Zero Tolerance Policy

ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY
PREAMBLE

Little Athletics Queensland (LAQ) recognises the importance of providing a safe and enjoyable environment for all those who participate in Little Athletics in Queensland.

LAQ seeks to eliminate all forms of unsportsmanlike behaviour, and has developed this policy to clearly outline the processes and penalties to be applied.
A person to whom this policy applies will not indulge in any unsportsmanlike behaviour towards another participant, official or spectator involved in a recognised Little Athletics activity, including organised training, and will adhere to the relevant Code of Conduct/Ethics and Member Protection Policy.
It is recommended that this policy be adopted by all Affiliated Centres to ensure a common acceptable standard of behaviour, processes and penalties.
The penalties associated with this policy are presented as guidelines for Centres to follow. Penalties may change and/or categories added at the discretion of the LAQ Board.

POLICY

A registered athlete, an official, or assistant in Little Athletics within Queensland, or any spectator will not indulge in any unsportsmanlike behaviour towards another participant, official, or spectator involved in a recognised Little Athletics activity, including organised training and will adhere to the relevant Codes of Conduct/Ethics.

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of this policy are to:
• Remove all forms of unsportsmanlike behaviour from all aspects of Little Athletics in Queensland.
• Protect all participants, officials and volunteers from exposure to unsportsmanlike behaviour.
• Provide a consistent application of processes and penalties for breaches of the Codes of
Conduct/Ethics.

APPLICATION

This policy applies to:
a) Administrators of Little Athletics in Queensland at State, Region and Centre level, whether they be employed or a volunteer;
b) Athletes in activities and events held by or under the auspices of LAQ and its Centres;
c) Coaches of athletes in activities and events held by or under the auspices of LAQ and its Centres;
d) Officials in activities and events held by or under the auspices of LAQ and its Centres;
e) Managers of teams participating in activities and events held by or under the auspices of LAQ and its Centres;
f) LAQ registered athletes when involved as a spectator of activities and events held by or under the auspices of LAQ and its Centres;
g) Spectators of activities and events held by or under the auspices of LAQ and its Centres.

DEFINITIONS

“Centre” A Little Athletics Centre as defined in the LAQ Constitution.
“CEO” A person appointed by the Board of Directors as Chief Executive
Officer of the Association.
“Centre Manager” A person elected by the Centre members to act on behalf of the
Centre in matters forthcoming to the Centre.
“Centre Team Manager” A person appointed by the Centre committee to manage the
athletes representing the Centre at all approved competitions.
“Centre Secretary” A person elected by the Centre members to carry out duties as
listed in the Centre constitution and the Associations Incorporation
Act 1981.
“Category” Is the Category of Violation as listed in this Policy.
“Commissioner” Appointed by the LAQ Board of Directors to review reports and
implement the penalties as required.
“Discipline Tribunal” Shall comprise three individuals appointed by the LAQ Board of
Directors to deal with all matters relating to discipline of members
of the Association and/or affiliated Centre, as shall be brought
before it by the Association’s Secretary.
“Expulsion” Is to bring the individual’s membership to an end immediately
such that it does not revive automatically with the passage of a stipulated period. Expulsion precludes the individual from enjoying the benefits of membership eg competition, officiating and coaching. Expulsion does not preclude entitlements of an
ordinary citizen.
“Official” Is any person appointed to an official position of LAQ, its Regions
or Centres.
“Penalty” Is the punishment imposed by the Commissioner or Discipline
Tribunal in accordance with this policy.
“Registered Little Athlete” Is a child registered with a Little Athletics Centre or an
unincorporated Centre affiliated with LAQ
“Report” A report must include all relevant information relating to the incident eg. date, time, venue, persons involved in the incident.
“Spectator” A person observing at a Little Athletics event, or its associated activities, including training, from a position in the immediate vicinity of those activities.
“Suspension” Is to debar an individual temporarily from membership. Suspension
precludes the individual from enjoying the benefits of membership eg competition, officiating and coaching for a specific period after which the membership is reinstated. Suspension does not preclude the individual from entitlements of an ordinary citizen.

UNSPORTSMANLIKE BEHAVIOUR

Unsportsmanlike behaviour can occur in both the instigation of and response to any incident and includes, but is not limited to:
• Verbal abuse and/or assault
• Physical abuse and/or assault
• Discrimination (as stated in the Member Protection Policy)
• Harassment (as stated in the Member Protection Policy)
• Making derogatory statements or gestures
• Cheating
• Non acceptance of the official’s decision in an inappropriate manner
• Equipment Abuse

CATEGORIES OF OFFENCE AND PENALTY

Unsportsmanlike behaviour has been broken up into a number of categories of violation to determine the most appropriate penalty to be applied for breaches to this policy. These penalties may change from time to time. Applicable penalties for each category of offence are shown below:
These categories are:

P1
 Use of audible foul language
 Disputing judgment/decision of an official
 Minor equipment abuse
 Frivolous complaints (first incident)

P2
 Rough play, barging, pushing etc
 Displays of unnecessary aggressive behaviour
 Verbal abuse via telephone to LAQ/Centre personnel
 Disparaging or insulting remarks and/or the use of foul language directed toward another athlete/official.
 Failing to carry out a lawful direction of an official

P3
 Prolonged verbal abuse of an official/athlete
 Deliberately barging with force
 Displays of excessive aggressive behaviour
 Frivolous complaint (second and further incidents)
 Major equipment abuse where there is potential to injure participants and/or spectators

 Provoking a fight, but no further involvement
 Fighting after being provoked

 Provocation and involvement in fighting
 Threatening an official or athlete

 Physically attacking an official or athlete

 Other as determined by the Commissioner