NOOSA AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL CLUB INC.
DRUG & ALCOHOL POLICY
The Noosa Australian Football Club Inc. (NAFC) aims to provide a safe and supportive club culture that protects people against a range of health-related risks, including the misuse of alcohol and the use of illegal drugs.
The club aims to provide a culture where players, members, supporters, families and all other members of the community can connect and engage in meaningful and positive relationships.
The Management Committee of NAFC has a clear expectation that all senior players will at all times project themselves as positive mentors and role models when in the presence of junior players and when representing the NAFC in the broader community.
That expectation is particularly high so far as this policy is concerned.
REASONS FOR A DRUG POLICY
The use of illegal drugs is seen as a problem on the Sunshine Coast and within the broader community. It creates an ongoing issue of legality, personal welfare and safety.
The use of illegal drugs by any member of the NAFC is entirely contrary to the sporting, health and good citizenship culture of the NAFC.
Any drug use by any club member, player, official or supporter in circumstances that fall within the scope of this Policy will not be tolerated by the NAFC.
Preserving the reputation of the NAFC and ensuring a healthy social culture for all its members, players, officials and supporters is of the highest priority.
The intent of this policy is designed to cover all forms of unlawful drug activity as defined by Queensland and Commonwealth Statues and in particular the Drugs Misuse Act 1986 (QLD).
It is the intention of the NAFC Management Committee to be vigilant and proactive in relation to this policy. All reasonable steps will be taken to ensure that compliance with this policy is met and that the activities of members, players, officials or supporters of the NAFC comply with acceptable community standards and the law.
THE DRUG POLICY
No NAFC member, player, official or supporter may possess, use or supply an illegal drug:
(a) within the vicinity of the club rooms;
(b) anywhere in the grounds or extremities of the Weyba Road Oval;
(c) inside any club house, immediately outside any club house, car park or anywhere within the boundaries of any particular reserve where NAFC players are to/have trained or played during any afore-mentioned period; and
(d) at any other time or place where an NAFC member, player, official or supporter may, in the specific circumstances of the case, lead a reasonable person to make a direct connection between that possession or use of an illegal drug and the NAFC.
DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE
Any breach or suspected breach of this policy must be reported to the NAFC Disciplinary Committee.
The Disciplinary Committee will be made up of four persons as follows:
(a) the president of the NAFC;
(b) a member of the NAFC Management Committee;
(c) a player representative as appointed by the NAFC Management Committee; and
(d) a member of the Football Operations Department as appointed by the NAFC Management Committee.
BREACH OF DRUG POLICY
Any member, player, official or supporter who becomes aware of, or suspects, a breach of this policy must report the breach or suspected breach to a member of the Disciplinary Committee.
That member of the Disciplinary Committee is then obligated to call a meeting of the Disciplinary Committee to deal with the breach or suspected breach.
Any other person can report a breach or suspected breach to either the Disciplinary Committee or the NAFC Management Committee.
RELEVANT FACTORS
When responding to issues involving the use, possession or supply of unlawful drugs the Disciplinary Committee of the NAFC may take into account the following factors:
(a) whether there is any immediate medical risk to any person;
(b) whether the matter involves the use of an unlawful drug or the supply of an unlawful drug;
(c) where the use or supply of the unlawful drug takes is alleged to take place;
(d) the age of the persons alleged to be involved;
(e) relevant privacy issues; and
(f) legal obligations.
The Disciplinary Committee may, at its sole discretion, consider any other factor it believes to be relevant when responding to an alleged breach of this policy.
SANCTIONS
Supply
It is the policy of the NAFC Management Committee that any allegation of the supply of an illegal drug by a member, player, official or supporter to another will immediately be reported to Queensland Police.
Once that report has been made then the individual suspected of being involved in the unlawful supply of an illegal drug will be entitled to appear before the Disciplinary Committee to have the matter determined.
If the person suspected of breaching this policy elects not to appear before the Disciplinary Committee then they will be suspended from all participation within the NAFC until such time as they do appear before the Disciplinary Committee and the matter is determined.
Use or Possession
It is the policy of the NAFC that sanctions for the use or possession of unlawful drugs shall, where appropriate, be on a graduated basis.
The policy of the NAFC Management Committee in relation to sanctions for the use or possession of a dangerous drug, in the circumstances referred to above, will usually be as follows:
(a) first time â warning and reminder of club policy on drug use;
(b) second time â suspension for a designated time; and
(c) third time â expulsion.
Despite the above the NAFC Disciplinary Committee is not bound in any way by the recommendations referred to above and always maintains a complete discretion in relation to the imposition of a sanction in every case.
The NAFC Disciplinary Committee can, at its discretion and at any time, refer any suspected unlawful drug activity directly to Queensland Police if the Disciplinary Committee is of the view that such a referral is warranted in the circumstances.
In the case where a matter is referred to Queensland Police for investigation then the alleged offender may still appear before the Disciplinary Committee to have the matter determined, if they so choose, but if they elect not to appear before the Disciplinary Committee then they shall be suspended from all activity in relation to the NAFC until such time as they do appear before the Disciplinary Committee and the matter is determined.
PROCESS
Upon the report of a suspected breach of this policy to the Disciplinary Committee then the Disciplinary Committee shall call a hearing to determine the particular matter.
The structure of such a hearing will be informal, conducted in private with all the principles of natural justice applying.
The committee will determine the allegation made on the balance of probabilities.
The Disciplinary Committee, subject to the rules of natural justice, is entitled to conduct the hearing in any manner it deems appropriate.
JUNIOR PLAYERS 17 YEARS & UNDER
When a breach, or suspected breach, of this policy involves a player who is 17 years of age or under, the Disciplinary Committee will liaise with the relevant parent or guardian, with the intent of agreeing on participation by the player in structured drug counseling or a mutually acceptable drug education program.
Unless unusual circumstances exist, a period of suspension from games will also be applied.
The length of any suspension will be at the sole discretion of the Disciplinary Committee and may be influenced by the player and/or parent subsequently producing evidence to the Disciplinary Committee that appropriate counseling and/or drug education has been completed.
REASON FOR AN ALCOHOL POLICY
It is accepted that the sensible and moderate consumption of alcohol by persons of or over the age of 18 years can be an appropriate part of the social culture of a sporting club,.
The NAFC possesses a Liquor Licence. All aspects of the supply and consumption of alcohol in or near the clubrooms is governed by the various requirements of our liquor licence, and the relevant various licensing laws.
The NAFC Committee consider it vital that the rules and laws applied to liquor possession and/or consumption at the club are strictly obeyed. Preserving the good reputation of the NAFC as a good citizen and also ensuring a healthy and safe social culture in the context of alcohol consumption is a high priority.
Under Queensland law the penalties for breaching the liquor laws can include loss of liquor licence and/or heavy fines. Loss of our liquor licence would severely reduce the ability of the NAFC to raise income and continue to exist.
THE ALCOHOL POLICY
Noosa Australian Football Club members, players, officials, supportersor visitors will at all times fully comply with the written conditions recorded on our Liquor Licence, which is on public display in the NAFC bar.
NAFC , players, officials, supportersor visitors will at all times comply with the law in relation to the possession and consumption of alcohol at the Weyba Road Clubrooms and oval. In that regard the Committee highlights the following:-
(a) under 18's will not be served or supplied alcohol, nor will they bring their own alcohol onto the premises for consumption (premises includes clubhouse, carpark, and any area within the Weyba Road boundaries);
(b) zero tolerance policy applies to the serving or supply of alcohol to any person under 18 years;
(c) any persons considered to have consumed an excessive amount of alcohol will be refused service.
(d) at any other time or place where an NAFC member, player, official or supporter may, in the specific circumstances of the case, lead a reasonable person to make a direct connection between inappropriate consumption of alcohol and the NAFC
BREACH OF ALCOHOL POLICY
Any member, player, official or supporter who becomes aware of, or suspects, a breach of this policy must report the breach or suspected breach to a member of the Disciplinary Committee.
That member of the Disciplinary Committee is then obligated to call a meeting of the Disciplinary Committee to deal with the breach or suspected breach.
Any other person can report a breach or suspected breach to either the Disciplinary Committee or the NAFC Management Committee.
PROCESS
Upon the report of a suspected breach of this policy to the Disciplinary Committee then the Disciplinary Committee shall call a hearing to determine the particular matter.
The structure of such a hearing will be informal, conducted in private with all the principles of natural justice applying.
The committee will determine the allegation made on the balance of probabilities.
The Disciplinary Committee, subject to the rules of natural justice, is entitled to conduct the hearing in any manner it deems appropriate.
JUNIOR PLAYERS 17 YEARS & UNDER
When a breach, or suspected breach, of this policy involves a player who is 17 years of age or under, the Disciplinary Committee will liaise with the relevant parent or guardian, with the intent of agreeing on participation by the player in structured counseling or a mutually acceptable education program.
SANCTIONS
If in the opinion of Disciplinary Committee the truth of the reported breach is substantiated on the balance of probabilities then the Disciplinary Committee will apply a penalty it believes appropriate to the severity of the circumstances of the particular case.
Such penalty may, where appropriate, include suspension from NAFC.
Last Modified on 11/03/2013 11:19