Anti-discrimination statement

Introduction

This statement confirms the commitment of the Bendigo City Football Club (“the club”) to uphold the Football Australia Anti‑discrimination policy (“the policy”).

This statement, and the Football Australia Anti-discrimination policy applies, to BCFC’s administrators, committee, coaches, players and volunteers, and to the fullest extent possible to parents and guardians of players and to spectators at matches.

Statement

Bendigo City FC supports and embraces the Football Australia philosophy that states that everyone involved in our sport should be treated with respect and dignity, and be free to participate without being discriminated against, harassed, bullied or abused.

Discrimination is not acceptable in our sport, or at our club.

Bendigo City FC supports the Football Australia Anti-discrimination policy, and adopts and commits to enforce the requirements of the policy. The club has a zero-tolerance for any form of discrimination or abuse.

The Football Australia Anti-discrimination policy can be found at this link.

Exception: The Club notes that there are sporting-related exceptions to anti-discrimination law including: participation in age-eligible competitions; excluding males from female specific competitions; and not selecting a disabled person if they are not reasonable capable of performing the actions required for a particular sporting activity.

Reporting discriminatory conduct or behaviour

Any club member who experiences or witnesses discriminatory conduct or behaviour is encouraged to report it:

• To the club through the BCFC complaints and grievance procedure
• To the club’s Member Protection Information Officer, or
• To Football Australia’s National Complaints Procedure: footballaustralia.com.au/report

No person will be treated unfairly or victimised for reporting or complaining about discriminatory conduct or behaviour.

Related legislation and documents

Football Australia – Member Protection Framework
www.footballaustralia.com.au/member-protection-framework

Football Australia – Anti-discrimination policy
www.footballaustralia.com.au/member-protection/anti-discrimination

Play by the Rules – inclusion and diversity
www.playbytherules.net.au/got-an-issue/inclusion-and-diversity

Bendigo City FC – Complaints and grievance policy and procedure