The club was formed to promote and develop the game of outdoor soccer (football) to meet the growing demand for "The World Game". The decision was made in response to two years of research and development undertaken by a group of local enthusiasts who recognised the demand for football in East Gippsland.
EGUFC is affiliated with the premier governing sports bodies for football in Australia, including Football Federation Australia (FFA), Football Federation Victoria (FFV) and the Latrobe Valley Soccer League (LVSL)
The club's Mission Statement reflects it's basic philosophy:
"EGUFC is committed to the well-being and development of both players and football in East Gippsland. We will achieve this through applying a club philosophy of support, encouragement, enjoyment and participation for all members regardless of ability, experience, race, gender or age in a safe and supervised environment and in accordance with the Club Constitution".
EGUFC offers quality competitions, programs and events.
EGUFC President - Dean Bailey
To contact Dean, email egufcpres@outlook.com
EGUFC Vice President - Tom Forster
To contact Tom, email egufcvp@outlook.com
Tom is one of our men's seniors team members and also the Seniors Coordinator.
EGUFC Secretary & Registrar - Larissa Neal
To contact Larissa, email egufc3875@outlook.com
To contact Jarrah, email egufctreas@outlook.com
General Committee Member - Matt Hamer
General Committee Member - Vanessa McLeod
There are eleven positions available on the Committee, we are currently seek three members. Every year at least 5 positions of the committee step down or re-nominate to continue their work. Each tenure is for two years with a maximum of 6 years.
All delegates are able to put motions forward on behalf of club members, vote on motions and as required make decisions for the best interest of the club. General delegates often take on board a portfolio such as sponsorship or merchandise to help spread the work load.
We are always looking for more people to volunteer and get involved, we urgently need: Canteen Coordinator, Communications & Events assistants, and Grounds keepers for Howitt Park and West Bairnsdale. If you’ve got any skills that are transferrable please reach out because “many hands make light work”.
The committee meets monthly and if you would like to learn more about the work we do or get involved, we welcome observers
All members are invited to attend the AGM.
If you would like to attend a meeting as an observer or volunteer please contact our club secretary, egufc3875@outlook.com .
The following details are recorded for complaints and placed in the complaints file.
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FORMCHECKBOX Yes |
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FFV
East Gippsland United
Football Club
Child Safety Policy
&
Code of Conduct
Jan 2017
All FFV football clubs are required to implement the Child Safe Standards and the mandatory reporting guidelines from the Victorian Government's amendment to the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (Vic) (“CYFA”) and the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic) (“Crimes Act”).
EGUFC is committed to promoting and protecting the safety and wellbeing of all children. We have zero tolerance for child abuse.Everyone involved at the Club is responsible for the care and protection of children and reporting information about child abuse.
The purpose of this Policy is to:
In addition to this Policy, the FFV has produced Child Protection Guidelines which are available on the FFV website. The Club will comply with those Guidelines to aid and supplement this policy.
This Policy, and the attached Code of Conduct, applies to all players, committee members, volunteers, coaches, team managers, assistants, employees and parents of players of the Club, whether registered via MFC or otherwise registered with our club. Non-registered individuals who otherwise participate in activities with or for our club are also bound to this policy by virtue of their participation in our club’s activities.
Breaches of this Policy or the Code of Conduct may be investigated by the Club and/or FFV, and may be processed by the Club as it sees fit, or in the alternative by FFV as Misconduct in accordance with the FFV GDT.
This Policy is based on the following principles:
The Club’s Committee is responsible for ensuring that policies are reviewed and updated and that training exists for committee members, volunteers, coaches, team managers, assistants and employees on child protection matters. The Committee is also responsible for identifying and managing riskin relation to child safety.
Child Protection Officers (CPOs) are available to listen, discuss and clarify issues confronting individuals in our Club. Players, members, employees, volunteers andcommittee members can all speak with a CPO if they have concerns in relation to child abuse. The CPOs will make reports on behalf of the Club and ensure that adequate records are maintained. The Club CPOs will be listed on our club website and identified to all children and parents at the club.
Child abuse includes:
For the purposes of this policy “Child” (or minor) means a person who participates at the Club under the age of 18 years, unless otherwise stated under the law applicable to the child.
Mandatory reporting
Voluntary reporting
In addition to the mandatory reporting obligations above, any person who believes on reasonable grounds that a child is in need of protection from child abuse, may disclose that information to the police. The Club encourages all persons to speak with the CPO (or FFV) for guidance or support with addressing such concerns.
What are “Reasonable grounds for belief”?
You have “reasonable grounds” to notify when:
The club encourages reporting where you hold a concern about the safety of a minor.
Risk Management
The Club will ensure that child safety is a part of its overall risk management approach.
As part of its risk management strategy and practices, the Club will monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of its risk controls. The Club will ensure that appropriate training is conducted for:
Information will be provided to players (or for players such as Miniroos and Junior teams) to their parents/carers, about child safety.
The Club will also ensure that all committee members, volunteers, coaches, team managers, and employees are provided with ongoing supervision and support such that their performance is developed and enhanced to promote the establishment and maintenance of a child-safe environment.
Communication
The Club is pro-active in the area of prevention and will communicate the Child Protection Policy, Procedure and Code of Conduct in the manner below.
PLAYERS | PARENTS, GUARDIANS, COMMUNITY, SPONSORS, PARTNERS | COMMITTEE MEMBERS, COACHES, MANAGERS EMPLOYEES, VOLUNTEERS |
• Conditions of becoming a member • Website • Social media pages and newsletters. | • Conditions of becoming a member (Parents will receive a hard and electronic copy) • Website • Social Media pages and newsletters | • Website • Letters of appointment/ contracts/agreements • Annual Training Session • New committee members will be inducted in the Child Safety guidelines |
Recruitment
The Club is pro-active in its recruitment of individuals to the club, including committee members, volunteers and employees, coaches and team managers, in the area of Child Safety. The Club will:
The FFV Child Protection Guidelines, available on the FFV website, has more detailed information on each of these areas. The Club will use all reasonable endeavours to adopt and comply with those Guidelines in its recruitment practices.
Further steps we will take as a Club:
In the case of an allegation being made against a committee member, coach, team manager, employee, volunteer and/or contractor at the Club, the CPO will follow this Child Protection Procedure. At all times the safety of the child is paramount.
Withdraw the individual
The first step is to consider withdrawal of the accused person from active duty, which could entail standing down (with pay, where applicable), re-assignment to other duties that do not have direct contact with children, or to work under increased supervision while the matter is being investigated. During the investigation process, it may be necessary for a person to be stood down from their usual duties at the Club or suspended from all activities at the Club.
Investigations
In the event of a child disclosing an incident of abuse to someone they trust it is essential that it is dealt with sensitively and professionally:
The Club will appropriately investigate all allegations relating to an incident of abuse in accordance with its obligations. In some circumstances, it may be necessary for the Club to conduct an investigation in addition to any investigation conducted by authorities (e.g. the police).
The CPO will conduct an independent investigation, or will appoint an appropriate person to do so, into the allegation to the extent that it will not interfere with investigations by the police, and will co-operate with authorities as required. In some circumstances, it may be appropriate for the Club to engage a person from outside the Club to conduct an independent investigation in relation to allegations.
All people covered by this Child Protection Policy and Code of Conduct must co-operate fully with any investigation by DHHS, the police or the Club.
The CPO will make every effort to keep any such investigation confidential; however, from time to time other committee members, employees, volunteers may need to be consulted in conjunction with the investigation (e.g. to provide witness statements).
An investigation conducted by the Club will be conducted in accordance with procedural fairness to protect the integrity of the investigation and the interests of all the participants involved in the investigation. The Club will also handle the allegations in a confidential manner to the greatest extent possible.
The outcome will depend on the findings of the investigation, but may include withdrawal from active duty, re-assignment to duties with no contact with children, increased supervision, disciplinary action, dismissal or criminal prosecutions.
The Club shall notify FFV of the outcome of any investigation that results in suspension of an individual from the Club for abuse related matters.
All reports of alleged abuse or harm, or risk thereof, must be recorded by the CPO. Places, times, dates, names of people, observable behaviours or evidence of harm are to be recorded. Reports must be to be securely stored by the CPO or club administrator.
The Club will collect, use, disclose and hold personal information in accordance with thePrivacy Act 1988 (Cth) and FFV’s Privacy Policy.
There are two guiding principles in respect to a child’s privacy.
Those who make reports, and those about whom accusations are being made, are entitled to confidentiality. Where there is suspected abuse or misconduct, committee members, employees or volunteers must not disclose or make use of the information in a manner that breaches confidentiality, other than to report and act consistent with this Child Protection Policy and Code of Conduct, and relevant statutory requirements.
At all times, the Child Safe Standards must be observed and acted upon.
Sample Child Protection Procedure:
Flowchart
Step 1 REPORTING: Any person (aged 18 or over) that forms a belief, on reasonable grounds, that a sexual offence has been committed in Victoria against a child (under the age of 16 years) by another person (aged 18 or older), must make a report to the police as soon as practicable, unless the exception above applies. Committee members, employee, volunteers, or of-age players of the Club should discuss these observations and concerns with the Club Child Safety Officer, who can assist the person to make the report to the police as required. FFV can also assist. Any person (of any age) that forms a belief on reasonable grounds that a child is in need of protection from child abuse (physical, sexual, emotional, psychological or neglect), maydisclose that information to the police or the Department of Health and Human Services (“DHHS”). The Club encourages all persons with concerns to raise this directly with the Club Child Safety Officer. |
Step 2: It may be that, following the previous step, a person decides to make a report to DHHS or the police with the support of the Club Child Safety Officer. Where a report is made, the individual must also advise the Club. Making a report: Ring: • Victoria police on 000 for emergencies. • If it is not an emergency, ring the Victoria Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team on (03) 8690 4056. • DHHS on 1300 664 977 or 131278(AH). Ask for Child Protection. Information for making a report: • name, age and address of child; • the reason for suspecting that the behaviour or injury is a result of abuse; • an assessment of the immediate danger to the child; • a description of the injury or behaviour observed; • the current whereabouts of the child; • any other information about the family; and • any specific cultural details, e.g. English speaking, disability, etc. Ask that the Club be informed of each step of the procedure. Request that if an interview is to take place at the Club the visiting police officer is in plain clothes and the time of the interview is specified so that appropriate arrangements for a meeting room can be organized. If the complainant alleges that a crime has been committed by a committee member, employee, volunteer or contractor, that person will be stood aside immediately. The Club Child Safety Officer should conduct (or appoint another person to conduct) an independent investigation into the allegation to the extent that it will not interfere with investigations by DHHS or the police, and will co-operate with the authorities as required. Where an allegation has been the made, the Club will make, secure, and retain records of the allegation of child abuse and the Club’s response to it. Fulfilling the roles and responsibilities contained in this Procedure does not displace or discharge any other obligations that arise if a person reasonably believes that a child is at risk of child abuse. |
Step 3: If the child is agreeable to be interviewed by DHHS or the police, the Club Child Safety Officershould offer to be present at the interview to give support to the child. The child should be able to nominate who they would like as support. |
Step 4: Following a report, DHHS or the police may need to contact the Club about the notification. It would be a matter of courtesy to inform the Club Child Safety Officer that a report has been made, or is about to be made. The Club Child Safety Officer should advise FFV of such matters so that we can update our records in relation to the individual. |
Step 5: Following a report, it is important to both protect confidentiality and the interests of the child and family at all times, as well as natural justice for the process. Special comments: • DHHS will only interview the child if he/she is agreeable; • the family will not be contacted until it is believed there is a case and the child is at risk; • if the incident which caused the report to be made has occurred in the past - the child may be seen to be no longer at risk and no further action may be taken; • the identity of the person making a notification will be kept confidential (except when that information is required in a court case) unless that person gives permission for the information to be divulged. Such confidentiality should also be requested by Club Child Safety Officer and any other person who may become aware that a notification is to be, or has been, given; • throughout the entire process of observation, discussion and reporting, the interests of the child and their family should be protected from unnecessary disclosure of information concerning abuse; and • following the making of a report to the DHHS or the police, any investigation that takes place is the responsibility of that external body. |
Attachment 1
Child Safety– Code of Conduct
The purpose of this Code of Conduct is to promote child safety within all Club environments.
Any form of abusive, derogatory, discriminatory, offensive or intimidating behaviour or language by adults towards minors, or minors towards other minors, is not acceptable.
Any action that may be hurtful or risk being interpreted by a reasonable observer as grooming behaviour is unacceptable. Comments or actions that are negatively and unreasonably critical of a person’s culture, ethnicity, language, gender identity, disability, sexuality or age, are unacceptable.
Committee members, volunteers, employees, coaches, managers, players and parents/guardians of players at the Club are bound by, and required to abide to, this Code.
The following matters are derived from the Victorian Government’s Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority.
These actions are prohibited and may, depending on the specific circumstances, constitute Misconduct in accordance with the FFV GDT:
Any violation of this Code of Conduct by a committee member, volunteer, employee, coach, manager, player, parent or guardian or other Club Associate at the Club may be dealt with as a disciplinary matter by the Club, or may be referred to the FFV as Misconduct under the FFV GDT provisions.
Committee members, volunteers, employees, coaches, managers and players are prohibited from using physical discipline in any way for behaviour management of minors. This prohibition includes spanking, slapping, pinching, hitting, or any other physical force as retaliation or correction for inappropriate behaviours by minors.
Physical contact may be required in an emergency situation to remove minors quickly from danger or threat of danger.
Appropriate contact between committee members, volunteers, employees, coaches, managers and players and minors is part of normal human relationships. Some considerations and guidelines include the following:
Other than in an emergency or other abnormal situation where no other option could be reasonably foreseen, it is unwise to transport children without permission of their parent, carer or guardian.
It is prohibited to have unnecessary and/or inappropriate physical contact with minors while in vehicles. Minors should be transported directly to their destination. No stops should be made other than those that are reasonably scheduled for meals or comfort stops.
It is prohibited to have minors spend the night at the residence of a committee member, volunteer, employee, or contractor without parental/guardian prior approval.
Changing and showering facilities or arrangements for adults must be separate from facilities or arrangements for children (unless the child is a member of your family).
Disclosing information to committee members and CPO
The privacy of the child should be respected at all times. When considering breaching the privacy who and how many people are told should be based on what is believed to be in the best interests of the child.
Information in relation to abuse or suspected abuse of a minor should be disclosed to a committee member or CPO of the club only, in order to limit the potential dissemination of confidential information.
Disclosing information to people external to the organisation
Committee members, volunteers, employees, coaches, managers and players should not discuss confidential matters about children with people outside the organisation in a way that identifies that child except when they have the express permission of the child or it complies with the Club’s Child Protection Policy and Code of Conduct. In circumstances where committee members, volunteers, employees, coaches, managers and players believe that there is not enough knowledge within the Club to provide the best possible assistance to a child, they are able to seek expertise external to the Club. When communicating with people outside the Club the child’s identity should be protected.
Informing children
It is the responsibility of the Club to communicate the limits of confidentiality in the Club to children who are likely to have an ongoing relationship with the Club. These guidelines should be published in an accessible place for children.
Child Protection Crisis Line – 24 Hours, seven days a week. Telephone: 13 12 78
(a) Remember that players participate for the fun of it and that winning is not everything;
(b) Never ridicule or yell at a player for making a mistake or being in a losing team;
(c) Be reasonable in your demands on younger players time, energy and enthusiasm,
(d) Teach your players to abide by the Rules and Laws of the Game;
(e) Whenever possible, alternate the group of players to ensure everyone has a reasonable chance of success;
(f) Avoid overplaying the talented players as all players deserve equal time on the playing field;
(g) Ensure that equipment and facilities meet a reasonable safety standard and are appropriate to the age and ability of the players;
(h) Modify your approach to suit the skill levels and needs of players;
(i) Develop and enhance respect between players, opposition coaches and the decisions of the match official;
(j) Follow the advice of a physician when determining the extent of a player’s injury and beyond that, when players are returning from injury to training and match play;
(k) Keep up to date with the latest coaching practices (refer to Coach Accreditation Criteria);
(l) Take time out to teach players (& others) the Laws of the Game, hence raising their awareness;
(m) Remind all players to play within the spirit of the game at all times;
(n) Ensure players are good sports and ensure each team member shakes the hand of their opponents at the conclusion of every match;
(o) Do not smoke or consume alcohol from the team bench (Technical Area) or sideline;
(p) Remember the actions of yourself and your team is reflective of the perception others take away with them.
www.footballfedvic.com.au