Important Information

Please pass this information to all players and their parents.

Skate boards, bicycles, roller blades, scooters etc. are definitely NOT permitted on the netball grounds.

This is a safety issue pertaining to players, umpires and the general public, and is a directive from our Public Liability insurer and Port Stephens Council.

Parents are asked to act responsibly, and not bring any of the above to the netball courts and surrounding areas. Your committee has a Duty of Care to all players and umpires, and a zero tolerance will be implemented.

Glass bottles or glass utensils are not allowed on any area governed by the Tomaree Sports Council, of which your Association is a member.

Dogs are not permitted on the netball courts or surrounding areas, and the Port Stephens Council Ranger will regularly patrol the area. Parents, please act responsibly, and don't bring your dog to the netball courts or surrounding areas.

General Meetings will be held in the clubhouse at 7.00pm on Thursday 9th May, and 7.00pm Thursday 18th July 2013.

One (1) competition point will be allocated to each team with the required one (1) delegate in attendance for the duration of the meeting.

The Annual General Meeting has been scheduled for 7.00pm Thursday 1st August. This date is subject to change.

For information regarding postponement of games, please visit our website www.netball.nelsonbay.com or SMS NBNA to 19922767, for a text message telling you if games are postponed or being played.

There is a $20.00 fine, plus a loss of one (1) point imposed for each umpire who fails to fulfil their duties as set down in the fixtures. This penalty also applies to reserve umpires.

A team receiving a forfeit from another team must be at the court at the time of the scheduled game to claim the forfeit, unless it is a Forfeit on Notice. A team is not required to be at the court at the time of the scheduled game if there has been a Forfeit on Notice, which means that the team forfeiting must email the Registrar ( netball@nelsonbay.com ) by 5.00pm on the Wednesday prior to the scheduled game to officially notify the Registrar that the team is forfeiting the game. The opposing team delegate is then contacted by the Registrar to advise them that they are not required to be in attendance to claim the forfeit.

Allocation of points are as follows;

Win 3 points Draw 2 points Loss 1 point

2 points are deducted if an unregistered player takes part in a game.

Clause 13.8 of the By-Laws states “Any person not a financial member of the team in which they are playing, shall incur a loss of two (2) points for each game in which they play unregistered, and the non-offending team shall receive the winning points for each occasion, regardless of whether they win, draw, or lose.

Umpire's lecture will be held in the netball clubroom on Tuesday 14th May 7pm -8.30pm and Tuesday 21st May between 7.00pm and 8.30pm. The exam is compulsory for Junior and Intermediate teams, and is free to all who attend. Coaches and parents are welcome.

A maximum of two (2) points will be allocated to each team with two (2) or more players in attendance. If one player is in attendance, then one (1) point will be allocated.
The umpire's exam is now available online at www.netballnsw.com

All Representative players must pass the exam, or have a current pass to be eligible to compete in Representative carnivals.

The Constitution and By-Laws are available on the Nelson Bay Netball Association website www.netball.nelsonbay.com

PARENT'S CODE OF BEHAVIOUR

*   If children are interested, encourage them to play sport. However, if a child is not willing to play, do not force him/her.

*   Focus upon the child's efforts and performance rather than the overall outcome of the event. This assists the child in setting realistic goals related to his/her ability by reducing the emphasis on winning.

*   Teach children that an honest effort is as important as victory, so that the result of each game is accepted without undue disappointment.

*   Encourage children to always play according to the rules.

*   Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or losing a game.

*   Remember, children are involved in organised sport for THEIR enjoyment, not yours.

*   Remember, that children learn best from example. Applaud good play by both teams.

*   If you disagree with an official, raise the issue through the appropriate channels, rather than question the official's judgement and honesty in public. Remember, most officials give their time and effort for your child's involvement.

*   Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sporting activities.

*   Recognise the value and importance of volunteer coaches. They give of their time and resources to provide recreational activities for the children, and they deserve your support.

SPECTATOR'S CODE OF
BEHAVIOUR

* Children play organised sport for fun. They are not playing for the entertainment of spectators only, nor are they miniature professionals.

* Applaud good performance and efforts by your team AND the opponents. Congratulate both teams upon their performance, regardless of the game's outcome.

* Respect the official's decision. If there is disagreement, follow the appropriate procedure in order to question the decision, and teach the children to do likewise.

* Never ridicule or scold a child for making a mistake during competition. Positive comments are motivational.

* Condemn the use of violence in any form, be it by spectators, coaches, officials or players.

* Encourage players to play according to the rules, and the official's decision.

* Demonstrate appropriate social behaviour by not using foul language, or harassing players, coaches or officials.

Please remember that our future umpires must learn their skills on organised games.

Your association has a zero tolerance for anyone criticizing umpires. Young umpires are protected under the Child Protection Act.

One type of child abuse is Emotional Abuse, which includes threatening language, bullying, ridicule, personal abuse and comments designed to demean and humiliate.

COACH CODE OF BEHAVIOUR

In addition to Netball NSW's General Code of Behaviour, you must meet the following requirements in regard to your conduct during any activity held by or under the auspices of Netball NSW or a District/League Association, in your role as a coach.

1. Treat all players with respect at all times.

• Be honest and consistent with them.

• Honour all promises and commitments, both verbal and written.

2. Promote a climate of mutual support among your players.

• Encourage players to respect one another and to expect respect for their worth as individuals regardless of their level of play.

3. Encourage and facilitate players' independence and responsibility for their own:

• Behaviour,

• Performance,

• Decisions, and

• Actions.

4. Involve the players in decisions that affect them.

5. Determine, in consultation with the players, what information is confidential and respect that confidentiality.

6. Provide feedback to players in a caring and sensitive manner according to their needs. Avoid overly negative feedback.

7. Refrain from any form of personal abuse towards your players. This includes:

• Verbal, physical and emotional abuse.

• Be alert to any forms of abuse directed toward your players from other sources while they are in your care. (Abide by the Netball NSW Member Protection Policy).

8. Refrain from any form of harassment towards your players.

• Treat all players fairly within the context of their sporting activities, regardless of gender, race, place of origin, athletic potential, colour, sexual orientation, religion, political beliefs, socio-economic status, and other condition. (Abide by the Netball NSW Member Protection Policy).

9. Be acutely aware of the power that you as a coach develop with your players in the coaching relationship and avoid any sexual intimacy with players that could develop as a result.

10. Avoid situations with your players that could be construed as compromising.

11. At all times use appropriate training methods, which will benefit the players and avoid those which could be harmful.

• Ensure that the tasks, training, equipment and facilities are safe and suitable for age, experience, ability and physical and psychological conditions of the players.

• Fact Sheet www.netballnsw.com

• Coach Code of Behaviour Phone (02) 9646 5666

12. Ensure the players time spent with you is a positive experience.

• All players are deserving of equal attention and opportunities.

• Provide training and game opportunities that ensure everyone has a reasonable chance to succeed and to improve/acquire skills and develop confidence.

13. Actively discourage the use of:

• Performance enhancing drugs, and

• The use of illegal substances (abide by the Netball NSW Anti-Doping Policy).

14. Recognise individual differences in players and always think of the player's long-term best interests.

15. Set challenges for each player which are both achievable and motivating.

16. Respect the fact that your goal as a coach for the player may not always be the same as that of the player.

• Aim for excellence based upon realistic goals and due consideration for the participant's growth and development.

17. At all times act as a role model that promotes the positive aspects of sport and of netball by maintaining the highest standards of personal conduct and projecting a favourable image of netball and of coaching at all times.

18. Recognise your player's rights to consult with other coaches and advisers.

• Co-operate fully with other specialists (e.g. sports scientists, doctors, physiotherapists etc).

19. Do not exploit any coaching relationship or information gained through Netball NSW programs, to further personal, political or business interests.

20. Encourage players and coaches to develop and maintain integrity in their relationship with others.

21. Respect other coaches and always act in a manner characterised by courtesy and good faith.

22. When asked to coach, ensure that any previous coach-player relationship has been ended in a professional manner.

23. Accept and respect the role of officials in ensuring that competitions are conducted fairly and according to established rules.

• Know and abide by netball rules, regulations and standards, and encourage players to do likewise.

• Accept both the letter and the spirit of the rules.

24. Be honest and ensure that qualifications are not misrepresented.

25. Make a commitment to providing a quality service to your players.

• Provide a training program, which is planned and sequential.

• Maintain or improve your current NCAS accreditation, seek continual improvement through performance appraisal and ongoing coach education and be open to other people's opinions.

26. Do not interfere with the progress and/or conduct of a game unless called on to do so by another official.

Domestic Rules for Umpires and Players

• Team Uniforms may be either skirt and top or bodysuit

(1) Skirt & Top - Skirt to cover undergarments and undergarments are not to be below skirt hem. Top of skirt is to sit no more than 5cm below the waist of the player, with shirt covering the top of skirt by 5cm. Shirts can be sleeved or sleeveless, collar or crew neck but cannot be of a tank/crop type.

(2) Bodysuits - can be worn but must have skirt attached

• Fingernails are to be cut short, and are not permitted to be taped.

• Approved netball gloves may be worn.

• If ear-rings are worn, they must be taped.

• Jewellery is not permitted to be worn at any time except for a wedding ring, which must be taped.

• Hair styles must not endanger other players.

• Hair with beads or other adornments must be tied back.

• Underwear must be the same colour of the skirt, or navy, or black, and all players to be in similar colour.

• Team umpires to be dressed in their registered team uniform, or white, or cream.

• For insurance purposes, umpires must not wear sandals or thongs while umpiring.

• Any team that owes money to the association for any reason, is deemed to be a non - financial team, and must not take part in any games until all outstanding monies are paid.

• Umpires who commence the game, must complete the game, except in the case of injury or illness. Approval must be sought from the committee.

• Teams must have at least five (5) players to commence the game.

• Games start and finish on the umpire's whistle. Either umpire may blow the whistle.

• Five minutes is allowed for a team to enter the court before a forfeit can be claimed.

• Registered players are allowed to play three (3) games only in white skirt and top, thereafter they must be in their registered uniform.

• Any umpire experiencing difficulties during the game from either players or spectators, should ask the committee for assistance.

• The umpire can ask another person to report such difficulties if the umpire cannot leave the game.