Club Complaints / Disciplinary Policy
Coaches and club officials are representatives of the Club and as such are expected to demonstrate behaviours at all times which are in accordance with the Club’s values and policies. In addition members (parents), players, coaches and club officials are subject to the codes of conduct adopted by the Club.
Matters involving players
The Club asks that parents/guardians appreciate that the Club is run by volunteers and respect the hard work and effort that this requires. Parents/guardians are subject to the Club’s code of conduct. Any person who adopts behaviour which is contrary to the code of conduct may be subject to disciplinary procedures as follows.
For less serious matters, the team Manager will discuss the issue with the person concerned, explain why it is not appropriate and warn them as to their future behaviour. If the behaviour continues the team Manager will discuss it with the parent/guardian and a written-warning will be provided by the Club secretary.
This written warning will make it clear why the behaviour is unacceptable and will warn that further action will be taken if it persists. For more serious matters it may be necessary to move immediately to a written-warning or more stringent sanction. Beyond a written warning, the Club’s management committee has absolute authority to consider an appropriate level of sanction. Sanctions could include:
The above list is not intended to be exhaustive. The parent/guardian will have a right to appeal to the Chairman for any sanction so issued including a written-warning. Appeals should be put in writing to the Chairman and a separate appeal hearing may be called
For less serious matters, the team Manager will discuss the issue with the person concerned, explain why it is not appropriate and warn them as to their future behaviour. If the behaviour continues the team Manager will discuss it with the parent/guardian and a written-warning will be provided by the Club secretary.
This written warning will make it clear why the behaviour is unacceptable and will warn that further action will be taken if it persists. For more serious matters it may be necessary to move immediately to a written-warning or more stringent sanction. Beyond a written warning, the Club’s management committee has absolute authority to consider an appropriate level of sanction. Sanctions could include:
- Suspending the individual from Club events including matches and training
- Removing the parent / guardian from membership
- Barring their child from playing for the Club (this should be considered as a last resort)
The above list is not intended to be exhaustive. The parent/guardian will have a right to appeal to the Chairman for any sanction so issued including a written-warning. Appeals should be put in writing to the Chairman and a separate appeal hearing may be called
Matters involving members
Players are subject to the code of conduct. Players who adopt behaviour which is contrary to the Club’s code of conduct may find themselves subject to disciplinary procedures as follows For less serious matters, the team Manager will discuss the issue with the person concerned and their parent/guardian, explain why it is not appropriate and warn them as to their future behaviour. The team Manager will have the right to suspend a player from training and/or matches for up to two weeks.
If the behaviour continues the team manager will discuss it with the player and parent/guardian and a written-warning will be provided by the Club secretary. This written warning will make it clear why the behaviour is unacceptable and will warn that further action will be taken if it persists. For more serious matters it may be necessary to move immediately to a written-warning or more stringent sanction. Beyond a written warning and two week suspension, the Club’s management committee has absolute authority to consider an appropriate level of sanction. Sanctions could include:
The above list is not intended to be exhaustive. The player will have a right to appeal to the Chairman for any sanction so issued including a written-warning and suspension. Appeals should be put in writing to the Chairman and a separate appeal hearing may be called.
If the behaviour continues the team manager will discuss it with the player and parent/guardian and a written-warning will be provided by the Club secretary. This written warning will make it clear why the behaviour is unacceptable and will warn that further action will be taken if it persists. For more serious matters it may be necessary to move immediately to a written-warning or more stringent sanction. Beyond a written warning and two week suspension, the Club’s management committee has absolute authority to consider an appropriate level of sanction. Sanctions could include:
- Suspending the individual from Club training and matches for an agreed period
- Recovery of any financial penalty suffered by the Club as a result of a player’s actions
- Removing the player permanently from playing for the Club (this should be considered as a last resort)
The above list is not intended to be exhaustive. The player will have a right to appeal to the Chairman for any sanction so issued including a written-warning and suspension. Appeals should be put in writing to the Chairman and a separate appeal hearing may be called.
Matters involving coaches
Where players or members consider that a Manager has not acted in accordance with the Club’s code of conduct or are unhappy with matters pertaining to the running of the team then, depending on the seriousness of the matter, the Club would respectfully request that they discuss it with the Manager to try and resolve matters going forward. Manager are expected to be approachable in these circumstances and not to react negatively or defensively to the points raised. They should listen to the person’s point of view and deal with the matter courteously and professionally. It may be appropriate to include another of the team Managers in the discussion to help all parties remain objective.
The Club expects players or members to express their concerns in a non-aggressive, non-confrontational manner and to appreciate that the coach has to balance the interests of the entire team with those of individual players. For more serious matters and any issues of child protection, the matter should be brought to the immediate attention of the Club’s Child Welfare Officer. The Child Welfare Officer will then deal with the matter in accordance with the Child Safeguarding Policy.
If the problem persists or the player or member is not happy with the explanation provided by the Manager, then the player and/or member should bring the matter to the attention of the Club Secretary. In the event that the Manager concerned is the Club Secretary then the matter should be brought to the attention of the Club Chairman.
The Club Secretary / Chairman will investigate the matter with the complainant and the Manager concerned and will attempt to resolve the issue without the need for any further action. The Club Secretary / Chairman shall be objective and independent in their discussions and advice. If it is considered that the complaint is without merit, they shall advise the complainant of this and their reasoning.
Where the Club Secretary / Chairman considers that the complaint is valid then they shall advise the Manager of this and agree a resolution with them which allows all parties to move forward. It should be noted that managers dedicate a significant amount of time to their role. Coaching can be stressful and managers are not infallible and will make mistakes. This does not mean that they cannot learn from their mistakes and use the experience to become even better managers. All parties to a dispute should appreciate these points.
Where the Club Secretary / Chairman considers that the Manager has acted in a manner inconsistent with the Club’s code of conduct and values then they will discuss it with the coach concerned, explain why their behaviour is inappropriate and warn them as to their future conduct. For more serious matters it may be necessary to move immediately to a written-warning or more stringent sanction.
Beyond a written warning, the Club’s management committee has absolute authority to consider an appropriate level of sanction. Sanctions could include:
The above list is not intended to be exhaustive. The Manager will have a right to appeal to the Chairman for any sanction so issued including a written-warning. Appeals should be put in writing to the Chairman and a separate appeal hearing may be called.
The Club expects players or members to express their concerns in a non-aggressive, non-confrontational manner and to appreciate that the coach has to balance the interests of the entire team with those of individual players. For more serious matters and any issues of child protection, the matter should be brought to the immediate attention of the Club’s Child Welfare Officer. The Child Welfare Officer will then deal with the matter in accordance with the Child Safeguarding Policy.
If the problem persists or the player or member is not happy with the explanation provided by the Manager, then the player and/or member should bring the matter to the attention of the Club Secretary. In the event that the Manager concerned is the Club Secretary then the matter should be brought to the attention of the Club Chairman.
The Club Secretary / Chairman will investigate the matter with the complainant and the Manager concerned and will attempt to resolve the issue without the need for any further action. The Club Secretary / Chairman shall be objective and independent in their discussions and advice. If it is considered that the complaint is without merit, they shall advise the complainant of this and their reasoning.
Where the Club Secretary / Chairman considers that the complaint is valid then they shall advise the Manager of this and agree a resolution with them which allows all parties to move forward. It should be noted that managers dedicate a significant amount of time to their role. Coaching can be stressful and managers are not infallible and will make mistakes. This does not mean that they cannot learn from their mistakes and use the experience to become even better managers. All parties to a dispute should appreciate these points.
Where the Club Secretary / Chairman considers that the Manager has acted in a manner inconsistent with the Club’s code of conduct and values then they will discuss it with the coach concerned, explain why their behaviour is inappropriate and warn them as to their future conduct. For more serious matters it may be necessary to move immediately to a written-warning or more stringent sanction.
Beyond a written warning, the Club’s management committee has absolute authority to consider an appropriate level of sanction. Sanctions could include:
- Providing a mentor to support the Manager modify their behaviour
- Suspending the individual from Club events including matches and training
- Removing the Manager from the Club (this should be considered as a last resort)
The above list is not intended to be exhaustive. The Manager will have a right to appeal to the Chairman for any sanction so issued including a written-warning. Appeals should be put in writing to the Chairman and a separate appeal hearing may be called.
Matters involving officials
Where a person has an issue with the behaviour of another Club official then they should discuss the matter with the person concerned to try and resolve matters going forward Officials are expected to be approachable in these circumstances and not to react negatively or defensively to the points raised. They should listen to the person’s point of view and deal with the matter courteously and professionally. It may be appropriate to include another official in the discussion to help all parties remain objective.
The Club expects players or members to express their concerns in a non-aggressive, non-confrontational manner. For more serious matters and any issues of child protection, the matter should be brought to the immediate attention of the Club’s Child Welfare Officer. The Child Welfare Officer will then deal with the matter in accordance with the Child Safeguarding Policy. If the problem persists or the complainant is not happy with the explanation provided by the official, then the official should bring the matter to the attention of the Club Secretary.
In the event that the official concerned is the Club Secretary then the matter should be brought to the attention of the Chairman. The Club Secretary or Chairman will investigate the matter with the complainant and the official concerned and will attempt to resolve the issue without the need for any further action. The Club Secretary or Chairman shall be objective and independent in their discussions and advice. If it is considered that the complaint is without merit, they shall advise the complainant of this and their reasoning. They shall then bring this to the attention of the Management Committee.
If the complainant is still dissatisfied with the explanation provided then they may bring the matter to the attention of the Club Chairman. The Chairman will discuss the matter with them and will be the final arbiter on the issue. Where the Club Secretary or Chairman considers that the complaint is valid then they shall advise the official of this and agree a resolution with them which allows all parties to move forward. It should be noted that officials dedicate a significant amount of time to their role.
They are not infallible and will make mistakes. All parties to a dispute should appreciate these points. Where the Club Secretary or Chairman considers that the official has acted in a manner inconsistent with the Club’s code of conduct and values then they will discuss it with the official concerned, explain why their behaviour is inappropriate and warn them as to their future conduct.
For more serious matters it may be necessary to move immediately to a written-warning or more stringent sanction. Beyond a written warning, the Club’s management committee has absolute authority to consider an appropriate level of sanction, which could include:
The above list is not intended to be exhaustive. The official will have a right to appeal to the Management Committee for any sanction so issued including a written-warning. Appeals should be put in writing to the Chairman and a separate appeal hearing may be called. In the event that the official concerned is the Club Chairman then the matter should be brought to the attention of the Club Secretary, who will then be the final arbiter on the issue.
The Club expects players or members to express their concerns in a non-aggressive, non-confrontational manner. For more serious matters and any issues of child protection, the matter should be brought to the immediate attention of the Club’s Child Welfare Officer. The Child Welfare Officer will then deal with the matter in accordance with the Child Safeguarding Policy. If the problem persists or the complainant is not happy with the explanation provided by the official, then the official should bring the matter to the attention of the Club Secretary.
In the event that the official concerned is the Club Secretary then the matter should be brought to the attention of the Chairman. The Club Secretary or Chairman will investigate the matter with the complainant and the official concerned and will attempt to resolve the issue without the need for any further action. The Club Secretary or Chairman shall be objective and independent in their discussions and advice. If it is considered that the complaint is without merit, they shall advise the complainant of this and their reasoning. They shall then bring this to the attention of the Management Committee.
If the complainant is still dissatisfied with the explanation provided then they may bring the matter to the attention of the Club Chairman. The Chairman will discuss the matter with them and will be the final arbiter on the issue. Where the Club Secretary or Chairman considers that the complaint is valid then they shall advise the official of this and agree a resolution with them which allows all parties to move forward. It should be noted that officials dedicate a significant amount of time to their role.
They are not infallible and will make mistakes. All parties to a dispute should appreciate these points. Where the Club Secretary or Chairman considers that the official has acted in a manner inconsistent with the Club’s code of conduct and values then they will discuss it with the official concerned, explain why their behaviour is inappropriate and warn them as to their future conduct.
For more serious matters it may be necessary to move immediately to a written-warning or more stringent sanction. Beyond a written warning, the Club’s management committee has absolute authority to consider an appropriate level of sanction, which could include:
- Providing a mentor to support the official modify their behaviour
- Suspending the individual from Club events including matches and training
- Removing the official from the Club (this should be considered as a last resort)
The above list is not intended to be exhaustive. The official will have a right to appeal to the Management Committee for any sanction so issued including a written-warning. Appeals should be put in writing to the Chairman and a separate appeal hearing may be called. In the event that the official concerned is the Club Chairman then the matter should be brought to the attention of the Club Secretary, who will then be the final arbiter on the issue.
