This Code of Conduct applies to all Officials, Players, Volunteers, Members and Supporters of the Fitzroy Football Club and should be read in conjunction with the policies of the VAFA available at http://www.vafa.com/club-info/vafa-policies/.

Purpose

The objective of the Code is to is to ensure that all associated with the club conduct themselves in a fair and generous manner, at all times respecting umpires and opposition players, officials and supporters, whilst recognising the principle of fair play and the need to promote the game of football and its parent body, the VAFA.

The Club is committed to ensuring safe, welcoming and inclusive environments for all people involved in the Club.

Behaviour

All must conduct themselves in a manner so as not to bring the VAFA, the Club and members of the community into disrepute. Inappropriate behaviour could result in sanctions to be determined by the Club’s Committee.

This applies to behaviour which:

• Occurs during the course of any match, training session or Club function;
• Involves public comment; and
• Involves conduct deemed by the Board to have brought the VAFA and/or the Club into disrepute.

Examples of behaviour which brings the Club into disrepute includes:

• 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;
• Harassment (whether sexual or otherwise); and/or
• Instances where people attend the club under the influence of illegal drugs or excessive alcohol consumption

Property

All must show due regard for the property and facilities of the Club and the property, facilities and staff of other providers that are used during any authorised activities. Where a person breaches this provision, he or she may be subject to disciplinary action.

Social Media

All associated with the club are to not engage in any negative or harmful commentary towards others associated with the Club or the VAFA on any social media platforms. This includes posting statuses, images and/or comments.

Substance Abuse

AFL Illicit Drugs Policy and AFL Anti-Doping Code prohibit the taking of illicit and/or performance- enhancing substances. Any person found to be using or distributing illegal substances on the Club premises and at any time while representing the Club will be subject to disciplinary action.

Complaints Handling Process

Any complaints alleging a breach of the Code of Conduct will be treated very seriously and investigated. The FFC Board will decide whether any disciplinary action is taken and will communicate its decision to the relevant people involved.

Introduction

While the vast majority of players registered by the Fitzroy Football Club (FFC) are over 18 years old, some teams include players who have not turned 18. 

The Fitzroy FC seeks to ensure that all players feel safe and included but acknowledges that special effort must be made to ensure the safety and wellbeing of players under the age of 18, who are training and playing alongside older players.

The Club has developed a Safeguarding Children and Young People Framework which meets the Victorian Government’s Child Safety Standards and AFL Victoria’s Safeguarding Children and Young People approach. The Framework includes our Club's Policy, appointment of a Child Safety Officer each season and our Declaration below.

In 2024, the Club's Safeguarding Officer is Sophie Arnold, Director of Communications. Sophie can be contacted via media@fitzroyfc.com.au or 0421 214 334.

Safeguarding Children and Young People Declaration

The safety and wellbeing of children and young people is a key priority of the Fitzroy Football Club and we hereby declare our commitment to creating an environment that is safe and welcoming for all children and young people to participate in football.

To achieve this, our Club is committed to implementing the Victorian Child Safe Standards through our Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy, Code of Conduct, Complaints and Reporting Procedure policies. These policies and procedures will help meet the requirements of the Victorian Child Safe Standards and will:

• Establish a culturally safe environment in which diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected
• Embed child and young people safety and wellbeing in organisational leadership, governance and culture
• Empower children and young people so they know their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously
• Inform and engage families in respect to child safety and wellbeing
• Ensure that equity and diversity is upheld through our policies and practices
• Engage volunteers and officials to ensure that they are suitable to work with children and young people
• Respond to complaints and concerns promptly, thoroughly and with a child and young people focused approach
• Educate staff, game day personnel and volunteers to provide them with knowledge and skills about how to create a safe and welcoming environment for children and young people
• Understand and mitigate the risks to children and young people in physical and online environments
• Review and improve our related policies, procedures and practices regularly
• Role model behaviour and actions documented in policies, procedures and practices guiding how our Club is safe for children and young people

Our Club has zero tolerance for any form of child abuse or harm and will act quickly and in the best interest of the child or young person should an allegation of harm or abuse occur. Our Club commits to:

• Discussing and signing this declaration as a Committee to formally endorse our commitment
• Promoting this declaration and our commitment to creating a safe and welcoming environment for all children and young people through our Club network (Club notice board, social media pages, email and newsletter correspondence)
• Appointing a child safeguarding officer and promoting their details to families/members/volunteers.
• Regular discussion at Club meetings to action the Child Safe Standards

Introduction

Fitzroy Football Club does not allow the use, distribution or selling of illegal drugs by any club member or any visitors within our club’s jurisdiction. This policy reflects our club’s commitment to protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of all persons associated with the club and all persons in attendance at club activities.

Purpose of this policy
The purpose of this policy is to ensure the club committee and club members understand the club’s position regarding illegal drugs and how it will respond to a drug-related incident within its jurisdiction.

Extent of this policy
This policy refers to illegal drugs only, which is defined as “a substance that is not permitted to be taken or used according to state or national laws such as cannabis (marijuana), amphetamines (speed and “ice”), ecstasy, cocaine, heroin and a range of new psycho-active substances known as synthetic drugs". This policy does not apply to pharmaceutical drugs or performance enhancing drugs (unless they are captured in the above definition).

This policy should be read and understood in conjunction with the club’s Code of Conduct.

When does this policy apply?
This policy applies whenever the individual is taking part in activities under the club’s jurisdiction. This includes our club’s facilities, games, matches, training, events and trips organised by the club.

Private behaviour of members is not included in this policy as the club cannot be responsible for the behaviour of its members outside our club’s jurisdiction; however, this policy will apply whenever an individual is wearing a part of the official club uniform which would identify them as being a representative of the club.

Who does this policy apply to?
All club members and visitors to our club.

Responsibilities
Our club will:

• Activate and comply with the policy.
• Promote the policy to everyone within our club.
• Promote and role model expected standards of behaviours at all times.
• Appoint and support appropriate persons such as mentors to lead the initial response, investigation and action for all illegal drug-related incidents.
• Respond to breaches of this policy discreetly and in a timely manner.
• Investigate all apparent, or alleged, breaches of this policy and take action after all relevant facts and circumstances are known.
• Ensure all responses and actions will reflect the club’s duty of care to members and visitors.
• Review this policy every year.
• Provide opportunities for members to be educated on illegal drugs.
• Have a list of health service providers in our area who would be able to support an individual with a drug and/or alcohol-related issue.

Individuals will:

• Comply with the policy.
• Promote and role model expected standards of behaviours at all times.
• Be responsible and accountable for their behaviour.
• Alert club officials with any concern about illegal drug use within the club.
• Honour our commitment to the health, safety and welfare of all of our members.

Responding to illegal drugs
Privacy
Where possible, the investigation of illegal drug-related concerns or incidents will remain confidential in line with our club’s privacy policy.

The Privacy Policy of the Fitzroy Football Club is as follows:

• The Fitzroy Football Club will always act with discretion.
• Subject to its right to contact the Police if necessary, the Fitzroy Football Club will maintain the privacy of those involved as far as possible.
• Club members will be informed about the incident on a need-to-know basis only.

Investigating the concern or incident
The committee will investigate all illegal drug-related concerns or incidents in a timely and discreet manner.

Once all relevant facts and circumstances are known, the president will recommend appropriate approaches and/or disciplinary measures to the club Board based on the guiding principles outlined in this policy.

Response
When responding to an illegal drug-related concern or incident, the responses by the club will focus on the safety and welfare of those directly and indirectly involved. All responses will reflect the club’s duty of care to members and visitors.

All illegal drug-related concerns or incidents should be discussed with the club’s president as soon as possible. The president will document the issue using the incident register and investigate the concern/incident further. In the event that the president is not available, another club official may substitute for them.

If illegal drugs are being distributed or sold on the club’s premises by a member or visitor of any age, the President may contact the local police to seek their advice.

If illegal drugs are found within the club’s jurisdiction the president may contact local police to seek their advice and expertise on how they can be disposed of safely.

Illegal drug use by a member under 18 years
Where the club identifies that a person under the age of 18 years is involved in illegal drug use the Fitzroy Football Club will:

• Inform the individual that the president or relevant committee member may contact the parent or guardian to discuss the incident if it is appropriate and safe to do so.
• Contact the parent or guardian to discuss, unless, informing the parent or guardian would put the individual at risk of greater harm.
• In the case of a visitor in this instance, the Fitzroy Football Club will inform the visiting club.
  

Non-compliance with policy

Our club will respond to all breaches of this policy. Any disciplinary measures imposed under our policy must:

• Be fair and reasonable and will focus on the safety and welfare of those directly and indirectly involved.
• Be based on the evidence and information gathered and the impact on the club, other members, players, patrons, visitors and the community.
• Take into account the age and personal circumstances of the people involved.
• Take into account whether the incident involved personal use of an illegal drug and/or the supply of an illegal drug to other people.

Examples of breaches of policy:
1. If a member sells or distributes illegal drugs in the club’s jurisdiction, the following will occur:

• The Fitzroy Football Club may contact the local police to seek their advice.
• Consequences for the individual (s) will depend on the circumstances or severity.
• Where applicable, the individual (s) may be referred to a local health service provider.
• The club will appoint a senior person to act as a mentor to a suspended individual (s) for a nominated period of time and to assist them to reintegrate with the club, if applicable.
• If the individual (s) concerned is/are under 18, their parent or guardian would be informed immediately of the incident and of the consequences, unless informing the parent or guardian would put the individual at risk of greater harm.
• In the case of a visitor, the Fitzroy Football Club will inform the visiting club.

2. If a member is found in possession of an illegal drug, the following will occur:

• The individual (s) will be asked to hand-over the substance and the club will follow the procedures for handling illegal drugs in its jurisdiction.
• The Fitzroy Football Club may contact the local police to seek their advice.
• Consequences for the individual (s) will depend on the circumstances or severity.
• Where applicable, the individual (s) may be referred to a local health service provider.
• The club will appoint a senior person to act as a mentor to a suspended individual(s) for a nominated period of time and to assist them to reintegrate with the club, if applicable.
• If the individual(s) concerned is/are under 18, their parent or guardian would be informed immediately of the incident and of the consequences, unless informing the parent or guardian would put the individual at risk of greater harm.
• In the case of a visitor, the Fitzroy Football Club will inform the visiting club.

3. If a member is found using drugs, or is affected by the use of illegal drugs under the club’s jurisdiction:

• The Fitzroy Football Club would ensure the safety and wellbeing of the individual is the first priority.
• Seek out medical assistance, if required.
• If required, contact next of kin.
• If the individual (s) concerned is/are under 18, their parent or guardian would be informed immediately of the incident and of the consequences, unless informing the parent or guardian would put the individual at risk of greater harm.
• Ensure individual is safely transported to their home.
• When the individual’s health has returned to a normal state, the club president/committee members may investigate and take appropriate action.
• Where applicable, the individual (s) may be referred to a local health service provider.
• In the case of a visitor, the Fitzroy Football Club will inform the visiting club.

Managing media
All contact with the media related to a drug-related allegation or incident within its jurisdiction will be managed by the club’s official spokesperson.

The Fitzroy Football Club recognizes that passive smoking is hazardous to health and those non-smoking club members and visitors have the right to be protected from exposure to tobacco smoke.

Accordingly, the following policy shall apply to all club facilities, functions, meetings and activities undertaken by the club and will apply to all members, officials, players and club visitors.

Facilities

All club facilities are to be completely smoke free and shall include:

• The social rooms inclusive of bar, kitchen, meeting room, toilets and storage area
• Player change rooms inclusive of warm up area, toilets and showers, medical room and property room.

Cigarettes will not be sold (including vending machines) at any time at or by the club.

Players, Officials & Coaches

Coaches, players, trainers, volunteers and officials will refrain from smoking while involved in an official game day capacity for the club. They will be permitted to smoke in a designated area away from supporters, players, staff and buildings only during official breaks and shall not be late returning to their duties as a result.

Functions

All club functions including social and fund raising events and meetings are to be completely smoke free:

• Ashtrays will be removed from all club facilities
• Cigarette butt bins will be provided at outdoor locations for smokers to dispose of cigarette butts before entering/re-entering smoke free areas at club facilities
• Smokers leaving the designated licensed area of the clubs social rooms will not be permitted to take alcohol from that area.

All club functions held away from the club facilities are to be completely smoke free and shall require an assurance from the venue management of compliance with the club policy before a booking is confirmed by:

• Removing all ashtrays from inside venue where function is to be held
• Enforcing a smoke free policy during the function

Invitations and advertising for functions, meetings and events will be promoted as smoke free.

The Good Sport Policy can be found here: Good Sports Policy.pdf

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to

• ensure that the club’s sponsors are reflective of the club’s values and vision and that arrangements with sponsors are well documented and adhered.
• establish the framework and guidelines for the creation of productive partnerships between FFC and potential sponsorship alliances with businesses, corporations, foundations, individuals and other non-government organisations.

Policy

A sponsorship is about relationship building and can be a powerful way to build and strengthen partnerships. It is recognised that such alliances can provide important financial and marketing support to potential partners the Fitzroy Football Club (FFC) while at the same time generate additional revenues to support FFC’s Purpose and Vision.

The fundamental principles that shape FCC’s relationships with sponsors are:

1. Sponsorship of FFC or of any project, program or event held by FFC, will not entitle any sponsor to influence any decision of the organisation.
2. FFC will not enter into any alliance or partnership with any corporation or organisation where the association with the prospective partner or acceptance of the sponsorship would jeopardise the financial, legal or moral integrity of FFC or adversely impact upon FFC's standing and reputation in the community. If a sponsor’s products work against FFC’s aims and values (e.g. payday lending or alcohol) the sponsorship is prohibited.
3. FFC will accept sponsorships in the form of financial contributions and the provision of services provided that all sponsorship alliances are developed and maintained within the regulations embodied in this sponsorship policy.
4. All sponsorship alliances or partnerships must be consistent with existing FFC’s policies.
5. FFC is committed to ensuring that its financial and partnership arrangements are carried out in an ethical manner and will conduct due diligence checks and make sponsorship decisions accordingly.

Our club recognises that we all have a part to play in ensuring the protection of our environment for the benefit of current and future generations.

Comitted to embedding environmental sustainability into everything we do, we have developed a Sustainability Strategy, in consultation with the City of Yarra.

The Strategy is based around the Club taking a leading role in:

>> Advocacy: using our popular social communications channels, newsletters and the many face-to-face interactions we have with our supporters, members and the local community, we will promote sustainability issues, add our voice to awareness campaigns, participate in and promote community sustainability focused events and encourage positive change within our wider community.

> Impact: We will actively work with the City of Yarra and partner clubs within the Edinburgh Gardens Sporting Community and tenants of the Ramsden Street Oval to minimise our impact on the environment through waste reduction and management, advocating for energy efficient technologies in our facilities, minimising water consumption, and improving our local natural ecosystem.

>> Governance: We commit to regular reviews of club policies and procedures, to ensure we continue to make positive contributions to environmental sustainability now, and in the future.

Read our Strategy here.