Westonka Soccer Club Policies

Anti-Bullying Policy

Policy Statement

Any act of bullying, by either an individual player or a group of players, or an individual adult or group of adults, is expressly prohibited. This policy applies not only to individuals who directly engage in an act of bullying but also to individuals who, by their indirect behavior, condone or support another’s act of bullying. No coach, team manager, volunteer, parent, or other person affiliated with WSC shall permit, condone, or tolerate bullying. Retaliation against a victim, good faith reporter, or a witness of bullying is prohibited. A person who engages in an act of bullying or reprisal, or permits, condones, or tolerates bullying shall be subject to sanctions for that act as determined by the WSC Board. Consequences for players who commit prohibited acts of bullying may range from positive behavioral interventions up to and including removal from WSC team membership for the current playing year. Consequences for coaches, team managers, or other volunteers who permit, condone, or tolerate bullying, or engage in an act of reprisal, may result in removal from their position. Consequences for parents or other individuals engaging in prohibited acts of bullying may result in exclusion from team practices, team games, and/or WSC events.

Definitions

“Bullying” means any written or verbal expression, physical act or gesture, or pattern thereof, by a player or adult that is intended to cause or is perceived as causing distress to one or more players and which substantially interferes with a player’s performance or enjoyment of the game of soccer. Bullying includes, but is not limited to, conduct by a player, or adult, that a reasonable person under the circumstances knows or should know has the effect of:

• Harming a player;
• Damaging a player’s property;
• Placing a player in reasonable fear of harm to his or her person or property; or
• Creating a hostile environment for a player.

Reporting Procedure

Any person who believes he or she has been the victim of bullying or any person with knowledge or belief of conduct that may constitute bullying shall report the alleged acts immediately to any WSC Board Member.

Coaches and Team Managers are most likely to receive a report of, or observe situations or events that might include bullying. Any such person who receives a report of, observes, or has other knowledge or belief of conduct that may constitute bullying shall inform a member of the WSC Board immediately. Reports of bullying will be considered and treated as private and confidential.

Action

Upon receipt of a complaint or report of bullying, the WSC Risk Manager will undertake a review of the facts. Upon completion of the review, the WSC Board Risk Manager will recommend a course of action to the WSC Board. The WSC Board will take appropriate action to implement agreed upon course of action. WSC Board may take into account the following factors:

• The developmental and maturity levels of the parties involved;
• The levels of harm, surrounding circumstances, and nature of the behavior;
• Past incidences or past or continuing patterns of behavior;
• The relationship between the parties involved; and
• The context in which the alleged incidents occurred.

Player Code of Conduct

Policy Statement

Players will not be issued a Player Pass until the Team Manager has a Code of Conduct (COC) signed by the Player and Parent. Consequencesfor players who violate the COC may range from positive behavioral interventions up to and including removal from WSC team membership for the current playing year. Consequencesfor parents or other individuals who violate the COC may result in exclusion from team practices, team games, and/or WSC events.

Reporting And Addressing Violations

Coaches and Managers who observe or receive a report of a player COC violation should take the following steps (which are intended as a guideline and may vary depending on the situation).

• Have a conversation with player reiterating what element of the COC is being violated and ask for adherence. Keep notes of any potential violations (who, when, what) including actions taken.
• If the player continues to violate the COC:
  • Inform a WSC Board Member (Risk Manager, Boys or Girls Coordinator).
  • Have the same conversation with both player and parent together. Request help if needed from the WSC Board Member.
• If the player continues to violate the COC, deliver final verbal warning to both player and parent. A board member should be in attendance at the Final Warning discussion.
• If the player continues to violate the COC after the final warning:
  • The Coach, Coordinator and Risk Manager will formulate a consequence recommendation for the full Board. Depending on the violation and other circumstances* the recommended consequence may first include suspension from game(s) and ultimately removal from team membership.
  • WSC Board will take appropriate action to implement agreed upon course of action and will take into consideration the following factors:
    • The developmental and maturity levels of the parties involved;
    • The levels of harm, surrounding circumstances, and nature of the behavior;
    • Past incidences or past or continuing patterns of behavior;
    • The relationship between the parties involved; and
    • The context in which the alleged incidents occurred.