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V2 steps for juniors/u18 on the boat
Sep. 11th, 2024 05:49 am- 1. Convince the committee that it's worthwhile to be a child friendly club.
What does this mean?
This means that If and when a member of the club says "Hi Bluefins committee/coaches, can I bring my under 18 year old son/daughter to paddle on a Sunday because they want to try it out" we can examine the situation with regards to below, and give a clear answer of yes or no, with a regards to why.
If we ever progress to having a juniors boat, I would see that as a good thing, however I foresee this as unlikely within the foreseeable future.
Benefits of juniors:
- potential super light cox for race day to race prems.
- lacking injuries of older age
The overall aim:
- promote inclusivity club (more opportunities to say yes).
- recruitment and retention of members who could otherwise go to other clubs that allow juniors to paddle along side prems (eg. CYL).
Note that 50% of respondents to the end of season survey said they thought it was important that juniors be able to participate with bluefins. That is not an insignificant number.
Bearing the above benefits, I am willing to take on the role of the child safety officer.
- I have been contemplating the working models of the club and propose the rules as below (as a starting point for discussion).
What will be the rules governing children within the club.
- that u18s should be wearing a life jacket whilst on the water regardless of swimming ability. This is related to rules for paddlers as per AUS DBF rules on the water. See here: https://cdn.revolutionise.com.au/site/dmaaihauylm85uhs.pdf
- That a waiver must be signed by the parent or guardian prior to attendance.
(Current waiver to be modified)
- That the child should also read the waiver.
- Would suggest that any photographs involving u18s be not utilised in any bluefins website/facebook/instagram other promotional materials as a rule.
So for example: if there is a team photo and the U18s paddler is in the photo, this photo cannot be displayed on fb, on instagram or in offical website.
However for personal use by the U18 paddler and their parent/guardian, should they want a photo of themselves with the team thats okay (but for example, the photo should be taken on their or their parent/guardians phone and not using someone else's phone).
- Parent/guardian also be present on the boat for the U18 paddler to paddle.
- That any trial u18s paddler only paddle during daylight hours (aka. Sundays only) prior to deciding to join the club (should that be their expressed wish).
- Transport to and from training to be the role of the guardian/parent to arrange.
- Juniors/u18s to arrive already changed in suitable water gear and to change inside transportation vehicle, whilst supervised by parent.
So for example with regards to the rules above:
- If the parent or guardian cannot be present during water training, then they cannot paddle.
- If there is no suitably sized PFD for the child available during the session (provided by Bluefins or themselves), then they cannot paddle.
- If their parent or guardian is unable to transport them to and from training (and therefore also supervise with regards to changing area (most likely to be utilised post training to get out of wet gear) then they cannot paddle.
Other things that should be considered:
- If a sweep is not comfortable sweeping a boat with an u18s paddling: they should not be forced to undertake such responsibility and therefore either another sweep needs to undertake the session or the junior needs to wait until such a session is available.
- How many juniors is too many juniors in a session? I suggest as a starting point, no more than 10% of the boat is juniors/U18. For example:
In a 20s boat, if 10 people are prems, then 1 junior may attend. But not 2 (this would be <10%) but if the boat had 20 paddlers in it, 2 could be juniors.
Overall no more than 2/20s.
In another example, if there is a boat of 20s this would mean 2 juniors could theoretically attend however if there is no confident sweep available on the day then this is not possible.
- What age is the minimum age that bluefins is willing to allow on DB sessions (committee/coach to pick a number).
For example- DBNSW racing minimum age is turning 10 in the year of racing, but that does not mean we need to abide by this age as a limit.
- Will juniors be allowed to paddle OC ? (I am inclined to say no, unless they are extremely DB experienced and it is the expressed agreement of coaches that it is safe to do so).
Can formalise the above as a "bluefins child safety policy" -- to make for ease of distributing to club members so they can be aware of the above.
Coaches will need to :
A. Ensure their training with Sport integrity Australia is up to-date
Safeguarding Children and Young People in Sport Induction (45 mins) -mandatory for coaches anyway.
-forward the certificate to the child safety officer for record keeping.
-only needs to be completed once (does not expire)
- Get relevant persons to allow the child safety officer to complete the recruitment and screening checklist for them as outlined here: https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au/sites/default/files/SIA193-0623-SG%20Recruitment%20and%20Screening%20Checklist.pdf
I will come and do the interview at their convenience.
Note -
this will involve phoning 2 referees as provided by them for a quick 5 min conversation where I will explain that this a routine 5 minute check and ask 3 questions:
- how long have they known the individual.
- How would they (briefly) describe their character
- Any concerns in relation to their conduct with regards to children.
B. provide a working with children's check to the children's safety officer - for documentation and tracking purposes.
Reminder that all sweeps require a current working with children's check anyway as per accreditation.
Other operational mechanisms :
- registration consent form requires updating to include section on guardians.
What does this mean?
This means that If and when a member of the club says "Hi Bluefins committee/coaches, can I bring my under 18 year old son/daughter to paddle on a Sunday because they want to try it out" we can examine the situation with regards to below, and give a clear answer of yes or no, with a regards to why.
If we ever progress to having a juniors boat, I would see that as a good thing, however I foresee this as unlikely within the foreseeable future.
Benefits of juniors:
- potential super light cox for race day to race prems.
- lacking injuries of older age
The overall aim:
- promote inclusivity club (more opportunities to say yes).
- recruitment and retention of members who could otherwise go to other clubs that allow juniors to paddle along side prems (eg. CYL).
Note that 50% of respondents to the end of season survey said they thought it was important that juniors be able to participate with bluefins. That is not an insignificant number.
Bearing the above benefits, I am willing to take on the role of the child safety officer.
- I have been contemplating the working models of the club and propose the rules as below (as a starting point for discussion).
What will be the rules governing children within the club.
- that u18s should be wearing a life jacket whilst on the water regardless of swimming ability. This is related to rules for paddlers as per AUS DBF rules on the water. See here: https://cdn.revolutionise.com.au/site/dmaaihauylm85uhs.pdf
- That a waiver must be signed by the parent or guardian prior to attendance.
(Current waiver to be modified)
- That the child should also read the waiver.
- Would suggest that any photographs involving u18s be not utilised in any bluefins website/facebook/instagram other promotional materials as a rule.
So for example: if there is a team photo and the U18s paddler is in the photo, this photo cannot be displayed on fb, on instagram or in offical website.
However for personal use by the U18 paddler and their parent/guardian, should they want a photo of themselves with the team thats okay (but for example, the photo should be taken on their or their parent/guardians phone and not using someone else's phone).
- Parent/guardian also be present on the boat for the U18 paddler to paddle.
- That any trial u18s paddler only paddle during daylight hours (aka. Sundays only) prior to deciding to join the club (should that be their expressed wish).
- Transport to and from training to be the role of the guardian/parent to arrange.
- Juniors/u18s to arrive already changed in suitable water gear and to change inside transportation vehicle, whilst supervised by parent.
So for example with regards to the rules above:
- If the parent or guardian cannot be present during water training, then they cannot paddle.
- If there is no suitably sized PFD for the child available during the session (provided by Bluefins or themselves), then they cannot paddle.
- If their parent or guardian is unable to transport them to and from training (and therefore also supervise with regards to changing area (most likely to be utilised post training to get out of wet gear) then they cannot paddle.
Other things that should be considered:
- If a sweep is not comfortable sweeping a boat with an u18s paddling: they should not be forced to undertake such responsibility and therefore either another sweep needs to undertake the session or the junior needs to wait until such a session is available.
- How many juniors is too many juniors in a session? I suggest as a starting point, no more than 10% of the boat is juniors/U18. For example:
In a 20s boat, if 10 people are prems, then 1 junior may attend. But not 2 (this would be <10%) but if the boat had 20 paddlers in it, 2 could be juniors.
Overall no more than 2/20s.
In another example, if there is a boat of 20s this would mean 2 juniors could theoretically attend however if there is no confident sweep available on the day then this is not possible.
- What age is the minimum age that bluefins is willing to allow on DB sessions (committee/coach to pick a number).
For example- DBNSW racing minimum age is turning 10 in the year of racing, but that does not mean we need to abide by this age as a limit.
- Will juniors be allowed to paddle OC ? (I am inclined to say no, unless they are extremely DB experienced and it is the expressed agreement of coaches that it is safe to do so).
Can formalise the above as a "bluefins child safety policy" -- to make for ease of distributing to club members so they can be aware of the above.
Coaches will need to :
A. Ensure their training with Sport integrity Australia is up to-date
Safeguarding Children and Young People in Sport Induction (45 mins) -mandatory for coaches anyway.
-forward the certificate to the child safety officer for record keeping.
-only needs to be completed once (does not expire)
- Get relevant persons to allow the child safety officer to complete the recruitment and screening checklist for them as outlined here: https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au/sites/default/files/SIA193-0623-SG%20Recruitment%20and%20Screening%20Checklist.pdf
I will come and do the interview at their convenience.
Note -
this will involve phoning 2 referees as provided by them for a quick 5 min conversation where I will explain that this a routine 5 minute check and ask 3 questions:
- how long have they known the individual.
- How would they (briefly) describe their character
- Any concerns in relation to their conduct with regards to children.
B. provide a working with children's check to the children's safety officer - for documentation and tracking purposes.
Reminder that all sweeps require a current working with children's check anyway as per accreditation.
Other operational mechanisms :
- registration consent form requires updating to include section on guardians.
