Use this template to adapt content for your club’s newsletter, website or social media (e.g.
facebook). Insert hyperlinks to your policies, guidelines and resources where square
brackets are used.
WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS (beginning of the season)
Welcome to both our new and existing members! We are looking forward to another great season where everyone
enjoys being part of our club – whether you’re playing in a team, coaching, umpiring, cooking the sausage sizzle or
helping out in some other way. While we like our teams to win, what’s really important is having fun, meeting new
friends and keeping healthy. We pride ourselves on being a club where everyone gets a fair go, feels safe and is able to
equally participate to the best of their ability. Check out our Vision Statement [link] and Code of Conduct [link] to find
out more about what our club stands for and our expectations about behaviour – on and off the field.
TEAM SELECTION (beginning of the season)
Team selection can be an emotional issue, particularly for players trying out for our senior competition grades. We
have developed senior team selection guidelines [link] so that both players and coaches are clear about the criteria for
selection. While performance is important, other criteria such as attendance at practice, team work and behaviour on
and off the field are considered. And when it comes to our junior teams and social grades it’s all about participation
and fun. Our junior team selection guidelines [link] focus on rotating players through positions and equal time in the
game to develop their skills and confidence. Before the season gets underway it’s timely to remind all coaches, players
and their parents that having a go and having fun is what’s important.
CLUB FACILITIES ARE FOR EVERYONE – ROSTERING OF CHANGE ROOMS (beginning of the season)
In many respects our club is like a home away from home. And just like home, the issue of who is in the showers first
and how long they take can lead to frustration and annoyance. As we don’t have separate change rooms this means
our one change room has to be shared – between our junior and senior teams and women’s and men’s teams. In
fairness, we’ve developed a roster which is displayed on the notice board. We’ve tried to take account of who is
playing when, but let us know if you think we’ve got it wrong. When using the change rooms be courteous and knock
if you’re unsure if women or girls are still there (and vice versa if the men are in the change rooms). Respect people’s
privacy and the right of all members to use the change rooms.
GIVING GIRLS AND WOMEN A FAIR GO (for traditional male sports/start of the season)
Mums, aunties, sisters and girlfriends are a really important part of our club. We know that mothers do more than
their fair share of running their children to and from practice and games, cheering loyally from the sidelines and
making social events a great success. But increasingly girls and women also want to make other contributions to our
clubs – for example, they may want to play, coach, umpire or sit on the management committee. Our club believes it’s
important that more girls and women are represented in non-traditional roles and we have seen firsthand the benefit
of their involvement. Many already have the skills and knowledge whereas some need encouragement and training–
just as other members do. Our club supports everyone reaching their potential. So let’s get behind the efforts of our
female members: go and watch their games, don’t give them a hard time if they’re umpiring and respect them as
coaches.
MESSAGE FOR PARENTS (during the season)
A big thanks to all parents for supporting your children to play sport – we just couldn’t do without you! We know that
watching your child play can get be very exciting at times and that some parents find it hard to curb their enthusiasm.
We’d just like to remind parents that junior sport is about having fun and participating. It’s important that you
encourage your child and their team mates by giving them positive comments and not showing your disappointment
when they don’t play to your expectations. Be a good role model and keep your emotions in check, respect coaches’
and officials’ decisions and make sure you thank them after the game. Our Code of Conduct [link] and Spectator
Behaviour Policy [link] provide more information about what we expect of players, coaches and parents.
MESSAGE FOR PLAYERS (during the season)
Now the season is underway it’s timely to remind all players about expected standards of behaviour. It’s important
that members abide by the club’s Code of Conduct [link] and treat others with respect – on and off the field. This
means listening to your coach, respecting umpires’ decisions, shaking hands with the opposition and thanking your
coach and the umpire after the game. In the clubrooms you should behave in a way that makes people feel
comfortable –remember, our club is for everyone.
FAIR GO: RACISM – NO WAY (during the season)
Many Australian sports have done much to address the issue of racism. But we know that it still occurs and has a
negative impact on individuals, their clubs and the broader sporting community. Any comment that is derogatory,
insulting or offensive is disrespectful and saying ‘it’s just a joke’ is no defence. Racism is hurtful, damaging and
pointless – and it can also be unlawful. Racist jokes and comments have no part in sport or our club. We expect our
members to behave well – on and off the field – and follow our Code of Conduct [link]. Any indication of racist, sexist
or homophobic behaviour will be taken seriously by our club.
SMS & FACEBOOK (during the season)
There’s been a lot of media coverage about cyber bullying and potential issues in using new technologies such as
facebook and Twitter. Our club relies heavily on the internet, emails and mobile phones to communicate with
members, and members use these and other forms of technology to keep in contact with each other. It is important
that communication is appropriate and that members’ privacy is respected. To ensure our club remains on top of this
issue we have recently developed a policy on communication and the use of new technology [link]. Read this short
policy to find out our club’s stand on this matter and what we expect of coaches, players and others.
GOT AN ISSUE?
From time to time issues arise in clubs and ours is no exception. People can get hassled about team selection
decisions, the state of the change rooms and club kitchen, who does or doesn’t look after equipment and other issues.
Mostly these can be sorted out by talking directly with the people concerned and the sooner this is done the better.
And anything to do with team selection should be discussed with your coach in the first instance. But we acknowledge
that there are times when a more formal complaint process needs to be followed. If there are concerns about the
safety of club members or more serious issues such as discrimination and harassment you should contact our Club
President [insert name and contact details] immediately or call our sport’s Member Protection Information Officer
[insert name and contact details]. For more information about the complaints process, review our Member Protection
Policy [link].
DON’T CROSS THE LINE (during the season/end of season)
Socialising is an important part of club life and sometimes it involves a drink or two after the game or at a social event
organised by the club. Whether it’s at our club or another venue, it is important to drink and behave responsibly.
Understand that drunken behaviour makes people feel uncomfortable and can be intimidating. We want everyone to
enjoy themselves and this means acting responsibly and being respectful to each other. Don’t cross the line and regret
your behaviour the next day! And remember if you find yourself on the end of sexual harassment complaint, saying
you didn’t mean it, you’d had too much to drink or that you were joking is no defense.
Our alcohol management policy [link] explains our policy on responsible drinking and the consequences of breaching
this policy.
LET US KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS (end of the season)
With the season drawing to an end we are really keen to get your feedback. The committee and coaches feel it’s been
another great year. Have you had a good time being part of our club? What was most enjoyable or least enjoyable
about your experience? Do you have any ideas to improve how we are doing things? What are we doing well? Your
views are important to us so please complete our short online survey [link]. Your name is not required, so your
answers to the questions will remain anonymous. We will use the information from the survey to help plan for the
next season to ensure our club remains inclusive, supportive and safe for everyone.
OUR COMMITMENT TO WHITE RIBBON DAY
Every year the White Ribbon Foundation runs a campaign, White Ribbon Day, so that people can show their support
for the elimination of violence against women. This year White Ribbon Day is on [insert date]. This campaign provides
a great opportunity for our club to show our support for women and that we say no to any form of harassment,
sexism or violence against women in our club. Even though our involvement is small our club believes ‘if not us then
who – if not now then when’. The White Ribbon campaign suggests that as individuals you can:

Think about your own attitudes. Challenge those views and attitudes that show a tolerance for women and girls
being treated with disrespect. Don’t remain silent when you can see behaviour that is making women (and
probably men) feel uncomfortable.

Consider your own relationship. Listen, communicate and never pressure your partner to do things they don’t
want to. Treat each other with respect.

Talk about the issue with your mates and within your community. You can influence their behaviour by
challenging sexist remarks and jokes.
We will be selling White Ribbons to show our support, so make sure you get yours and wear it at club games or events
on White Ribbon Day.
OUR COMMITMENT TO HARMONY DAY (Note: Clubs may consider forming a partnership with their local council or
other community groups to be involved in Harmony Day)
Most of our club members have probably heard something about Harmony Day. Harmony Day celebrates the cohesive
and inclusive nature of our nation and promotes the benefits of cultural diversity. This year our club is going to get
involved and support Harmony Day, which is on [insert date]. We want to show that we are proud of being a club that
is inclusive and welcoming to everyone, regardless of their cultural or religious backgrounds. In celebration of
Harmony Day we are going to [refer to the Harmony Day website for ideas of an event or activity that can be held –
www.harmony.gov.au].
Make sure you support our event and celebrate the rich cultural diversity of our community.
OUR COMMITMENT TO NAIDOC WEEK (Note: Clubs may consider forming a partnership with their local council or
other community groups to be involved in NAIDOC Week)
NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our club believes it’s important that we join with other Australians to
celebrate this event. This year we are going to celebrate NAIDOC Week by (below are some suggestions your club
could choose to do):

holding a flag raising ceremony

displaying Aboriginal posters around the club

inviting local Aboriginal Elders to speak at the club

playing Aboriginal music at the club or during matches (e.g. half-time)

starting an Aboriginal hall of fame featuring any local role models and club or sport achievers.
As a sign of our commitment we will be displaying NAIDOC Week posters around the club rooms. We look forward to
the involvement and support of all members during this celebration.