Member Protection, Grievance & Complaints, Disputes & Discipline
Policy No: 7 V: 8 11 2025.
This HHCC policy has three purposes:
1. Ensure that all HHCC members are aware of their rights and responsibilities (Member Protection).
2. Establishes a formal process to resolve interpersonal conflicts and disputes that fall short of “Prohibited Conduct” (Personal Grievance).
3.Ensure that allegations of “Prohibited Conduct” are managed through an effective, consistent, and timely process, which is fair and transparent (Complaints Disputes and Discipline).
Croquet Australia (CA) adopted the National Integrity Framework (NIF), produced by Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) on 15 March 2024 which incorporates a suite of policies that aim to protect members and provide a process to resolve matters where necessary. HHCC is adopting these policies.
1. MEMBER PROTECTION: Seeks to ensure that everyone involved in croquet is aware of their rights and responsibilities and sets out the standards of behaviour expected of those involved in croquet and the behaviours that are not acceptable (Prohibited Conduct) https://cdn.revolutionise.com.au/cups/croquetaus/files/bvqhlf0mfebxkdg2.pdf .
This policy addresses matters such as, abuse, bullying, sexual harassment, discrimination, sexual misconduct, victimisation, and vilification.
Reports or Complaints of alleged Prohibited Conduct under this Policy (except discrimination) should be submitted to Croquet Australia and will be managed in accordance with the Croquet Australia Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy (see below). Matters involving alleged discrimination or child abuse should be reported to Sport Integrity Australia directly; see 3 below.
2. PERSONAL GRIEVANCE: Establishes a formal process for people and organisations engaging with the sport of Croquet to resolve interpersonal conflicts and disputes that arise in the context of their involvement in Croquet, that falls short of the threshold for abuse, bullying, harassment or sexual misconduct under the Croquet Australia Member Protection Policy described above, and that does not involve a breach of an Integrity Policy in the National Integrity Framework or other Croquet Australia policies https://cdn.revolutionise.com.au/cups/croquetaus/files/vtntudsx5ag5kxjp.pdf .
To determine what is a low-level breach, the NIF Case Categorisation and Guidance for Sanctions document helps. Category 1: BLUE-LOW identifies low level behaviours. https://cdn.revolutionise.com.au/cups/croquetaus/files/z3sphbxzcatggsr4.pdf
Members are encouraged to attempt to resolve any disagreement or dispute that is subject to this Policy amongst themselves in their first instance.
Where a matter is unable to be resolved at the Club level it may be referred to Croquet Australia.
3. COMPLAINTS DISPUTES AND DISCIPLINES: Applies to allegations of Prohibited Conduct as described above in Member Protection, and aims to ensure matters are managed through an effective, consistent, and timely process, which is fair and transparent to all https://cdn.revolutionise.com.au/cups/croquetaus/files/ucob6qncwrt0jgjd.pdf .
NOTE: where a matter relates to Child Safeguarding or Discrimination, and you are the alleged affected party (or a parent/guardian of the alleged affected party) you should make an Integrity Complaint/Report to Sport Integrity Australia using the online form, or to the Safe Sport hotline: 1800 161 361.
If you consider a child to be in immediate danger, report the matter to the NSW Police Force ASAP.
All other matters of Prohibited Conduct should be reported to Croquet Australia via the ONLINE COMPLAINT FORM, or to the President or Secretary of HHCC or to Croquet NSW.
The Process at HHCC for Reporting a Matter of Concern:
Processes described below reflect CA’s Investigation of Complaints Guidelines https://cdn.revolutionise.com.au/cups/croquetaus/files/e8gqwwkklo8oiqvs.pdf. These Guidelines provide advice in terms of matters that are considered serious and less serious and will be used by HHCC to determine the appropriate way forward.
1. Initial Complaint: As outlined above, matters involving child safety or discrimination should be reported to SIA directly using the online form, or to the Safe Sport hotline: 1800 161 361. A member may elect to report a matter directly to CA using its ONLINE COMPLAINT FORM, or contact either the President or Secretary of HHCC. If it is felt that these officers are compromised, another senior member of the HHCC Committee maybe approached. The complaint to the HHCC official should be in writing.
2. Appropriate Course of Action: If a matter is brought to an HHCC official an initial assessment will be made as to whether the matter will be investigated internally or submitted directly to Croquet NSW, CA or SIA for their attention.
3. HHCC to Investigate: The HHCC Officer(s) will advise any party that has had an allegation made against them of the allegation. A Fact-Finding Investigation will be conducted by a person(s) independent of the matter of concern and with no conflict of interest. All relevant parties will be interviewed. The alleged offender may have a support person present, although this person should not become involved in the process, other than to offer personal support.
4. Investigation Report: The outcome of the fact-finding investigation will be provided to the HHCC officer, as well as to the alleged offender and the complainant in writing for their consideration. A record of meetings and interview discussions should be included in the report.
5. Actions to be Taken: Taking into account SIA’s Case Categorisation and Guidance for Sanctions https://cdn.revolutionise.com.au/cups/croquetaus/files/z3sphbxzcatggsr4.pdf the HHCC Committee will determine an appropriate course of action which may include:
· Take no action and advise all parties accordingly
· Formerly advise the offender that their action is in breach of the HHCC Standards and Prohibited Conduct Policy or Etiquette of Play and that a repeat of their behaviour will not be tolerated by HHCC. Offers of appropriate training/guidance to assist the offender moving forward will be provided.
· If the investigation identifies a serious breach of the Club’s Standards and Prohibited Conduct Policy, or indicates behaviour considered unacceptable to Croquet NSW or CA, then HHCC can elect to forward the matter on to Croquet NSW or CA for further consideration.