Sporting organisations and their members, from the national to grassroots club level, work very hard to build and maintain safe, fair and inclusive environments in their sport. But unfortunately not everyone ‘plays by the rules’.
The Australian Sports Commission’s 2010 Ethical and Integrity Issues in Australian Sport survey found a range of issues impacting negatively on sport in recent years including: racism and vilification; bullying; genderbased discrimination and sexual assault; poor parental and spectator behaviour; umpire and official abuse; homophobia and child safety issues.
It shouldn’t be like this. Sport and recreation should be a place where you enjoy yourself, develop friendships, feel safe and have fun. It’s not a place where you should be subjected to discrimination, harassment or abuse.
In Zone 16 there are a range of management strategies in place to deal with inappropriate and unlawful behaviour, and effective procedures for managing complaints, so that a positive, welcoming and safe environment can be promoted and maintained.
We all have a role to play to make sure that this happens, particularly where children are involved. This is why Play by the Rules is such an important initiative. Sure, it provides information, resources, online training and promotional campaigns, but it is so much more than this … It is an ethos or a way of thinking – that everyone involved in sport should be able to do so in an enjoyable, safe environment, free from discrimination, harassment or bullying.
PCA NSW Code of Conduct
- Play by the rules.
- Never argue with an official and respect their decision.
- Recognise that many officials and coaches are volunteers who give up their time to provide their services. Treat them with the utmost respect .
- Control your temper. Verbal abuse of official and sledging other players, deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent are not acceptable or permitted behaviours in any sport.
- Work equally hard for yourself and /or your team. Your team’s performance will benefit, so will you.
- Be a good sport. Applaud all good performances whether by your team or the opposition.
- Treat all participants in your sport as you like to be treated. Do not bully or take unfair advantage of another competitor.
- Cooperate with your instructor, teammates and opponents. Without them there would be no competition.
- Participate for your own enjoyment and benefit, not just to please parents and instructors.
- Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
- Do not consume alcohol before, or during, any pony club related event or use bad language.
- Display modesty in victory and graciousness in defeat.
- Thank the opposition and officials at the end of competition.
- Respect the talent, potential and development of fellow riders and competitors.
- Care for and respect the equipment provided during training and competition.
- Adhere to all policies and procedures.
- Remember that children participate in sport for their enjoyment not yours.
- Encourage children to participate, do not force, or pressure them ‐ this is their game not mine.
- Focus on the child’s efforts and performance rather than winning or losing.
- Encourage children always to play according to the rules and respect officials and coaches decisions ‐ no matter what.
- Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or losing a competition.
- Remember that children learn best by example. Appreciate good performances and skilful plays by all participants.
- Remember you set an example. Do not consume alcohol before, or during, any pony club related event or use bad language.
- Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sporting activities.
- Show appreciation for instructors, officials and administrators. Without them, your child could not participate.
- Teach your child to respect the efforts of their opponents.
- Assist where possible when asked by a coach or official.
- Respect officials decision ‐ do not complain or argue about calls during, or after a competition.
- Respect the rights, dignity and worth of each individual involved in the game.
- Adhere to all policies and procedures.
Zone 16 recognises the importance of the internet to improve and increase the flow of information, shaping public thinking about our organisation, members, sponsors and partners. Zone 16 is committed to supporting people’s rights to interact knowledgeably and socially through electronic communication, blogging, wikis and interaction in Social Media.
However Zone 16 will not tolerate any behaviour whereby a Pony Club Association NSW or Zone 16 policy is in breach or in risk of being breached.
Examples of inappropriate behaviour through the use of social media may include, but is not limited to, uploading of inappropriate website content and engaging in blogs that harass, bully, offend, intimidate or humiliate members. Members are reminded that they may not use Social Media as a platform to post derogatory remarks in relation to the Association or any of its office bearers at any level.
Procedures for members of Zone 16 to adhere to when engaging via social media:
- Be respectful. Don’t say anything on Facebook etc. that you would not say in person.
- Take responsibility to ensure that any posts are factually correct and accurate and do not breach confidentiality.
- Show respect for the people you interact with. Be a good sport and treat them as you would like to be treated.
- Rub out or delete “friends” who are abusive and intrusive – you don’t have to inform them, and they will not know until they try to write on your wall or see your profile.
- Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
- Report to the appropriate authorities anyone who harasses you or forces you to friend them.