Player Travel / Tournament Activities Policy – Unaccompanied Minor
(Effective from 1st June 2009)

This policy applies to all players enrolled in a club endorsed tournament(s) who do not travel with their biological parent or another family member approved by the club because of special family circumstances.

RATIONALE
The purpose of this policy is to:

• Ensure FEBC has in place arrangements to protect the personal safety and wellbeing of all players and in doing so we meet the requirements of Children’s Protection Act 1993;
• Provide guidelines to manage potential risk associated with travel undertaken by club players; and
• Recognise the responsibilities of players, coaches, team managers, other team parents and club staff in this matter.
• The parent to player ratio for the group
  The parent to player ratio is the number that enables parents/chaperones to provide an appropriate level of supervision, safety and well being of players participating in basketball tournaments at all times.
  1 Parent – 3 players (Not including the Coach or Team Manager)

KEY PRINCIPLES

• The safety and well being of players participating in basketball tournaments is at all times paramount.
• The President has documented club procedures including delegations, if any, to assess player requests. Perceived risks are appropriately managed in terms of access, effectiveness, efficiency, appropriateness and safety. All travel approvals or non-approvals must be documented.
• The clubs “Parent Tournament Consent – Interstate and Overseas Trips, Permission Form and Confidential Medical Information For Club Approved Tournaments – Medical Forms are to be completed before any application will be considered.
• In assessing a player’s request for non-parental travel the club may consider the age and level of maturity of the student. Therefore, supervision and approval requirements for players over 18 years of age may vary from the requirements for younger players. In these cases, the club will exercise their discretion in seeking coach/team manager/other parent approval.
• FEBC, through the club President, retains the final right of approval for all overnight player activities/travel.
• Players should not book travel, accommodation and/or activities until the relevant approval has been approved by the club.
• A player breaching this policy may have their tournament enrolment cancelled, on the basis that the player’s welfare arrangements are unable to be guaranteed.

 
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The team coach/team manager provides support and general welfare for the player for the period stated in the approval letter. Together FEBC, coaches and team managers share responsibility for the general welfare of all (approved) players travelling alone during the tournament. FEBC places players with a coach/team manager/supervising parent who has an obligation to provide general supervision within child protection guidelines, accommodation and meals for the duration of travel. Parents/guardians of players also have responsibility for players while they are playing in the tournament.

HIGH RISK ACTIVITIES
Participation in extreme sports and high risk activities whilst travelling without biological parent supervision will not be approved. High risk activities include but are not limited to: abseiling, bungee jumping, caving, hang gliding, jet skiing, motorcycling, parachuting, parasailing, racing (other than on foot), rock and/or mountain climbing, shark-cage diving, sky diving, white water rafting and ocean yachting.

RISK ASSESSMENT
When undertaking a risk assessment to approve an activity, the coach/team manager can determine whether to obtain the consent of the player’s parent/s / guardian(s) and a club official in the first instance or approve the activity and then call the parent advising that their son/daughter will be undertaking this activity with the club’s approval.

Coaches can exercise discretion in assessing a player’s activity application when considering the player’s age and level of maturity, and whether or not parental approval is required.
Ultimately the decision to approve the activity rests with the Coach/team manager.
Situations may occur whereby the parent has consented to their son/daughter undertaking an activity, however, the activities may be considered by the club, coach or team manager as high risk or inappropriate and permission is not granted.

Lawful and unlawful instruction to players
While under team supervision players are expected to comply with all reasonable instructions asked of them by the coach/team manager/supervising parent(s).
Coaches/Team Managers/Parent(s) should be open to constructive questions regarding their instructions and have a responsibility to respond appropriately.

Parents/guardian should discuss these standards with their children before they travel so they all clearly understand what they should and should not do.
Alternatively, you can refer the matter to a club representative at the tournament.

For most players, complying with the policy will not require any change in their current behaviour. By continuing to act in accordance with this policy, players will help ensure that all participants have a comfortable and safe journey.