Mission
Our mission is to create a positive, safe and supportive environment, enabling the Club and its Members to achieve enjoyment and success. We will achieve this by:
- Showing respect for one another and the Club;
- Displaying sportsmanship at all levels;
- Developing the individual;
- Teamwork; and
- Strong communication.
Code Of Conduct
Coaches, Team Officials, Parents and Supporters
WINNING IS IMPORTANT BUT WE DO NOT WIN AT ALL COSTS
- Concentrate on developing skill
- Coach – don’t barrack
- Don’t focus on the opposition’s dubious tactics;
- Praise in public, criticise in private; don’t yell at the players;
- Play within the rules; teach the players to play hard but play fair;
- All players must get equal opportunity to play; irrespective of ability;
- All players are to receive equal match time up to and including under 12’s;
- Under13’s to under 15’s should play at least ½ a game;
- Match time for Under 16 & Under17 is at the coach’s discretion;
- Match times are subject to consistent attendance at games and training by players.
BE THE ROLE MODEL FOR YOUR TEAM
- Stay calm, don’t abuse the umpire or dispute an umpire’s decision. Remember most umpires are young and are learning the game too;
- Treat all players and parents with respect;
- No swearing; bad language does not win games;
- Treat club and opposition equipment and facilities as if they are your own;
- Recognise players regardless of their individual ability;
- Use the runner to deliver messages; avoiding yelling at players on the ground;
- Avoid confrontation with opposing clubs’ officials and spectators at all costs;
- Club jackets or polo shirts are to be worn when representing the club.
BUILD SELF ESTEEM IN YOUR TEAM
- Teach players that racial, religious or colour vilification is unacceptable;
- Provide positive feedback and constant encouragement to your team;
- Teach the players that a champion team will always beat a team of champions;
- Ensure that playing the game and training is fun for all;
- Praise the team effort.
KNOW THE RULES OF THE COMPETITION
- Coach the players to respect the umpire and the umpire’s decisions, all the time;
- Teach the players the importance of modified rules;
- Ensure that your team wears correct uniforms;
- Wearing of mouthguards is compulsory;
- If a report or any other incident concerning your team is brought to your attention, notify the club’s “Vice President Juniors” as soon as possible;
- Coaches are ambassadors for our club; our objective is “Happy Players, Happy Parents”.
Child Safe
All children who are a part of our club have a right to feel and be safe. The welfare of the children in our care will always be our priority and the club has a zero tolerance to child abuse. The club aims to create a child safe and child-friendly environment where children feel safe and have fun, and the club’s activities are always carried out in the best interests of the children.
To this end, the St Bedes/Mentone Tigers AFC has adopted a Child Safe Mission Statement in line with the South Metro Junior Football League to ensure the safety of all children. This mission statement is supported by the Club’s Child Safe Policy and Child Safe Code of Conduct.
Vilification: VAFA Racial and Religious Policy
The Policy
No player, official or supporter of a member club of the Association shall speak to, or at, or about, any person of any member club of the Association in a manner which abuses, threatens, disparages, vilifies or insults the other person on the basis of that person’s race, gender, religion, physical characteristics, colour, descent, national or ethnic origin or any other personal characteristics.
Enforcement of the policy
Umpires are instructed to refer to the Chief Executive Officer of the Association by written report within seventy- two hours of the conclusion of any match any alleged breaches of the policy. The Chief Executive Officer shall then consult with the Chairman of the Tribunal and Investigation Committee and undertake any preliminary investigations as directed by such chairman, which may include an attempt at mediation, that if successful, may see a formal hearing not necessary.
The Association may lay a charge or charges based upon the umpire’s written report alleging a breach or breaches of this policy as constituting conduct unbecoming or conduct prejudicial to the interests of the Association and such charge or charges shall be heard before an Investigation Committee.
Clubs are encouraged to report alleged breaches of the policy to the Association under Rule 124 for Investigation by the Investigation Committee. The requires the details are to be provided in writing to the Chief Executive Officer of the Association by 3 pm on the Wednesday following the alleged incident accompanied by a fee of $200 which may be forfeited in whole or in part if the Investigation Committee which hears the matter considers the complaint or charge to be frivolous.
The Chief Executive Officer shall then consult with the Chairman of the Tribunal and Investigation Committee and undertake any preliminary investigations as directed by such chairman and which may include mediation (see above).
The Association may lay a charge or charges based upon the umpire’s written report alleging a breach or breaches of this policy as constituting conduct unbecoming or conduct prejudicial to the interests of the Association, and such charge or charges shall be heard before an Investigation Committee.
Application of the policy
The policy was adopted at the meeting of the Executive on May 17th, 1996 and takes affect for all games administered by the Association.
Background
Football followers will be well aware of the much publicised Damien Monkhorst / Michael Long incident, where it was alleged that certain racially based comments were made towards Essendon footballer Michael Long. The incident highlighted one of the major changes in our society over the last decade or so whereby it has been confirmed that it is not only not acceptable to make such comments, but that those to whom such comments are directed have had enough and have been prepared to stand up and say so.
Amateur Football is not immune from the issue and we have already seen a number of charges involving racial abuse heard by the Investigation Committee in the past few years.
The Executive decided to adopt a policy applicable to all Amateur games. All Amateur football followers were and are urged to embrace and adopt the policy to stamp out the practice of unreasonable abuse as defined in the policy statement.
The Association is aware that there still exists a very small minority of players, officials and supporters of clubs who engage in abusing the opposition on the basis of race religion, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin.
The Association has been and remains committed to eradicating such abuse from all Amateur football. Where alleged breaches have been brought to the Association’s attention in the past they have been dealt with either at the Tribunal as reportable offences or before the Investigation Committee as conduct unbecoming.
The Association recognises that clubs – including their players, officials and supporters, umpires and Investigation Committee need to be aware of what constitutes unacceptable conduct in relation to racial and religious abuse and therefore has deemed it necessary to prepare a documented and published policy on the issue.
Alcohol Management
This policy provides the basis for the responsible use of alcohol by the St Bedes/Mentone Tigers AFC and is seen as fundamental to the aims of the Club.
good sports logoThe club recognises the importance of holding a liquor licence, enabling it to generate income and hold social functions. In doing so however, we accept the responsibilities and expectations of the community in adhering to liquor licensing laws and the criteria of the Good Sports program. To ensure the aims of the club are upheld and that alcohol is managed responsibly by the club and its members, the following requirements will apply when alcohol is served at the club or during a club function.
Serving Alcohol
Alcohol will be served according to the legal and moral requirements of the club’s Liquor Licence with the safety and well being of patrons the priority.
- The Club maintains a current appropriate Liquor Licence
- Only RSA trained servers will serve alcohol
- Bar servers do not consume alcohol when on duty
- People under 18 will not serve alcohol
- The club does not encourage excessive or rapid consumption of alcohol
- When serving non pre-packaged alcohol, standard drink measures will be served at all times
- Information posters about Standard Drink measures will be displayed at the bar
- The Liquor Licence and all legal signage will be displayed at the bar
- Names of RSA trained bar staff will be displayed
- An incident register shall be maintained and any incident recorded.
Intoxicated Patrons
- Drunk patrons will not be permitted to enter the premises
- Alcohol will not be served to any person who is intoxicated or drunk
- Servers will follow RSA training procedures when refusing service
- Drunk patrons will be asked to leave the premises (after appropriate safe transport options are offered).
Underage Drinking
- Alcohol will not be served to persons aged under 18
- Servers and committee members will ask for proof of age whenever necessary or whenever in doubt
- Only photo ID’s will be accepted as ‘proof of age’.
Alcohol Alternatives
- The Club recognises that alcohol is not the only revenue stream available and actively encourages the sales of alternative products to that of alcohol.
- Tap water is provided free of charge (where available)
- At least four non-alcoholic drinks and one low-alcoholic drink options are always available and are at least 10% cheaper than full strength drinks
- Substantial food is available when the bar is open for more than 90 minutes or more than 15 people are present
- The club will avoid using alcohol for player awards and fundraising prizes.
Safe Transport
The Club has a (separate) Safe Transport Policy that is reviewed regularly in conjunction with this Alcohol Management Policy.
Smoke-Free
The Club has a (separate) Smoke-Free Policy that is reviewed regularly in conjunction with this Alcohol Management Policy.
Club Trips
The Club will monitor and ensure any club trips, particularly end of season player trips, strictly adhere to responsible behaviour and alcohol consumption in accordance with the principles of this policy and the aims of the club.
Non Compliance
- All club committee members will enforce the alcohol management policy and any non-compliance, particularly in regard to Licencing Laws will be handled according to the following process:
- Explanation of the club policy to the person/people concerned, including identification of the section of policy not being complied with
- Continued non-compliance with the policy should be handled by at least two committee members who will use their discretion as to the action taken, which may include asking the person/ people to leave the club facilities or function.
Committee Policy Management
The presence of committee members is essential to ensure the operation of the bar and compliance with this policy. At least two committee members who are RSA trained are required to be present at all club functions when the bar is open. Key responsibilities of the duty committee members are to: