ATHERTON JUNIOR GOLF INFORMATION BOOKLET

Mission Statement:

To foster, promote, support and encourage Junior Golf on the Tablelands. To give children up to 18 years of age the opportunity to reach their goals, through a high standard of coaching, competition, tournament play and have fun.

Atherton Junior Golf

The enjoyment of golf depends a great deal on the co-operation, consideration, courtesy and honesty of all fellow golfers. It should extend to the choice of dress and to the standard of conduct on the course, in the clubhouse, and while presenting yourself as a member of the club.

Our club relies extensively on the help and support of our volunteer members. Ask yourself, not what your club can do for you, ask what you can do for your club.

A huge thank you to our volunteers, sponsors and supporters. 

Atherton Junior Golf Committee
President:	Michael Comino
Vice President:
Secretary:	Tom McEwan
Treasurer:	Agnes Wong
Coordinator:	Tom McEwan

THE PURPOSE OF THIS BOOKLET:

This booklet has been written to assist parents and juniors to understand what programs, competitions and facilities are available to junior members at Atherton Golf Club.

INTRODUCTION:

The Atherton Golf Club Junior program exists to promote the enjoyment of golf and provide opportunities for our juniors to develop golf skills in a friendly and structured environment.

MEMBERSHIP:

There are 2 categories of Junior Membership.

Sub-Junior Membership, Non-Golf Australia Handicap junior who are beginner to intermediate and are not yet ready to gain Golf Australia Handicap for competition play.

Junior Membership, *Able to play 18-hole competitions and gain a Golf Australia Handicap after meeting the junior coordinator specific criteria as set out in the information booklet.

Cost of membership:

• Sub-Junior Membership $50 (paid to the club)
• Full Educations Junior Members $127 (paid to the club)

COURSE FACILITIES:

Facilities provided by Atherton Golf Club for Sub-Junior and Junior Members:

• 18 Hole Championship Course
• Practice Putting Green
• Practice Chipping Green (including Bunkers)

JUNIOR PATHWAY:

Atherton Junior Golf Club as five level junior development program so that it is easier for juniors and parents/guardians to measure their progress:

The five levels are:

• Willie Wagtails,
• Pee Wees,
• Magpies,
• Currawongs, and
• Curlews.

It is estimated that it will take a full term for junior golfers to advance to the next level. Junior golfers’ skills will be asses throughout the term so that it will be possible for the junior golfer to advance to the next level. The Atherton Junior Golf Coordinator will regularly check junior golf skills so that it will be possible for the junior’s golfer to advance to the next level. A golf skill assessment for all division expect 18 Hole juniors, will be conducted around mid-year. We understand that certain children may progress in their learning more quickly than other participants in each division. It is the sole discretion of the junior golf coordinator to assess each junior if they are ready to progress to the next level.

LEVEL 1 – WILLIE WAGTAILS
This level provides the perfect introduction to golf for children with little or no golf experience, aged from 5 years. The key to this lesson is for the child to learn the basics of golf and to have FUN doing it. These juniors will play a modified 3 or 6 holes on competition days.

Children in Level One:

• Grip, stance, posture (basic Fundamentals),
• Putting, chipping, pitching, and basic swing movements,
• Golf Clubs and their various uses,
• Golf etiquette and safety on the MODIFIED Course, and
• Skin protection, skills tests, fun games.

The Willie Wagtails practice/coaching session are generally conducted on Thursday afternoons throughout the school term. Equipment can be supplied for those children who do not have their own equipment.

Requirements to reach level 2 – Pee Wees

• Basic understanding of putting with a score of 18 or better over 6 holes putting.
• Basic chipping with the ability to hit 1 out of 5 chip shots on the green near the hole.
• Basic pitching with the ability to hit 1 shot out of 5 over a bunker onto a green.
• Play 6 holes on a modified course with a score of 35 or better.
• When their handicap reaches 15.4, they will also be look at for advancing to the next level.

  LEVEL 2 – PEE WEES

This is a more advanced division where the junior golfer will begin to play a 9-holes modified course.

Juniors will learn and be provided with:

• short game coaching,
• Golf terminology and basic golf rules, and
• On course play and instruction.

The Pee Wees practice/coaching session are generally conducted on Wednesday afternoons throughout the school term. Golf clubs, balls can be supplied for those children who do not have their own equipment.

Requirements to reach level 3 – Currawong

• Intermediate understanding of putting with a score of 24 or better over 9 holes putting.
• Intermediate chipping with the ability to hit 2 out of 5 chip shots on the green near the hole.
• Intermediate pitching with the ability to hit 2 shot out of 5 over a bunker onto a green.
• Play 9 holes on a modified course with a score of 45 or better.
• When their handicap reaches 15.4, they will also be look at for advancing to the next level.

LEVEL 3 – CURRAWONG

 The Currawong division is where the junior golfer starts to learn all SEVEN key golf shots to be able to play a full 9-hole course.

Juniors will learn to focus on the 7 main shots in golf:

• Driver, Fairway, Hybrid and Irons,
• Pitching, Chipping, Bunker Shots and Putting,
• Assessment on golf skills and etiquette will be conduct at all times

Requirements to reach level 4 – Magpie

• Advance understanding of putting with a score of 21 or better over full 9 holes putting.
• Advance chipping with the ability to hit 3 out of 5 chip shots on the green near the hole.
• Advance pitching with the ability to hit 3 shot out of 5 over a bunker onto a green.
• Advance bunker play with the ability to hit 3 shots out of 5 out of a bunker onto the green.
• Play a full 9-hole course with a score of 50 or better.
• When their handicap reaches 15.4, they will also be look at for advancing to the next level.

 LEVEL 4 – MAGPIE

 The Magpie division is the junior golfer have developed a sound know of the game, demonstrated positive behaviour and golf etiquette, they will have the opportunity to go for the GA handicap, once they meet the requirements for the Currawong Division.

Juniors will learn to focus on the 7 main shots in golf:

• Driver, Fairway, Hybrid and Irons,
• Pitching, Chipping, Bunker Shots and Putting,
• Assessment on golf skills and etiquette will be conduct at all times

Requirements to reach level 5 – Curlews

• Advance understanding of putting with a score of 26 or better over full 13 holes putting.
• Advance chipping with the ability to hit 4 out of 5 chip shots on the green within 2 meters of the hole.
• Advance pitching with the ability to hit 4 shot out of 5 over a bunker onto a green within 2 meters of the hole.
• Advance bunker play with the ability to hit 4 shots out of 5 out of a bunker onto the green.
• Play a full 13-hole course with a score of 70 or better.
• When their handicap reaches 19.4, they will also be look at for advancing to the next level.

 LEVEL 5 – CURLEWS

 The Curlew division junior golfer have successfully obtained their Golf Australia Handicap and are regularly playing 18-hole course and are play in the Saturday competition.

The practice and coaching for these juniors will be own to improve their game and lower their handicap.

JUNIOR PRACTICE/COACHING:

Practices/Coaching Sessions:

• Wednesday afternoons is for beginners and juniors playing in 6 Holes Modified and 9 Holes Modified Divisions, this will be conducted between 4:00 pm – 5:15 pm, weather permitting.
• Thursday Afternoon is for beginners and juniors playing in 9, 13, 18 Hole Divisions, this will be conducted between 4:00 pm – 5:15 pm, weather permitting.

PGA professional Luke Newman will be conducting a coaching clinic for juniors twice a term. These clinics will be broken into three sessions. Information on these sessions will be email out.

• Session One – is for Modified divisions,
• Session Two – is for 9/13 Hole divisions, and
• Session Three – is for the 18 Hole Juniors.

JUNIOR CLUB COMPETITION:

Atherton Junior Golf Club conducts a junior golf competition each Sunday for all divisions. The juniors will play a number of golf formats throughout the year.

A small price of $5 each Sunday is charged to cover the cost of prizes for weekly competitions.

Each junior division with start a Golf starts at different times:

• Curlew Division will Tee off at 7:30 am,
• Currawong Magpie Division Will Tee off at 7:45 am,
• Magpie and Pee Wee Division Will Tee off at 7:00 am, and
• Willie Wagtails will Tee off at 7:10 am.

All juniors need to be ready go at least 20 minutes before Tee off.

Each playing group needs to have at least one accompany adult, so please support us by walking with your children each Sunday.

If it is pouring rain, Golf will be cancelled. It is important that all players provide a mobile contact.

JUNIOR COMPETITIONS

Club Championship: The Club Championships is played over four 18-hole stroke rounds for the Curlew Juniors, two 13-hole stroke rounds for the Currawong Juniors, two 13-hole stroke rounds for the Currawong Juniors, two 9-hole stroke rounds for the Magpie Juniors, two 9-hole modified stroke rounds for the Pee Wee Juniors, two 6-hole modified stroke rounds for the Willie Wagtail Juniors. The junior with the best gross score for their division will be the winner. The handicap held at the start of the first will remain the same for the duration of the championship.

Monthly Medal: The Monthly Medal stroke round will be played over the required holes for each division. The junior in each division who has the best nett score will be the Monthly Medal winner for that month.

Putting Competition: The putting competition is conducted each Sunday with the junior who has the least amount puts for each division is the winner.

2022 Atherton Junior Golf Roll of Honour

Club Championship:

18 Hole Boys                                      Cohen Braker

18 Hole Girls                                      Emily McEwan

9 Hole Modified Division                  Millie Willson

6 Hole Modified Division                  Deon Hunter

Junior Golfer of the Year:

Curlew Division                                 Benjamin Cannan

Currawong division                            Ava Braker

Magpie Division                                 Matthew Comino

Pee Wee Division                               Marshall Osborne

Willie Wagtails Division                   Lexie Conrad

Mark Bye Shield                                Lexie Conrad

Most Improved Players:

Curlews Division                                Stephen Close – Benjamin Cannan

Currawong Division                           Ava Barker

Magpie Division                                 Matthew Comino

Pee Wee Division                               Marshall Osborne

Willie Wagtails                                  Lexie Conrad – Deon Hunter

CONDUCT:

Junior Members are to conduct themselves in a manner which will not interfere with the enjoyment of the Club by other Members or guests. Anyone on the Facilities acting in a disorderly, disruptive, or offensive manner will be asked to leave. Members are responsible for the conduct and dress of their family members and guests and will be held accountable for their actions. The Club’s management may take appropriate action for unbecoming behaviour and for behaviour which may result in the disturbance of or damage to property of the Club. Members guilty of conduct prejudicial to the welfare of the Club or other Members, or in violation of these Rules and Regulations, may be subject to disciplinary action as determined by the Club’s management.

 DRESS CODE

Juniors must wear smart casual shorts, slacks, skirts and collared shirts. No t-shirts, singlet or sports shorts. Juniors must wear enclosed shoes / runners or golf shoes.

Hat, water bottle, Sun screen a must at all times.

GOLFING ETIQUETTE

To enjoy the great game of golf, we need to be aware of three facets of the game:

• RULES
• SHOT MAKING
• ETIQUETTE

An adequate knowledge in all three areas makes the game more enjoyable for everyone.

• Take plenty of clubs with you to your ball when leaving your bag or riding in a cart.
• Consider all options as you approach your ball to make decisions quickly.
• All group members have a responsibility to observe other players shots and follow the ball to rest. Use a fixed object as a reference point.
• Play a provisional ball whenever your ball may be lost. (It saves on considerable time to play a second shot that is not needed than to walk back five minutes later.)
• All players should go directly to their own ball and play when ready.
• Continue putting until holed out unless you would be standing on someone’s putting line.
• Pick up immediately when you can no longer score for that hole in the competition of the day.
• If you are first to hit off on the next tee, move to the next tee at the EARLIEST opportunity. Mark your card for the previous hole AFTER hitting off. Ready golf applies.
• Remember, by keeping pace you make the game more enjoyable for everyone.
• If your group is holding up play, and has a clear hole in front, the Course Marshall may impose a penalty on all players in the group.

 ATHERTON CURLEW JUNIORS

CHILD AND YOUTH MANAGEMENT STRATEGY 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
2	POLICY………………………………………………………………………	4
2.1	Purpose………………………………………………………………………..	4
2.2	Reference / related  documents…………………………………………………………………..	4
2.3	Definitions……………………………………………………………………………………………..	4
2.4	Scope……………………………………………………………………………………………………..	5
2.5	Who must comply with this policy…………………………………………………………….	5
2.6	Statement of commitment…………………………………………………………………………	6
2.7	Policy statement………………………………………………………………………………………	6
2.8	Implementing the policy…………………………………………………………………………..	6
2.9	Monitoring the policy……………………………………………………………………………….	7
2.10	Breaches…………………………………………………………………………………………………	7
2.11	Evaluation and review………………………………………………………………………………	7
3	CODE OF CONDUCT…………………………………………………………………………….	8
3.1	Interacting with children and young people………………………………………………..	8
4	RECRUITMENT, TRAINING & MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES……………	10
4.1	For volunteers who work with children or young people……………………………..	10
5	REPORTING GUIDELINES AND DIRECTIONS…………………………………….	12
5.1	Receiving a disclosure…………………………………………………………………………….	12
5.2	Dealing with a disclosure…………………………………………………………………………	12
6	MANAGING BREACHES OF THE RISK MANAGEMENT STRATEGY…..	14
7	POLICIES and PROCEDURES……………………………………………………………….	14
7.1	Compliance with Blue Card Legislation………………………………………………	14
8	RISK MANAGEMENT PLANS……………………………………………………………	15
8.1	High risk activities and representative events……………………………………………..	15
9	STRATEGIES FOR COMMUNICATION & SUPPORT……………………………	15

 PREAMBLE

Under the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 and the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Regulations 2011, all regulated organisations and businesses are required to prepare and adopt a written risk management strategy. This strategy is to include:

• A policy with a statement of commitment to the safety and wellbeing of children and then protection of children from harm.
• A Code of Conduct for interacting with children and young people.
• Recruitment, training and management procedures for staff (including appropriate employment screening – i.e. blue cards and registers of staff that hold blue cards).
• Reporting guidelines and directions for handling disclosures and suspicions of harm
• A policy for managing breaches of the risk management strategy
• Policies and procedures for compliance with blue card legislation
• Risk management plans for high risk activities and special events, and
• Strategies for communication and support such as:
• information sheets for staff, volunteers and parents about policies, procedures and Codes of Conduct, and
• training materials and strategies to help staff, volunteers and parents identify and manage risks of harm.

Where a child is harmed in some way, the Atherton Golf Club caring for them may be required to produce this strategy as a way of assessing Atherton Golf Club preparedness in this regard.

This strategy is required to be updated and endorsed annually.

2          POLICIES

2.1       PURPOSE

• To prevent foreseeable harm to children and young people in Atherton Golf Club care.
• To ensure that all volunteers and staff who work within Atherton Golf Club care assessed for their suitability to work with children under the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 with no exemptions.
• To ensure that all people involved with the operations of the association are aware of their responsibilities in relation to the above.

2.2       REFERENCE / RELATED DOCUMENTS

• Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian (CCYPCG) risk management strategies tool kit
• Working With Children Check Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy Toolkit
• Golf Queensland Child Protection Policy
• Play By The Rules website

2.3       DEFINITIONS

• Children and young people: Individuals who are under the age of 18 years.
• Harm: The Child Protection Act 1999 (section 9) states: 1) ‘Harm’ to a child is any detrimental effect of a significant nature on the child’s physical, psychological or emotional wellbeing; 2) It is immaterial how the harm is caused; 3) Harm can be caused by – a. physical, psychological or emotional abuse or neglect; or b. sexual abuse or exploitation.
• Risk: Anything that can cause harm, either physically, psychologically or emotionally.
• Risk management: The act of identifying and assessing all potential sources of harm and taking steps to decrease the likelihood that harm will occur.
• Blue Card: Blue cards are issued by the Queensland Government’s Blue Card Services once it has carried out the Working with Children Check to see if a person is eligible to work in the areas of child-related work covered by the Act. If a person is eligible, they are issued a positive notice letter and a blue card.
• Working with Children Check: The Working with Children Check is a detailed national criminal history check including:
• any charge or conviction for an offence, whether or not a conviction is recorded
• whether a person is a respondent to or subject to an application for a child protection prohibition order or disqualification order, or
• whether a person is subject to reporting obligations under the Child Protection (Offender Reporting) Act 2004.
• Volunteer: A person who is employed by another person not for financial reward but who may receive reimbursement for out of pocket expenses.
• Official Volunteer: A volunteer that is appointed directly by the Atherton Golf Club.

2.4       SCOPE

This strategy applies to the operations of and the events conducted by the Atherton Golf Club.

2.5       WHO MUST COMPLY WITH THIS POLICY

This policy applies to the following, whether they are in a paid or unpaid/voluntary capacity:

• Individuals sitting on committees and sub-committees
• Volunteers
• Coaches
• Players
• Officials
• Members, including life members
• District golf clubs
• Parents, guardians, spectators and sponsors to the full extent that is possible.

2.6       STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT

Atherton Golf Club is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all members within the organisation. Every person bound by this policy must always place the safety and welfare of children above all other considerations.

Atherton Golf Club does not tolerate any acts of harm towards children or adults and will actively seek to prevent its occurrence.

Atherton Golf Club requires that any child who is abused or anyone who reasonably suspects that a child has been or is being abused by someone within our sport, to report it immediately to the police or relevant government agency and the association’s nominated Child Protection Reporting Officer/s.

All allegations of child abuse will be dealt with promptly, seriously, sensitively and confidentially. A person will not be victimised for reporting an allegation of child abuse and the privacy of all persons concerned will be respected.

If anyone bound by this policy reasonably suspects that a child is being abused by his or her parent/s, they are advised to contact the Department of Communities, Child Safety Services.

2.7       POLICY STATEMENT

Atherton Golf Club will comply with the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 and the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Regulations 2011.

All volunteers, 18 years and over, within Atherton Golf Club who directly and individually deal with children under the age of 18 on a regular basis will undergo the Working with Children Check and will hold a positive notice Blue Card prior to working with children and young people.

Those volunteers who do not undergo a Working with Children Check or hold a Blue Card will not be permitted to regularly deal with children or young people.

In some circumstances, there may not be a requirement for a Blue Card. For more information on when a Blue Card is required, please refer to the Blue Card Services website: www.bluecard.qld.gov.au

To further ensure the safety of children and young people whilst in the care of Atherton Golf Club, the Club will require parents acting in an official volunteer capacity to provide a positive Blue Card notice. This additional requirement will minimise any issues associated with the child ceasing participation, or the parent being required to participate in other activities than just those activities in which their child participates.

2.8       IMPLEMENTING THE POLICY

This policy is adopted by the Atherton Golf Club and is effective from 1 June 2018.

The policy will be available on the Atherton Golf Club website and all volunteers are expected to familiarise themselves with the document.

Official volunteers will be required to sign an agreement that they have read the policy.

2.9       MONITORING THE POLICY

Compliance with this policy will be monitored by the Executive Committee via regular liaison with the Atherton Golf Club volunteers and members and by the use of supportive processes as per the Atherton Golf Club Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy.

2.10     BREACHES

It is a breach of this policy for any person of Atherton Golf Club to which this policy Conduct and role-specific Codes of Behaviour;

• failed to follow the Atherton Golf Club policies and procedures for the protection, safety and welfare of children;
• appointed or continued to appoint a person to a role that involves working with children and young people contrary to this policy; discriminated against or harassed any child;
• victimised another person for reporting a complaint;
• caused harm (as defined) to a child who the person supervises, or has influence, authority or power over;
• made a complaint they knew to be untrue, vexatious, malicious or improper;
• failed to comply with a penalty imposed after a finding that the individual has breached this policy;
• failed to comply with a direction given to the individual during the discipline process.

The Atherton Golf Club will review any allegations of breaches of this policy and will take steps to minimise the risk of any further breaches.

Non-compliance with the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 and the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Regulations 2011) will result in penalties imposed under the Act. Refer to the Act for information regarding failure to comply.

Further to penalties imposed under the Act, the Atherton Golf Club may impose further penalties as per the Atherton Golf Club constitution, bylaws and policies.

Penalties may include:

• Suspension from membership
• Expulsion

2.11     EVAULATION AND REVIEW

This policy will be reviewed annually, in line with Atherton Golf Club review of its entire Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy. The policy will be reviewed with regard given to any aspects of the document that require changes.

This review shall be carried out by the Atherton Golf Club Executive Committee.

3          CODE OF CONDUCT

Who should comply with this Code?

Individuals sitting on committees and sub-committees

• Volunteers
• Coaches
• Players
• Officials
• Members, including life members
• District golf clubs
• Parents, guardians, spectators and sponsors to the full extent that is possible.

This Code of Conduct compliments the Atherton Golf Club Codes of Conduct as listed and available on the Atherton Golf Club Facebook page:

• Junior player
• Senior player
• Parent/Guardian
• Coach
• Official

3.1       INTERACTING WITH CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Use appropriate language when dealing with children and young people

Do not make inappropriate physical contact with any children or young people

If coaching or officiating, maintain professional relationships with children and young people within the association and treat them with the same respect you would offer an adult

Do not tolerate bullying within the association, either amongst children and young people, or from adults towards children and young people

Place the safety and welfare of children and young people above all else

Report any disclosures or occurrences or harm (refer definition)

Set a good example for children and young people within the Association by the way you dress, speak and act.

4          RECRUITMENT, TRAINING & MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES

4.1       FOR VOLUNTEERS WHO WORK WITH CHILDREN OR YOUNG PEOPLE

To assist with effective child protection, Atherton Golf Club will implement appropriate recruitment, selection, screening, induction, monitoring and management of volunteers who work with children and young people within the association.

Any person nominated by the Executive Committee to recruit volunteers who work with children and young people within this association will implement this Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy in all recruiting activities. In particular, applicants for positions regularly dealing with children will be required to demonstrate an ability to comply with child safety requirements and will be required to be in possession of a positive Blue Card notice and maintain their Blue Card whilst working for the association.

Official volunteers will be screened to ensure that they fit with the organisation and with the positions to be filled. Atherton Golf Club recognises the importance of assessing the skills, experience and availability of potential volunteers, and/or their willingness to learn the required skills through training.

Strategies for screening may include:

• requesting personal referees
• requiring the completion of application forms
• conducting an interview process
• requiring proof of formal accreditation
• Strategies for training may include:
• continual mentoring
• conducting performance reviews
• providing access to opportunities to update accreditation
• providing education in and access to relevant policies and procedures

Training will also be provided that alerts volunteers to the nature of harm which can occur to children and young people and how to respond to disclosures or suspicions of harm.

Once new volunteers and/or employees have been successfully recruited and screened, the associations will ensure their effective induction. Induction will include making them aware of the following:

• Atherton Golf Club is commitment to an environment which is safe and friendly to children and young people; and
• Atherton Golf Club Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy, its processes and procedures.

Official volunteers will be required to sign an agreement stating they understand and abide by the Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy.

Atherton Golf Club will maintain a Blue Card Register to provide a record of current cardholders, corresponding Blue Card numbers and expiry dates, and to monitors status.

The Atherton Golf Club may use information sheets, training materials and strategies to help volunteers and parents identify and manage risk harm.

5          REPORTING GUIDELINES AND DIRECTIONS

5.1       RECEIVING A DISCLOSURE

When association volunteers and/or employees are confronted with disclosures of harm or suspect harm to children and young people, they will respond professionally and in the best interests of the child or young person subjected to the alleged harm.

If there is a disclosure of serious harm or abuse this should be immediately reported to the appropriate authorities by the person to whom the disclosure was made.

Complaints will be dealt with promptly, seriously, sensitively and confidentially.

In the event that a volunteer or employee is confronted with disclosures of harm, that person will:

• not react in a shocked or critical way;
• listen to, be supportive and not dispute what the child says; ensure the child is safe;
• reassure the child or young person they have done the right thing in telling;
• be honest with the child and explain that other people may need to be told in order to stop what is happening;
• ultimately believe the child or young person and assume that they are telling the truth;
• not ask leading questions such as “Did ‘X’ touch you?” but ask non-leading questions such as “Tell me what happened next”;
• only ask the child or young person enough questions to determine the need to report the matter to the Queensland Police Service or Child Safety Services, Department of Communities; and
• report the incident to the Atherton Golf Club Child Protection Reporting Officer/s.

5.2       DEALING WITH A DISCLOSURE

Under no circumstances will Atherton Golf Club conduct its own investigations into any reportable serious allegations or allegations of a criminal nature.

Following a disclosure of harm from a child or young person, the person to whom the disclosure was made will, depending on the nature of the disclosure, determine if the disclosure should be reported to either, the Queensland Police Service or Child Safety Services, Department of Communities.

Any disclosures that are not reportable to these authorities will be reported to Atherton Golf Club to be actioned.

Upon receipt of a report, the Atherton Golf Club will:

• validate that it is not a reportable disclosure;
• investigate the disclosure in line with the Atherton Golf Club procedures and determine penalties where required;
• act to prevent or minimise further reoccurrences.

If the incident(s) are serious or criminal in nature, the association’s response will be immediate. All other allegations should be actioned as soon as possible, preferably within 24 hours.

For allegations of a serious or criminal nature, Atherton Golf Club will follow these guidelines:

• If the allegation involves a child at risk of harm, the incident should immediately be reported to the Queensland Police and/or Child Safety Services, Department of Communities
• The Atherton Golf Club will contact Child Safety Services, Department of Communities for advice if there is any doubt whether the complaint should be reported.
• If the child’s parent(s) or guardian is suspected of committing the abuse, the Atherton Golf Club will report the allegation to the Queensland Police and/or Child Safety Services, Department of Communities immediately.

Strict confidentiality, impartiality, fairness and due process must be maintained at all times.

6          MANAGING BREACHES OF THE RISK MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

Atherton Golf Club will review any allegations of breaches of the Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy and will take steps to minimise the risk of any further breaches.

Non-compliance with the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 and the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Regulations 2011 will result in penalties imposed under the Act. Refer to the Act for information regarding failure to comply.

Further to penalties imposed under the Act, the Atherton Golf Club may impose further penalties as per the Atherton Golf Club constitution, bylaws and policies.

Penalties may include:

• Suspension from official duties
• Expulsion

7          POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

7.1       COMPLIANCE WITH BLUE CARD LEGISLATION

Atherton Golf Club will comply with Blue Card legislation by ensuring that all relevant volunteers within the Atherton Golf Club undergo the Working with Children Check and obtain a positive Blue Card prior to commencing working with children in the Atherton Golf Club.

In addition, the Atherton Golf Club will:

• provide access to the relevant forms to any employee or volunteer seeking a Blue Card;
• ensure the Volunteer Coordinator/s or designated official checks and signs off on any Blue Card application;
•  keep an up-to-date Blue Card register
• ensure Blue Card status and number is a mandatory field on all volunteer registration forms and employment forms.

The Association will respect the confidentiality of information relating to applications by volunteers for Blue Cards and will maintain appropriate systems to protect the privacy of applicants.

8          RISK MANAGEMENT PLANS

8.1       HIGH RISK ACTIVITES AND REPRESENTATIVE EVENTS

Atherton Golf Club volunteers have less control over events and activities which are conducted away from the Atherton Golf Club home grounds.

Volunteers must therefore, ensure that participating in ‘away’ events or activities will not compromise Atherton Golf Club commitment to providing a safe environment for children and young people by:

• ensuring that enough information has been provided to parents or carers so they can make an informed decision about whether they want their children to attend;
• evaluating any risks involved with attending the event and developing procedures to minimise those risks; and
• ensuring that event organisers are committed to an environment which is safe and friendly for children and young people and that they have developed policies and procedures supporting such an environment.

When the Atherton Golf Club hosts special events at its home grounds, it should:

• adopt and implement risk management procedures specific to the staging and nature of the event;
• promote and publicise risk management procedures before and during the event to ensure participant and visitor awareness.

9          STRATEGIES FOR COMMUNICATION & SUPPORT

 Information sheets for volunteers and parents about policies, procedures and Codes of Conduct and Training materials and strategies to help volunteers and parents identify and manage risks of harm will be posted on Atherton Golf Club webpage.

Copies of this Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy will be made available to all volunteers who regularly deal with children and young people within Atherton Golf Club and course, as part of the induction process.

This will ensure that all of the Atherton Golf Club volunteers understand what is expected of them with regard to providing a safe and friendly environment for children and young people.

Parents and guardians often turn to sport as a safe place for children to build character, develop skills, and learn valuable lessons and to have fun. While involvement in sport remains a positive experience for most participants, parents are now aware that children can face the risk of being harassed and abused in sport.

In addition to the Atherton Golf Club volunteers, parents can play a key role in creating a safe environment for children in sport.

The following actions will help parents contribute to providing a safe environment:

• Get involved and get to know your child’s coach. Maintain open and frank communication. If things occur that disturb you, talk to the coach about them.
• Speak out when you hear language or attitudes that contribute to a negative or unsafe environment. You may wish to pursue your issues with the Executive Committee.
• Be careful not to put coaches on pedestals. Tell your children it’s okay to say ‘no’ if the coach is doing something that makes them feel uncomfortable.
• Make an effort to attend training and games whenever you can.
• Be wary of private, closed training sessions. If they occur on a regular basis ask the coach for an explanation.
• Be wary of any increases in the amount of time the coach spends with your children beyond the training session.
• If you volunteer in sport and are asked to take part in screening, accept this as a positive step to keep children safe.
• Make sure you are not part of the problem. Don’t engage in verbal abuse of officials, coaches or others.
• Know and abide by the Parents Code of Conduct and encourage others to do the same.
• Encourage your child to play by the rules
• Never ridicule your child for making a mistake

If you suspect that a child has been harmed, or is at risk of being harmed, here are some important things to remember:

• Be alert to any warning signs that a child is experiencing.
• Observe the child and make written notes as soon as you begin to have concerns – pay attention to changes in their behaviour, ideas, feelings and the words they use.
• Have gentle, non-judgemental discussions with the child – expressing your concern that a child looks sad or unwell can result in disclosures.
• Do not pressure the child to respond and do not ask questions that put words into a child’s mouth.
• Assure the child that they can come and talk to you when they need to, and listen to them when they do.
• When a child is being abused it does not go away and usually becomes more serious over time.
• Seek expert advice by contacting the Department of Child Safety.