Cove Walking Football Club (the Club) Disciplinary Policy
- Introduction
This Disciplinary Policy should be read in conjunction with Cove WFC Constitution and Code of Conduct and outlines the process to be followed where a member, or members, of Cove WFC breach the standards reflected in the Constitution and Code of Conduct.
This policy is presented to ensure anyone engaging with Cove WFC and its players, whether at Cove or at league or competition venues, does so with the reassurance of entering a safe and secure environment, which is inclusive to all and free of abuse, discrimination and harm.
- Who this policy applies to
This Policy applies to all members of Cove WFC when representing the Club at normal sessions at Cove, or an event away from Cove. For the avoidance of doubt, this Disciplinary Policy applies to members whether or not club activity is taking place on club property, including away games and tours.
- Disciplinary Process
Members should notify Committee members of any breach of the Code of Conduct, either in person or in writing to the Secretary at secretarycovewfc@gmail.com
On being informed of, or witnessing any breach of the Code of Conduct, the Secretary should inform the Officers of the Club who will enact the terms of this Disciplinary Policy.
The Officers should delegate the initial investigation of the breach to an existing sub- committee or form a sub-committee of not less than 3 members, which may or not comprise Officers or other members of the Committee. The Officers may suspend the member from all Cove WFC events pending completion of any investigations required.
The sub-committee should investigate the complaint or event within 7 days of being informed and should report back to the Committee within 7 days. Where possible, face to face interviews should be held with members who have raised the complaint or witnessed the event. Any member who is charged with a disciplinary offence by the sub-committee, that could lead to their membership being cancelled or a suspension imposed should, if requested by the member, have the right to a face-to-face hearing with the disciplinary committee. They must be able to bring along another member to witness the hearing on his or her behalf.
The sub-committee should prepare a report and recommend appropriate disciplinary action for the member if they conclude a breach of conduct has occurred. The recommendation may consist of a formal warning as to future conduct, suspension of membership for a fixed period or termination of membership, or any other action considered appropriate by the sub-committee. A monetary fine is not allowable.
The Committee should consider the report and recommendation of the sub-committee but is not bound by this recommendation. At least one officer of the Club should recuse themselves from the consideration of the sub-committee’s recommendation, so that they may be the Independent Officer who is sufficiently independent to lead any appeal hearing in the event that is requested by the member.
The decision of the Committee should be communicated to the member by phone/email/other as soon as practicable.
The member may appeal the decision of the Committee. This should be by email to the Secretary at secretarycovewfc@gmail.com within 7 days of receipt of the decision of the Committee. The member should set out clearly their reasons of appeal.
In the event of an appeal, the Committee should form a sub-committee of three members, including one Independent Officer, who will determine the appeal. The sub-committee should consider the reports previously prepared and any mitigating facts provided by the member. The sub-committee may, but is not bound to, meet with the member who has lodged the appeal.
The decision of the sub-committee will be final and should be determined
and communicated to the member within 7 days of the appeal