Statement from Volleyball Australia

Tuesday, 19 September 2017

STATEMENT BY VOLLEYBALL AUSTRALIA REGARDING AN INCIDENT INVOLVING A VOLLEYBALL COACH BEING CHARGED FOR ALLEGEDLY GROOMING AN UNDER AGE BOY

On Friday of last week, police in New South Wales charged a volleyball coach with alleged online grooming of an under-aged person from another state. The charge is “use carriage service to transmit indecent communication to a person under 16 and use carriage service for child pornography material (solicit)”.

The matter will now come before the courts in due course, and is primarily a matter for the police and judicial authorities. It has been reported in the media.

Actions by Volleyball Australia and State Volleyball NSW have already been taken under their Member Protection Policies. State Volleyball NSW has advised its members to contact SVNSW and/or the police if they have any information or concerns about that particular matter, or coach.

It is appropriate to advise all members of the Volleyball community of the need to be vigilant about such behaviour in all such circumstances relating to under age players. Volleyball Australia and all State Associations have appropriate Member Protection Policies to deal with such matters, as well as other matters like harassment, bullying and discrimination. The Volleyball Australia Member Protection Policy (which is reflected in each of the State Association Member Protection Policies) is available on the VA website at www.volleyballaustralia.org.au/page/policies

Volleyball Australia and its affiliated states have member protection policies and procedures and will be providing some education and information to players, coaches and parents about member protection issues at the upcoming Australian Junior Volleyball Championships.

In the meantime, please note the Member Protection Information Officers/ key contacts in each State should you have any concerns about any issues in this area:

 

Volleyball Australia
John Boultbee  John.Boultbee@avf.org.au 0416 100 500

State Volleyball NSW
Monica Jones  eventsvnsw@gmail.com 02 8736 1264

Volleyball Queensland
Jon Gibbs  gm@vq.org.au 07 3367 1991

Volleyball Victoria
Geoff Riestchel gm@volleyballvictoria.com.au 03 9794 0009

Volleyball South Australia
Sean Patterson  operations@volleyballsa.com.au 08 8363 1265

Volleyball WA
Helen Shields, Karen Wickham
participation@volleyballwa.com.au 08 9288 8522

Volleyball ACT
Adam Castle  CEO@volleyballact.com.au 02 6100 6418

Volleyball NT
Anne Chadwick  volleyballNT@gmail.com

Volleyball Tasmania
Steve Ibbott  info@volleyballtasmania.com.au 0418 104 457

 

If likely criminal behaviour is involved, it is appropriate to raise the matter directly with the police.

Additionally, free and independent counselling and advice is available to any players, parents or other members of the community as follows:

 

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800

Parent Line 1300 30 1300

Braveheartshttps://bravehearts.org.au/services/do-you-need-support

Sexual Assault Support Service http://www.sass.org.au/directory/ 

Acorn (regarding cyber bullying etc) https://www.acorn.gov.au/support-and-advice/support-children 

 

 

 

Volleyball Australia