We want each and every member of The Flying Bats to feel safe, comfortable, and confident when taking part in activities on and off the field. Sometimes, that isn’t always the case. When that happens, we want to make sure you know exactly what to do and who you can talk to.

Our Member Protection Policy outlines our commitment to your right to be treated with respect and dignity, to have your personal information handled in a secure and appropriate manner, and to be protected from abuse and harassment when participating in football.

The Flying Bats Football Club is strongly committed to a zero-tolerance policy against any form of homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, racism, sexism, ageism and ableism within the Club and among its Members.

Our MPP informs everyone of their legal and ethical rights and responsibilities, and the standards of behaviour that are required when participating in club activities. It also specifies the consequences of breaching these standards.

If you do experience or witness something that makes you feel unsafe or unwelcome at The Flying Bats - or in football generally - and you wish to make a complaint, either for yourself or on behalf of someone else, there is a specific set of steps to follow.

1. If you experience or witness something on game day, your first step is to make a report to the referee or other officials who are present. This report matters because it provides evidence that can be used by the association or tribunal (if it gets to that stage). You can take other witnesses or support people with you, such as a team coach or manager, when speaking to the officials to make the report.

2. Contact The Flying Bats’ Member Protection Officer, who is the Vice President of the club. For the 2024 season, that person is Sam Lewis. You can approach the MPO in person or contact them via email at vicepresident@theflyingbats.com.

3. The MPO will then work privately with you to offer you more information, resources, support, and options depending on what you want to achieve with the complaint and what kind of resolution you’re after.

There are different kinds of complaint resolution processes, which the MPO will explain to you and guide you through the steps and resources you’ll need to pursue whatever one you choose.

The responsibility of the MPO is to ensure you’re supported and can make informed decisions about your individual situation. Your privacy will always be respected, and the MPO will be open and transparent with you if they need to refer upwards to the President or outside the club based on the situation.

You can download a complete copy of the Member Protection Policy here: