohol management and now hold Level 3 accreditation under the Australian Drug Foundation’s Good Sports Accreditation Program.
The program doesn’t aim to “dry-up” clubs. It aims to assist clubs with the responsible management of alcohol through the development of a code of conduct.It is the first state wide alcohol accreditation program of its kind. The club is determined to meet the criteria required for the Level 3 accreditation.The Werribee Districts Football Club have a responsible alcohol management policy including the sale of low alcohol drinks and soft drinks. Our facilities are smoke free and we have developed safe transport strategies to ensure our members get home safely. We will provide food when serving alcohol and we will not have an emphasis on alcohol for players awards or fundraising, functions and prizes.We are confident our efforts will continue to improve the environment at the Werribee Districts Football Club. We’re not perfect but we are trying hard to make it a better place to play and socialise for all members of the community.The club will be regularly monitored to ensure we comply with the program. This is the responsibility of all members to make sure we do the right thing while we’re enjoying ourselves and having fun.The Good Sports Program is supported by VicHealth and the TAC and was developed following research conducted by the Australian Drug Foundation that showed by introducing responsible alcohol management policies, clubs were able to improve membership and enhance viability.

During any Werribee Junior Football Club matches, and authorised events when underage children are authorised/ represented, NO ALCOHOL is to be consumed around the ground or within any building constructed and used by the Club, including any licensed premises.
The Club do not wish to supply alcohol at any time to members who may be allowed to supply to minors under 18 years of age outside of the regulations enforced by the Liquor Commission.
For more information about the accreditation program, contact Werribee Districts Football Club on 9742 3618.

Safe Transport Policy

The Werribee Districts Football Club recognises the importance in holding a liquor license in the value it adds to the club, enabling it to generate income and hold social functions. In doing so, the club shall also ensure our members are aware of this policy and are encouraged to make alternative transport arrangements when drinking alcohol at the club.

Bar staff shall encourage members and visitors to make alternate transport arrangements if they are considered to exceed .05 blood alcohol concentration.
Telephone calls will be made free of charge to arrange a taxi or other transport.
Contact telephone numbers for taxi services will be displayed at the bar.
In specific cases, where a designated driver who has been nominated by the club and that person has accepted the responsibility to drive others home safely, will be provided with non-alcoholic drinks free of charge by the club.

Team/Club Functions

No individual/ group is authorised to act for the Werribee Districts Football Club to arrange a function or event which could be construed as a Club function without the authorisation of the Committee.
No team is allowed to arrange an end of season trip/or like function during the year in the Clubs name.
Individuals who do not obtain written approval may be disciplined and will not be able to rely on any protection that the Club has undertaken with insurance protection.
This has become a concern over a number of years and needs to be addressed, although the Club encourages social events and wishes to see them continue on
specific undertakings which include:

No alcohol to be consumed in the presence of minors
Current policies of the Club as detailed in this Handbook are followed
All organised events have been authorised by the Committee prior to the event taking place
Undertakings are followed as required

The Racial and Religious Tolerance Policy

The Werribee Districts Football Club is committed to an environment which promotes racial and religious tolerance by prohibiting certain conduct and providing a means of redress for victims of racial and religious vilification and/or racial discrimination.
The Club is bound by the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001 (Vic), the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth), and the Equal Opportunity Act 1995 (Vic) (the legislation). This Policy is consistent with the legislation and the Australian Football League’s Rule 30 and the Victorian Football League’s Rule 7.3.
This Policy is not in substitution of the legislation.
The Club will ensure that this Policy is communicated to spectators and participants of the Club. It will also ensure that participants of the Club receive anti-racial and religious vilification and racial discrimination training on an annual basis.
Nothing in this Policy prevents a person lodging a complaint in relation to racial and religious vilification and/or racial discrimination under the legislation. In the event a complaint is made under this policy the Club shall ensure that the parties are informed of their rights.

Racial and Religious Vilification
No person in his/her capacity as a spectator or participant in the League in the course of carrying out his/her duties or functions as or incidental to being a participant in the League shall engage in conduct that offends, humiliates, intimidates, contempts, ridicules, incites, threatens, disparages, vilifies or insults another person on the basis of that person’s race, religion, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin.

Serious Racial and Religious Vilification
No person in his/her capacity as a spectator or participant in the Club in the course of carrying out his/her duties of functions as or incidental to being a participant in the Club shall intentionally engage in conduct that he/she knows Is likely to incite hatred against another person, or threaten physical harm or incite hatred in others to cause physical harm to a person or to a person’s property because of that person’s race, religion, colour, descent, national or ethnic origin.

Racial and Religious Discrimination
No person in his/her capacity as a spectator or participant in the Club in the course of carrying out his/her duties or functions as or incidental to being a participant in the Club shall engage in conduct that discriminates, directly or indirectly against another person on the basis of that person’s race, religion, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin.

Victimisation
No person in his/her capacity as a spectator or participant in the Club in the course of carrying out his/her duties or functions as or incidental to being a participant in the Club shall victimise another person.
The Club will appoint a Complaints Officer (the Club’s Complaints Officer) to ensure that any breach of this Policy is responded to in an equitable and prompt manner.
Confidentiality must be maintained throughout the complaints process. All parties to a complaint, the President (or Delegate), the Club’s Complaints Officer, any witnesses and the Conciliator must all agree, in writing, to the maintenance of confidentiality. No person involved in the complaints process shall publicly comment on any aspect of the complaints process without the prior written agreement of all parties.

Bullying

Policy Statement

It is expected that all members of the Werribee Junior and Amateur Football Club, will endeavour to:

Uphold the dignity and respect of the individual;
Promote the principle of equal opportunity; and
Refrain from any behaviour that attacks a person’s dignity and rights, morale and work effectiveness.
Adhere to this Policy, as any breaches will lead to disciplinary responses by the Club additional to any which may be imposed by law.

Rationale
Bullying behaviour strikes at the basis of these values and prevents players reaching for excellence in every dimension of life. Bullying affects everyone, not just those directly involved in incidents of bullying. It also affects those who may witness violence, intimidation and the distress of the person being bullied.
Bullying goes against the very grain of what has made Werribee Junior and Amateur Football Club special – a friendly, family environment. Intimidation and violence have no place in our community and will not be accepted under any circumstances.

Bullying — What Is It?
The most frequently cited definition of bullying is the “repeated oppression, psychological or physical, of a less powerful person by a more powerful person or group of persons (Rigby 1996). There are three critical points in this definition:

Power: Children who bully may acquire power through various means: physical size and strength; status within a peer group; and recruitment within the peer group so as to exclude others.

Frequency: Bullying is not a random act; it is characterized by its repetitive nature. Because it is repetitive, the children who are bullied not only have to survive the humiliation of the attack itself but live in constant fear of its reoccurrence.

Intent to harm: Bullies usually deny any intent to harm others and may not always be fully conscious of the harm they cause. Causing physical and emotional harm however, is usually a deliberate act. It puts the child who is bullied in a position of oppression by the child who bullies. Bullying is “recipient defined”, i.e. “It was only a joke” or “He doesn’t mind” is an unacceptable excuse. In many cases of bullying, there are elements of harassment and discrimination on the grounds of ‘difference’. The intention of the bully is irrelevant, the important factor is the harm done to the other person.

Bullying can be…

Physical: Kicking, punching, pushing, shoving, spitting, fighting, damaging or destroying other people’s property, jostling, pinching, touching, or any unwelcome physical intimidation, such as gestures or staring.

Verbal: Offensive or abusive comments, sarcasm, crude jokes and comments, ridiculing appearance, actions or beliefs, obscene or threatening phone calls and emails, teasing or putting other people down (sledging and pay outs), verbal intimidation, whistling.

Social: Exclusion, spreading rumours, gossip, racial or sexual comments, graffiti and notes about others, emails, SMS and chat rooms.

Emotional: Victimisation, instilling fear in others, extortion (forcing other players to hand over money, food or other possessions), forcing other players to do their work.

Rights And Responsibilities

Within the Werribee Junior and Amateur Football Club all persons have certain rights. However, along with those rights we also must take responsibility for our own actions.
All persons have the right:

To feel safe, cared for and respected whilst at the Club.
To be free from threat and intimidation.
To an enjoyable day at sport.
To have a pleasant, healthy and safe environment.

All persons have the responsibility:

To consider the impact of their actions on others.
To respect the property and rights of others.
Not to accept bullying, but to report it.
To follow the Club’s Policies and rules.

All Club officials have the responsibility to:

Provide a safe, secure learning environment for our members/players.
Strive to provide an environment free from bullying, harassment, intimidation and abuse.
Engender a culture where to “ignore” bullying is to condone it.
To be role models in word and action at all times.
To follow Club Policy and conditions of employment (if any).

Club Response To Bullying
Our Club does not condone bullying or harassment and the following process has been established to help us deal with such unacceptable behaviour should it occur.

Based on the severity of the bullying incident, a person may commence at any stage of the below process.
The Interview process may involve the President, an outside investigator, Vice-President, Head Coach or other staff at any of the below Stages.
Parents will be kept informed at all stages of the process.

Stage 1
When concerns are raised regarding a person being bullied, or responsible for bullying, Coaches will manage the response and will seek information to clarify what has happened.
All persons involved will be interviewed and if the reported bullying incident is substantiated, the person responsible for bullying will be issued with an Official Caution.
Following this process, Coaches will formulate an appropriate response to allow players to move forward. Counselling may also be recommended to children involved.
The President will inform the parents of children involved in the investigation process.

Stage 2
When a repeated incident is substantiated the person(s) will be referred to the
Head Coach who will:

Provide a verbal and written response to the parents of the children involved.
Request counsellor involvement to assist children involved in the bullying.
Consult with staff, children and parents to develop an appropriate, meaningful consequence.

Stage 3
Should a person reach this stage, the President will interpret this to indicate that the person has chosen, through his actions, to exclude themselves from the Club.