Dispute Resolution
If the need arises, Whitehorse Colts JFC has a procedure in place through which disputes are resolved.
Parents/Players: Our coaches are not paid. They volunteer a lot of time and effort to provide a positive learning environment for our children. Parents are asked to fully support and, where possible, assist coaches when required. If you have any concerns regarding the coach, you should:
1 Inform the Team Manager and where possible, speak directly to the coach about your concerns. At no time should you attempt to confront a coach whilst training or a game is in progress.
2 If you feel you are not able to resolve your issue after speaking to the coach, you should speak to the Coaches Co-ordinator who will advise you of the best course of action
3 If a number of parents have concerns, they should address the Committee, in writing of these concerns.
4 At no stage should parents abuse or threaten a coach. Coaches must be treated with respect and disputes should be resolve amicably
5 If the Committee needs to become involved, it will mediate in an effort to resolve the dispute. The Committee is an approachable body representing Whitehorse Colts JFC, and is interested in the amicable resolution of any dispute should it occur.
Coaches:
1 If coaches have a problem with a parent they should:
Try to establish and maintain an open line of communication and talk to the parent about your concern. It is advisable that this is done in the presence of the Team Manager. Do not let the situation become heated. If the matter is not able to be resolved in this manner, it should be referred to the Coaches Coordinator who in turn may refer it to the Committee for mediation and resolution.
2 If coaches have a problem with a player they should:
Talk to the player and express concerns. Discussions are always best undertaken in the presence of a parent. If concerns continue, Coaches have the authority to suspend players if the further incident warrants this action.
Players:
If a player has an issue with another player (same team or otherwise) players/parents should not take matters into their own hands. Concerns should be referred to the Coach or a Committee Member who will decide the appropriate action to follow.
Racial & Religious Tolerance Policy
In compliance with the policy upheld by the Yarra Junior Football League, the Racial & Religious Tolerance Policy employed by Whitehorse Colts JFC is outlined below:
1 Commitment
1.1 The Whitehorse Colts JFC is committed to an environment which promotes racial and religious tolerance by prohibiting certain conduct and providing a means of redress for victims of racial and religious vilification and/or racial discrimination.
1.2 The Club is bound by the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001 (Vic), the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth), and the Equal Opportunity Act 1995 (Vic) (the legislation). This Policy is consistent with the legislation and the Australian Football League's Rule 30 and the Victorian Football League's Rule 7.3. This Policy is not in substitution of the legislation.
1.3 The Club will ensure that this Policy is communicated to spectators and participants of the Club. It will also ensure that participants of the Club receive anti-racial and religious vilification and racial discrimination training on an annual basis.
1.4 Nothing in this Policy prevents a person lodging a complaint in relation to racial and religious vilification and/or racial discrimination under the legislation. In the event a complaint is made under this policy the Club shall ensure that the parties are informed of their rights.
2 Prohibited Conducts
2.1 Racial and Religious Vilification
No person in his/her capacity as a spectator or participant in the League in the course of carrying out his/her duties or functions as or incidental to being a participant in the League shall engage in conduct that offends, humiliates, intimidates, contempts, ridicules, incites, threatens, disparages, vilifies or insults another person on the basis of that person's race, religion, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin.
2.2 Serious Racial and Religious Vilification
No person in his/her capacity as a spectator or participant in the Club in the course of carrying out his/her duties of functions as or incidental to being a participant in the Club shall intentionally engage in conduct that he/she knows Is likely to incite hatred against another person, or threaten physical harm or incite hatred in others to cause physical harm to a person or to a person's property because of that person's race, religion, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin.
2.3 Racial and Religious discrimination
No person in his/her capacity as a spectator or participant in the Club in the course of carrying out his/her duties or functions as or incidental to being a participant in the Club shall engage in conduct that discriminates, directly or indirectly against another person on the basis of that person's race, religion, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin.
2.4 Victimisation
2.4.1 No person in his/her capacity as a spectator or participant in the Club in the course of carrying out his/her duties or functions as or incidental to being a participant in the Club shall victimise another person.
2.4.2 A person will victimise another person (the victim) if:
(a) the person subjects or threatens to subject the victim to any detriment because the victim (or a person associated with the victim) intends to or has lodged a complaint in contravention of this Policy; or
(b) the person assists, requests, induces, encourages or authorises another person to subject the victim to any detriment because the victim (or a person associated with the victim) intends to or has lodged a complaint in contravention of this Policy.
3 Authorised Persons
3.1 The Club will appoint a Complaints Officer (the Club’s Secretary) to ensure that any breach of this Policy is responded to in an equitable and prompt manner.
3.2 The President of the Club (the President) is the senior decision-maker in the Club's Complaints Process. Therefore, should the President be absent for a significant period, he/she must nominate a person to act on his/her behalf should the process need to be enacted.
4 Confidentiality and Records
4.1 Confidentiality must be maintained throughout the complaints process. All parties to a complaint, the President (or Delegate), the Club’s Secretary, any witnesses and the Conciliator must all agree, in writing, to the maintenance of confidentiality. No person involved in the complaints process shall publicly comment on any aspect of the complaints process without the prior written agreement of all parties.
4.2 The Club shall ensure that any documents relating to a complaint shall
remain confidential and be retained for 7 years from the date that the complaint is made.
5 Inter club Breach of the Policy
In the event that it is alleged that a spectator or participant from another Club has contravened this Policy:
5.1 an Umpire, spectator or participant of the Club may by 5.00pm on the first working day following the day on which the contravention is alleged to have occurred, lodge a complaint in writing with Secretary of the Club;
5.2 the Complaint's Officer of the Club where the complaint was made shall, by 5.00pm on the next working day following the day that the complaint was lodged with the Club, lodge the complaint with the League's Complaints Officer;
5.3 the Club's Complaints Officer will take no further action once the complaint has been lodged with the League unless otherwise instructed by the League's Complaints Officer.
6 Intra Club Breach of the Policy
In the event that it is alleged that a participant of the Club has contravened this Policy an umpire, spectator or participant may by 5.00pm on the first working day following the day on which the contravention is alleged to have occurred, lodge a complaint in writing with the Club's Secretary.
7 Management of Intra Club Complaints
The Club's Complaints Officer (Secretary) shall:
7.1 make every effort to ensure that:
7.1.1 confidentiality is maintained at all times during the complaints process and that the outcome of the complaints process remains confidential;
7.1.2 any breach of confidentiality is referred to the Yarra Junior Football League’s Tribunal no later than 5pm on the next working day following the day that the breach was discovered;
7.2 inform the person alleged to have contravened the Policy (the respondent) of the complaint and provide the respondent with an opportunity to respond to it;
7.3 inform only the President of the Club or Nominee, that a Complaint has been received by the Complaints Officer;
7.4 obtain written statements from any witnesses identified by both parties to the complaint;
7.5 where available, obtain any other evidence;
7.6 arrange for the complaint to be conciliated, by an independent conciliator agreed upon by both parties;
7.7 take all steps necessary for the complaint to be conciliated within 5 working days from the day on which the incident is alleged to have occurred;
7.8 refer the complaint to the League's Tribunal:
7.8.1 when the complainant informs the Complaints Officer that the matter has not been resolved through conciliation. The Complaints Officer will if requested by the complainant, take all steps necessary for the complaint to be referred to League's Tribunal within 5 working days from when the conciliation failed;
7.8.2 directly when a respondent has previously taken part in conciliation as a respondent of a complaint;
7.8.3 when both the Club's Complaints Officer and President have determined that the complaint was lacking in substance and was made vexatiously;
7.8.4 when both the Club's Complaints Officer and President determine that under sections 24 or 25 of the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001 (Vic) the complaint could be considered as "serious", he/she will take all steps necessary for the complaint to be referred to the League's Tribunal within 5 working days from the day on which the incident is alleged to have occurred;
7.9 ensure that any time limit referred to in this Policy may be extended by the Club if in the opinion of the President of the Club it is just and equitable to do so;
7.10 ensure that where a matter is resolved by conciliation the only public statement that shall be made shall be agreed to by both parties to the complaint and the Club's President and that the terms of any settlement are finalised to the satisfaction of the complainant and respondent and signed by the parties and the conciliator.
9 Club's Liability
The Club may be vicariously liable for conduct engaged in by a participant which if found to have contravened this Policy, if the Club is unable to establish that it took reasonable precautions to prevent the participant from engaging in that conduct.
10 Monitoring and Review of the Policy
The Policy will be monitored on an ongoing basis by the Club's Executive Committee.
Player Rotation Policy
Whitehorse JFC is a community based family club which promotes participation, development and enjoyment of the game.
Whitehorse Colts JFC recognises that every player in every team is entitled to game time through out the season.
The club has a strict policy of “equal game time” for all registered players from Under 9’s (tackers) to Under 12’s and a modified equal playing time policy for all registered players from Under 13’s to Under 16’s/17’s (Colts) to take into consideration the development needs, ability and safety as players grow and mature.
Equal Game Time
Under 9’s, 10’s, 11’s, and 12’s
Should the team have more than 24 players to select a team, a fair rostering system needs to be implemented, so that all players are rostered on to play an equitable number of games during the year.
All selected players will be given “as close as possible” equal game time each week.
If there are 6 or fewer players on the bench every player must play at least three quarters (barring injury)
League rules restrict the number of interchange players to 6 during the home and away season.
During FINALS, where there are more than 24 players available, the league will allow more than 6 interchange players. Where this occurs, the minimum three quarters cannot be guaranteed however coaches are still required to ensure all players are provided with approximately equal playing time.
Equal Game Time
Under 13's, 14’s, 15’s and 16/17’s (Colts)
It is the club’s desire to provide an environment for players to be able to remain at the club beyond U13’s so that a player is able to further develop as a responsible individual as well as develop their football talent and become the best players they can be. At Under 13’s to Colts level Coaches have a small degree of discretion in applying an equal playing time policy however it is desirable that all players will play an equal amount of time over the course of a season. This does not require equal playing time in each game. The Coach is granted discretion as how the equal playing time is administered based on:
- The calibre of the opposition
- The safety of the player concerned
- The status of the game
- The preparation of the player
The over riding principle is for the Coach to provide each registered player with equal playing time over the course of the home and away season
This policy may not equate to equal playing time in each specific game.
There is also a requirement on players in Under 13’s to Colts who know they are going to play their fair share of a game to prepare and arrive for the game mentally and physically ready. A commitment by the Coach to the players equally requires a commitment by the players to try their hardest/best. When players do not fulfil their commitment the Coach is no longer obligated to fulfil the commitment to provide the player with equal playing time.
Should these senior teams make finals, coaches, although looking after the interest of the players, may rotate with the best interest of a competitive team performance in mind. However every team member selected must be provided with some game time.
TEAM SELECTION POLICY
Whitehorse JFC is a community based family club which promotes participation, development and enjoyment of the game.
All potential players are encouraged to join the Whitehorse JFC.
When player numbers for any one age group exceeds 32 the club will endeavour to recruit additional players so that additional teams can be formed.
Whitehorse JFC believes that there should be at least 20 players per team.
Should there be more than one team in an age group in the age groups Tackers to Under 12’s, it is the preference of the club that teams are formed based on friendship and school groups. Players will not be selected for a team based on grading criteria.
Where possible players should play in their own age group. It is the preference of Whitehorse JFC that Colts’ sides remain in their age groups of Under 16 and Under 17. Given this preference should there be more than one team in an age group in the age groups Under 13’s to Under 17’s, it remains the preference of the club that teams are formed based on friendship and school groups. If however there are sufficient numbers of players, and following consultation with the parents and players, particular teams may be selected based on grading criteria.
The Player Rotation Policy will still apply.
Head Protection
Whitehorse JFC does not condone or condemn the right of individual players to wear protective head gear.
The National Health and Medical Research Council in it’s publication “Football Injuries of the head and neck” states “There is no available head protection that has been scientifically demonstrated to protect players in Australian football or the rugby codes from concussion or other forms of brain injury”.
The publication indicates that there may be increased risks associated with wearing inappropriate head protection.
Whitehorse JFC does encourage all players to wear an appropriately fitted mouthguard.
Team Best & Fairest Voting
All U9 players (Tackers) will receive participation awards for their contribution throughout the season (No Best and Fairest Votes).
Coach’s and team managers of other teams will organise and administer the voting for the team’s best and fairest count. This process will be decided upon by each individual coach/team manager and subject to approval by the club if different from the below guidelines with awards to be presented at the club’s annual Presentation Night.
Clubs Guidelines
A minimum of 2 voting cards per round are to be distributed to the parent group on a rotating basis to allow the whole parent group at least 1 vote through the season where possible and 1 card per round to be given to the coach and/or assistant coach. The minimum should be a 3,2,1 voting system (3 being for best on ground, 2 second best and 1 third best) but can be a higher voting system, for e.g. 6,5,4,3,2,1. Best and Fairest voting is for home and away season and does not include finals.
A maximum of 6 awards (Football) and 2 awards (Netball) will be given out on Presentation Night.
The first 3 in football are to be:
- Best and Fairest
- 2nd Best and Fairest
- 3rd Best and Fairest
The next three are coaches awards and can be named in conjunction with your team manager.
Examples of possible names are: Most Consistent, Most Determined, Most Improved or simply Coaches Award but not limited to these names.
Netball will consist of Best and Fairest and 1 Coaches award. Please see example of Coaches award names above.
*If different voting system from Guidelines please forward to Executive Committee prior to first round for approval.
Smoke Free Policy
In line with YJFL Policy, Whitehorse Colts promotes a smoke free environment.
Management of Concussion
The Guidelines
In the best practice management of concussion in football, the critical element is the welfare of the player in the short and long term. These guidelines should be adhered to at all times.
Decisions regarding return to play after a concussive injury (a disturbance of brain function) should only be made by a medical officer with experience in concussive injuries.
Generally, initial decisions in this area in community football will be made by the head trainer, unless the club has a medical doctor in attendance.
Trainers should not be swayed by the opinions of players, coaching staff or others suggesting a premature return to play. Conversely, coaches must, in accordance with the AFL Coaches Code of Conduct, not put undue pressure on trainers or players to make such decisions.
A major responsibility of coaches is their duty of care towards their players and the players’ safety. This duty is highlighted when players receive a knock to the head and suffer a concussive injury.
The key components of management of concussion include:
- Any player who has suffered a concussion or is suspected of having a concussion must be medically assessed as soon as possible after the injury and must not be allowed to return to play in the same game or train in the same practice session.
- There should be a trained first aider (trainer with current first aid qualifications) at every game and the principles of first aid, including management of the cervical spine, should be used when dealing with any player who is unconscious or injured.
- A concussed player must not be allowed to return to school or return to training or playing before having a formal medical clearance.
For children (players aged 5-17). This is a new aspect of the 2013 guidelines.
- The child is not to return to play or sport until they have successfully returned to school/learning, without worsening of symptoms. Symptom assessment in the child often requires the addition of parent and/or teacher input.
- It is reasonable for a child to miss a day or two of school after concussion, but extended absence is uncommon.
It is critical that the basic principles of return to play decisions are followed to ensure that a concussed player is fully recovered before being allowed to do so.
All players with concussion or suspected concussion need an urgent medical assessment (with a registered medical doctor). This assessment can be provided by a medical doctor present at the venue, local general practice or hospital emergency department.
A player with suspected concussion must be withdrawn from playing or training until fully evaluated by a medical practitioner and cleared to play.
A concussed player must not be allowed to return to school, or return to training or playing before having a medical clearance.
It is important that concussion is managed correctly and that players do not return to play or training until they are fully recovered.
These concussion guidelines have been published by the AFL as a Position Statement on the Management of Concussion in Australian Football. It is based on guidelines developed by the AFL Medical Officers’ Association which incorporate research that has been funded by the AFL Research Board and which was undertaken by Dr Michael Makdissi, Assoc Prof Paul McCrory and Assoc Prof Gavin Davis.