RATIONALE

1. Sport is conducted in an increasingly complex environment.  The threat of litigation due to perceived negligence, our responsibilities in relation to duty of care as in loco parentis, the early age at which some students are contracted to professional organisations and the media coverage given to behaviour on and off the field by competitors and officials alike demand that representative teams display the highest standards of behaviour and sportsmanship.

2. It is the responsibility of the Board to provide the authority to support coaches and managers discharge their responsibilities regarding behaviour management.

POLICY

1. The team manager is the representative of the Sports Board and must take all reasonable steps to ensure the code of behaviour is enacted by officials and competitors.

2. The team manager has the authority and responsibility to institute disciplinary procedures to deal with behaviour contrary to the code of conduct.

3. Where the disobedience, or misconduct is so serious that local disciplinary action is inadequate, consultation between the parents, the manager and the Regional Sport Officer will determine subsequent actions.

PROCEDURES

1. The procedures are to be conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Education (General Provisions) Act 1989 – Part 3a "Good Order and Management of State Educational Institutions.

2. The Manager, Education Services will provide advice and support for team managers in relation to disciplinary procedures and will manage any appeals process.

3. In cases where the team manager has the authority and responsibility to deal with the misbehaviour at the local level, the team manager will:

3.1. Investigate and document the processes of the investigation and the relevant findings of fact as set out in the behaviour report.

3.2. Implement local action to prevent the recurrence of the behaviour, eg. suspensions from competition.

3.3. Forward a copy of the Incident Report (Form D9) to the Regional School Sport Officer on return.

4. Where the disobedience, misconduct or other conduct is so serious, eg, that local disciplinary procedures are inadequate to deal with the behaviour, the team manager will:

4.1. Investigate immediately and document the processes of the investigation and the relevant findings of fact.

4.2. Report the incident to the Regional School Sport Officer.

4.3. Contact the parents.

4.4. Consult with the parents, the Championship Convenor and the Regional School Sport Officer to determine subsequent actions.  This may result in the student being sent home.

4.5. Forward an Incident Report (Form D9) to the Metropolitan East School Sport Board who will determine any further necessary action.