ANTI-BULLYING POLICY
Statement of Intent
We are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our members so they can participate in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at our club. If bullying does occur, all athletes or parents should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. We are a club who will encourage whistleblowing on this type of behaviour. This means that anyone who knows that bullying is happening is expected to tell the club welfare officer or any committee member.
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
Physical
Racist
Sexual
Homophobic
Verbal
Bullying also includes being unfriendly, exclusion (emotional and physical) sending hurtful text messages, tormenting, threatening behaviour &/or gestures, physical violence e.g. pushing, kicking, hitting, punching and or any racial taunts, graffiti or gestures.
We will also not tolerate any unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments because of, or focussing on the issue of sexuality name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing.
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. Members of our club who are bullying need to learn different ways of behaving.
This club have a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to issues of bullying.
Objectives of this Policy
All committee members, coaches, parents and club members should understand what bullying is.
All committee members, and coaching staff should know what the club policy is on bullying, and follow it when bullying is reported.
All members of our club and parents of younger members should know what the club policy is on bullying, and what they should do if bullying arises.
As a club we take bullying seriously. Members should be assured that they would be supported when bullying is reported.
Bullying will not be tolerated.