Senior Player/Representative

Code of Conduct

 

As a senior player/representative of the South East SUNS Australian Football Club, I agree to uphold this Code of Conduct. I understand that as an integral component of my participation, I must maintain a standard of behaviour and conduct that is in the best interests of the game and the club.

 

Player Responsibilities

 

1.1 Behaviour

 

Players aspire to the highest standards of sportsmanship and professional conduct. Players must conduct themselves in a manner so as not to bring the game of Australian Rules Football, AFL Queensland, the South East SUNS AFC and other members into disrepute. Inappropriate behaviour could result in the player being stood down from games or suspended from the team.

 

This clause applies to a member's behaviour which:

 

(i)  Occur during the course of any match, training session, club function;

(ii)  Involves public comment;

(iii) Involves conduct deemed by the Management Committee to have brought the game of Australian         Rules Football and/or the South East SUNS AFC into disrepute.

 

Examples of behaviour by members which brings the code and club into disrepute may include:

 

*  Excessive and inappropriate swearing;

*  Inappropriate heckling or sledging;

*  Abuse directed at any official, player or spectator;

*  Misuse of social network sites for bullying players, criticising umpires or club officials;

*  Inappropriate behaviour because of excessive drinking;

*  Instances where members attend the club under the influence of illegal drugs.

 

1.2 Playing

 

South East SUNS AFC players must not wilfully engage or participate in any activity which may cause or aggravate any injury or illness and which prevents players from playing Australian Rules Football to the best of the individual's ability. Inappropriate abuse directed at any official, player or volunteer during a fixture is also unacceptable and can be held to be in breach of the Code. Inappropriate behaviour while playing could result in the player being stood down from games or suspended from the team.

 

1.3 Functions

 

South East SUNS AFC members are encouraged to attend, all official South East SUNS AFC football functions. Such official football functions may include:

 

* Authorised after-match functions;

* Annual general meeting;

* Annual post-season presentation night;

* All club functions that a member has been requested to attend club committee meetings.

 

1.4 Property

 

South East SUNS AFC members must show due regard for the property and facilities of the club and property, facilities and staff of other providers that a South East SUNS AFC player may utilise during any authorised activities.

 

Where a South East SUNS AFC member breaches this provision, he or she may be required to pay the relevant person or body an amount equivalent to the cost of repairing or replacing the damage the member caused to the property and/or facility. 

 

2. Minor Discipline Breaches

 

Where a player's conduct breaches a provision of this Code the disciplinary action to be taken by the club shall be determined by the South East SUNS AFC Management Committee, in consultation with senior players and the coach. Examples of conduct, which could be dealt with under this provision, include:

 

(i)    Failing to attend training, without notifying the coach;

(ii)   Being late for a match;

(iii)  Missing a required function without notifying the appropriate person;

(v)   Wearing incorrect apparel;

(vi)  Other conduct of a similar nature;

(vii) Refusing to fill a role requested by the coach on game days or at training if a player is injured,                suspended or not selected on match day.

 

In determining the disciplinary action to be taken under the Code, the club shall take into account the seriousness of the breach and whether the offence has been repeated by the player. The player may be stood down from the team for a maximum of two games. The player will have the right to appeal a decision through the Player's Advocate and/or through the complaints/appeals procedures of the South East SUNS AFC.

 

 

3. Major Discipline Breaches

 

3.1 Racial and Religious Vilification

 

Players must refrain from making any comment that vilifies or tends to vilify persons based on their race, religion, colour, sex, sexual orientation or other related characteristics. Inappropriate behaviour could result in the player being stood down from games or suspended from the team. The player will have the right to appeal a decision through the Player's Advocate and/or through the complaints/appeals procedures of the South East SUNS AFC.

 

3.2 Substance Abuse

 

The AFL Illicit Drugs Policy and AFL Anti-Doping Code prohibit the taking of illicit and/or performance-enhancing substances. It is the responsibility of players to report suspected illegal or inappropriate use or distribution of alcohol or drugs to the coach or management committee. Any player, coach or official found to be using or distributing illegal substances on the club premises and at any time while representing the club will be immediately suspended until a police investigation has been completed.

 

 

For a copy of our Code of Conduct please click here.