Players - What to do now
Bullying on or off the field has no place in Australian sport. As a player, you have a responsibility to treat others with dignity, fairness and respect and to speak up if you know that members of your club are being bullied.
- If you can, talk to the person who is bullying you. Try and stay calm, be assertive and project confidence. Avoid becoming angry or distressed, if you can, as this type of response often encourages the perpetrator to continue with his/her behaviour.
- If you need support ask your coach to talk to the person. If the coach is bullying you talk with your club President or your sport's Member Protection Information Officer.
- Ask other team members to speak up, if they have witnessed the behaviour.
- Talk about what’s happening with other people.
- Keep a diary of the behaviour – write down exactly what happens, when and where.
- Consider writing a a formal complaint to your club's Management Committee if the behaviour continues. Make sure you’re not alone with the bully or that you have other people around you before and after training/matches.
- Recognise that if you don’t do something about it, the bullying is likely to continue and/or get worse.
- Speak up on behalf of the person being bullied.
- Report what you’ve observed to the coach or administrator.
- Look closely at your own behaviour:
- What is it about your actions that are upsetting other people?
- Why are you behaving this way?
- What can you do to change your behaviour?
- Talk to your club’s Member Protection Information Officer about the event/your behaviour and ask for information on your sport's complaints handling policies and procedures.
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