CODE OF CONDUCT

Port Melbourne Tennis Club

February 2020

Introduction:

Port Melbourne Tennis Club (PMTC) is a family friendly club that respects the rights of its members and the community which it serves.

Competition play is governed by the ITF Rules of Tennis as adopted by Tennis Victoria and Tennis Australia and Tennis Australia’s Code of Behaviour as applicable to member associations. In addition, this general Code of Conduct has been developed from Tennis Australia resources and is applicable to all players including members, casual court hire users and other visitors to PMTC.

All players are expected to abide by this Code and failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.

The Code of Conduct comprises the following:

  1. General Code of Conduct
  2. Administrator Code of Conduct
  3. Player Code of Conduct
  4. Parent/Guardian Code of Conduct
  5. Grievance Procedure

General Code of Conduct

  1. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of others
  2. Be fair, considerate and honest in all dealings with others
  3. Be professional in, and accept responsibility for your actions
  4. Make a commitment to providing quality service
  5. Demonstrate a high degree of individual responsibility especially when dealing with persons under 18 years of age, as your words and actions are an example
  6. Be aware of, and maintain an uncompromising adhesion to PMTC standards, rules regulations and policies
  7. Operate within the rules of tennis including national and international guidelines which govern PMTC and the Member Associations
  8. Understand your responsibility if you breach, or are aware of any breaches of this Code of Conduct
  9. Do not use your involvement with PMTC to promote your own beliefs, behaviours or practices where these are inconsistent with those of PMTC.
  10. Avoid unaccompanied and unobserved activities with persons under 18 years of age, wherever possible
  11. Refrain from any form of abuse towards others
  12. Refrain from any form of harassment towards, or discrimination of others
  13. Provide a safe environment for the conduct of the activity
  14. Show concern and caution towards others who may be sick or injured
  15. Be a positive role model

Administrator Code of Conduct

  1. Be fair, considerate and honest in all dealings with others
  2. Be professional in and accept responsibility for your actions. Your language, presentation, manners and punctuality should reflect high standards
  3. Demonstrate a high degree of individual responsibility especially when dealing with persons under 18 years of age, as your words and actions are an example
  4. Resolve conflicts fairly and promptly through established procedures
  5. Maintain strict impartiality
  6. Maintain a safe environment for you and others
  7. Be aware of your legal responsibilities
  8. Be a positive role model for others

Players Code of Conduct

  1. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of fellow players, coaches, officials and spectators.
  2. Refrain from conduct which could be regarded as sexual or other harassment towards fellow players and coaches.
  3. Refrain from making audible obscenities that may offend other players, spectators and neighbours.
  4. Respect the talent, potential and development of fellow squad players and competitors.
  5. Care and respect the en tous cas courts by regular watering and sweeping. In warmer months this could mean watering at the beginning of play and after each set. Courts must be swept from fence line to fence line at the end of each set and the end of play.
  6. Wear appropriate tennis clothing and footwear at all times. Cross-trainers and similar shoes with inappropriate soles must not be worn.
  7. Comply with the hours and conditions permitted for play.
  8. Be frank and honest with your coach concerning illness and injury and your ability to train fully within the program requirements.
  9. Conduct yourself in a professional manner relating to language, temper and punctuality.
  10. Maintain high personal behaviour standards at all times.
  11. Abide by the rules and respect the decision of the umpire, match referee or other adjudicator, making all appeals through the formal process and respecting the final decision.
  12. Be honest in your attitude and preparation to training. Work equally hard for yourself and your team/crew.
  13. Cooperate with coaches and staff in development of programs to adequately prepare you for competition at the highest level.
  14. In the event of busy times at the courts, players are encouraged to participate in doubles games in preference to singles.
  15. As a courtesy, if other members are waiting, singles and doubles players are encouraged to complete their current set only.
  16. Footwear: Flat-soled tennis shoes without heels are strictly required to be worn on court at all times. Rippled sole, desert boots or shoes which are clearly not tennis shoes damage the court surface and are not permitted. Thongs and bare feet are not regarded as being appropriate for the courts.
  17. Players are required to dress respectfully in neat casual tennis clothing when on court. This excludes all forms of jeans, long trousers, bathing trunks and football clothing. A top must be worn at all times.
  18. Out of courtesy to other players, movement across the back of the court is discouraged when play is in progress.
  19. In order to keep our courts in such great condition, players must water and sweep the courts on the completion of each set and on the completion of play
  20. Current members are welcome to invite visitors however, visitors wishing to use courts more regularly than four times per annum must become members of the Club. Any visitor violations may result in membership and access being cancelled.
  21. During times of organised social play, participants are encouraged to mix and match the pairings as guided by the court captain.

Parent / Guardian Code of Conduct

  1. Treating your child the same irrespective of them winning or losing.
  2. Remembering that your child plays tennis for their enjoyment not yours.
  3. Trying to have fun when you are around your children at competitions. Well-directed humour can be a great de-stressor.
  4. Looking relaxed, calm and positive on the sidelines.
  5. Making friends with other parents at competitions.
  6. Getting involved in appropriate ways if your child or the coach behaves in unacceptable ways during competitions.
  7. Letting the coach do the coaching.
  8. Understanding that children will benefit from a break sometimes and that involvement in other sports is okay.
  9. Being there when the child performs poorly. Be an understanding listener rather than a critic, judge and/or fixer.
  10. Being prepared to give your child some space so that he/she can grow and develop as an independent person.
  11. Letting your child know that your love for them is not associated with their sporting performances.
  12. Communicating with your child and asking them how they are really feeling about their sport and about competing in particular.
  13. Occasionally letting your child compete without you being there.
  14. Emphasising the good things your child did in preparing for and during the match/tournament.
  15. Try to avoid:
  • Saying, “we’re playing today”. Instead say, “you’re playing today”. Give your child credit for accepting the responsibility of performing.
  • Getting too pushy or believe that you are indispensable. Let the coach do the coaching.
  • Living through your child’s performances.
  • Turning away when your child performs.
  • Turning away when your child’s behaviour is unsportsmanlike.
  • Telling your child what he/she did wrong after a tough match.
  • Making enemies with your child’s opponents or family during a match/tournament.
  • Making your child feel guilty by reminding them about all the time, money and sacrifices you are making for his or her sport.
  • Thinking of your child’s sporting performances as an investment for which you expect a return.
  • Badgering, harassing or use sarcasm to motivate your child.
  • Comparing your child’s performances with those of other children.
  • Forcing your child to go to training. If they are sick of training find out why and discuss it with them.

Grievance procedure

In the event that there is an alleged breach of this Code, the person(s) aggrieved may lodge their grievance in writing with the Secretary, PMTC (secretary@pmtc.org.au), clearly stating the date, time and nature of the alleged infringement.

The grievance will be considered within a reasonable timeframe by the Disciplinary Tribunal comprising the President, Vice President and Secretary.

The Disciplinary Tribunal will investigate the grievance to substantiate or disprove the claim made by interviewing the affected parties or by whatever other means it chooses.

The Disciplinary Tribunal will inform the General Committee of its findings and recommendations. The General Committee will decide what penalty will be imposed, if any.

Should the player be found to have committed the breach, the General Committee will impose a penalty consistent with the severity and circumstances of the breach. Should the severity of the breach warrant, membership may be suspended or cancelled.

The decision of the General Committee is final.