2nd version Mini Soccer League Handbook complete

Anti-Bullying Policy for Football Clubs

Recommended Guidelines

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: š ;cej_edWb being unfriendly, excluding (emotionally and physically), sending hurtful text messages and tormenting, (e.g. hiding football boots/shin guards, threatening gestures) š F^oi_YWb pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence š HWY_ij racial taunts, graffiti, gestures š I[nkWb unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments š >ecef^eX_Y because of, or focussing on the issue of sexuality š L[hXWb 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. Individuals who are bullying need to learn different ways of behaving. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at our club. If bullying does occur, all club members 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 club welfare officer or any committee member. Statement of Intent We are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our members so they can participate in football in a relaxed and secure atmosphere.

Objectives of this Policy š All club members, coaches, officials and parents should have an understanding of what bullying is š All club members, officials and coaching staff should know what the club policy is on bullying, and follow it when bullying is reported š All players and parents should know what the club policy is on bullying, and what they should do if bullying arises š As a club we take bullying seriously. Players and parents should be assured that they would be supported when bullying is reported š Bullying will not be tolerated Signs and Indicators A child may indicate by signs or behaviour that he or she is being bullied. Adults should be aware of these possible signs and that they should investigate if a child: š iWoi ^[ eh i^[ _i X[_d] Xkbb_[Z š _i kdm_bb_d] je ]e je YbkX i[ii_edi š X[Yec[i m_j^ZhWmd Wdn_eki" eh bWYa_d] _d YedÓZ[dY[ š \[[bi _bb X[\eh[ jhW_d_d] i[ii_edi š Yec[i ^ec[ m_j^ Ybej^[i jehd eh jhW_d_d] equipment damaged š ^Wi feii[ii_edi ]e Çc_ii_d]È š Wiai \eh ced[o eh ijWhji ij[Wb_d] ced[o (to pay the bully) š ^Wi kd[nfbW_d[Z Ykji eh Xhk_i[i š _i \h_]^j[d[Z je iWo m^WjÊi mhed] š ]_l[i _cfheXWXb[ [nYki[i \eh Wdo e\ j^[ WXel[ š Yh_[i j^[ci[bl[i je ib[[f Wj d_]^j eh ^Wi d_]^jcWh[i š X[Yec[i W]]h[ii_l[" Z_ihkfj_l[ eh kdh[WiedWXb[ š _i Xkbbo_d] ej^[h Y^_bZh[d eh i_Xb_d]i š ijefi [Wj_d] š Wjj[cfji eh j^h[Wj[di ik_Y_Z[ eh hkdi WmWo These signs and behaviours may indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered a possibility and should be investigated. In more extreme cases š ijWhji ijWcc[h_d]

This club has a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to issues of bullying.

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