Code of Conduct Policy
1. Purpose and Scope
Central Highlands Pickleball is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, inclusive and enjoyable environment for everyone involved in our club.
This Code of Conduct applies both on and off the court where conduct relates to CHP activities, members or the operation and reputation of the club.
It applies to:
All members and players of Central Highlands Pickleball.
Committee members, coaches, session managers, referees, officials and volunteers.
Parents and guardians.
Visitors and spectators attending or participating in CHP activities.
Participants representing CHP at competitions, tournaments, interclub events or other activities.
Conduct occurring through club communication channels, online platforms and social media where it relates to CHP or its members.
2. General Principles
Everyone participating in CHP activities is expected to:
Treat others with respect, dignity and fairness.
Respect the rights, safety and worth of every person regardless of age, ability, gender, cultural background, sexual orientation or other personal characteristics.
Contribute positively to a welcoming and inclusive club environment.
Act in a manner consistent with good sportsmanship.
Take reasonable responsibility for their own behaviour and its impact on others.
Respect the facilities, equipment and venues used by CHP.
Follow reasonable directions given by CHP officials, Committee members, session managers and venue representatives.
Comply with applicable CHP, Pickleball Victoria and Pickleball Australia policies.
3. Member and Player Conduct
Members and players are expected to:
Abide by the rules of pickleball and any applicable competition or session rules.
Accept decisions made by referees, officials and event organisers respectfully.
Demonstrate good sportsmanship in both victory and defeat.
Play in a manner that protects the safety and wellbeing of themselves and others.
Treat opponents, partners, teammates, coaches, officials, volunteers and spectators respectfully.
Refrain from harassment, bullying, discrimination, intimidation, threatening behaviour or abuse.
Refrain from offensive, aggressive or excessively disruptive behaviour.
Avoid conduct that could reasonably bring CHP, its members or the sport of pickleball into disrepute.
Follow CHP policies, procedures and reasonable directions from the Committee or its authorised representatives.
Declare relevant conflicts of interest when acting in an official or decision-making capacity.
Equipment and Court Conduct
Players must not intentionally or recklessly misuse paddles, balls, nets, court fixtures or other equipment.
This includes:
Throwing, kicking or striking equipment in anger or frustration.
Recklessly releasing or throwing a paddle.
Deliberately hitting balls or equipment in a manner that creates an unnecessary risk to another person.
Damaging club, venue or another person's property.
4. Committee Members, Volunteers and Officials
Committee members, coaches, session managers, referees, officials and volunteers are expected to:
Act fairly, consistently and in good faith.
Encourage participation, enjoyment and development.
Avoid favouritism, inappropriate bias or conflicts of interest.
Take reasonable steps to provide a safe environment for participants and spectators.
Treat information obtained through their role appropriately and confidentially where required.
Act within the authority and responsibilities of their position.
Prioritise the interests and objectives of CHP when acting on behalf of the club.
5. Child Safety
CHP is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people participating in club activities.
All members, volunteers, coaches, officials and Committee members must:
Comply with applicable Victorian Child Safe Standards.
Comply with applicable CHP, Pickleball Victoria and Pickleball Australia child safety requirements.
Prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
Maintain appropriate boundaries when interacting with children.
Report child safety concerns through the appropriate CHP and external reporting processes.
Where a matter involves suspected child abuse, grooming, significant risk to a child or conduct that may require mandatory reporting, CHP will refer or report the matter to the appropriate authority as required.
Child safety matters will not be dealt with solely through the club's ordinary complaints process where external reporting or referral is required.
6. Spectators, Parents and Guardians
Parents, guardians and spectators are expected to:
Encourage participation for enjoyment, development and personal achievement.
Demonstrate respectful behaviour towards players, coaches, officials, volunteers and other spectators.
Respect decisions made by referees and event officials.
Refrain from abusive, intimidating or inappropriate criticism of players or officials.
Be positive role models through their behaviour and attitude.
Follow reasonable directions from CHP officials and venue representatives.
7. Drugs, Alcohol and Anti-Doping
Participants must not use, possess, supply, encourage or facilitate the use of illegal or prohibited substances at CHP activities.
Where alcohol is permitted at a venue or event, it must be consumed responsibly and in accordance with Victorian law and venue requirements.
Intoxicated, unsafe, abusive or disruptive behaviour will not be tolerated.
Members must also comply with applicable Pickleball Victoria, Pickleball Australia and Sport Integrity Australia anti-doping requirements, including testing requirements where applicable.
8. Match Integrity and Gambling
Members and participants must:
Not manipulate or attempt to manipulate the outcome of a match or any component of a match.
Not offer, solicit or accept money, gifts or other benefits intended to improperly influence the result or conduct of a game.
Not improperly provide confidential or inside information for betting or financial advantage.
Comply with applicable Pickleball Australia and Sport Integrity Australia policies concerning competition manipulation and sports wagering.
9. Complaints, Incidents and Misconduct
CHP encourages concerns to be raised respectfully and as early as reasonably possible.
Complaints and incident reports will ordinarily be managed in accordance with the CHP Complaint Handling Process.
The initial handling of a complaint may include:
Receiving and acknowledging the complaint.
Seeking further information.
Assessing the nature and seriousness of the matter.
Determining whether the matter falls within CHP's responsibility.
Considering whether informal resolution is appropriate.
Identifying any immediate safety concerns.
Determining whether another CHP policy or process applies.
Determining whether the matter should be referred externally.
The making of a complaint does not establish that misconduct has occurred.
Where a complaint may result in formal disciplinary action against a CHP member, the disciplinary procedure contained in the CHP Rules of Association must be followed.
Where a matter constitutes a grievance within the meaning of the Rules of Association, the grievance procedure contained in those Rules will apply.
10. Informal Resolution
Where appropriate and safe to do so, minor disagreements or concerns may first be addressed informally.
This may include:
A respectful conversation between the people involved.
Clarification of a misunderstanding.
An apology.
Clarification of Club rules or expectations.
Facilitated discussion.
Mediation where appropriate.
Informal resolution may not be appropriate for matters involving:
Serious misconduct.
Bullying or harassment.
Discrimination.
Threats or violence.
Child safety concerns.
Suspected criminal conduct.
Significant conflicts of interest.
Circumstances where direct contact between the parties would be inappropriate or unsafe.
A person is not required to attempt informal resolution before reporting a serious matter.
11. Formal Complaints
Where informal resolution is unsuccessful or inappropriate, a complaint or incident report may be submitted through CHP's nominated complaint channel.
A complaint should, where possible, include:
Details of the incident or concern.
The names of people involved.
Relevant dates, times and locations.
Supporting information or evidence where available.
Witnesses who may have relevant information.
The outcome being sought, where applicable.
Complaints should be made honestly and contain sufficient information for CHP to understand and reasonably assess the matter.
CHP may determine following an initial assessment that:
No further action is required.
Informal resolution should be attempted.
Further information should be obtained.
Another CHP process applies.
The matter should proceed under the disciplinary procedure contained in the Rules of Association.
The matter should proceed under the grievance procedure contained in the Rules of Association.
External advice or assistance should be sought.
The matter should be referred to an appropriate external organisation or authority.
Further information concerning the handling of complaints is contained in the CHP Complaint Handling Process.
12. Disciplinary Action
Where CHP proposes to take formal disciplinary action against a member for an alleged breach of this Code, the Rules of Association or another applicable CHP policy, the matter must be dealt with in accordance with the disciplinary procedures contained in the CHP Rules of Association.
The Code of Conduct does not create a separate disciplinary process and does not override the Rules of Association.
The Rules of Association provide requirements concerning matters including:
The grounds upon which disciplinary action may be proposed.
Appointment and composition of the disciplinary subcommittee.
Notice to the member.
The member's opportunity to be heard.
Consideration and determination of the matter.
Available disciplinary measures.
Notice of the decision.
Appeal rights.
Any formal reprimand, suspension of membership rights or expulsion from CHP must be undertaken in accordance with the Rules of Association.
13. Session and Activity Management
Nothing in the formal disciplinary process prevents CHP from making reasonable operational decisions concerning the safe and effective conduct of a particular session, event or activity.
An authorised coach, session manager, Tournament Director, official or Committee representative may take reasonable immediate action where necessary to:
Protect participant safety.
Respond to inappropriate behaviour.
Maintain orderly play.
Protect Club or venue property.
Comply with venue requirements.
Manage a competition or event.
Prevent serious disruption to a Club activity.
Depending upon the circumstances, this may include:
Giving a reasonable direction.
Warning a participant about their conduct.
Stopping or modifying play.
Requiring a participant to leave a particular court, session or event.
Contacting a parent or guardian.
Contacting venue management.
Contacting emergency services or Police where necessary.
A direction concerning participation in a particular session or event does not, by itself, constitute suspension or termination of CHP membership.
Where CHP subsequently proposes formal disciplinary action affecting a person's membership rights, the disciplinary process contained in the Rules of Association must be followed.
14. Immediate and Interim Safety Measures
CHP may take reasonable interim or precautionary measures where necessary to address an immediate or significant safety concern while a matter is being assessed.
Such measures may be considered where there is a reasonable concern regarding:
The safety or wellbeing of participants.
Children or young people.
Threats or violence.
Serious harassment.
Club members, volunteers or officials.
Club property or venues.
Serious disruption to Club activities.
Interim measures should be reasonable and proportionate to the circumstances.
They are precautionary and do not, by themselves, constitute a finding that misconduct has occurred.
Where an interim measure would amount to a formal suspension of a person's membership rights, CHP must act in accordance with its Rules of Association.
15. External Referral
Some matters may require or justify referral outside CHP.
Depending upon the circumstances, CHP may seek advice from or refer a matter to:
Pickleball Victoria.
Pickleball Australia.
Sport Integrity Australia.
Child safety authorities.
Victoria Police.
Emergency services.
CHP's insurer.
Legal or professional advisers.
Another appropriate authority or organisation.
Nothing in CHP's internal processes prevents a person from making a legitimate report to an appropriate external authority.
Where CHP is required by law or an applicable governing-body policy to report or refer a matter, it will endeavour to comply with that requirement.
16. Repeated, Vexatious or Abusive Complaints
CHP supports the right of members to raise genuine concerns and complaints in good faith.
The complaints process must not itself be used to harass, intimidate, retaliate against or deliberately overwhelm another member, volunteer, official or Committee member.
CHP may establish reasonable communication boundaries where:
A matter has already been appropriately considered and concluded.
No materially new information has been provided.
Correspondence becomes substantially repetitive.
Communications become abusive, threatening or harassing.
Unreasonable demands are being placed upon Club volunteers.
The complaint process is being deliberately misused.
Depending upon the circumstances, CHP may:
Nominate a single point of contact.
Require correspondence to be consolidated.
Establish reasonable response timeframes.
Require communication to occur in writing.
Decline to provide further substantive responses concerning a concluded matter unless materially new information is provided.
These measures do not remove any rights a member has under the CHP Rules of Association or applicable law and do not prevent a person from making a legitimate report to an appropriate external organisation.
17. Related Policies and Documents
This Code should be read together with:
CHP Rules of Association.
CHP Complaint Handling Process.
CHP Member Protection Policy.
CHP Committee Protection Policy.
CHP Conflict of Interest Policy.
CHP Membership Policy.
CHP Injury Prevention Policy.
CHP Child Safety policies and procedures.
CHP Young Athletes in Adult Sessions Policy.
Applicable Pickleball Victoria policies.
Applicable Pickleball Australia policies.
Applicable Sport Integrity Australia policies.
Where a specific or mandatory process applies under the Rules of Association, legislation or an applicable governing-body requirement, that process takes precedence.
18. Relationship With the Rules of Association
This Code operates subject to the Central Highlands Pickleball Club Incorporated Rules of Association and applicable law.
Nothing in this Code is intended to limit, replace or override a right, obligation or procedure established by the Rules of Association or applicable law.
Where there is any inconsistency, the Rules of Association and applicable law prevail.
19. Acknowledgement
By becoming a member of CHP or participating in CHP activities, members and participants are expected to comply with this Code of Conduct and other applicable CHP policies.
Visitors, spectators, parents and guardians attending CHP activities are also expected to behave consistently with the standards established by this Code.
A suspected breach of this Code may be considered through the appropriate CHP process.
Where formal disciplinary action against a member is proposed, that action will be undertaken in accordance with the CHP Rules of Association.
20. Final Principle
Central Highlands Pickleball Club Incorporated exists to provide a fun, safe, inclusive and welcoming environment where people can enjoy social and competitive pickleball.
Everyone involved with CHP shares responsibility for maintaining that environment.
Members are entitled to raise genuine concerns and respectfully disagree with others, including the Committee.
At the same time, all participants are expected to treat other members, volunteers, officials and Committee members with respect and to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the values of CHP.
Central Highlands Pickleball Club Incorporated (CHP)
Responsible Body: CHP Committee
Approved by: CHP Committee
Review: Annually or as required
Version: 1.1
Effective Date: September 2025
Last Review Date: August 2026
Responsible Body: CHP Committee
Approved by: CHP Committee
Review: Annually or as required