WAIVER RELEASE & INDEMNIFICATION
In consideration of the acceptance of my membership or participation in events with the Nathalia Football and Netball Club:
- I waive all claims that I may have against the Nathalia Football and Netball Club Inc, its officers, directors, members, volunteers, employees, agents and sponsors, or its executors, administrators, heirs, successors or assigns (the organisers), and release them from all claims for death, injury or damage arising out of my participation in their club, their event and its related activities, together with any costs, including legal fees.
- I agree to indemnify and keep indemnified the organisers against damage arising out of my participation in the events and its related activities.
- I agree to comply with all the rules, regulations and instructions of the organisers.
- In the event of injury or illness during participation, I consent to receive medical treatment, which may be deemed advisable by the organisers, including the use of any medical information provided to the club as part of a membership application.
- I acknowledge that I have sole responsibility for my personal possessions and equipment during all the events and activities.
- I hereby permit the free use of my name and picture in any broadcasts, telecasts and the press including website as they pertain to the Nathalia Football and Netball Club their events and activities.
- I understand that my membership or entry fee is non-transferable and not refundable.
- I agree to have my personal details recorded and used by the Nathalia Football and Netball Club and related parties for further communications of future related events.
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
By completing my personal and medical details and signing this form I hereby:
- apply to become a member of the Nathalia Football Netball Club;
- agree to pay the player membership fee for the season referred to on this form and enclose payment with this form;
- understand that on becoming a member of the Nathalia Football Netball Club I am bound by the rules of the club and I agree to follow those rules and any policies, procedures or guidelines developed by the club;
- agree to represent the club in the Murray Football/Netball League;
- not to engage in any behaviour that may be seen to undermine or damage the club’s reputation in any way whatsoever; and
- agree to publication by the club and/or communication by the club to any media organisation of my performances as a player and to any photographic depiction of me (whether playing or not playing) in any competition involving the club and/or at any club event (whether or not a playing event) and I shall not claim copyright or other interest in that information or photographic depiction.
- As a player/parent/guardian you agree to undertake your rostered turn in the canteen throughout the season. Should you be unable to attend to this commitment, it is your responsibility to find a substitute. If you do not show up for your allocated time, you/your child agree to the penalty of missing 1 game the following week game. Unfortunately we have been forced to impose this penalty to ensure all players/parents/guardians contribute equally to the voluntary running of our club.
PURPOSE OF OUR MEMBERSHIP POLICY:
The main objective of the NFNC Member Policy (“policy”) is to maintain responsible behaviour. It outlines our commitment to a person’s right to be treated with respect and dignity, and to be safe and protected from discrimination, harassment and abuse. Our policy informs everyone involved in our club of his or her legal and ethical rights and responsibilities and the standards of behaviour expected of them. It also covers the care and protection of children participating in our club’s activities. The Nathalia Football Netball Club aims to provide a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for all participants and supporters.
The Club is affiliated with the Murray Football League; Murray Netball League Inc.; Victorian Country Football League and Netball Victoria and as a member, you are required to comply with their Policies and any additional inclusions outlined in this document.
Copies of these documents can be obtained from the VCFL’s website www.vcfl.com.au and Netball Victoria’s website www.netballvic.com.au
Who our membership policy applies to?
This policy applies to everyone involved in the activities of our club whether they are in a paid or unpaid/voluntary capacity and including but not limited to:
- club committee members, administrators and other club officials;
- coaches and assistant coaches and other personnel participating in events and activities, including camps and training sessions;
- support personnel, including managers, physiotherapists, psychologists, masseurs, sport trainers and others;
- referees, umpires and other officials;
- athletes;
- members, including any life members;
- parents;
- spectators
Extent of our membership policy:
Our policy covers all matters directly and indirectly related to the NFNC club and its activities. In particular, the policy governs unfair selection decisions and actions, breaches of our code of behaviour and behaviour that occurs at training sessions, in the club rooms, at social events organised or sanctioned by the club (or our sport), and on away and overnight trips. It also covers private behaviour where that behaviour brings our club or sport into disrepute or there is suspicion of harm towards a child or young person.
What are our Club responsibilities?
We will:
- adopt, implement and comply with this policy;
- ensure that this policy is enforceable;
- publish, distribute and promote this policy and the consequences of any breaches of this policy;
- promote and model appropriate standards of behaviour at all times;
- deal with any complaints made under this policy in an appropriate manner;
- deal with any breaches of this policy in an appropriate manner;
- recognise and enforce any penalty imposed under this policy;
- ensure that a copy of this policy is available or accessible to all people and organisations to whom this policy applies;
- review this policy every 12-18 months; and
- seek advice from and refer serious issues to our Murray Football and Netball League
- Serious issues include unlawful behaviour that involves or could lead to significant harm and includes criminal
- behaviour (e.g. physical assault, sexual assault, child abuse) and any other issues that our state or national bodies request to be referred to them.
What are our individual responsibilities?
Everyone associated with our club must:
- make themselves aware of the contents of this policy;
- comply with all relevant provisions of this policy, including the standards of behaviour outlined in this policy;
- treat other people with respect;
- always place the safety and welfare of children above other considerations;
- be responsible and accountable for their behaviour; and
- follow the guidelines outlined in this policy if they wish to make a complaint or report a concern about
- possible child abuse, discrimination, harassment, bullying or other inappropriate behaviour; and
- comply with any decisions and/or disciplinary measures imposed under this policy.
CHILD PROTECTION:
The Child Safe Standards (CSS) are an important addition to Victorian legislation to ensure children feel safe and are protected from harm in all organisations. It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure this is the case. The CSS include the introduction of compulsory, minimum standards for all organisations in the State that work with children. More information can be found at the Commission for Children & Young People (CCYP) website. This regulation was introduced on 1st January, 2017.
The NFNC is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people who participate in our club activities or use our services. We support the rights of the child and will act at all times to ensure that a child safe environment is maintained. NFNC acknowledges the valuable contribution made by our members and volunteers and we encourage their active participating in providing a safe, fair and inclusive environment for all participants.
The NFNC will ensure that the organization takes all reasonable steps to ensure that it engages the most suitable and appropriate people to work with children, especially those in positions that involve regular unsupervised contact with children. This may be achieved using a range of screening measures. Such measures will aim to minimize the likelihood of engaging (or retaining) people who are unsuitable to work with children. The NFNC will ensure that Working with Children Checks and criminal history assessments are conducted for employees and volunteers working with children, where an assessment is required by law. If a criminal history report is obtained as part of the screening process, the NFNC will ensure that the criminal history information is dealt with confidentially and in accordance with relevant legal requirements.
Support, Train, Supervise and Enhance Performance:
The NFNC will ensure that all our employees and volunteers who work with children have ongoing supervision; support and training. Our goal is to develop their skills and capacity and to enhance their performance so we can maintain a child-safe environment in our club. NFNC will promote the involvement and participation of children and young people in developing and maintaining a child-safe environment in our club.
Report and Respond Appropriately to Suspected Abuse and Neglect:
The NFNC will ensure that employees and volunteers are able to identify and respond appropriately to children at risk of harm and that they are aware of their responsibilities under state laws to make a report if they suspect on reasonable ground that a child has been, or is being, abused or neglected. In addition to any legal obligations, if any person believes that another person or organisation bound by this policy is acting inappropriately towards a child or is in breach of this policy, they may make an internal complaint to the NFNC Child Safety Officers. Please refer to our complaints procedure of this policy. Any person who believes a child is in immediate danger or in a life-threatening situation, should contact the police (000) immediately. Each Victorian affiliate is required to nominate a Child Safety Officer who would be the initial point of contact for any report. This person is available to speak to if a child is feeling unsafe and to ensure children feel safe and are protected from harm in all organisations. It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure this is the case. The CSS include the introduction of compulsory, minimum standards for all organisations in the State that work with children. More information can be found at the Commission for Children & Young People (CCYP) website.
Nathalia FNC Child Safety Officers:
The nominated Child Safety Officers are:
Denise Liddell: liddelldenise@yahoo.com.au – 0408 179 667
John Sheehan: sheenpup@vic.chariot.net.au - 0418 899 881[K1]
Taking Images of Children:
Images of children can not be used inappropriately or illegally. We require that members, wherever possible, obtain permission from a child’s parent or guardian before taking an image of a child that is not their own. We will also make sure that the parent or guardian understands how the image will be used.
To respect people’s privacy, we do not allow camera phones, videos and cameras to be used inside changing areas, showers and toilets which we control or are used in connection with our club. When using a photo of a child, we will not name or identify the child or publish personal information, such as residential address, email address or telephone number, without the consent of the child’s parent or guardian. We will not provide information about a child’s hobbies, interests, school or the like, as this can be used by pedophiles or other persons to “groom” a child. We will only use images of children that are relevant to our club’s activities and we will ensure that they are suitably clothed in a manner that promotes our club.
DISCRIMINATION, HARASSMENT AND BULLYING:
Our club is committed to providing an environment in which people are treated fairly and equitably and that is, as far as practicable, free from all forms of discrimination, harassment and bullying. we recognize that people may not be able to enjoy themselves or perform at their best if they are treated unfairly, discriminated against, harassed or bullied. Unlawful discrimination involves the less favourable treatment of a person on the basis of one or more of the personal characteristics protected by State or Federal anti-discrimination laws. Discrimination includes both direct and indirect discrimination:
Direct discrimination: occurs if a person treats, or proposes to treat, a person with a protected personal characteristic unfavourably because of that personal characteristic.
Indirect discrimination: occurs if a person imposes, or proposes to impose, a requirement, condition or practice that will disadvantage a person with a protected personal characteristic and that requirement, condition or practice is not reasonable. For the purpose of determining discrimination, the offender’s awareness and motive are irrelevant.
Harassment:
Harassment is any unwelcome conduct, verbal or physical, that intimidates, offends or humiliates another person and which happens because a person has a certain personal characteristic protected by State or Federal anti-discrimination legislation. The offensive behaviour does not have to take place a number of times, a single incident can constitute harassment. Sexual harassment is one type of harassment. Sexual harassment involves unwelcome conduct, remarks or innuendo of a sexual nature. It covers a wide range of behaviours and can be verbal, written, visual or physical. Sexual harassment is not limited to members of the opposite sex. Every person is covered by the anti-discrimination laws that apply in their State as well as the Federal anti-discrimination laws. Legislation also prohibits: racial, religious, homosexual, transgender and HIV/AIDS vilification; and victimization resulting from a complaint.
Bullying:
The NFNC is committed to providing an environment that is free from bullying. We understand that bullying has the potential to result in significant negative consequences for an individual’s health and wellbeing, and we regard bullying in all forms as unacceptable at our club.
Bullying is characterised by repeated, unreasonable behaviour directed at a person, or group of persons, that creates a risk to health and safety. Bullying behaviour is that which a reasonable person in the circumstances would expect to victimise, humiliate, undermine, threaten, degrade, offend or intimidate a person. Bullying behaviour can include actions of an individual or group. Whilst generally characterised by repeated behaviours, a one-off instance can amount to bullying. The following types of behaviour would be considered bullying:
- verbal abuse including shouting, swearing, teasing, making belittling remarks or persistent unjustified criticism;
- excluding or isolating a group or person;
- spreading malicious rumours; or
- psychological harassment such as intimidation.
Bullying includes cyber-bulling which occurs through the use of technology. New technologies and communication tools, such as smart phones and social networking websites, have greatly increased the potential for people to be bullied though unwanted and inappropriate comments. We will not tolerate abusive, discriminatory, intimidating or offensive statements being made online. Copies of these documents can be obtained from the VCFL’s website www.vcfl.com.au and Netball Victoria’s website www.netballvic.com.au.
If any person believes they are being or have been bullied by another person or organisation bound by this policy, he or she may make a complaint.
Responding to Complaints:
Our club takes all complaints about on and off-field behaviour seriously. Our club will handle complaints based on the principles of procedural fairness, and ensure:
- all complaints will be taken seriously;
- the person with a complaint against them (complainee) will be given full details of what is being alleged against them and have the opportunity to respond to those allegations;
- irrelevant matters will not be taken into account;
- decisions will be unbiased; and
- any penalties imposed will be reasonable
More serious complaints may be escalated to our Murray Football/Netball League or Victorian police. If the complaint relates to suspected child abuse, sexual assault or other criminal activity, then our club may need to report the behaviour to the police and/or relevant government authority.
Complaint Handling Process:
When a complaint is received by our club, the person receiving the complaint (e.g. President, Member Protection Information Officer) will:
- listen carefully and ask questions to understand the nature and extent of the concern;
- ask the complainant how they would like their concern to be resolved and if they need any support;
- explain the different options available to help resolve the complainant’s concern;
- inform the relevant government authorities and/or police, if required by law to do so; and
- where possible and appropriate, maintain confidentiality but not necessarily anonymity.
Once the complainant decides on their preferred option for resolution, the club will assist, where appropriate and necessary, with the resolution process. This may involve:
- supporting the person complaining to talk to the person being complained about;
- bringing all the people involved in the complaint together to talk objectively through the problem (this could include external mediation);
- gathering more information (e.g. from other people that may have seen the behaviour);
- seeking advice from our district, regional, state and/or national body or from an external agency (e.g. State Department of Sport or anti-discrimination agency);
- referring the complaint to our Murray Football/Netball League and/or
- referring the complainant to an external agency such as a community mediation centre, police or anti-discrimination agency.
In situations where a complaint is referred to our Murray Football/Netball League and/or other legal representatives an investigation is conducted, the club will:
- co-operate fully with the investigation;
- where applicable, ensure the complainant is not placed in an unsupervised situation with the complainee(s); and
- act on our Murray Football/Netball League association’s recommendations.
At any stage of the process, a person can seek advice from an anti-discrimination commission or other external agency and, if the matter is within their jurisdiction, may lodge a complaint with the anti-discrimination commission or other external agency.
