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Discipline Procedure

 

NOTE: IN THIS POLICY "MEMBER" REFERS TO all categories of members in VMSA as well as to all individuals engaged in activities with or organised by VMSA

Click Here for Conduct Report Form

Preamble
Application
Disciplinary procedures
Appeals procedure
Appendix A
Appendix B


PREAMBLE

1. VMSA committed to providing a sport environment which is athlete-centred, and which is characterized by the values of excellence, fairness, integrity, open communication, and mutual respect.
2. Membership of the VMSA as well as participation in the activities of the VMSA, brings with it many benefits and privileges. At the same time members are expected to fulfil certain responsibilities and obligations, including but not limited to, complying with the Code of Conduct, policies, rules and regulations of the VMSA
3. The VMSA Code of Conduct (attached as Appendix A) identifies the standard of behaviour which is expected. Members of the VMSA who fail to meet this standard will be subject to the disciplinary sanctions identified within this policy.

APPLICATION
4. This policy applies to all members of the VMSA , as well as to all individuals engaged in activities with or organised by the VMSA.
5. This policy applies to matters which may arise during the course of all VMSA business activities and events, including but not limited to, tournaments, pennant competitions and meetings


DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES
Minor Infractions
6. Examples of minor infractions are shown in Appendix B.
7. All minor infractions shall be reported to the Discipline Officer on the Discipline Form shown in Appendix C
8. All disciplinary situations involving minor infractions occurring within the jurisdiction of the VMSA will be dealt with by the appropriate person having authority over the situation and the individual involved. For the purpose of this policy the appropriate person shall be the Discipline Officer who shall be appointed by the committee of the VMSA.
9. Procedures for dealing with minor infractions shall be informal as compared to those for major infractions and shall be determined at the discretion of the person responsible for discipline of such infractions, provided the individual being disciplined is told the nature of the infraction and has an opportunity to provide information concerning the incident. The discipline officer shall have all sanctions ratified by the Tournament Committee before communicating them to members.
10. The following disciplinary sanctions may be applied, singly or in combination, for minor infractions:  

  • verbal reprimand

  • written reprimand

  • verbal apology

  • hand-delivered written apology

  • suspension from the current competition

  • other sanctions as may be considered appropriate for the offence

11. Minor infractions which result in discipline shall be recorded using the Incident Report form in Appendix C.
Major Infractions
12. Examples of major infractions are shown in Appendix B. Any member, or representative, of the VMSA may report to the Discipline Officer a major infraction using the Incident Report form in Appendix C.
13. Upon receipt of an incident report, the Discipline Officer shall determine if the incident is better dealt with as a minor infraction, or if a hearing is required to address the incident as a major infraction.
14. If the incident is to be dealt with as a minor infraction, the Discipline Officer will inform the alleged offender, and the matter shall be dealt with according to Sections 7 through 9 of this policy.
15. If the incident is to be dealt with as a major infraction and a hearing is required, the alleged offender shall be notified as quickly as possible and in any event no later than 3 days from date of receipt of the incident report, and shall be advised of the procedures outlined in this policy.
16. Major infractions occurring within competition may, if necessary, be dealt with immediately by a VMSA representative in a position of authority, provided the individual being disciplined is told the nature of the infraction and has an opportunity to provide information concerning the incident. In such situations, disciplinary sanctions shall be for the duration of the competition only. Further sanctions may be applied but only after review of the matter in accordance with the procedures set out in this policy for major infractions.
This review does not replace the appeal provisions of this policy.

Hearing:
17. Within 7 days of receiving the Incident Report, the Discipline Officer shall forward the Report to the President, or President's delegate, who shall appoint three individuals to serve as a Disciplinary Panel. Where possible, one of the Panel members shall be from the peer group of the alleged offender.
18. The Discipline Panel shall hold the hearing as soon as possible, but not more than 21 days after the Incident Report is first received by the President.
19. The Discipline Panel shall govern the hearing as it sees fit, provided that:

  • the individual being disciplined shall be given 10 days written notice (by courier or fax) of the day, time and place of the hearing. The Panel may decide to conduct the hearing in person or by telephone or video conference

  • the individual being disciplined shall receive a copy of the incident report

  • members of the Panel shall select from among themselves a Chairperson

  • a quorum shall be all 3 Panel members

  • decisions shall be by majority vote; the Chair carries a vote

  • the individual being disciplined may be accompanied by a representative

  • the individual being disciplined shall have the right to present evidence and argument

  • the hearing shall be held in private

  • the Panel may request that witnesses to the incident be present or submit written evidence

  • once appointed, the Panel shall have the authority to abridge or extend timelines associated with all aspects of the Hearing       

20. The Discipline Panel shall render its decision, with written reasons within 5 days of the Hearing. A copy of this decision shall be provided to all of the parties to the hearing and the Victorian Squash Federation
21. The preceding provisions may be modified, or added to, as required by the provisions of any other pertinent VMSA policy, such as Pennant By-Laws or event-specific matters.
22. Where the individual acknowledges the facts of the incident, he or she may waive the hearing, in which case the Panel shall determine the appropriate disciplinary sanction. The Panel may hold a hearing for the purpose of determining an appropriate sanction.
23. If the individual being disciplined chooses not to participate in the hearing, the hearing shall proceed in any event.
Sanctions
24. The Discipline Panel may apply the following disciplinary sanctions singly or in combination, for major infractions:

  • written reprimand to be placed in individual's file

  • hand-delivered written apology

  • suspension from certain VMSA events which may include suspension from the current competition 

  • suspension from certain VMSA activities for a designated period of time

  • suspension from all VMSA activities for a designated period of time

  • expulsion from VMSA

  • other sanctions as may be considered appropriate for the offence  

25. The preceding sanctions may be modified, or added to, as required by the provisions of any other pertinent VMSA policy
26. Unless the Discipline Panel decides otherwise, any disciplinary sanctions shall commence immediately.
27. In applying sanctions, the Disciplinary Panel may have regard to the following aggravating or mitigating circumstances:
the nature and severity of the offence,
whether the incident is a first offence or has occurred repeatedly,
the individual's acknowledgment of responsibility,
the individual's extent of remorse,
the age, maturity or experience of the individual, and
the individual's prospects for rehabilitation.

APPEALS PROCEDURE
28. Except where otherwise provided, an appeal of any disciplinary matter will be carried out according to the Appeals Policy of the VMSA.

APPENDIX A
VMSA CODE OF CONDUCT
VMSA is committed to providing an environment in which all individuals are treated with respect. Further, the VMSA supports equal opportunity and prohibits discriminatory practices. Members are expected to conduct themselves at all times in a manner consistent with the values of the VMSA which include: fairness, integrity, open communication and mutual respect. Conduct which violates these values may be subject to sanctions pursuant to the VMSA's Discipline Policy.
In addition to the above, the following specific behaviours will be subject to sanction pursuant to the VMSA's Discipline Policy.

  • not complying with the rules, regulations or policies of the VMSA, as adopted and amended from time to time

  • deliberately disregarding the Rules of Squash as amended from time to time

  • verbally or physically abusing an opponent, officials, spectators or sponsors;

  • showing disrespect to officials, including the use of foul language and obscene or offensive gestures

  • abusing playing equipment or the court

  • failing to comply with the conditions of entry of an event including any rules with regard to clothing

  • after having entered an event or accepted an invitation to participate, withdrawing from the event or failing to attend without reasonable cause

  • failing to complete a match without reasonable cause

  • defaulting from an event, except with proof of unplayable injury, illness or other emergency situation

  • any other unreasonable conduct which brings the game into disrepute   

APPENDIX B
Examples of minor infractions:

  • a single incident of disrespectful, offensive, abusive, racist or sexist comments or behaviour directed towards others, including but not limited to peers, opponents, spectators and sponsors

  • unsportsmanlike conduct such as angry outbursts or arguing

  • non-compliance with the rules and regulations under which VMSA events are conducted    

Examples of major infractions:

  • repeated incidents of disrespectful, offensive, abusive, racist or sexist comments or behaviour directed towards others, including but not limited to peers, opponents, officials, and spectators  

  • repeated unsportsmanlike conduct such as angry outbursts or arguing

  • deliberate disregard for the rules and regulations under which VMSA events are conducted

  • abusive use of alcohol where abuse means a level of consumption which impairs the individual's ability to speak, walk or drive; causes the individual to behave in a disruptive manner

 



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