Coaches - What to do now

As a coach you are responsible for ensuring your team enjoys a positive sport experience. You are also in a position to create a culture that accepts diversity and encourages participation by all. As a coach you will establish and apply appropriate behaviours, support players and be ready to rectify any inappropriate or discriminatory behaviour with systems/policies put in place by the club.

If a participant claims they have been discriminated against on the basis of disability:

• be open and have a can do attitude as there might be an easy solution to the issue (e.g., making a minor adjustment to equipment or rules such as an umpire using a handkerchief so a deaf player can understand decisions). There are many resources to help you be more inclusive of people with disability.
• be honest if you have concerns about the safety of any participant, talk to them and seek guidance from the club.
• tell the person that they can seek advice and support from your sports Member Protection Information Officer (if they have one)
• understand that if you can’t sort out the issue, more formal action might need to be taken by the person complaining (e.g., a written complaint to your club or sport management committee, or to an anti-discrimination agency).
• If you are complained about:
  • expect to be treated fairly and given support
  • tell your side of the story
  • cooperate with any inquiry the club makes in to the matter
  • expect not to be victimised or harassed during the inquiry process and
  • do not harass or pressure the person who has made a complaint against you.