BNSW Participants,
Basketball NSW is extremely committed to the ongoing safety of all of its participants – in particular, our junior participants.
As a result, BNSW is asking for any inappropriate conduct, including any physical, verbal, & emotional abuse and sexual misconduct, to be reported to the relevant government agency or to Basketball NSW for further investigation and follow-up. Whilst BNSW fully understands that this may be a very sensitive topic, BNSW urges each parent and participant to consider taking these steps to ensure the ongoing safety of all children within our sport.
Any information that is supplied will be kept strictly confidential – the only exception to this will be if BNSW is obliged by law, as a mandatory reporter, to pass this information on to relevant state authority, including NSW Police, FACS, JIRT or the Office of the Children’s Guardian.
If any parents or children have relevant information regarding this alleged conduct, please email the information and any supporting material to mpo@bnsw.com.au. Each report will be examined, and action will be taken where appropriate or necessary to protect our junior members. Please note that action may also be taken against any person who makes a deliberately misleading or vexatious complaint to Basketball NSW.
Regards
Maria Nordstrom
CEO, Basketball NSW
The National Integrity Framework is the umbrella term for the suite of policies, educational materials and other resources that establish basketball’s perimeter against corruption. The Framework applies to all competitions and events conducted under the auspices of Basketball Australia or a member state/territory association, including the National Basketball League.
The Framework sets the broad expectations for the conduct of all Participants but also incorporates detailed policies to regulate behaviour and ensure action can be taken against those who fail to adhere to behavioural standards and expose the sport to undue risk.
The Basketball Australia National Integrity Framework includes the Member Protection Policy (Effective as of 1 January 2023) this policy seeks to ensure that everyone involved in basketball is aware of their rights and responsibilities. This Policy sets out the minimum standards of behaviour expected of those involved in basketball and the behaviours that are not acceptable (‘Prohibited Conduct’).
READ MOREBasketball should be a safe and fair place for participants.
Here are Basketball NSW, we offer a safe space for people to share their experiences or to raise concerns about behaviour they’ve witnessed or experienced.
MAKE A MEMBER PROTECTION COMPLAINT OR REPORT
If you have information about alleged Discrimination or breaches of Basketball Australia’s Member Protection Policy, you can either call Basketball NSW during business hours on 8765 855 or send us a confidential email to mpo@bnsw.com.au
Submit a Integrity Complaint or to Report an IncidentThe mental health and wellbeing of all participants in basketball are important to us here at Basketball NSW, visit our page dedicated to Mental Health & Wellbeing Mental Health & Wellbeing.
Mental Health & WellbeingMPIOs are the point of contact at associations for participants, volunteers or parents with member protection enquiries or complaints.
In many associations, the MPIO generally manages the club’s Working with Children Check responsibilities.
The Role of the MPIO
As the main point of contact for enquiries and complaints relating to member protection, the MPIO should be approachable and have good listening and communication skills. The MPIO should also have a sound knowledge of the club and the club committee structure as well as club policies, processes and child-safe practices, including the Working with Children Check (WWCC).
In some associations, managing the club’s WWCC responsibilities also forms part of the role, as compliance with the WWCC is one of the first steps at a club in keeping children safe.
Some associations have more than one MPIO, as this provides greater support to their members and is particularly beneficial if the MPIO responsibilities include the WWCC, as this allows the responsibilities to be shared. The role of MPIO is usually a voluntary position.
MPIO’s are impartial and do not mediate or investigate complaints. Complaints should be managed by a suitable person appointed by the Association to manage complaints, a nominated Committee Member or an independent person. Where there is a conflict of interest, the Association President/Chair or Committee can appoint an independent person to manage the complaint; in some cases, Basketball NSW can manage this.
All participants need to be able to contact the MPIO at their association. The name and contact phone number for the MPIO should be made available without question to anyone requesting it.
Navigating Disciplinary Matters in Sport: Our Process and Commitment to Fairness in Basketball.
Disciplinary Support ProcessPlease visit our resource directory to see our guidelines, policies and by-laws. We also highly recommend reading all the available information on the Basketball Australia website regarding the sports National Integrity Framework.
Working With Children Check
The documents below are posters associations can download for placing up on noticeboards or including in newsletters and sharing on social media.