EIGHT BALL “a friendly and safe sport that anyone can play”
Our responsibility is to all members (affiliates), staff, partners and sponsors in exceeding their needs to the highest quality.
We will constantly strive for best working methods, to ensure the service we provide is the best available.
All will be considered as an individual and respected.
As an all-inclusive sport, there will be equal opportunities for all.
The main objective of our Member Protection Policy is to maintain responsible behaviour and ethical and informed decision-making by participants in this association. This policy outlines our commitment to a person’s right to be treated with respect and dignity, and to be safe and protected from abuse. Our policy informs everyone involved in our Association of their legal and ethical rights and responsibilities and the standards of behaviour that are required. It also covers the care and protection of children participating in our club’s activities.
Our policy applies to everyone involved in the Association including committee members, administrators, coaches, officials (umpires/referees/judges), players, parents and spectators.
Our policy covers unfair decisions (e.g., team selection), breaches of our codes of behaviour and inappropriate behaviour that occurs at practice, at meetings, in the venues, at social events organised or sanctioned by our Association, on away and overnight trips, and any behaviour that brings or is likely to bring our club or sport into disrepute. It also covers behaviour where there is suspicion of harm towards a child or young person.
We will:
Serious issues include unlawful behaviour that involves or could lead to significant harm and includes criminal behavior.
Everyone associated with our Association must:
7.1 Child protection
Child abuse involves conduct which puts children at risk of harm and takes a number of different forms, including:
Abuse is usually against the law. We will take measures to protect children involved in our Association from harm. We will do this by:
7.2 Supervision
Members under the age of 18 must be supervised at all times by a responsible adult. Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association will provide a level of supervision adequate and relative to the members’ age, maturity, capabilities, level of experience, nature of activity and nature of venue. If a member finds a member under the age of 18 is unsupervised, they should assume responsibility for the member’s safety until the parent/guardian or supervisor can be found.
Parents must turn up on time to collect their child for reasons of courtesy and safety. If it appears a member will be left alone at the end of a training session with just one child, they will ask another member to stay until the child is collected.]
7.3 Transportation
Parents/guardians are responsible for transporting their children to and from Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association activities (e.g., practice and games). Where Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association makes arrangements for the transportation of children (e.g., for away or overnight trips), we will conduct a risk assessment that includes ensuring vehicles are adequately insured, the driver has a current and appropriate licence for the vehicle being used, and appropriate safety measures are available (e.g,. fitted working seatbelts.]
7.4 Taking images of children
Images of children can be used inappropriately or illegally. Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association requires that members, wherever possible, obtain permission from a child’s parent/guardian before taking an image of a child that is not their own and ensure that the parent knows the way the image will be used. Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association also requires the privacy of others to be respected and disallows the use of camera phones, videos and cameras inside changing areas, showers and toilets.
If Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association uses an image of a child it will avoid naming or identifying the child or it will, wherever possible, avoid using both the first name and surname. We will not display personal information such as residential address, email address or telephone numbers without gaining consent from the parent/guardian. We will not display information about hobbies, likes/dislikes, school, etc., as this information can be used as grooming tools by paedophiles or other persons. We will only use appropriate images of a child relevant to our sport, and ensure that the child is suitably clothed in a manner that promotes the sport, displays its successes, etc.
Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association opposes all forms of harassment, discrimination and bullying. This includes treating or proposing to treat someone less favourably because of a particular characteristic; imposing or intending to impose an unreasonable requirement, condition or practice which has an unequal or disproportionate effect on people with a particular characteristic; or any behaviour that is offensive, abusive, belittling, intimidating or threatening — whether this is face-to-face, indirectly, or via communication technologies such as mobile phones and computers. Some forms of harassment, discrimination and bullying are against the law and are based on particular characteristics such as age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, political or religious beliefs, race and marital status.
Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association takes all claims of harassment, discrimination, bullying and cyber bullying seriously. We encourage anyone who believes they have been harassed, discriminated against or bullied to raise the issue with the club (see ‘10. Responding to complaints’).
Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association is welcoming and we will seek to include members from all areas of our community.
9.1 People with disability
Where possible we will include people with disability in our Association. We will make reasonable adaptations (e.g., modifications to equipment and rules) to enable participation.
9.2 People from diverse cultures
We will support and respect people from diverse cultures and religions to participate in our Association and where possible will accommodate requests for flexibility (e.g., modifications to uniforms).
9.3 Sexual and gender identity
All people, regardless of their sexuality, are welcome within our Association. We strive to provide a safe environment for participation and will take action over any homophobic behaviour.
9.4 Pregnancy
Pregnant women should be aware that their own health and wellbeing, and that of their unborn children, should be of utmost importance in their decision-making about the way they participate in our sport. We recommend that pregnant women consult their medical advisers, make themselves aware of the facts about pregnancy in sport, and ensure that they make informed decisions about participation.
10.1 Complaints
Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association takes all complaints about behaviour seriously. Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association will handle complaints based on the following principles of procedural fairness (natural justice):
If the complaint relates to suspected child abuse, sexual assault or other criminal activity, then our club will need to report the behaviour to the police and/or relevant government authority and our national body.
10.2 Complaint-handling process
When a complaint is received by Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association, the person receiving the complaint (e.g., president, committee member) will:
Once the complainant decides on their preferred option for resolution, Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association will assist, where appropriate and necessary, with the resolution process. This may involve:
10.3 Disciplinary measures
Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association will take disciplinary action against anyone found to have breached our policy or made false and malicious allegations. Any disciplinary measure imposed under our policy must:
Possible measures that may be taken include:
10.4 Appeals
The complainant or respondent can lodge one appeal against decisions of, or disciplinary measures imposed by, Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association to our association. Appeals must be based on either a denial of natural justice, because of unjust or unreasonable disciplinary measure/s being imposed, or on the grounds that the decision was not supported by the information/evidence presented and available to the decision-maker. The following procedures are referred from Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association’s Constitution: Discipline, Suspension and Expulsion of Members Rules 48-53 & Disputes and Mediation Rules 54-58.
The Working with Children (WWC) Check creates a mandatory minimum checking standard across Victoria. The Working with Children Act 2005 requires that some people who work or volunteer in child-related work require a WWC Check. The check involves a national police records check and a review of relevant findings from prescribed professional disciplinary bodes (currently only the Victorian Institute of Teaching). There is an exemption for volunteers whose own children are involved in the particular activity; however they should still be required to complete the screening process.
A person who has no criminal or professional disciplinary history will be granted an Assessment Notice. This notice will entitle the person to undertake child-related work in Victoria and is valid for five years (unless revoked). A person deemed unsuitable to work or volunteer with children will be given a Negative Notice and cannot work in child-related work in Victoria.
For more information:
www.justice.vic.gov.au/workingwithchildren or 1300 652 879.
Occupational Violence and Aggression has been identified as an industry wide hazard. Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association accepts that our venues, by the very nature of sport hold the same potential for violence and aggression as any other sporting associations.
The Prevention and Management of Occupational Violence and Aggression Policy is to provide a clear means to manage the potential for Occupational Violence and Aggression.
Aggressive incidents and injury due to aggression or violence are often considered “part of the job” especially in sport. However, players, spectators, volunteers and officials have the right to be safe from aggressive / violent behaviour.
Aggression and violence towards officials, players and spectators is not acceptable. Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association’s management, employees and volunteers have the responsibility to prevent and manage aggression and violence. These rights and responsibilities are reinforced in the OH&S legislation and criminal law legislation.
People exposed to aggression and / or violence may be injured at the time or suffer health effects over time.
This policy is to ensure Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association provides and maintains an environment that is safe and without risks to health for all as obligations under the OH&S Act. 2004.
Occupational Violence and Aggression covers a wide range of offences. Examples include:
Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association has referred to appropriate authorities and reference materials in order to properly define Occupational Violence and Aggression.
Threat means a statement or behaviour that causes a person to believe they are in danger of being physically attacked
Physical attack means the direct or indirect application of force by a person to the body of, or to clothing or equipment worn by, another person, where the application creates a risk to health and safety.
“Occupational violence is defined as any incident where a person is physically attacked or threatened”. (Guidance Note for the Prevention of Bullying and Violence in the Workplace. Work Safe Victoria. February, 2003).
Assault is defined under the Crimes Act in Victoria as the “direct or indirect application of force by a person to the body, clothing, or equipment worn by another where the application of force is without lawful excuse and with the intent to inflict or being reckless as to the infliction of bodily injury, pain, discomfort, damage, insult or the deprivation of liberty and results in infliction of any such consequence (whether or not the consequence inflicted is the consequence intended or foreseen)”.
Workplace Violence is an action or incident that physically or psychologically harms another person. It includes situations where employees and other people are threatened, attacked or physically assaulted at work. Non-physical violence, such as verbal abuse, intimidation and threatening behaviour, may also significantly affect a person’s health and wellbeing. (Mental Health Code of Practice 2002).
Aggression can be described as one of many responses used by people in an effort to protect themselves from threats they perceive. These can be either internal or external in origin. It may be physical or non-physical, however non-physical aggression may have a greater effect on a person than
an actual physical attack. Aggression may develop from unexpressed hostility or frustration, deteriorating into dangerous behaviour. (Mental Health Code of Practice 2002).
It is Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association’s policy that:
The following control strategies must be considered:-
Policy is to be displayed at Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association’s events and all affiliated events to inform members and visitors that violence and / or aggression is not acceptable behaviour and as such, Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association’s Executives, Members, Administrators, Officials, Volunteers and visitors of Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association will not tolerate it.
Members who break this policy and who display any violence or aggression are subject to discipline, suspension and expulsion.
A person who is alleged to have broken this policy at a Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association Event, including functions, has the right to a hearing.
Where the President of Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association (or person acting under his authority) receives information that a person to which this policy applies, may have breached this policy, would follow Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association’s Constitution procedures for discipline, suspension and expulsion of ordinary members. The following procedures are referred from Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association’s Constitution: Discipline, Suspension and Expulsion of Members Rules 48-53 & Disputes and Mediation Rules 54-58.
Violence and Aggression is unlawful. The following legislation prohibits unfair discrimination and harassment in Victoria.
Police involvement will be assisted if it is the wish of a member who has been the recipient of violence and / or aggression. The fact that Violence and / or Aggression may take place in the sporting environment does not, in any way, alter the ways in which it should be dealt with.
Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association is committed to treat everyone equally within the context of their activity, regardless of sex, ethnic origin, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation or political persuasion.
Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association will ensure that equity as stated in Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association rules is incorporated in all aspects of its’ activities and also recognises and adopts the definition of All Inclusive:
Sports equity is about fairness in sport, equality of access, recognising inequalities and taking steps to address them. It is about changing the culture and structure of sport to ensure that it becomes equally accessible to all members of society, whatever their age, ability, gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality or socio-economic status.
Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association is committed to everyone having the right to enjoy Eight Ball in an environment free from threat of discrimination, intimidation, harassment and abuse.
All Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association members have a responsibility to challenge discriminatory behaviour and promote equality of opportunity.
Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association will deal with any incidence of discriminatory behaviour seriously, according to Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association disciplinary procedures
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‘Equal Opportunity is about celebrating difference and diversity and as such providing a playing structure that can respond to this in a proactive and positive manner’.
Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association is totally committed to the principals and practice of equal opportunities across all of its’ disciplines, both as an employer, provider and as facilitator of such practices by all its’ members. In our work with key partners, such as players, clubs, volunteers, coaches, officials and administrators, we will advocate our policies make every effort to ensure that all participation has equity at its’ core.
Eight Ball is “a friendly and safe sport that anyone can play”. It can and should be enjoyed and made accessible to everyone and to achieve this:
In addressing equal opportunities, Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association will respond to issues of equity by:
In doing so Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association supports four key principals as being fundamental to ensuring that everyone can participate in our sport and the achievement of equality of opportunity:
Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association will strive to become an organisation that values diversity and in order to achieve this we recognise that there must be clear lines of responsibility between all segments of the organisation.
Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association aspires to provide a diverse committee and workforce, a composition of which reflects that of the broader community in terms of gender, ethnicity and disability. In order to bring about this diversity we undertake to:
Latrobe Valley Eight Ball Association is committed to encouraging membership from all sectors of the community. To achieve this we undertake to:
In our involvement of officials and administrators we will expect them to
In our training and development of Coaches/Mentors, we will strive to ensure that they:
Help everyone to achieve their full potential.
