DisclaimerCode of EthicsComplaints / AppealsRecruitment / SelectionYoung Players COCFormsContactsGarda Vetting
The Munster Branch of the Irish Hockey Association (MBIHA) takes no responsibility for any Course or Camp not run directly by the MBIHA
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MBIHA Complaints and Appeals Procedure
Complaints and appeals in relation to young people, their sports leaders and their parents involved in any of the events under the direct control of the MBIHA should be dealt with under the ‘Code of Ethics complaints and appeals procedures’.
In respect of allegations or suspicions of abuse the standard reporting procedure as outlined in Appendix 2 – Standard Report Form should be followed in ROI.
The complaints and appeals procedure allows all participants and the parents of young participants who are dissatisfied to register their complaint in a formal way and put an open process of investigation into action.
- Complaints should be dealt with as much as possible verbally at source locally.
- Complaints may be lodged by all participants and the parents of young participants involved in the event under the control of the MBIHA
- They should be received in writing by the secretary of the Board of Management of the MBIHA and should be responded to within 5 working days
- The complaint should outline all relevant details about other parties involved
- The complaint should be brought to the attention of the Chairperson of the Board of Management who will convene the complaints committee
- The composition of the complaints committee should consist of a representative of the Board of Management, the Children’s Officer and members of the Branch to which the complainants belong.
- If the complaint involves a possible criminal offence the chairperson should disband the complaints committee and talk to the Children’s Officer and the Designated Person. The statutory authorities will then be informed.
- The complaints committee should hear the case of all parties involved and decide if a rule or regulation or the Code of Ethics has been infringed
- They should, in writing, inform those involved of the sanctions to be imposed and the reason for the sanctions. Written notification should be given to parents if the complaint is against a young person
- Written confidential records on all complaints should be kept safely and confidentially on file.
- If any party does not agree with the complaints committee, they can appeal the decision in writing within 10-day period.
- The appeals committee is convened, whose chairperson should be taken from the executive committee and those who have not been on the original complaints committee
- The appeals committee should confirm or set aside or change any sanction imposed by the complaints committee
- For ‘Discipline in Children’s Sport’ including appropriate sanctions for children see Appendix 3 – Discipline in Children’s Hockey
Each club must have a similar complaints procedure with the possibility of an appeal to the MBIHA appeals committee.
MBIHA Recruitment & Selection Policy
MBIHA will take all reasonable steps to ensure that adults working with young people are suitable and appropriately qualified. Recruitment and selection procedures will apply to all persons with substantial access to young people, whether paid or unpaid. A decision to appoint a Leader is the responsibility of the club / Branch / Association and not of any one individual within it. The relevant committees should ratify all recommendations for appointment.
Hockey will use the following as a suitable procedure:-
- The responsibilities of the role and the level of experience/qualifications required should be drawn up and clearly stated.
- Before taking on the role the leader should be made aware of the Code of Conduct as it relates to young people and any related guidelines within this document. Before being voted / nominated / appointed to a position which brings them in contact with young people, the leader should be made aware of the Code of Conduct as it relates to young people and any related guidelines within this document. This involves newly recruited volunteers, paid personnel and all volunteers assigned by the club / Branch / Association for that season.
- New leaders should fill in an information and self declaration form, giving names of two referees who will be contacted verbally and using the self-declaration questions.
See sample forms:
Appendix 4 – Application form for New Leaders
Appendix 5 – Self Declaration/Vetting Permission Form)
Appendix 6 – Confidential Reference Form
For a regulated position within NI a permission for a Protection of Children (NI) Service check must be completed (from late 2007 this service will be known as Access NI (Appendix 5 – Self Declaration/Vetting Permission Form)
- All new volunteers should undergo an induction; this can be done in an informal manner. Following this, a probationary period is advisable.
- New and existing Leaders will sign the appropriate Code of Conduct, including the self-declaration form,
Appendix 7 – Existing Leaders Information and Declaration Form. - Adequate supervision should always be provided; a leader should not have to work alone.
Every effort should be made to manage and support appointed Leaders. Coaching courses and workshops will be provided, Codes of Conduct will be made available and where possible, vetting will be implemented. In Northern Ireland those who will be working with children and young people in regulated positions (training, coaching, organisation of youth hockey, etc) will be asked to agree to the vetting procedures that are available in Northern Ireland, through the Protection of Children (NI) Service (POC(NI)), formally known as the Pre-Employment Consultancy Service (PECS now POCVA). MBIHA is committed to signing up to use any similar service when it becomes available in ROI.
MBIHA Code of Conduct for Young People
Hockey wants to provide the best possible environment for all young people involved in the sport. Young people deserve to be given enjoyable, safe sporting opportunities, free of abuse of any kind. These participants have rights, which must be respected, and responsibilities that they must accept. Young people should be encouraged to realise that they have responsibilities to treat other participants and sports leaders with fairness and respect.
Young players are entitled to:
- Be safe and to feel safe
- Be listened to
- Be believed
- Have fun and enjoy hockey
- Have a voice in relation to their activities within Hockey
- Be treated with dignity, sensitivity and respect
- Participate on an equitable and fair manner, irrespective of ability, disability, gender, religion, social class, etc.
- Experience competition at a level at which they feel comfortable
- Make complaints and have them dealt with
- Get help against bullies
- Say No
- Protect their own bodies
- Confidentiality (see section on confidentiality)
Young players should always:
- Treat Sports Leaders with respect, (including administrators, coaches, umpires, managers, children’s officers, club officials, etc.,)
- Look out for themselves and the welfare of others
- Play fairly at all times, do their best
- Be organised and on time, tell someone if you are leaving a venue or competition
- Respect team members, even when things go wrong
- Respect opponents, be gracious in defeat
- Abide by the rules set down by team managers when travelling to away events, representing the club, school, province or country, etc.
- Behave in a manner that avoids bringing Hockey in any way into disrepute
- Talk to the Children’s Officer within the club if they have any problems
Young players should never:
- Cheat
- Use violence or physical contact that is not allowed within the rules
- Shout or argue with officials, team mates or opponents
- Harm team members, opponents or their property
- Bully or use bullying tactics to isolate another player or gain advantage
- Take banned substances, alcohol, smoke or engage in sexual behaviour
- Keep secrets, especially if they have caused or could cause harm
- Tell lies about adults / young people
- Spread rumours
- Discriminate against other players on the basis of gender, disability, social class, religion
Childrens Officer:
Shirley Moore 087 230 7450 email: childrensofficer@munsterhockey
Designated Person:
Sharon Hutchinson 086 8812617 email: sharon_hutchinso@hotmail.com
The National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 makes vetting mandatory for anyone volunteering or seeking employment relating to children or vulnerable persons. Anybody who is involved in âany work or activity which is carried out by a person, a necessary and regular part of which consists mainly of the person having access to, or contact with childrenâ must be vetted.
It will be an offence for an organisation or an employer to employ someone to work with children or vulnerable persons without going through the vetting procedures set out in the Act. Liability rests with the organisation or employer, not the employee.
The new vetting forms are now available online along with some updated Frequently Asked Questions and details on Identification Validation. See here for all details.
Please read through the Steps for Completing the Garda Vetting form thoroughly before completing forms/
If you have any questions or queries regarding vetting please contact Vivienne Clarke at 01 7163269 or by email on Vivienne.clarke@hockey.ie.
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