Policies

Terms & Conditions

Your registration is only a request to be a coach. You are not a member of the club or a coach until finally approved & accepted by the Club Committee.

All new coaches to the Shire must also attend the club house on a scheduled registration day and show – birth certificate / drivers licence / passport, and proof of residency

Scheduled registration dates are:

• Saturday 3rd February 2018 10:00am – 3:00pm
• Thursday 8th February 2018: 5:00pm -8:00pm
• Sunday 18th February 2018 10:00am – 3:00pm

at the North Sutherland Rockets Clubhouse, The Grand Parade & Oakwood Street, Sutherland.

ALL COACHES OF TEAMS WITH PLAYERS UNDER 18 YEARS OLD MUST PROVIDE THE CLUB A WWCC (WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECK) NUMBER. THIS CAN BE ORGANISED ON LINE BY COMPLETING THE NECESSARY FORM. THEN YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO ATTEND SERVICES NSW TO BE CHECKED AND GET YOUR WWC NUMBER. (THIS IS A MANDATORY REQUIREMENT OF FNSW)

By signing up to Coach, you are accepting that:

• There is no fee to be a coach,
• If your team incurs fines for withdrawal or Forfeits they are at your expense,
• You will abide by the rules of FFA, Football NSW, SSFA and North Sutherland Rockets Soccer Club Inc,
• You will “Play by the rules” – see website www.playbytherules.net.au,
• You will undertake ground control, bar-b-q and canteen duties as allocated,
• You will endeavour to participate in fund raisers and events,
• You will not train in the goal mouths or in front of the clubhouse,
• You will not train on the fields when grounds are closed,
• There will be no refund of fees once teams are submitted to the association for grading (unless under special circumstances at the committees discretion),
• All junior players will be graded into teams at the discretion of the graders,
• Block teams are accepted for U/W18’s, U/W21’s, AL’s, WS’s, W30’s, O35’s, W40’s & O45’s and acceptance into such team is at the discretion of the team,
• Each team must have a Coach or Manager over the age of 18.

Terms & Conditions

Your registration is only a request to play. You and your child are not a member of the club or a team until finally approved & accepted.

All new players to the Shire must also attend the club house on a scheduled registration day and show – birth certificate / drivers licence / passport, and proof of residency

Scheduled registration dates are:

• Saturday 3rd February 2018 10:00am – 3:00pm
• Thursday 8th February 2018: 5:00pm -8:00pm
• Sunday 18th February 2018 10:00am – 3:00pm

at the North Sutherland Rockets Clubhouse, The Grand Parade & Oakwood Street, Sutherland.

NOTE: ALL SCHOOL CHILDREN ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A $100 DISCOUNT VOUCHER FROM SERVICES NSW. YOU WILL NEED TO OBTAIN THIS CODE FROM SERVICES NSW BEFORE YOU COMPLETE YOUR REGISTRATION TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE DISCOUNT.  YOU WILL NEED TO ENTER THE CODE AT THE PAYMENT SCREEN.

THERE IS NO REFUND OF THE DISCOUNT VOUCHER ONCE USED.

By signing up to play, you as parent or guardian are accepting that:

• If you do not pay online, you must attend the club house to self-register on a scheduled registration days and pay the fees,
• Fees paid from midnight, 18th February 2018 will incur a considerably higher rate,
• The fee you pay includes all FFA, Football NSW, SSFA, match and referee and club fees,
• Fees are based on the age / grade you play,
• You MUST pay all fees before being accepted into a team,
• If your team incurs fines for withdrawal or Forfeits they are at your expense,
• You and your child will abide by the rules of FFA, Football NSW, SSFA and North Sutherland Rockets Soccer Club Inc,
• You and your child will “Play by the rules” – see website www.playbytherules.net.au ,
• You will undertake ground control, bar-b-q and canteen duties as allocated,
• You will endeavour to participate in fund raisers and events,
• You and your child will not train in the goal mouths or in front of the clubhouse,
• You and your child will not train on the fields when grounds are closed,
• There will be no refund of fees once teams are submitted to the association for grading (unless under special circumstances at the committees discretion),
• ALL JUNIOR PLAYERS ARE GRADED INTO TEAMS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE GRADERS,
• ALL JUNIOR PLAYERS MUST ATTEND THE GRADING DAYS,
• Block teams are accepted for U/W18’s, U/W21’s, AL’s, WS’s, W30’s, O35’s, W40’s & O45’s and acceptance into such teams is at the discretion of the team,
• Each team must have a Coach or Manager over the age of 18.

2018 Grading Days:

• MiniRoos Teams (U/W6’s, 7’s, 8’s, 9’s, 10’s & 11’s) – 5:00pm Wednesday 21st February 2018
• Junior Competition Teams (U/W12’s, 13’s, 14’s & 15’s) – 5:00pm Thursday 22nd February 2018
• MiniRoos Teams SPARE NIGHT (U/W6’s, 7’s, 8’s, 9’s, 10’s & 11’s) – 5:00pm Wednesday 28th February 2018 (Club will advise if any Grading needs to be conducted on this night)
• Junior Competition Teams SPARE NIGHT (U/W12’s, 13’s, 14’s & 15’s) – 5:00pm Thursday 1st March 2018 (Club will advise if any Grading needs to be conducted on this night)

Terms & Conditions

Your registration is only a request to play. You are not a member of the club or a team until finally approved & accepted.

All new players to the Shire must also attend the club house on a scheduled registration day and show – birth certificate / drivers licence / passport, and proof of residency.

Scheduled registration dates for 2018 are:

• Saturday 3rd February 2018 10:00am – 3:00pm
• Thursday 8th February 2018: 5:00pm -8:00pm
• Sunday 18th February 2018 10:00am – 3:00pm

at the North Sutherland Rockets Clubhouse, The Grand Parade & Oakwood Street, Sutherland.

By signing up to play, you are accepting that:

• If you do not pay online, you must attend the club house to self-register on a scheduled registration days and pay the fees,
• Fees paid from midnight, 18th February 2018 will incur a considerably higher rate,
• The fee you pay includes all FFA, Football NSW, SSFA, match and referee and club fees,
• Fees are based on the age / grade you play,
• You MUST pay all fees before being accepted into a team,
• If your team incurs fines for withdrawal or Forfeits they are at your expense,
• You will abide by the rules of FFA, Football NSW, SSFA and North Sutherland Rockets Soccer Club Inc,
• You will “Play by the rules” – see website www.playbytherules.net.au ,
• You will undertake ground control, bar-b-q and canteen duties as allocated,
• You will endeavour to participate in fund raisers and events,
• You will not train in the goal mouths or in front of the clubhouse,
• You will not train on the fields when grounds are closed,
• There will be no refund of fees once teams are submitted to the association for grading (unless under special circumstances at the committees discretion),
• Block teams are accepted for U/W18’s, U/W21’s, AL’s, WS’s, W30’s, O35’s, W40’s & O45’s and acceptance into such teams is at the discretion of the team,
• Each team must have a Coach or Manager over the age of 18.

Terms & Conditions

Your registration is only a request to be a volunteer. You are not a member of the club or a coach until finally approved & accepted.

All new volunteers to the Shire must also attend the club house on a scheduled registration day and show – birth certificate / drivers licence / passport, and proof of residency

Scheduled registration dates are:

• Saturday 3rd February 2018 10:00am – 3:00pm
• Thursday 8th February 2018: 5:00pm -8:00pm
• Sunday 18th February 2018 10:00am – 3:00pm

at the North Sutherland Rockets Clubhouse, The Grand Parade & Oakwood Street, Sutherland.

ALL VOLUNTEERS INTERACTING WITH PLAYERS UNDER 18 YEARS OLD MUST PROVIDE THE CLUB A WWCC (WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECK) NUMBER. THIS CAN BE ORGANISED ON LINE BY COMPLETING THE NECESSARY FORM. THEN YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO ATTEND SERVICES NSW TO BE CHECKED AND GET YOUR WWC NUMBER. (THIS IS A MANDATORY REQUIREMENT OF FNSW)

By signing up to volunteeer, you are accepting that:

• There is no fee to be a volunteer,
• If your team incurs fines for withdrawal or Forfeits they are at your expense,
• You will abide by the rules of FFA, Football NSW, SSFA and North Sutherland Rockets Soccer Club Inc,
• You will “Play by the rules” – see website www.playbytherules.net.au ,
• You will undertake ground control, bar-b-q and canteen duties as allocated,
• You will endeavour to participate in fund raisers and events,
• You will not train in the goal mouths or in front of the clubhouse,
• You will not train on the fields when grounds are closed,
• There will be no refund of fees once teams are submitted to the association for grading (unless under special circumstances at the committees discretion),
• All junior players will be graded into teams at the discretion of the graders,
• Block teams are accepted for U/W18’s, U/W21’s, AL’s, WS’s, W30’s, O35’s, W40’s & O45’s and acceptance into such team is at the discretion of the team,
• Each team must have a Coach or Manager over the age of 18.

Concerns have been raised about the potential risks of child abuse posed directly and indirectly to children and young people through the use of photographs on sports web sites and in publications. Evidence in Australia indicates that information posted on an internet site or published in a magazine or newspaper can be used to target children, to locate them, and then to condition or groom them for abuse or exploitation. There is evidence that certain individuals will visit sporting events to take photographs or video footage of young and/or disabled sports people for inappropriate use. Additionally, images can be used or adapted for inappropriate use. The end result is that, in spite of the best intentions of the sporting organisation, children can end up being victims of abuse.

The following information has been provided to assist sporting clubs and associations when acquiring and displaying images of children and young people on web sites and in other publications.

Acquiring images

• If acquiring an image of a child, permission needs to be obtained from the athlete’s parent / guardian prior to taking the child’s image. Ensure that all concerned are aware of the way in which the image is to be used.
• Where possible, request that all people taking photographic / video images (including spectators, parents, coaches, professional photographers or members of the media) register at an event or facility. Provide members of the media and professional  photographers with an identification pass that they wear for the duration of the event.
• Clearly outline to professional photographers that all images taken will remain the property of the sporting organisation and can not be used or sold for any other purpose. Also outline that all negatives / proofs etc need to be destroyed or given to the sporting organisation at the conclusion of the event for which the photographer has been contracted or within a specified timeframe.
• Clearly outline what is considered appropriate behaviour and content (i.e. the image obtained in the photo or by video) to those taking photographic / video images. Publicise this information throughout your organisation so that your member understand what behaviour from photographers your organisation considers appropriate.
• Do not allow photographers (professional photographers, spectators, fans, coaches or members of the media) unsupervised or individual access to athletes/children.
• Do not approve photo/video sessions outside the event venue or at the home of a child unless parent/guardian consent is obtained and they agree to be present at the photo opportunity.
• Provide details of who to contact if concerns or complaints of inappropriate photographic behaviour or content are raised.

Displaying images

• Consider using models or illustrations for promotional / advertising purposes.
• If permission needs to be obtained from the parent / guardian of the athlete/child, obtain it prior to using the image of the athlete/child. Ensure that all concerned are aware of the way in which the image is to be used and for how long the image will be displayed.
• If the athlete/child is named, avoid using their image.
• If an image is used, avoid naming the athlete/child. If this is not possible avoid using both a first name and surname.
• Do not display personal information such as residential address, email address or telephone numbers without gaining consent from the athlete/child, or if applicable, their parent/guardian.
• Do not display information about hobbies, likes / dislikes, school, etc as this information can be used as grooming tools by paedophiles or other persons.
• Only use appropriate images of the athlete/child, relevant to the sport or activity, and ensure that the athlete/child is suitably clothed. Images of athletes participating in sports or activities that involve minimal clothing (e.g. swimming and gymnastics) or unusual body positions / poses could potentially be misused. The age of child is another factor to consider when deciding if the image is appropriate. The image should focus on the activity and not on a particular child.
• Reduce the ability for the direct copying of pictures from a website to another source (i.e. disable the ‘right mouse click’ function)
• Provide details of who to contact and what to do if concerns or complaints of inappropriate image use are raised.

(Written by the Sport Ethics Unit, www.ausport.gov.au © Australian Sports Commission 2005)

The issue of child abuse is a complex problem that has an impact on all areas of society, including participation in sport and recreation activities. The Wood Royal Commission into the NSW Police Service, led to increased community awareness of the significant number of child sexual assaults and incidents of abuse, which occur. It also highlighted the need for the development and implementation of strategies to protect children from abusive situations.

The North Sutherland Rockets Soccer Club Inc. acknowledges its responsibility of protecting children from abuse. By implementing strategies that will assist in preventing child abuse from occurring, North Sutherland Soccer CLub believes it has taken a pro-active role in relation to child protection and intervention. These strategies will help to foster a safe and positive environment for children and young people to participate in the sport of soccer within our club..

In addition, the development of Child Protection Policy and Guidelines provides the North Sutherland Rockets with an excellent risk management tool for developing prevention strategies and for the effective management of child abuse issues within sport. Information contained in this document will create a framework and provide direction for employees, officials, coaches, volunteers, members and parents of children and young people involved in the North Sutherland Rockets Soccer Club, and affiliated member organisations. It will help deliver a consistent approach to child abuse prevention at all levels within the game of soccer .

Policy Statement

The North Sutherland Rockets Soccer Club Inc. is committed to ensuring that the health, safety and welfare of children is maintained at all times during their participation in activities run by the soccer club and its affiliated member bodies. The North Sutherland Rockets aims to promote a safe environment for all children and to assist all employees, coaches, referees, members and volunteers to recognise child abuse and neglect and follow the appropriate notification guidelines when reporting alleged abuse.

Why?

The focus of the policy and guidelines is the prevention of child abuse in the sporting environment, specifically Soccer in the Sutherland Shire. This policy and guidelines promote the care and protection of children participating in soccer and provide information and direction for employees, official, coaches, volunteers and members of the organisation. This policy and guidelines will assist North Sutherland Rockets Soccer Club Inc. in establishing coordinated strategies for dealing with the problem of child abuse and neglect in a responsible, effective and consistent manner.

Key Objectives

Through the development of this policy North Sutherland Rockets Soccer Club Inc. objectives are to:

• Provide information to assist employees and volunteers in dealing with all forms of child abuse.
• Provide comprehensive guidelines relating to risk minimisation and reporting/notification guidelines.
• Provide direction to all employees and volunteers regarding their legal responsibilities under child protection legislation.
• Promote and adopt Soccer NSW Ltd principles for child protection and intervention amongst employees, volunteers, coaches, members and parents of Children participating in the organisation’s programs and competitions.

Scope

The Child Protection Policy of The North Sutherland Rockets Soccer Club Inc. is applicable to all management and employees (paid, voluntary, permanent or casual)

Implementation of Policy

In order to implement the child protection legislation The North Sutherland Rockets Soccer Club Inc. will undertake to:

• Implement strategies and guidelines that focus on the best interests of children and meet the requirements of child protection legislation.
• Promote a safe and supportive environment for all children and young people participating in activities, which are under the control of Soccer NSW Ltd.
• Increase awareness and emphasise the importance of child protection issues in a sporting environment to all those involved with the activities of Soccer NSW Ltd. This includes administrators, coaches, officials, athletes, parents and their children.
• Ensure that all officials and volunteers of The North Sutherland Soccer Club Inc. are aware of their responsibilities arising form recent child protection legislation, in particular, the requirement under the Child Protection (Prohibited Employment) Act 1998, to inform the club committee if they have been convicted of a serious sex offence.

Expectations

Administrators, coaches, officials, members and volunteers often have a high level of contact with children in the sporting environment and play a major part in the successful operation of sporting activities. Coaches and officials are often seen as role models. They have significant influence on the children they come into contact with and therefore have significant responsibilities. North Sutherland Rockets Soccer Club Inc. expects that all administrators, coaches and officials whether paid or unpaid, who participate in organised sport under the banner of this organisation will commit to implementing risk management strategies developed by Soccer NSW Ltd for child protection.

Policy Review

The North Sutherland Rockets Soccer Club Inc. Child Protection Policy and Guidelines will be reviewed annually and updated in line with any legislative changes that have significant impact on the manner in which child protection an issues are to be dealt with.

(adapted from the Soccer NSW Child Protection Policy)

Players Code Of Conduct

1. Play by the rules. It is just as important to understand the spirit of the rules. They are designed to make the game fun to play and fun to watch. By sticking to the rules, you will enjoy the game more.
2. Play to win. Winning is the object of playing any game. Never set out to lose. If you do not play to win, you are cheating your opponents, deceiving those who are watching, and also fooling yourself. Never give up against stronger opponents but never relent against weaker ones.
3. Play fair. Winning is without value if victory has been achieved unfairly or dishonestly. Playing fair requires courage and character and is more satisfying. Playing fair earns you respect, while cheats are detested.
4. Refrain from conduct which may be regarded as sexual harassment towards fellow players and coaches.
5. Never argue with an official. If you disagree, have your captain, coach or manager approach the official during a break or after the competition. Fair play means respect. Referees are there to maintain discipline and fair play.
6. Control your temper. Verbal abuse of officials and sledging other players, deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent, are not acceptable or permitted behaviours in any sport.
7. Be honest with the coach concerning illness and injury and ability to train and compete to the best of your ability.
8. Work equally hard for yourself and/or your team. Your team’s performance will benefit, so will you. A professional appearance relating to language, manner, temper and punctuality is to be adopted at all times.
9. Be a good sport. Applaud all good plays whether they are made by your team, or the opposition.
10. Accept defeat with dignity. Nobody wins all the time. Learn to lose graciously. Don’t seek excuses for defeat, genuine reasons will always be self-evident. Congratulate the winners with good grace. Don’t blame the referee or anyone else. Good losers earn more respect than bad winners.
11. Promote the interests of football, it is the world’s greatest game. Think of football’s interests before your own. Think how your actions may affect the image of the game. Talk about the positive things in the game. Encourage other people to watch it or play it fairly. Be an ambassador for the game.
12. Treat all participants in your sport as you like to be treated. Do not bully or take unfair advantage of another competitor. Reject corruption, drugs, racism, violence and other dangers to our sport. Watch out for attempts to tempt you into cheating or using drugs. Drugs have no place in football, or in our society. Say no to drugs.
13. Help others to resist corrupting pressures. You may hear that team-mates or other people you know are being tempted to cheat in some way. Give them the strength to resist. Remind them of their commitment to their team-mates and to the game itself. Form a block of solidarity, like a solid defence on the field of play.
14. Co-operate with your coach, team-mates and opponents. Without them there would be no competition. They have the same rights as you have, including the right to be respected.
15. Participate for your own enjoyment and benefit, not just to please parents and coaches.
16. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
17. Denounce those who attempt to discredit our sport. Don’t be ashamed to show up anybody who you are sure is trying to make others cheat. It’s better to expose them and have them removed before they can do any damage. It often takes more courage to denounce what is wrong, than to go along with a dishonest plan.
18. Honour those who defend football’s good reputation. The good name of football has survived because the vast majority of people who love the game are honest and fair. Sometimes somebody does something exceptional that deserves our special recognition. They should be honoured and their fine example made public. This encourages others to act in the same way.

Parents Code Of Conduct

1. Remember that children participate in sport for their enjoyment, not yours.
2. Encourage children to participate, do not force them.
3. Focus on the child’s efforts and performance, rather than on winning or losing.
4. Encourage children to always play according to the rules and to settle disagreements without resorting to hostility or violence.
5. Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or losing.
6. Remember that children learn best by example. Appreciate and congratulate good performances and skilful play by ALL participants.
7. Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from all sporting activities.
8. Respect the Referee’s and Official’s decisions and teach children to do the same.
9. Show appreciation for volunteer coaches, managers and officials.
10. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person, regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
11. Do not interfere with the progress and or conduction of the game.

Junior Player’s Parent’s And Senior Players Commitment To The Club

1. Parents of juniors must take their turn in washing the teams shirts and returning them at least 30 minutes before the next game (at least once per round)
2. Parents and senior plaeyrs are required to undertake Canteen/BBQ (approx. 2 hours per round) and Setup/Packup (approx. twice per round) duties
3. Parents are expected to get their child to training and the game or arrange for someone to take their child to and from training/game
4. Parents and senior players are expected to support fund raising and other activities to build up the club by attending functions and helping to raise funds when requested
5. Parents and players should support their teams coaches and managers. Any problems should be directed to the committee. NEVER contradict coaches and managers on the field.

Coaches Code Of Conduct

1. Remember that young people participate for pleasure, winning is only part of the fun.
2. Never ridicule or yell at a young player for making a mistake or not coming first.
3. Be reasonable in your demands on players time, energy and enthusiasm.
4. Operate within the rules and spirit of the game and teach all players to do the same.
5. Ensure that the time the players spend with you is a positive experience. All young people are deserving of equal attention and opportunities.
6. Avoid overplaying the talented players, ensure all players have an equal amount of time in every match.
7. Ensure that equipment and facilities meet all safety standards and are appropriate to the age and ability of the players.
8. Display control, respect and professionalism to all involved with the sport. This includes all opponent players, coaches and managers as well as parents, spectators referees and officials. Encourage players to do the same.
9. Show concern and caution towards sick or injured players. Always follow the advise of any Doctor when determining whether or not a player is ready to resume training or playing.
10. Obtain appropriate qualifications and keep up to date with the latest coaching practices and the principles of growth and development of young people.
11. Any physical contact with any young person should be appropriate to the situation and necessary for the player’s skill development.
12. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
13. Treat each player as an individual. Respect the talent, development stage and goals of each player and help each player reach his or her full potential.
14. Do not interfere with the progress and or conduct of the game unless called upon to do so by an Official.
15. Abide by the Referee’s decisions.

Administrators Code Of Conduct

1. Involve young people in planning, leadership, evaluation and decision making related to the activity.
2. Give all young people the opportunity to participate.
3. Create pathways for young people to participate in sport, not just as a player, but also as a coach, referee, Club official etc.
4. Ensure that rules are explained and adhered to, equipment is maintained in a safe condition and training schedules are arranged to suit the various age groups.
5. Provide quality supervision and instruction for juniors.
6. Remember that young people participate for their enjoyment and benefit. Do not over emphasise success awards.
7. Help coaches and officials highlight appropriate behaviour and skill development and help improve the standard of coaching and officiating.
8. Ensure that everyone involved in our sport emphasises fair play and does place excessive importance on winning.
9. Ensure all players, spectators, parents, coaches, managers and officials are aware of the Code of Conduct for the Club and encourage all to follow it.
10. Remember you set the example. Your behaviour and comments should be positive and supportive.
11. Support all National Policies in regard to code of conduct and child protection.
12. Make it clear that abusing young people in any way is unacceptable and will result in disciplinary action.
13. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
14. Compliment and encourage all participants.
15. Be consistent, objective and courteous when making decisions.
16. Condemn unsporting behaviour and promote respect for all opponents.
17. Emphasise the spirit of the game rather than the errors.
18. Be a “good sport”, actions speak louder than words.
19. Do not interfere with the progress and or conduct of a game unless called upon to do so by an Official.
20. Abide by the Referee’s decisions.

Spectators Code Of Conduct

1. Remember that young people participate in sport for their enjoyment and benefit, not yours.
2. Applaud good performances and efforts from all individuals and teams. Congratulate all participants on their performance, regardless of the result.
3. Respect the decisions of the Referees and encourage young people to do the same.
4. Never ridicule or scold a young player for making a mistake, positive comments are motivational and more benefit.
5. Condemn the use of violence in any form, whether it is by spectators, coaches or players.
6. Show respect for your team’s opponents, without them there would be no game.
7. Encourage players to follow the rules and abide by the referee’s decisions
8. Do not use foul or abusive language, sledge or harass players, coaches or officials.
9. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person, regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
10. Do not interfere with the progress and or conduct of the game.

Our commitment

Electronic communication is essential for sharing club news and information with our members. Our communication will be timely, appropriate and related to club business.

What we will do

We use a range of electronic tools to communicate with our members.

Our communication will protect members’ privacy, maintain clear boundaries and ensure that bullying and harassment does not occur.

A webmaster will be appointed to provide accountability and control over material published on our club’s website and any related discussion groups or social media websites, such as Facebook, YouTube or Twitter.

Website

• Our website will include current information on competitions, social events, committees, policies, constitution, rules and by-laws.
• No offensive content or photos will be published.
• If we intend to publish a photo of a child, we will first seek permission from his or her parents and take care not to provide identifying information.
• We will seek feedback from members to improve the information available on the site.

SMS and email

Committee members, coaches and team managers may use SMS and email to provide information about competition, training, club-sanctioned social events and other club business, however:

• SMS messages should be short and about club/team matters
• email communication will be used when more information is required
• communication involving children will be directed through their parents.
• We treat all social media postings, blogs, status updates and tweets as public ‘comment’.
• Postings (written, photos or videos) will be family-friendly and feature positive club news and events.
• No personal information about our members will be disclosed.
• No statements will be made that are misleading, false or likely to injure a person’s reputation.
• No statements will be made that might bring our club into disrepute.
• Abusive, discriminatory, intimidating or offensive statements will not be tolerated. Offending posts will be removed and those responsible will be blocked from the site.

Social media websites

What we ask you to do

We expect our members to conduct themselves appropriately when using electronic communication to share information with other members or posting material on public websites connected to the club.

Electronic communication:

• should be restricted to club matters
• must not offend, intimidate, humiliate or bully another person
• must not be misleading, false or injure the reputation of another person
• should respect and maintain the privacy of members
• must not bring the club into disrepute.

Coaches and others who work with children and young people must direct electronic communication through the child’s parents.

Non-compliance

Members may face disciplinary action for sending inappropriate electronic communication or posting online content or comments that harass, offend, intimidate or humiliate another member, as outlined in our member protection policy or code of conduct.

Under certain circumstances, cyber bullying (e.g. bullying that is carried out through an internet service such as email, a chat room, discussion group, instant messaging or website) is a criminal offence that can be reported to the police.

In addition, members who publish false or misleading comments about another person in the public domain (e.g., Facebook, YouTube or Twitter) may be liable for defamation.

This communications policy was adopted by the North Sutherland Rockets on 12 February 2014

Understanding discrimination and harassment

Discrimination means making choices about how we treat other people. Those choices can be made using real and relevant information, or they can be based on prejudice, stereotypes and bias.Some discrimination is unlawful (for example, sexual harassment and racial discrimination) and some is not (for example, a coach who shows favouritism towards their own child over other players).All discrimination is undesirable if it leads to unfair treatment of players, members or other participants in recreation and sport.

What is fair discrimination?

A good example of fair discrimination in sport relates to team selection.If you are a coach/selector, and you have more players than you can fit in your team, you must discriminate between the available players. You must choose who will be in the starting team and what positions they will play, to arrive at the best possible team. In junior and sub-junior sport you have the additional responsibility to ensure fair participation.Those choices should be based upon relevant criteria such as ability, attitude, effort, and attendance at practise.These are all fair and legitimate criteria to apply to team selection.

What is unlawful discrimination?

Equal opportunity laws make discrimination on various grounds unlawful:

• race
• sex
• age
• disability
• pregnancy
• sexuality
• marital status

Sexual harassment and victimisation are also unlawful.

However, things like age, gender and disability can have significant effects on sporting ability. These differences are most evident at the elite sport level. For example, compare the power of the best male tennis players with the power of the best female tennis players.

To take into account these differences, and to make sure there is fair competition, the law allows for teams to be organised into groups such as age groups, or sometimes single-sex groups.

Here are some examples of unfair and possibly unlawful discrimination:

Sex Discrimination

Prizes of different value are given for male and female competition in the same club.

Racial Discrimination

An Aboriginal player is overlooked for team selection, due to his race.

Age Discrimination

A club refuses to clear players to other teams because they are under 21.

Marital Status Discrimination

A player is deliberately excluded from team activities and social functions after she divorces her husband who is a club official.

Pregnancy Discrimination

A woman is dropped from her softball team when she reveals she is pregnant.

Sexuality Discrimination

A footballer is ridiculed by his team mates after his homosexuality is disclosed.

Impairment or Disability Discrimination

A junior player is overlooked because of her mild epilepsy.

Sexual Harassment

A male tennis coach keeps putting his hand on a woman’s bottom during coaching sessions, making her feel very uncomfortable.

Victimisation

A player is ostracised by her coach for complaining about his racist behaviour to another club official.

It is the team manager’s responsibility to organise the following

• Enough people for set-up
• Enough people for ground control for your team’s shift- ideally one hour rotations with one person for the top field and one for the lower field
• Enough people for Canteen – At a minimum two people should be rostered on at all time
• Enough people for Barbeque – There should be two people on duty to cover busy times
• Enough people to pack up equipment
• Enough people to pack up canteen

NOTE: The Barbeque is a major source of funds for the club. Please ensure it is operating at all times when games are on

Ground Control Duties

Overall duties include

• The club must have two ground controllers on duty at all times wearing orange vests
• Ensure both teams supply their own match balls
• Ensure match cards are available for each game and each team has filled them in correctly and signed them at the end of each game
• Take note of any injuries reported or observed during the games. Also ensure that the accident form is filled in and attached to the match card at the completion of the game
• Telephone for ambulances if required – DO NOT move injured players from field. If necessary stop the game until the ambulance arrives
• Ensure all fields are properly marked out
• Ensure that all flags, nets, sideline ropes are in positioned prior to the start of play
• Ensure there are no bikes, seats or other hazards close to the sideline so that they could cause injury to players
• Keep spectators behind sideline ropes and keep all people from standing behind the goals
• Ensure matches start on time
• Organise referees for games if the official referee does not arrive. Where no official referee or lines person is present write club appointed referee on the match card
• Monitor weather conditions in particular thuderstorms and associated lightning. It may become necessary to suspend games.

NOTE: Referees are always responsible for conduct on the field however in all other matters pertaining to the ground the club should ensure that no conduct is permitted which would prove prejudicial to the interest of the club and the association.
Please assist all referees, particularly Roo Ball and club appointed referees by controlling spectators
Offensive language and behaviour is not accepted. The club and association will support you in controlling this behaviour.

• Ensure nobody enters the field of play, including team caoches and managers, until they are signalled to do so by the referee
• Ensure that no teams are coached by a person behind the goals
• Administer minor first aid if appropriate. If in doubt ring an ambulance. First Aid kit is in filing cabinet near ground control desk. Ice packs are kept in the freezer in the canteen
• If instructed by the referee ask persons to leave the field

NOTE: At no time are players to kick balls against the clubhouse walls
It is advisable to read the guidelines for dealing with disturbances at grounds in the Sutherland Shire Junior Soccer Football Association rule book
DO NOT allow players to train in the goalmouths between each game. The club has enormous difficulty keeping the grass in this area for the total season.
All teams should be encouraged to warm up and warm down

Ground Control teams

Ground Control teams have the following responsibilities.

The Committee member on duty will unlock clubhouse, gear shed and container and provide advice on what needs to be done

Ground Control Team

You will need

• Line Marker filled with white powder – In gear shed located near cemetary fence
• ‘Roo Ball’ Goal frames and nets – in container
• Goal Posts and nets from Clubhouse – for Bottom Field
• Corner posts – in container
• Steel posts, reel of rope and gaol net pegs – on trolley in container
• Bench seats – in container
• Check games sheet to determine which fields need to be set up

Top Field – 6’s, 7’s and 8’s

• Mark out field for ‘Roo Ball’ and ‘Eights’ field if required. If in doubt about ‘top’ field setout ask the committee member on duty
• Set up ‘Roo Ball’ goal frames and nets. Ensure goals are well pegged so that they cannot be moved or tipped over
• Position corner flag poles
• Position steel posts and rope to cordon off fields.
• Place bench seats along sidelines
• Place garbage bin near top fields

NOTE : When the 6’s and 7’s have completed their games the goals, corner posts, steel posts and rope will need to be moved to suit the 8’s field.
When these games are complete all equipment needs to be put away.

Clubhouse (Bottom) Field = 9’s to Seniors

• Mark out field. Don’t forget penalty spots, interchange box and short corners (Saturdays only for 9,10,11, 12 games)
• Position goal posts – (use three people) Posts are marked for Northern and Southern end of field.
• Peg down nets and ensure a soccer ball can not get through or under nets. If necessary twine in clubhouse may be used to provide additional security
• Position corner and halfway posts
• Position steel posts and rope to cordon off field. Place approximately two metres away from sideline.
• Place bench seats and additional plastic chairs from clubhouse along sidelines
• Place garbage bins around ground
• Sweep out clubhouse, and toilets
• Place ‘No Parking’ signs on driveway in front of front gate

Barbeque/Canteen Set Up

Barbeque – You will need

• Barbeque and Gas – stored in Clubhouse. Ensure there is adequate gas for the days operation. If in doubt ask the committee person on duty.
• Barbeque utensils – Knives, tongs, egg rings – In canteen
• Collapsible tables
• Sauces – in canteen refrigerator. Bulk containers kept in refrigerator
• Disposable gloves – In canteen; these should be worn whenever handling food
• Onions
• Steak
• Sausages – Par boiled; cut in half for cooking
• Eggs
• Butter
• Bread/Rolls – DO NOT BUTTER – wrap 2 slices (or roll) in a serviette and leave in canteen for sale. (prepare several loaves)

Set up and operation

NOTE: Children are not allowed behind the Barbeque

• Connect gas bottle and clean BBQ plate
• Set up one or two tables for utensils, etc.
• Place metal container under drip hole on Barbeque to prevent fat dripping on ground. Check regularly and epmty in bin as necessary.
• Don’t pre-cook too much food – try and anticipate requirements
• Customers purchase from canteen where they will be supplied a tag for their order and bread.
• Ensure public (especially children) is protected from the hot plate. Put ‘witches hats’ or some other barrier in front.

Canteen

NOTE: Children are not allowed in Canteen

Duties

• Display all confectionary – stored in cubboard under benchtop
• Set up coffee machine and switch on
• Fill urn with fresh water and turn on
• Place pies and sausage rolls in ‘pie warmer’ (fill the water containers in the bottom drawer) and switch on. Don’t overstock the pie warmer.
• Check stock of drinks in refrigerator – refill if necessary
• Assist with preparation of food for barbeque as required.
• Sweep floor of canteen

After the last game

• Make a list of any items that need to be re-ordered
• Return all confectionary to cupboard
• Turn off pie warmer and dispose of any left over pies and sausage rolls
• Ensure any unused pies and sausage rolls are refrigerated at the end of Saturdays games or placed in the freezer after Sundays games
• Turn off Coffee machine and remove filter
• Turn off urn
• Re-stock drink fridge
• Wash, coffee jugs, barbeque utensils, cups, etc.
• Wipe down all benches
• Sweep out canteen
• Place rubbish from garbage bin into large ‘wheelie’ bins
• Replace bin liner

The Committee member on duty will lock up the canteen

Pack Up

At the end of the last game the team on Ground Control is responsible for packing away all equipment.

A lot of equipment was lost last year due to the fact that the gear was not returned to its correct location. Please save the club money – all equipment needs to be put back in its correct position.

Duties

• Ensure all ‘Roo Ball’ equipment has been stored in container
• Move large goal posts and nets back inside clubhouse (Leave nets on posts). This should be done by at least three people
• Replace goal post hole ‘plugs’
• Collect pegs from goal posts and place on trolley
• Remove steel posts and rope and place on trolley
• Remove corner posts and place on trolley
• Return trolley to container
• Place timber bench seats back in container
• Sweep out clubhouse and toilets
• Pick up rubbish around the ground and place in garbage bins
• Return the ‘No Parking’ signs to the clubhouse
• Remove all noticeboards and place in clubhouse
• Ensure Barbeque is clean and return to clubhouse

The Committee person on duty will lock all buildings and container.

NOTE: Junior referees receive $10.00 and a free drink . Please record in the referees book (kept near the PA system)

• The date
• Referee’s name
• Amount paid
• Referee’s signature

‘Black & White’ referees and club appointed referees should be offered a free drink.

All canteen enquiries should, in the first instance, be directed to the Committee member on duty.

The following guidelines are to assist coaches, officials and others working with children.

Physical contact 

Generally physical contact with players/participants should be:

• to develop sports skills
• to give sports massage
• to treat an injury
• to prevent or respond to an injury
• to meet the specific requirements of the sport.

All physical contact by personnel should fulfil the following criteria:

• physical contact should be appropriate for the development of a sport skills
• permission from the player/participant should be sought
• player/participants be congratulated or comforted in public not in an isolated setting.

Supervision for children

The number of staff needed will depend on the age and number of children involved, and whether there are disability considerations.

Being alone with a child

Do not isolate yourself and a child and avoid being alone with any particular child. If a child approaches you and wants to talk to you privately about a matter, do so in an open area and in the sight of other adults (eg. Other coaches, officials or parents/guardians).
Ideally advise another coach or official and ask them to stay within sight while you have the discussion and to come to your assistance if the child becomes emotional and/or you indicate support is required in dealing with the child. Avoid unaccompanied and unobserved activities with children.

Adopt positive language and behaviour

Adopt positive language when talking with children and in the presence of children. This includes avoiding bad or aggressive language that could intimidate a child or set a poor example.

Change Rooms

Before going into change rooms knock or announce that you will be coming in and try to have at least one adult with you in a change room with children. Do not isolate yourself and a child from others in the change room.

Maintain control –avoid losing your temper  

Try not to lose your temper with a child (verbally or physically).

If you find that you regularly lose your temper with children you should seek support on behaviour management strategies, anger management or consider whether you have the patience to work with children.

Some ideas to assist with maintaining control include:

• Set up some basic rules at the beginning of the season such as be nice, follow instructions, have a go, no put downs. Make sure children are aware of these rules.
• Give positive messages
• Have a time out area for children and young people that are not behaving. This should be simple such as an agreed T sign with the hands that children know means to go to time out for two minutes.
• Adopt a card system to express concerns with a child’s behaviour rather than becoming verbally agitated. For example a yellow card is a warning, two yellow cards means time out for two minutes and a red card could mean the child misses out of next week’s game.

Collection by Parents/Guardians 

Your club needs to let parents/guardians know about its policy on the collection of children. A list of actions that could help include:

• Letting children, parents/guardians know the times of practices and games, when they can expect to collect their children and that it is not your responsibility to transport children home if parents are delayed.
• Have a club policy that the second to last child and their parent/guardian will wait with the coach/official and the child. This will also enable the coach/official to concentrate on making contact with the parent/guardian.
• If you have a club room where there will be other people, have a club policy that latecomers are to collect their children from the club room. Wait with the child if possible, and make contact with the parent/guardian if necessary.
• If there are other people at the ground or facility, wait for the parent/guardian closer to those people. In the meantime try to make contact with the parent/guardian.
• Avoid the risk of being alone with a child by having a parent/guardian or support person assist you with the training. Require that person to wait until all children have left.
• Have a club policy that there is a register of parent/guardian emergency contact numbers and make sure coaches/officials have access to a phone.

Transport of players/participants

Ideally all players/participants should have their own transportation to and from sporting events. You should only provide transportation when:

• the driver is properly licensed • other players/ participants/parents/guardians are in the vehicle
• the ride has been approved by parents/guardians
• the ride is directly to/from sports or recreational activities.
• you should also call someone and tell them what you are doing, the exact time you are leaving –so that you are accountable for your time.

Overnight trips 

Always have more than one adult with children on an overnight trip/ camp and do not separate yourself and children from other adult/s. There should always be more than one adult with a group of children, even if the number of children is small. Mixed gender is preferable. Options to consider on an overnight trip/camp include obtaining separate sleeping accommodation from the children (adults in separate rooms). There must be emergency procedures in place to enable supervising adults to be able to respond to any alarm raised by a child. If an alarm is raised by a child, more than one adult should respond.

Injuries and illness 

Your club needs to have guidelines for handling injuries that occur during sporting activities. Only personnel who are qualified in administering first aid or treating sports injuries should attempt to treat an injury.   Personnel should avoid treating injuries out of sight of others.

Other considerations include:

• The comfort level and dignity of the player/participant should always be the priority.
• Only uncover the injured area, or drape private parts of the player/participants body.
• Always report injuries and any treatment provided to parents and document an incident.
• If necessary seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Your club should also have in place policies regarding “blood rules” and ensure coaches and officials know to remove any child that is bleeding from a game and to stop the flow of blood before being allowed to again join in the activity.

Participants with disabilities

It is important that participants with disabilities have the same opportunities to be involved in sport and recreation activities. This may require, where reasonable, the provision of specialist support, appropriate transport and training for those assisting with matters such as lifting and toileting. At all times participants should be treated with dignity and respect. Because participants with disabilities may be more vulnerable to abuse or neglect clubs and organisation may need to take additional steps to ensure their safety.

Photographing children 

All clubs need to be aware that there are some people who visit sporting events to take inappropriate photographs or video footage of children. You need to be alert to this possibility and report any concerns to a responsible person in your club. Your club needs to have clear guidelines on the use of images as there is evidence that information posted on an Internet site or published in a magazine or newspaper can be used to target children, to locate them, and then to groom them. Also images can be used and adapted for inappropriate use.

These guidelines have been adapted from information from the:

Australian Sports Commission www.ausport.gov.au/ethics and the New South Wales Department for Tourism Sport and Recreation www.dsr.nsw.gov.au/children

Do not contact the Wet Weather Officer if it is wet! Contact your team Manager

During the week the Sutherland Shire Council decides if the grounds are suitable for play. The ‘Ground Closed’ sign is not always an accurate indication. If in doubt ring the Wet Weather line on 9710 0105. The council may fine the club $2,000 if any team trains on the ground when it is closed.

Do not call the Wet Weather line for weekend matches

For weekend competition matches the Sutherland Shire Junior Soccer Association will decide if the grounds are suitable for play.

Never Assume That Weekend Competitions Are Cancelled

The club will be informed around 7:30am. Team managers will be informed and they will then advise each team member

Governing bodies, clubs, coaches, officials, parents, players and participants all have a responsibility for creating a fair and safe environment for sport and recreational activities to be undertaken.

North Sutherland Rockets Soccer Club Inc. has:

• a Member Protection Policy (or policies covering discrimination, harassment and child protection) and rules and procedures to deal with breaches of behaviour
• Codes of Conduct outlining expected standards of behaviour that players, coaches, officials, administrators and others must abide by
• practical guidelines and checklists that compliment key policies – for example, team selection, pregnancy in sport and alcohol
• a commitment to creating a fair and safe culture within the club, which includes effectively communicating all policies, procedures and guidelines
• appropriately-trained coaches
• people who are committed to sport being fun, safe and fair
• a Member Protection Information Officer, who is the first port of call for someone with a complaint, and whose role is clearly communicated to everyone in the club
• procedures to respond to any complaint: everyone should know how your club deals with complaints and where to go to outside of the club for help and advice.

(Adapted from Play by the Rules website)

Besides being a player or participant you may undertake a number of roles in your club, including the role of coach or team manager, or a member of the management committee. It is important you understand that:

• you have the right to be treated in a non-discriminatory way and to receive a fair go
• you have a responsibility to treat others fairly and with respect, in how you play the game or in decisions you make
• you have a responsibility to report concerns
• that clubs can be held liable for the behaviour of their employees, volunteers and members. This is called vicarious liability.

You should treat all participants as you would like to be treated yourself

• co-operate with your team mates, coach and opponents
• control your temper: verbal abuse and sledging are not acceptable behaviours
• respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of their ability, gender or cultural background.

You must feel safe

• playing, at training and practice
• traveling to and from games and training
• with other players, your coach or team personnel.

No-one should

• make bullying, derogatory or demeaning remarks about you or other people
• make racist or sexist jokes or comments, or jokes or comments about sexual preference
• use anti-gay, anti-women or racist slurs to taunt someone or to motivate better performance
• allow offensive pictures or graffiti to be visible
• look at or touch anyone in ways that make then feel uncomfortable
• make uninvited sexual comments that offend, intimidate or humiliate
• discriminate against or harass anyone.

(Adapted from Play by the Rules website)

Governing bodies, clubs, coaches, officials, parents, players and participants all have a responsibility for creating a fair and safe environment for sport and recreational activities to be undertaken.

Ball Size and Game Duration (Diagram of field ‘mark out’ in clubhouse)