We are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our students so they can learn in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable in our program. If bullying does occur, all
students should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. We are a TELLING program. This means that anyone who knows that bullying is happening is expected to tell the coaching staff.

Bullying is the use of aggression with the intention of hurting another person.

Bullying results in pain and distress to the victim.

Bullying can be:

- Emotional – being unfriendly, excluding, tormenting (e.g. hiding books, threatening gestures)
- Physical – pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence
- Racist – racial taunts, graffiti, gestures
- Sexual – unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments
- Homophobic – because of, or focussing on the issue of sexuality
- Verbal – name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing
- Cyber;
All areas of internet ,such as email & internet chat room misuse
Mobile threats by text messaging & calls
Misuse of associated technology , i.e. camera & video

Bullying hurts. No one deserves to be a victim of bullying. Everybody has the right to be treated with respect. Students who are bullying need to learn different ways of behaving.

Programmes have a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to issues of bullying.

All coaching and non-coaching staff, Athletes, and parents should have an understanding of what bullying is.

All coaching and non-coaching staff should know what the policy is on bullying, and follow it when bullying is reported.

All Athletes and parents should know what the program policy is on bullying, and what they should do if bullying arises.

As a program we take bullying seriously. Students and parents should be assured that they will be supported when bullying is reported.

Bullying will not be tolerated.

A child may indicate by signs or behaviour that he or she is being bullied. Adults should be aware of these possible signs and that they should investigate if a child:

- is frightened of walking to or from the program
- doesn't want to go on the public bus
- begs to be driven to practice
- changes their usual routine
- is unwilling to go to practice
- begins to truant
- becomes withdrawn anxious, or lacking in confidence
- starts stammering
- attempts or threatens suicide or runs away
- cries themselves to sleep at night or has nightmares
- feels ill in the morning
- begins to do poorly in practice
- comes home with clothes torn or damaged
- has possessions which are damaged or " go missing"
- asks for money or starts stealing money (to pay bully)
- has money continually "lost"
- becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable
- is bullying other children or siblings
- stops eating
- is frightened to say what's wrong
- gives improbable excuses for any of the above
- is afraid to use the internet or mobile phone
- is nervous & jumpy when a cyber message is received

These signs and behaviours could indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered a possibility and should be investigated.

1. Report bullying incidents to coaching staff
2. In cases of serious bullying, the incidents will be recorded by coaching staff
3. In serious cases parents should be informed and will be asked to come in to a meeting to discuss the problem
4. If necessary and appropriate, police will be consulted
5. The bullying behaviour or threats of bullying must be investigated and the bullying stopped quickly
6. An attempt will be made to help the bully (bullies) change their behaviour

1. The bully (bullies) may be asked to genuinely apologise. Other consequences may take place.
2. In serious cases, suspension or even exclusion will be considered
3. If possible, the pupils will be reconciled
4. After the incident / incidents have been investigated and dealt with, each case will be monitored to ensure repeated bullying does not take place.

We will use EMCA methods for helping children to prevent bullying. As and when appropriate, these may include:
- writing a set of practice rules
- signing a behaviour contract
- having discussions about bullying and why it matters