Social Media & Networking Policy

Social Media/Networking Policy

We live in an ever-changing world and while technology has allowed us to become more connected than ever before, it brings with it its own set of problems. In order to protect both our members and the organisation, Townsville Junior Touch Football has adopted the Townsville Castle Hill Touch Association Inc. Social Media/Networking policy.

Adopted 05/11/2014

  1. OUTLINING PRINCIPLES:
    1. The Townsville Castle Hill Touch Association Inc. has an obligation to maintain a safe physical and emotional environment within the organisation for Association Officials, Club Officials, Team Officials, Coaches, Managers, Referees, Players, Volunteers, Spectators, Sponsors and Staff. The responsibility is not entirely confined to the Queens Park fields, competitions or championships;
    2. The TCHTA takes seriously it's responsibility, in providing guidelines and policy for its members in relation to what is deemed acceptable and appropriate online ethics and behaviours. Members of the TCHTA which includes clubs, teams and their members have a responsibility to ensure that all online communications are aligned with the Associations expectations in relation to appropriate and respectful interactions with designated officials, coaches, managers, referees, players, volunteers, parents, spectators and sponsors;
    3. Social Media Misconduct includes, but is not limited to the following misuses of networking; harassing, intimidating or threatening another person by means of posting or sending inappropriate or derogatory email messages, instant messages, text messages, phone messages, images or website postings including those social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, etc. and is irrespective of whether the page could be viewed by a broader community or not;
    4. All persons must also be aware that postings, comments and/or messages from ones individual account, IT tool or mobile phone, whether actioned by themselves or another person will remain the responsibility of the account owner.
  2. PROCEDURE:
    If a member of TCHTA or any affiliated club or team wishes to make a report and/or complaint about an online issue, the established procedures listed below must be followed:
    1. A report and/ or complaint made during a competition/championships/training and directly linked to that competition/championship/training is to be submitted to the TCHTA Secretary/Disciplinary Hearing officer who will refer the matter to the Disciplinary Tribunal Chairman.
    2. A report and/or complaint made outside of a competition/championship/training is to be submitted or emailed to the TCHTA Secretary/Disciplinary Hearing Officer who will refer the matter to the TCHTA Disciplinary Tribunal Chairman.
    3. Providing there is sufficient evidence, the lodged complaint will then be addressed by the TCHTA Disciplinary Chairman. If the Chairman feels that it is necessary, a full Disciplinary Tribunal hearing will be held in accordance with the TFA Disciplinary Tribunal Guidelines.
    4. All members of clubs and teams must be aware that in certain circumstances where action has transpired to criminal meaning or a crime may have been committed, they may also be subjected to a criminal investigation by the relevant authority (police) over which the association, club, and/or team will have no control.
  3. PENALTIES:
    1. Any TCHTA member which includes clubs, teams, coaches, manager, referees and players presented to the Disciplinary Tribunal on a social media misconduct or online abuse offence must be aware that the penalties available to the tribunal are not limited to but include a complete suspension of membership of the TCHTA
    2. Any proven charges determined by the Disciplinary Tribunal will automatically lead to a minimum of three (3) months suspension from participating in any TCHTA competitions or TFA affiliated competitions.
    3. Consideration will be given to the seriousness of the issue, the impact on not only the offended individual, but the TCHTA and the sport of Touch in deciding the final penalty
    4. In the case of an unaffiliated person (I.e. Parent, sibling, spectator etc.) being proved to have engaged in online misconduct, the affiliated player/official engaging or otherwise directly associated with the person at the time of the conduct shall be deemed to be liable for the conduct the person and will be charged and penalised as determined by the Disciplinary Tribunal Chairman/Tribunal.