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Behaviour in Sport

 

1. Background

Newtonmore Camanachd Club is affiliated to the Camanachd Association which has three committees dealing with Discipline and Behaviour in the sport.

Disciplinary Committee that deals with all matters relating to players, substitutes, managers and coaches during the course of a match and notified by a referee.
Behaviour in Sport Committee which deals with all other complaints of misconduct.
An Appeals Committee which hears appeals against decisions of both of these committees.


2. The Club

Breaches of discipline and behaviour contrary to our codes of conduct reflect badly on the individuals concerned and on the club.

The Club issues Codes of Conduct to all players and coaches and reminds parents of the expected standards of behaviour from time to time.
For the vast majority of disciplinary offences during the course of a match the club would rely entirely on the Camanachd Association Disciplinary process. It would not undertake any other investigation or review. However this is an option open to it especially if the disciplinary lapse is so serious that the club is brought into disrepute.
The Committee regularly reviews disciplinary points allocated by the Association.
For any other complaints of misconduct it is likely that the Committee would initiate its own investigation [particularly if there is a Child Protection concern]. The Club could choose to take action itself or possibly refer the matter to the Behaviour in Sport Committee for an outside objective view.


3. Child Protection Concerns

Child Protection Policies lay down a process and a reporting mechanism for the Child Protection Officer.

In any case where there is a Child Protection concern reponsibility for the investigation of the incident lies with the Child Protection Officer CPO.
The CPO investigates the alleged incident, interviewing witnesses as appropriate and coming to a conclusion set out on a standard Significant Incident Report.
The Report is copied to the Association who may choose to share it with Safeguarding Scotland and could initiate action themselves by referral to the Behaviour in Sport Committee.
The findings are reported also to the Committee of the club [or a sub Committee if this is agreed] who will then decide if any action by the club is necessary irrespective of what the Association is doing.
If the facts are not in dispute and are accepted by the person complained about then the Committee/sub Committee may take a decision on appropriate action without a further meeting with the subject of the complaint.
If a meeting is required the Committee/sub Committee will determine the process by which the meeting operates. Anyone subject to this process may bring a friend to the meeting.
For possible sanctions see paragraph 8.


4. Other misconduct complaints

The Committee will decide how to investigate any other issues of misconduct on a case by case basis.

This could involve asking a Committee member to investigate and interview witnesses, the person complained about etc
the Committee could also appoint a sub Committee to consider any report and to give it authority to act or report back to the Committee.
If the facts are not in dispute and are accepted by the person complained about then the Committee/sub Committee may take a decision without formally meeting the person concerned and issue their conclusion in writing.
For the conduct of formal meetings see paragraph 6.
For possible sanctions see paragraph 8.


5. Formal meeting circumstances

There are several circumstances when a formal meeting with the person complained about may be appropriate.

when the misconduct is assessed as so serious to warrant it.
when there is contradictory evidence that cannot be reconciled by individual investigation.
when the individual disputes the allegations or the findings.


6. Meeting process
A formal Meeting to consider Behaviour in Sport concerns will normally be a sub Committee of three people acting on the committee’s behalf
there will usually be a written report that will have been issued in advance to the person complained about. The sub Committee can decide to ask witnesses to attend, but they must leave after giving evidence.
The person complained about can bring a friend to the meeting. All questioning will be undertaken by the sub Committee members though the party [or the friend on their behalf] can make a statement as well as answering questions.
the parties will withdraw for the sub Committee to make its decision. Any decision taken by the sub Committee can be appealed to the Committee itself.
if the Committee takes the decision itself then any appeal would be heard by a Special General meeting of the club called for that purpose.


7. Standards

The standards of proof used for all questions of fact is the balance of probabilities. As mentioned above Codes of Conduct set out the standards of behaviour of all playing and coaching staff as well as that of parents.

 

8. Sanctions

Sanctions could include a verbal warning; a letter of warning; a final warning; suspension for a given period in participation in the sport for the club; compulsory training/retraining; or any other action the Committee/sub Committee consider appropriate. The sanction will not include a monetary fine. Expulsion from the club is reserved to a Special or Annual General Meeting