Berwick Basketball Club Membership Rules By-laws

Purpose
1. The purpose of these Membership Rules is to:
    1.1 Ensure an inclusive sporting environment for players of all ages and skill levels.
    1.2 Provide a safe and respectful environment for our members.
    1.3 Support the clubs values of “Respect, Good sportsmanship and Enjoyment”.

Definition
2. For the purpose of these Rules, a “Member” shall be defined as:
    2.1 A player;
    2.2 The parent/s or legal guardian/s of a player;
    2.3 Any team official (coach or team manager) who is not otherwise a parent;
    2.4 An elected member;
    2.5 A Life Member

Who these rules apply to
3. These rules apply to all members of the Club, as defined in Rule 2 above.

Registration and Fees
4. All players are required to complete the Club’s registration process prior to the
    commencement of each season.
5. All players are required to pay the prescribed Membership Fees each season, by the due
    date.
    5.1  Membership Fees are due prior to the commencement of the new season, or as
          notified by the Club;
    5.2  A player who fails to pay the required Membership Fees by the due date will be
          suspended from participating with a team (including training) until such payment
          is made;
    5.3  A player who has outstanding Membership Fees will not be granted a clearance to
          another club.
6. Teams are responsible for the payment of their weekly match fees and any forfeit fines.
    The Club does not accept liability for penalties incurred due to forfeited games.
7. The match fee is divided equally between the players in the team and all players are
    required to pay their share of the match fee for the season (not just for games played) to
    the Team Manager as and when requested. Failure to pay match fee contributions may
    result in suspension from participation.

Member Conduct
8. All members must uphold the Club’s values of “Respect, Good Sportsmanship, and
    Enjoyment”:
    8.1 Do not abuse players, coaches, referees or other parents from the sidelines;
    8.2 Give positive support and encouragement;
    8.3 Do not abuse or criticise children during or after a game;
    8.4 Under no circumstances should adult members approach any child in a
          threatening or aggressive manner regardless of any perceived offence committed
          by the child during the game.
9. All members and their guests are subject to the conditions of the Basketball Victoria
    Codes of Conduct for Players, Coaches, Parents & Spectators and the Member Rules
    By-Laws of the Berwick Basketball Club at all times.
    9.1 Breaches of the Code of Conduct or the Club’s Rules by any player, coach or
          parent/spectator may result in a report and Tribunal hearing, and/or disciplinary
          action taken by the Club in accordance with the Club’s Constitution.
    9.2 All members are responsible for ensuring the behaviour and conduct of their
          guests does not breach the Club’s rules or the Codes of Conduct. Failure to do so
          may result in the member facing disciplinary procedures in accordance with the
          Club’s Constitution.
10. Respect our volunteer coaches:
     10.1 DO NOT coach children from the sidelines;
     10.2 Attend all training sessions;

     10.3 Advise the coach if unable to attend; 

     10.4 Do not sit on the players’ bench or otherwise interfere with the progress of the
            game.
11. Respect the referees. Abuse of referees sets a bad example for our children and may
      result in a report and Tribunal hearing.
12. Respect your teammates.
13. Respect the opposition players and parents. Do not engage in any altercation with any
     member of the opposition. Call for assistance from the Stadium Supervisor if there is
     any dispute.
14. Play by the rules.
15. All members will act with integrity and will not behave in any way that will bring the
     club into disrepute.

Training
16. Respect our training venues and equipment. Wilful damage will result in disciplinary
     action.
17. Attend all training sessions. If you are unable to attend training give your coach and/or
     team manager the courtesy of letting them know.
18. Parents who leave their children at training must return to the training venue prior to the
     end of the session to collect your child.

Communication
19. From time to time the Club will communicate with members via email and other
     electronic means. Members must provide the Club with a valid email address for
     communication and notify any change of email address within 7 days. This can easily
     be done via the Club’s website.
20. All communication between the Club and its members, between team representatives
     and members, and member-to- member, in whatever form, must be Club-related,
     appropriate and not offend, intimidate, humiliate or bully another person, or bring the
     Club into disrepute.

Complaints
21. Concerns or complaints regarding team or player issues should, if possible, first be
      addressed to the coach and/or team manager.
22. If the matter cannot be resolved within the team or you do not feel comfortable raising
     the matter with a team representative, refer the matter to the relevant Age-group
     Coordinator or Vice President who will act in accordance with our Complaints
     Management Process (see by-laws).

Coach and Team Manager Rules
23. As a team official of a Berwick Basketball Club team you are a representative of the
     Club and must act in accordance with our rules and our values.
24. The acceptance of a volunteer to a role of coach or team manager is always at the
     discretion of the Club.
25. In addition to the Membership Rules above, it is expected that you will:
     25.1 Uphold the Club’s values of Respect, Good Sportsmanship and Enjoyment
             at all times.
     25.2 Act with integrity and do not behave in any way that will bring the Club or
             your own reputation into disrepute.
     25.3 Respond promptly to enquiries or requests made by your Age-Group
             Coordinator.
     25.4 Enforce the Club’s fee payment policy and do not allow any player who has
            outstanding fees to participate with the team.
     25.5 Have a valid Working with Children card.
     25.6 Accept new members placed in your team.
     25.7 Keep in mind that your first priority is for your players to have fun.
     25.8 Instil the values of team-work and good sportsmanship in your players.
     25.9 Not yell at your players or belittle them in any way. Remember they are
            children learning to play. Use positive reinforcement instead.
     25.10 Remember that basketball is a team sport. Give all players a fair and
              reasonable amount of court time, encourage players to share the ball and
              play as a team. Refer to the Team Representative Handbook for guidance
              on this.
     25.11 Value each player equally. Domestic basketball is about participation and
               each team member has something to contribute.
     25.12 Respect the referees. Abuse of referees sets a bad example for our children
               and may result in a report and Tribunal hearing.
     25.13 Respect the opposition players and coaches.
     25.14 Not attempt to “stack” your team with representative-level players to create
              a “Super team”.
     25.15 Not “poach” players from other clubs or from other Berwick teams.
     25.16 Not attempt to introduce new members to your team without first
              consulting the relevant Age-Group Coordinator.
     25.17 Keep in mind the age and stage of the children you are coaching and adapt
               your communication and coaching style accordingly.
     25.18 Vacate the training court promptly at the end of your session as other teams
              and organisations also use the courts. Do not over-stay your allotted time.
     25.19 Observe the Club's Charter for Coaches on Player Development.