Complaints & Discipline

Discipline Committee

The Club committee will appoint a Chairperson and 2 members of a Club Discipline Committee as necessary. The quorum for any discipline matters shall be 2 members of this committee.

The Club Discipline Committee will operate under the following guidelines.

• All decisions must involve at least 2 members of the committee
• The committee need not meet to make a decision but can communicate via phone or email
• All decisions must be reported to the Club Management Committee at an appropriate meeting
• The Chairperson will ensure no member of the Club Discipline Committee, including themselves, has a conflict of interest with the matter at hand
• Ensure confidentiality is maintained, particularly in relation to child protection cases

Club Discipline Committee Remit

The committee shall be responsible for all discipline matters involving club members including, but not limited to

• On court Discipline (including fouls)
• Off court Discipline (Pre / Post games, Training)
• Child Protection issues
• Criminal investigations that could affect the club

The protection of children is paramount and therefore any allegations involving child protection shall result in immediate suspension from any involvement with children until the matter has been investigated. This is not a form of discipline but occurs to ensure the child is protected from any chance of harm.

Club Discipline Committee Method of operation

To ensure consistency the committee should follow the procedure detailed below.

• Any discipline matter should be reported in writing to the Chair of the Club Discipline Committee. It is the responsibility of the team coaches to inform the Chair of any disciplinary matters.
• The Chair shall maintain accurate records of each and every matter that arises (Appendix 1).
• The Chair will inform the person, in writing, against whom the complaint has been made within seven days.
• The committee should proceed to investigate the matter to their satisfaction within a period of two weeks.
• The committee can interview any parties involved as necessary.
• The committee will discuss the matter and impose appropriate sanctions. To maintain consistency the committee should refer to previous matters in deciding what sanctions to impose.
• The Chair will inform the member concerned of these sanctions in writing. The Chair will also inform the Club Management Committee and appropriate team coach (as required). This will be completed no later than four weeks after the incident.
• Any matters that the Chair of the Discipline committee feels could be a criminal offence shall be reported to the Police.
• Any matter that involves a person putting a child at risk of harm or causes actual harm and results in the person being removed from that position shall be referred to Scottish Ministers for consideration of being placed on the “Disqualified from Working with Children List” as required by the “Children’s Act (Scotland) 2003”.
• All written records will be kept for a minimum of one year, at which point they will be destroyed in confidence.

Sanctions
Any sanctions imposed by the Club are in addition to sanctions imposed by district or national bodies.

On Court Discipline
The Club may impose sanctions as it deems fit.

Child Protection Matters
Any person added to the “Disqualified from Working with Children List”, held by Scottish Ministers, must inform the club immediately. The person will then be removed from a position involving access to children. This can include playing, coaching or in an administrative role.

Appeals
The person has the right to appeal to the Club Management Committee against sanctions imposed by the Club.

Appeals can be lodged with the Club Chairperson.
The Club Chairperson and 2 other members of the Club Management Committee will meet to hear any appeal with representation from the Club Discipline Committee and the complainant. Any decision by the Club Management Committee is deemed final and binding.

Appendix 1

Information to be recorded in any discipline procedure:

• Individuals Name
• If Match Incident, Details of Match
• Date of Incident
• Brief Description of the Incident
• Investigation activities undertaken
• Discipline Panel Decision
• Discipline Panel Members
• Date of Decision
• Date of Appeal
• Appeals Panel Decision
• Supporting documents attached