MEMBER PROTECTION

Ensuring all members of the OMWPA community feel safe and included is crucial to our association.  Member protection is the term used to describe practices put in place within our association to protect our members from discrimination, harassment, abuse and other inappropriate behaviour. Child safeguarding is also of the utmost importance within the OMWPA. 

Our association as with our governing body WPNSW, as members of Water Polo Australia, have implemented and endorsed the following policies aligned with the National Integrity Framework (NIF) as agreed between Sports Australia and National Sporting Organisations.

These policies include the following and can be found on this link: Water Polo NSW Policy Hub

• • IMPROPER USE OR DRUGS AND MEDICINE POLICY
  • AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL ANTI-DOPING POLICY
  • COMPLAINTS, DISPUTES AND DISCIPLINE POLICY
  • CHILD SAFEGUARDING POLICY
  • CODE OF CONDUCT
  • PERSONAL GRIEVANCES POLICY 

OMWPA also promotes good behaviour by following and promoting the principles of Think Act Play as well as being a member of Good Sports, click here to find out more

Essential to all sporting associations to implement these practices is appointing a Member Protection Information Officer (MPIO).

The O&M Water Polo Association MPIO is Cassandra Walters, Cassandra can be contacted via email mpio@omwaterpolo.com

The role of the MPIO is to provide information and guidance on complaints procedures and are the first point of contact for enquiries, concerns or complaints about harassment, abuse or other inappropriate behaviour.

Within our association the MPIO is also available to support members who have been sanctioned for offences committed within the association, as per the newly released National Sanctioning policy released by Water Polo Australia, as per below. All correspondence with our MPIO is strictly confidential.

WPAUS National Sanctioning Policy

How to raise a concern?

Everyone from athletes, officials, parents, support personnel, administrators and supporters play a role in protecting the integrity of our sport. Complaints received will be evaluated and either managed by O&M or escalated to WPNSW, WPA or referred to SIA or an appropriate external agency, or passed back to the complainant with suggested pathways for them to pursue where the Complaint is out of scope.

If you see or hear something that doesn’t seem right, say something!

Water Polo NSW (WPNSW) and O&M is committed to safety, both in and out of the pool. WPNSW has a zero-tolerance policy to the abuse of officials, team officials, game officials, players or spectators. We must have positive behaviour, enjoy the game and lead by example. O&M reminds members of their rights and responsibilities under Water Polo Australia (WPA)/WPNSW integrity, disciplinary and grievance policies which you can find by following the links below:

• National Integrity Framework – click HERE to view introductory video

 • Code of Conduct – click HERE

• Personal Grievances Policy – click HERE

If you need to make a complaint you can find more information about the process here:
Water Polo NSW Policies
National Sports Integrity Information and complaints