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Sporting clubs must be able to respond to
complaints from and about members and others
associated with their club.
Tribunals provide a process for dealing
with inappropriate on-field behaviour such as
unduly rough play or verbal abuse
of umpires.
Today, clubs need to be able to respond to
complaints about off-field behaviour, such as
inappropriate behaviour in the club rooms, at
practice or on away trips.
Clubs also need to deal with complaints that
may arise from their rules and decision-making
processes - for example, if members feel that
unfair discrimination exists in regard to
membership rules, access to facilities and
equipment, team selection or appointment of
coaches.
When clubs belong to a governing body (peak
body or association)
Your sports governing body should provide you
with policies, procedures and advice about
how to deal with complaints. Check that they cover
both on- and off-field behaviour.
If the governing body responds to and manages a
complaint, the role of your club is to co-operate
in any investigation and to manage the situation
within the club while the investigation is
undertaken.
When the club does not belong to a governing
body
If you do not have a governing body, you will
need to follow or develop your own policies and
procedures.
To cover both on- and off-field behaviour, you
may need to make changes to your existing
policies. You may then need to amend your club's
Constitution and by-laws, so that if you are
confronted with inappropriate or unlawful
behaviour you have the power to act.
The Australian Sports Commission has a Member
Protection policy template to help in developing
appropriate complaint handling procedures for
discrimination, harassment and child abuse.
The following information gives you an overview
of the common steps in responding to a
discrimination, harassment or child abuse
complaint.
This information is intended as a guide only
and is not intended as a substitute for
independent legal or professional
advice.
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