
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