Code of Conduct

Our priority as a club is to foster and promote safe spaces. Our code of conduct is a reflection of that purpose.

 

Queer Sporting Alliance (QSA) provides the following policies and consequences for any breach of the policies, to ensure full understanding of behavioural expectations for the benefit of all members.

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Each member is required to comply with club conduct policies in order to participate in club activities and evidence their understanding and acceptance of these policies by signing the form provided at membership registration.

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The Code

​No language or behaviour that discriminates, harasses or causes offence to the LGBTIQA+ community or other marginalised group

 

No racist language or behaviour 

 

No language or behaviour that discriminates, harasses, seeks to marginalise or causes offence to those with a disability

 

No aggressive language at practices, games or official QSA events

 

Members shall maintain self-control and excellence in sporting conduct at all times prior, during and after any practice or games. This includes club social events

 

No abuse or disparaging remarks towards any members, officials, coaches, players, scorekeepers or spectators, either by a verbal defamation, or any form of a physical threat or aggressive behaviour

 

Members are expected to respect and adhere to instructions from the Club coach, or a representative from the committee, in regard to matters of safety at training, games and events

 

Members participating at any games under QSA Club name / Uniform / Logo shall abide by the Code of Conduct. This includes club social events

 

QSA participants are not to take illicit drugs at club events, at our sponsor venues or during games.

 

QSA participants are not to be excessively drunk at club events where they jeopardise their personal safety and the ongoing relationship with our club sponsor.  QSA participants do not play games whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 

 

Sexual harassment is against the law under the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. As per the Human Rights Commission’s definition; sexual harassment is unwelcome sexual behaviour, which could be expected to make a person feel offended, humiliated or intimidated. Sexual harassment can be physical, verbal or written.

 

It can include:

Comments about a person’s private life or the way they look

Sexually suggestive behaviour, such as leering or staring

Brushing up against someone, touching, fondling or hugging

Sexually suggestive comments or jokes

Displaying offensive screensavers, photos, calendars or objects

Repeated requests to date

Unwanted requests for sex

Sexually explicit emails, text messages or posts on social networking sites

Sexual harassment is not consensual interaction, flirtation or friendship. Sexual harassment is not behaviour that is mutually agreed upon.

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Social Media Policy

The club will not inhibit the freedom of personal expression or respectfully shared opinions. However, if a player or member makes an online statement or post that is generally considered to be homophobic/transphobic/sexist/racist/ableist or seeks to harass, discriminate and/or vilify for any reason; the safe spaces the club strives to build are threatened and this may constitute a breach of the QSA Code of Conduct.​

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For Federal matters please refer to Section 474.17 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (with regard to using a carriage service to harass) and the Racial Discrimination Act 1975.

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Player and Member Agreement

As a member of QSA I undertake and understand the following:

​​1. There is no place for discrimination or harassment at the club. I am encouraged to report instances where I feel unsafe, harassed or discriminated at the club.

2. I will not use the QSA name and/or logo without prior written approval from club’s board (this includes the production of merchandise). The club logos include: Queer Sporting Alliance, Queer Sporting Alliance - Basketball and Queer Sporting Alliance - Rollers.

3. I will not establish social media pages or make official outward representations on behalf of the club to peak sporting bodies, media outlets, at LGBTIQA+ events or with local basketball associations without prior written approval from the club’s board.

4. I will not move a QSA team or group to a separate association or division without prior written approval from the club’s board.

5. Information and statements made within QSA team and/or board meetings are confidential.

​​6. I have read and understood the club Code of Conduct and Gender/Sexuality Guidelines. I understand a breach of these six principals constitutes a breach of the Code of Conduct.

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Disciplinary Action

If the Committee is of the opinion that a member has refused or neglected to comply with the Rules of the Association or the Code of Conduct, the Committee may resolve to expel a member or suspend their membership. The Committee shall evaluate the evidence, giving consideration to the specific conditions under which the events occurred and generally all the circumstances. An appeal to the decision made by the Committee can be requested in writing within 48 hours after the hearing.

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Appeal

​An appeal is heard at a special general meeting of the members. At the appeal, the Committee shall present the evidence and their decision to the members, the appellant shall have the right to speak and a vote to ratify or overturn the Committee’s decision shall be made by the members.

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(For more detail on the Disciplinary procedure, refer to Queers Porting Alliance's constitution).

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Ratification

​This Code of Conduct has been ratified by QSA.

 

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QSA acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands where we play basketball and gather, we pay respect to their Elders – past, present and emerging – and acknowledge the important role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to play within the community.