CONDUCT STATEMENT

Queer Van Soccer is dedicated to fostering a safe and welcoming space for all people to enjoy soccer. All members of the league are encouraged to recognize their roles and responsibilities, on individual, team and community levels, in supporting the maintenance of a positive, fun and safe environment based on the core values of mutual respect and inclusiveness.

To support this commitment, QVS holds a zero tolerance policy for improper conduct – ranging from poor sporting behaviour, to bullying behaviour, to acts of violence. This policy applies to all volunteers, players, subs, and spectators. The policy requires that all persons participating in QVS sanctioned events demonstrate good sporting behaviour and treat other participants with civility and respect. Please keep in mind that, while poor sporting behaviours may not be intentional, they may have serious impacts to players, those witnessing, and the ethos of the league.

The following types of conduct are considered in violation of the shared commitment to (1) good sporting behaviour and (2) maintaining a safe and inclusive environment:

▪ insulting, slanderous, transphobic, racist, fatphobic, and/or derogatory language, including attempts to deliberately embarrass and misgender people

▪ verbal/physical baiting or taunting;

▪ verbal/physical harassment;

▪ threatening behaviour, including aggressive physical approaches to another individual or group;

▪ intentional physical striking of another individual (including pushing, punching, tripping, shoving, etc);

▪ attempting to provoke or entice violence in others;

If you engage in any of the conduct outlined above, then your actions may result in expulsion, suspension, or other discipline.

Social Media Policy

QVS will not inhibit the freedom of personal expression or respectfully shared opinions. However, if a player or member makes an online statement or post that is generally considered to be homophobic/transphobic/sexist/racist/ableist or seeks to harass, discriminate and/or vilify for any reason, the safe spaces the club strives to build are threatened and so this may constitute a breach of the Code of Conduct.​

Process for dealing with policy breaches

Should an altercation occur, every attempt should be made to deal with it in the moment through calm and kind conversation. If that does not feel safe or becomes unsafe or unproductive, walk away and as soon as you’re able to, please contact the QVS committee and we will take steps to find a solution involving all parties including mediation and/or disciplinary measures. If an incident is submitted, the QVS committee will review and take action to investigate the violation. Investigation of a violation may include, but is not limited to:

▪ Contact and follow up with the Member(s) directly involved within 72 hours of the violation being reported;

▪ Gathering of information and/or request for submission of a written statement of the occurrence by the Member(s) directly involved within seven days of the violation being reported;

▪ Gathering of verbal and/or written statements of the occurrence from the other players, subs, spectators, and/or other key witnesses to the occurrence within seven days of the violation being reported.

Once information has been gathered, and before any disciplinary action is taken, the parties involved will be offered the option of mediation facilitated by the Committee. If we are unable to remain unbiased, an outside mediator would be called in. Mediation is an opportunity for all parties to demonstrate empathy and understanding in the hope of reaching a mutually satisfactory outcome. If disciplinary action is required, we will communicate the decision in person and/or in writing to the Member(s) involved. Depending on the extent and severity of the behaviour, and/or repeat incidences of the behaviour, penalties could include: temporary or permanent probation, suspension from some or all QVS events and activities for a specified period of time, or a permanent expulsion from QVS. In the case of a situation where violence has occurred or been threatened, we will require the offending Member to immediately cease attendance at all QVS functions, including all games.