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Complaints and Disciplinary Procedure

 

Introduction

At the City of Lincoln Pentaqua Swimming club we recognize that, at times, disputes may arise between members of the club (committee/swimmers/teachers/coaches/parents) and the following guidelines should help resolve any issues within the club before the matter becomes a formal complaint (ASA Judicial Law 105/106).

The City of Lincoln Pentaqua SC Complaints and Disciplinary Procedure follow ASA guidelines. All complaints and disciplinary action will observe the following key principles:

All parties will be fairly treated. The complainant has the opportunity to present their case. The accused has an opportunity to respond. The ASA Law conforms to the law of the land, in so much that an individual is innocent until proven guilty.Any concerns of a child protection nature with regard to any individual involved in the sport of swimming will be referred to the ASA Department of Legal Affairs, as laid out in ASA Child Protection Policy. Please note that the club only has the power to legislate for a breach of its own rules (ASA Law 134). The club does not have the power to handle a dispute relating to a member of another club, or to deal with an offence against ASA Law.

Procedures

If there is an occasion when a problem such as fighting between members during a training session occurs, immediate action from the coach or a club officer (committee member) may be required. At this point they have the power to invoke a temporary exclusion from that training session, and they are then required to make a report to the club officers who will then observe the procedures below.

Additionally any member of the club (committee/swimmer/coach/teacher/parent) can also make a written complaint about any incident, regardless of whether a coach or club officer has taken action at time.On receipt of the written dispute every effort will be made to resolve the matter by informal discussion. If this fails or it is clearly necessary to discipline a member, then the club has to set up a panel to deal with the matter.

Disciplinary Panel

The panel will consist of three people (usually City of Lincoln Pentaqua Committee members), one of whom will act as a chairman and one as a secretary. These people will not be involved in the dispute, and the club may want to ask individuals from outside the club to sit on the panel if it is deemed necessary. The Chairman of the panel will notify both parties of the date, time and place of the hearing and the names of the panel members. Both parties will be given copies of all papers. The hearing will be within 14 days of receipt of the dispute, unless there are extenuating circumstances. If either party is under 18 years of age they have the right to be accompanied by a parent (or person with parental responsibility), or coach to help them present their case. Both parties will be allowed to bring witnesses, who after questioning will take no further part in the hearing. Notes will be made at the hearing, and the panel will announce any decision verbally as soon as possible, with written confirmation to follow within 5 days. City of Lincoln Pentaqua SC will keep a written log of all disputes and action taken to help ensure a consistent approach.The panel has the ability to:

1. Issue a verbal or written warning/reprimand.

2. Suspend a member for a specified period of time, with immediate effect.

3. Require a member to resign if, in its opinion, the interests of the club have been compromised by the member. If expulsion is proposed, the individual will cease to be a member of the club. Such action may be subject to any overriding ASA Complaints Procedure.

If either party to the dispute is dissatisfied with the outcome, they are still entitled to make a complaint to the Judicial Administrator at ASA Head Office.

Anti - Bullying Policy

 

Statement of Intent

 

City of Lincoln Pentaqua SC adheres to the ASA anti-bullying policy.

Pentaqua is committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our members so they can swim in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at Pentaqua. If bullying does occur, all swimmers or parents should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. We are a TELLING club. This means that anyone who knows that bullying is happening is expected to tell the City of Lincoln Pentaqua welfare officer or any committee member.

What Is Bullying?

Bullying is the use of aggression with the intention of hurting another person. Bullying results in pain and distress to the victim.

Bullying can be:

- Emotional - being unfriendly, excluding (emotionally and physically), sending hurtful text messages, emails, tormenting, (e.g. hiding goggles/floats, threatening gestures)

- Physical - pushing, kicking, hitting, punching, biting or any use of violence

- Racist - racial taunts, graffiti, gestures

- Sexual - unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments

- Homophobic - because of, or focussing on the issue of sexuality

- Verbal - name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing

Why is it Important to Respond to Bullying?

Bullying hurts. No one deserves to be a victim of bullying. Everybody has the right to be treated with respect. Swimmers who are bullying need to learn different ways of behaving. A club has a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to issues of bullying.

Objectives of this Policy

- All committee members, coaches, teachers, swimmers and parents should have an understanding of what bullying is.

- All committee members, teaching and coaching staff should know what Pentaqua's policy is on bullying, and follow it when bullying is reported.

- All swimmers and parents should know what Pentaqua's policy is on bullying, and what they should do if bullying arises.

- As a club we take bullying seriously. Swimmers and parents should be assured that they would be supported when bullying is reported.

- Bullying will not be tolerated.

Procedures

1. Report bullying incidents to the City of Lincoln Pentaqua's Welfare Officer or a member of the Committee or ring Swimline 0808 100 4001

2. In cases of serious bullying, the incidents will be referred to the ASA for advice

3. Parents should be informed and will be asked to come in to a meeting to discuss the problem

4. If necessary and appropriate, police will be consulted

5. The bullying behaviour or threats of bullying will be investigated and the bullying stopped quickly

6. An attempt will be made to help the bully (bullies) change their behaviour

7. If mediation fails and the bullying is seen to continue City of Lincoln Pentaqua SC will initiate disciplinary action under the Club's constitution.

Anti Doping

 

Anti doping policy document download (PDF)

 

 

 

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