Member Protection Policy

WHA is required to adopt and implement the Hockey Australia Member Protection Policy and to provide proof to HA of the approval of the policy by the relevant board in accordance with its constitution. Member associations must also undertake to ensure that affiliated Clubs and individual Members are bound by this policy and are made aware of this policy and what it says.

The policy is available at the following link: https://www.hockeynsw.com.au/associations/member-protection/

Safeguarding of Children and Young People

WHA is committed to the safeguarding of children and young people. One way we do this is by ensuring that our members behave in a way that creates a safe, positive and inclusive environment. The Codes of Behaviour (Rule 17) provide guidelines for what is reasonable and sports like behaviour by ALL participants in our sport. They represent the minimum standards of member behaviour and must always be complied with. Members are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the Codes of Conduct and to ensure that their behaviour, as well as the behaviour of others within the Club, is appropriate. They are encouraged to say something if they see something that doesn’t feel right or is not in line with the Codes of Conduct.

Working with Children Check (WWCC)

Good child-safe policies and practices are the best way to reduce potential environmental risks and keep kids safer in our organisation and since April 2016 all sporting organisations must comply with the Child Protection legislation. This means that a WWCC is now a prerequisite for anyone in child-related roles, either paid or voluntary. What is the Working with Children Check? The WWCC is managed by the Office of the Children’s Guardian and involves a national criminal history check and review of findings of workplace misconduct. The result of a WWCC is either a clearance to work with children for five years or a bar against working with children.

A Check is a prerequisite for anyone in child-related work. However, there are several exemptions which are explained below.

Exemptions for the Working with Children Check

• Children under the age of 18
• Administrative, clerical, maintenance or ancillary work not ordinarily involving contact with children for extended periods
• Very short-term work: not more than a total of 5 days in a calendar year (eg. parent helpers on a bbq)
• Volunteering by a parent or close relative with a team, program or other activity* in which their child usually participates or is a team member (most of the coaches in WHA clubs are covered by this exemption)
• Co-workers and supervisors where a child works.