TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Purpose and Objectives
2. Scope and Application
3. Definitions
4. General Code of Conduct
5. Athlete Code of Conduct
6. Respect and Sportsmanship
7. Sporting Venue Respect
8. Sports Uniform and Equipment Regulations
9. Misconduct
10. Tournament Fees, Financial Obligations, Refunds, Non-Refundable Policy and Reimbursements
11. Perpetual Trophies, Awards and Club Return Obligations
12. Respect for Spectators
13. Spectator Code of Behaviour
14. Match Referees and Officials Code of Behaviour
15. Soccer & Netball Referees Conflict of Interest Policy
16. Anti-Social Behaviour and Disciplinary Action
17. Anti-Doping, Alcohol-Free and Clean Sport Commitment
18. Competition Administration, Draw Errors and Corrections
19. Match Abandonment Policy
20. Complaints, Protests and Appeals
21. Breach of Code
22. Amendments Policy
23. Acknowledgement and Acceptance

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1. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this Policy is to establish a clear, consistent and enforceable framework governing conduct, competition integrity, financial obligations, disciplinary procedures and governance for all persons participating in NZGSCA activities.

This Policy seeks to:

• Promote sportsmanship, integrity and respect;
• Protect participant welfare and safety;
• Preserve competition integrity;
• Ensure transparent governance;
• Support equal participation opportunities.

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2. SCOPE AND APPLICATION

This Policy applies to:

• Players and athletes;
• Coaches and managers;
• Referees and officials;
• Volunteers and event staff;
• Spectators and supporters;
• Community sports leads;
• Clubs and teams;
• Tournament committees;
• Any person attending or participating in NZGSCA events.

The Policy applies during:

• Trainings;
• Competitions;
• Tournaments;
• Tours;
• Official events;
• Social media interactions connected to NZGSCA.

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3. DEFINITIONS

Association means NZGSCA.

Athlete means a registered participant.

Official means referees, umpires, judges and event officials.

Tournament Committee means the committee responsible for tournament administration.

Executive Officer means the person authorised by the NZGSCA Board to oversee governance and compliance.

Perpetual Trophy means any trophy, shield, cup or award that remains the property of NZGSCA.

Force Majeure means circumstances outside the reasonable control of NZGSCA, including severe weather, natural disasters, public emergencies, venue closures, equipment failures and other unforeseen events.

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4. GENERAL CODE OF CONDUCT

All participants must:

• Display good sportsmanship.
• Behave honestly and fairly.
• Respect officials and opponents.
• Follow competition rules.
• Accept responsibility for their conduct.
• Avoid conduct bringing NZGSCA into disrepute.

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5. ATHLETE CODE OF CONDUCT

Athletes must:

• Attend tournaments unless excused.
• Prioritise team success.
• Fulfil team duties.
• Respect coaching decisions.
• Pay all fees.
• Communicate honestly regarding injury and illness.

Playing time may be affected by attendance, effort, attitude and commitment.

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6. RESPECT AND SPORTSMANSHIP

Participants shall:

• Treat others with dignity and respect.
• Avoid bullying, discrimination, harassment and abuse.
• Respect officials’ decisions.
• Use appropriate language.
• Act as positive role models.

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7. SPORTING VENUE RESPECT

Participants must:

• Follow venue rules.
• Keep facilities clean.
• Dispose of rubbish responsibly.
• Report accidental damage.

Intentional damage may result in:

• Fines;
• Repair costs;
• Venue bans;
• Disciplinary action.

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8. SPORTS UNIFORM AND EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS

Athletes must:

• Wear approved uniforms.
• Wear assigned numbers.
• Wear appropriate footwear.
• Remove unsafe jewellery.
• Use approved protective equipment.
• Return issued equipment.

Non-compliance may result in warnings, fines, suspension or removal from participation.

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9. MISCONDUCT

Misconduct includes:

• Violence;
• Threats;
• Abuse;
• Offensive language;
• Encroachment onto playing areas;
• Substance abuse;
• Social media misconduct;
• Failure to meet obligations;
• Persistent non-attendance.

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10. TOURNAMENT FEES, FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS, REFUNDS, NON-REFUNDABLE POLICY AND REIMBURSEMENTS

Entry Fees

• Fees must be paid by closing dates.
• Registration is incomplete until payment is received.
• Participation may be refused for non-payment.

Non-Refundable Policy

Fees are non-refundable where:

• A participant changes their mind;
• A team withdraws;
• A participant does not attend;
• A team is suspended or disqualified;
• Partial participation occurs.

Exceptional circumstances may be considered by the Tournament Committee.

Refunds

Approved refunds may be reduced by:

• Administration costs;
• Venue costs;
• Catering costs;
• Other unrecoverable expenses.

Reimbursements

Claims must:

• Be submitted within 7 working days;
• Include receipts;
• Relate to approved expenditure.

Outstanding Fees

Outstanding amounts may result in:

• Suspension;
• Event exclusion;
• Future participation restrictions;
• Withholding of prizes and awards.

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11. PERPETUAL TROPHIES, AWARDS AND CLUB RETURN OBLIGATIONS

Ownership

All trophies remain the property of NZGSCA.

Engraving and Cleaning

Current holders must:

• Arrange professional engraving;
• Pay engraving costs;
• Clean and polish trophies.

Return Requirements

All trophies must be returned to the NZGSCA Secretary no later than:

30 days prior to the next NZGSCA Awards Night.

Overseas Winners

Overseas winners may retain trophies only for the duration of the tournament and must return them before departing New Zealand.

Care of Trophies

Damage, loss or theft must be reported immediately.

Repairs require prior approval.

Fees and Charges

NZGSCA may impose:

• Cleaning fees;
• Repair fees;
• Replacement costs;
• Administrative charges;
• Fines.

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12. RESPECT FOR SPECTATORS

Athletes must treat spectators with courtesy and dignity and avoid confrontation.

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13. SPECTATOR CODE OF BEHAVIOUR

Spectators must:

• Respect officials;
• Respect participants;
• Refrain from discrimination;
• Not enter playing areas;
• Not throw objects;
• Not display offensive material.

Breaches may result in removal or bans.

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14. MATCH REFEREES AND OFFICIALS CODE OF BEHAVIOUR

Officials must:

• Act fairly;
• Remain impartial;
• Prioritise safety;
• Avoid conflicts of interest;
• Remain professional at all times.

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15. SOCCER & NETBALL REFEREES CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY

Referees must declare all associations with clubs.

Associated referees must not officiate matches involving affiliated clubs.

False declarations may result in suspension or removal.

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16. ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AND DISCIPLINARY ACTION

Sanctions may include:

• Warnings;
• Fines;
• Suspensions;
• Expulsion;
• Venue bans;
• Team disqualification.

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17. ANTI-DOPING, ALCOHOL-FREE AND CLEAN SPORT COMMITMENT

NZGSCA supports:

• Drug Free Sport New Zealand;
• WADA;
• Clean Sport principles.

Participants must comply with all anti-doping requirements.

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18. COMPETITION ADMINISTRATION, DRAW ERRORS AND CORRECTIONS

NZGSCA may correct:

• Fixture errors;
• Pool allocation errors;
• Scheduling conflicts;
• Points recording errors;
• Administrative mistakes.

All corrections shall prioritise fairness and competition integrity.

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19. MATCH ABANDONMENT POLICY

Team Fault (Forfeits and Misconduct)

A match may be abandoned where a team:

• Refuses to continue;
• Walks off;
• Engages in violence;
• Threatens officials;
• Cannot field sufficient eligible players.

The offending team may forfeit the match.

Fan Behaviour and Discrimination

A match may be abandoned due to:

• Racist abuse;
• Religious discrimination;
• Threatening behaviour;
• Violence;
• Crowd invasions;
• Unsafe spectator conduct.

Teams may be held responsible for their supporters.

Force Majeure

Matches may be abandoned due to:

• Severe weather;
• Lightning;
• Flooding;
• Earthquake;
• Fire;
• Venue closure;
• Medical emergencies;
• Unsafe conditions.

The Tournament Committee may:

• Replay the match;
• Resume the match;
• Declare the current result final;
• Void the match.

Competition Integrity

All decisions shall prioritise:

• Safety;
• Fairness;
• Integrity;
• Transparency.

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20. COMPLAINTS, PROTESTS AND APPEALS

20.1 Purpose

The purpose of this section is to establish a fair, transparent, independent, and consistent process for the submission, investigation, determination, and appeal of complaints, protests, and disciplinary matters arising from NZGSCA activities.

All parties are expected to comply with the procedures outlined in this Policy to ensure natural justice and procedural fairness.

20.2 Submission Requirements

All complaints, protests, appeals, disciplinary referrals, and related correspondence must be submitted:

(a) In writing;

(b) By email to NZGSCA@gmail.com; and

(c) Simultaneously copied to the relevant NZGSCA Community Sports Lead or designated sports email address responsible for the applicable sporting code.

Submissions made verbally, through social media platforms, text messages, messaging applications, or informal discussions shall not constitute a formal complaint unless subsequently submitted in accordance with this Policy.

20.2A Time Limits for Lodgement

General Complaints

(a) Any complaint relating to conduct, behaviour, disciplinary matters, spectator incidents, venue incidents, or breaches of this Policy must be submitted within seven (7) calendar days of the incident occurring.

(b) Complaints submitted after seven (7) calendar days may be declined unless exceptional circumstances exist and the NZGSCA Complaints Panel determines that it is reasonable and fair to accept the late complaint.

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Match Protests and Competition Matters

(a) Any protest relating to:

• Match results;
• Competition rules;
• Player eligibility;
• Referee appointments;
• Draw errors;
• Competition administration matters; or
• Tournament procedures

must be submitted within forty-eight (48) hours of the conclusion of the relevant match, game, fixture, or publication of the disputed decision.

(b) Protests received after this period may not be considered.

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Appeals

(a) Any appeal against a disciplinary decision, protest determination, or official ruling must be submitted within seven (7) calendar days of the written decision being issued.

(b) Appeals lodged outside this timeframe may be rejected unless exceptional circumstances are established.

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20.2B Supporting Documentation Deadline

(a) All available supporting evidence, including:

• Written statements;
• Witness statements;
• Audio recordings;
• Video recordings;
• Photographs;
• Screenshots;
• Match reports; and
• Other supporting documents,

should accompany the initial complaint, protest, or appeal wherever reasonably possible.

(b) Where evidence is not immediately available, NZGSCA may allow a maximum of three (3) additional calendar days for submission of supporting material.

(c) Failure to provide requested evidence within the prescribed timeframe may result in the matter being determined based on the information available.

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20.2C NZGSCA Response Timeframe

(a) NZGSCA shall acknowledge receipt of a complaint, protest, or appeal within five (5) working days where reasonably practicable.

(b) NZGSCA shall endeavour to investigate and determine matters within twenty-one (21) working days of receiving all relevant information.

(c) Complex matters may require additional time. Where this occurs, affected parties shall be advised accordingly.

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20.2D Exceptional Circumstances

NZGSCA may extend or waive any time limit under this Policy where:

(a) Serious illness exists;

(b) A participant was unable to reasonably access evidence;

(c) A significant procedural issue exists;

(d) Exceptional circumstances justify an extension; and

(e) The extension would not materially prejudice another party or the integrity of the competition.

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Recommended Governance Timeframes

20.3 Supporting Evidence

All complaints, protests, appeals, and disciplinary referrals must be accompanied by any available supporting evidence.

Such evidence may include, but is not limited to:

(a) Written statements;

(b) Witness statements;

(c) Photographs;

(d) Video recordings;

(e) Audio recordings;

(f) Match reports;

(g) Referee reports;

(h) Medical reports;

(i) Screenshots of electronic communications;

(j) Any other relevant documentary evidence.

NZGSCA reserves the right to request further information where necessary before progressing a matter.

20.4 Exclusive Communication Channel

Once a complaint, protest, or appeal has been formally lodged:

(a) All communications relating to the matter must occur through the official NZGSCA complaints process;

(b) Parties must communicate only through the designated NZGSCA channels established for the matter;

(c) Direct lobbying, influence, or attempts to obtain a decision through individual members of the NZGSCA Executive, Board Members, Community Sports Leads, referees, officials, players, coaches, or other participants outside the formal process is strictly prohibited.

Failure to comply with this requirement may itself constitute misconduct and may be considered during the determination of the complaint.

20.5 Non-Interference and Fair Process

To preserve fairness, impartiality, and the integrity of the complaints process:

(a) Parties are strongly encouraged not to attempt to privately resolve, negotiate, pressure, influence, or mediate a matter outside the formal NZGSCA process once a complaint has been formally acknowledged by NZGSCA;

(b) All parties shall be provided a reasonable opportunity to respond to allegations and evidence;

(c) Decisions shall be based on the information provided and any findings made during the investigation process.

20.6 Independence of Executive Members

Once a complaint, protest, or appeal has been formally acknowledged and accepted for review by NZGSCA:

(a) Individual members of the NZGSCA Executive shall not independently participate in mediation, negotiations, advocacy, or informal resolution discussions relating to the matter;

(b) Executive members must remain impartial and avoid any actual, perceived, or potential conflict of interest;

(c) Any Executive member with a conflict of interest must immediately disclose the conflict and recuse themselves from involvement in the matter;

(d) Determinations shall be made only through the authorised NZGSCA disciplinary, complaints, appeals, or review process.

20.7 Investigation and Determination

NZGSCA may:

(a) Conduct investigations;

(b) Seek additional evidence;

(c) Interview relevant parties;

(d) Request written responses;

(e) Obtain referee, official, or committee reports;

(f) Convene a disciplinary or review panel where appropriate.

The findings and determination of the authorised body shall be communicated to affected parties in writing.

20.8 Appeals

Any appeal must:

(a) Be submitted in writing;

(b) Clearly identify the grounds of appeal;

(c) Include any supporting evidence relied upon;

(d) Be submitted within the timeframe prescribed by the applicable competition regulations or disciplinary decision.

The Appeals Panel or designated reviewing authority may:

(i) Dismiss the appeal;

(ii) Uphold the appeal;

(iii) Amend the original decision;

(iv) Order a rehearing or further review.

20.9 Confidentiality

All complaints, investigations, disciplinary matters, and appeals shall be treated as confidential to the extent reasonably practicable.

Participants must not publicly disclose confidential information relating to an ongoing complaint or investigation unless required by law or authorised by NZGSCA.

20.10 Natural Justice

NZGSCA shall administer all complaints, protests, disciplinary proceedings, and appeals in accordance with the principles of:

(a) Natural justice;

(b) Procedural fairness;

(c) Independence;

(d) Transparency;

(e) Consistency; and

(f) Competition integrity.

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21. BREACH OF CODE

Breaches may result in:

• Suspension;
• Expulsion;
• Financial penalties;
• Loss of awards;
• Event bans;
• Other disciplinary action.

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22. AMENDMENTS POLICY

NZGSCA sporting guidelines are subject to change.

Rules may be amended where necessary due to:

• Administrative requirements;
• Safety concerns;
• Competition fairness;
• Regulatory compliance;
• Governance improvements.

Amendments take effect upon publication unless otherwise stated.

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23. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND ACCEPTANCE

Participation in any NZGSCA activity constitutes acceptance of this Policy.

All participants, clubs, officials, volunteers and spectators are deemed to have read, understood and agreed to comply with this Policy.