West Hallam Junior Football Club has adopted the following discipline policy and procedures.

 

The Executive Committee are expected to follow this pathway to ensure a consistent and fair approach across all disciplinary issues. If any West Hallam player, parent or carer or club official feels that he or she needs to make a complaint about any issue relating to the conduct of the club or member of the club, the following procedures should be followed:

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Pre-Complaint:

As a club we encourage that any issue is resolved internally to the team particularly for low level issues and the coaching teams to address issues as early as possible. However, we recognise that this is not always possible and for major issues it should always be referred to the Club. The Club takes any complaints extremely seriously and is committed to using the complaints to improve practice.

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Stage One:

The complaint must be sent in writing (email or letter) to a member of the Executive Committee and detail the key information surrounding the complaint and any witnesses. The email to use would be whjfcchair@gmail.com (Ryan Parkes, Club Chair) or whjfc.cwo@gmail.com (Scott Amott, CWO). Anonymous complaints can be made but a response to the complainant will not be possible.

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Stage Two:

The Club will acknowledge the complaint with three working days and form a Disciplinary Committee compromising of at least two members of the Executive Committee (the Chair will remain independent) to investigate. The Disciplinary Committee will use the Club’s Code of Conducts to decide if a breach has occurred. A member could be suspended whilst the investigation is ongoing in the most serious cases. If a complaint is made against the Club Chairman, the Vice-Chairman will be responsible for overseeing the Disciplinary Process. The Disciplinary Committee may also refer complaints to the Derbyshire FA at this stage to investigate/handle or advise particularly safeguarding issues – the complaint will be informed if this is the case.

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Stage Three:

The Disciplinary Committee will then decide if to charge the accused involved in the complaint – the accused will have five working days to respond. They will be given the options of guilty no contest, guilty hearing with mitigation, not guilty with a hearing, and not guilty without hearing. If the club chooses not to charge the accused, the complainant will be informed with the reasons behind the judgement.

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Stage Four:

1. 'Guilty no contest' - the Disciplinary Committee will move straight to stage five.

2. ‘Guilty hearing with mitigation’ - the Disciplinary Committee meet with the accused and hear mitigation before stage five.

3. ‘Not guilty no hearing’  - a reinvestigation by a new Disciplinary Committee led by the Chair before stage five.

4. ‘Not guilty with hearing’ - the accused will present evidence to the Disciplinary  Committee before stage five.

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Stage Five:

The Club will issue an appropriate disciplinary action based on the severity of the complaint if proven guilty and if previous incidents have occurred which could increase the severity of the charge. The Club will ensure the disciplinary action is enforced and inform the complainant of the action taken. The Club will keep a record of complaints to be used for safeguarding, best practice and improvement.

1. Low Severity – likely action includes a reminder of conduct, apology, mediation with complainant. Examples include: unsportsmanlike conduct, minor disagreements, unkind comments/foul language, negative comments about an individual's ability, and minor breach of club protocols/CREED.

2. Medium Severity – a formal warning, behaviour contract, possible short-term suspension. Examples include: dissent towards officials, overly aggressive behaviour, swearing towards a child, and breaching club protocols/CREED.

3. High Severity – a suspension from the club, rehabilitation, community work, revoking Club membership. Examples include: intentional violent conduct on the field, racism, homophobia, misogyny etc, physical assault, criminal activity, verbal/physical threats, and multiple/persistent breaches of club protocol/CREED.

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Stage Six:

If the complainant or the accused are unhappy with the outcome of the investigation and wish to appeal, the Club will refer the matter to the Derbyshire FA at their request. The Club Chair will review the appeal and decide if any further action is necessary.

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Alongside the disciplinary policy the Club have adopted the following Behaviour Pathway for players:

Coaches are expected to follow this pathway to ensure a consistent and fair approach across all West Hallam Junior teams. Coaches should record all action on the internal club form for tracking. All behaviour starts at low level (unless stated in the WH ‘CREED’ at the foot of the document – some behaviours not listed may warrant starting higher up on the stages; in this instance the coach checks with the CWO) and then escalates up the system if repeated. CWO will also hold drop in for players/coaches/parents (including DBS admin) on the 1st or 2nd Saturday of the month 13:00-14:00 at Beech Lane. The stage maybe escalated for multiple offences by a player in the same stage.

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Low Level - Discussion with whole team about WH ‘CREED’ and player conduct. Follow established behaviour consequences.

Stage One - Discussion with player.

Stage Two - Discussion with player and parents informed of the issue.

Stage Three - Discussion with player and parents informed of the issue and the CWO and/or Chairman made aware via message or email.

Stage Four - Formal letter sent from coaches and the CWO and Chairman made aware via message or email.

Stage Five - Referral made to CWO and/or Chairman to investigate issues with the Executive Committee.

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Club Processes for Stage Five:

The club will investigate the issues and charge the player for breaking the Player Code of Conduct. The player will have 5 days to respond with the following as per the Club's Disciplinary Policy (stated above):

•Guilty – no contest

•Guilty – hearing to submit mitigating evidence

•Not Guilty – no hearing

•Not Guilty – hearing to submit evidence

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Any investigation will be conducted by the Disciplinary Committee formed by at least two independent members of the Executive Committee.

 

Possible consequences if a player is found guilty include:

•Suspension from training and matches (this may be the case whist an investigation is taking place)

•Community service within the club

•Rehabilitation work to prevent the behaviour happening again

•Tailor-made behaviour contract

•Revoking club membership

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Examples of behaviour and where they go to on the Behaviour Pathway:

Community Value:

• Stage 1 - Reports of low-level comments.

• Stage 2 - Reports of bullying.

• Stage 4 - Evidence of bullying teammates (including coaches witnessing behaviour).

Respect Value:

• Stage 1 - repeated low-level behaviour.

• Stage 2 - Not following coach's direct instructions.

• Stage 3 - Disrespectful behaviour towards match officials.

• Stage 5 - Reports of racism, homophobia, misogyny.

Enjoyment Value:

• Stage 1 - Making negative comments about teammates/oppositions ability.

• Stage 3 - Persistent aggression in matches/training.

• Stage 5 - Violence towards other players either in a game, training or threats made either in person or via messages.

Endeavour Value:

• Stage 1 - disrespectful behaviour towards coaches, opposition or managers.

• Stage 2 - Overly aggressive tackles in matches/training.

Dedication Value:

• Stage 2 - Negatively comparing their West Hallam team to their school/other team.

• Stage 3 - Actively recruiting WHJFC players for players for other teams.

• Stage 3 - Undesirable behaviour in players message groups.

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