Anti-Bullying Policy

Warminster Soccer Club’s Anti-Bullying Policy

The Warminster Soccer Club prides itself on fostering a positive youth sports environment and has several coaches trained through the Positive Coaching Alliance and is committed to providing players a fun, positive, and secure environment in which to learn and enjoy the game of soccer. We do not tolerate bullying at any practice, game or other WSC sanctioned event. We will promote a TELLING atmosphere. This means that anyone who knows that bullying is taking place is expected to report the incident. Players and parents should be assured that they will be supported when bullying is reported.

 

Definition of Bullying

 

Bullying is defined as conduct, gestures or comments which are insulting, intimidating, humiliating, hurtful, malicious, degrading or otherwise offensive to a player, group of players and/or teammates, and which create a hostile or intimidating environment, or which negatively affects a player’s physical and/or emotional well-being. Bullying is the electronic, written, verbal or physical act or series of acts directed toward others that is severe, persistent or pervasive and has the effect of creating substantial interference with an individual’s performance, creates a threating environment, or impacts the normal operation of a team or system.

 

Signs and Symptoms

 

A child may indicate he or she is being bullied through various signs and symptoms. While some children are prone to report bullying to their parents, coaches or adults, others will not, due to fear, intimidation, or other factors. Coaches and parents should be aware of possible signs indicating that bullying may be taking place. These signs and behaviors could indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered a possibility and should be investigated.

For a list of potential signs of bullying please consult this list.

 

Procedures for Parents, Coaches, and the WSC Advocate

 

1. Parents should report bullying incidents to the team coach or manager. If the problem persists, reach out to the Warminster Soccer Clubs VP of Travel. If necessary and appropriate, police may be consulted.

2. In all cases of reported bullying, parents of the player who was bullied shall be informed immediately and may be asked to meet with the respective team coach and/or coaching director to discuss the incident. In all cases, strict confidentiality shall be maintained. It is not our goal to make a public example of reported incidents.

3. The negative behavior must be investigated, and the bullying stopped immediately. The parents of any player who is reported to be bullying will be contacted immediately by the respective team coach, coaching director, or WSC Board of Directors advocate and asked to meet to discuss the incident to help the bully or bullies change their behavior.

 

Should your child raise concerns regarding bullying or if you feel that your child has been a victim of bullying, you and your child are encouraged to share those concerns with your child’s coach. In turn, your child’s coach will engage you, your child, the perpetrator(s) and/or the team in an ongoing dialog to rectify the situation in a manner that educates the players and empowers your child.

Should you be concerned that your child is being bullied by the coach, you are encouraged to contact the Director of Coaching at: Coaching@warminstersoccerclub.com