About HAC

Hamersley Athletics Centre’s portion of the registration fee is not refundable. The registration fee paid to Athletics West ($100) will be refunded only in the following circumstances:

• A Medical certificate is provided stating that the athlete will be unable to train or compete for at least 10 weeks during the season.
• Moving locality to a country town where there is no Little Athletics Centre.
• Has not competed at Centre level (except “Come and Try” before fully registering).
• Has not trained more than three times.

(*Note this is subject to current Athletics West policies and procedures and may change from season to season).

Please note:

• If an athlete is injured at a Little Athletics activity they will only be eligible if covered under the points above.
• Numbered bib must be returned.
• Refund request must be made within 2 months from the date of registration.

Where a refund request is made, a portion may be retained by Athletics West to cover costs.

Little Athletics is a family sport to be enjoyed by each member in their own way. Don’t spoil it by getting too intense.

• Do not force an unwilling child to participate.
• Remember – children are involved in organised sport for their enjoyment, not yours.
• Encourage your child always to play by the rules.
• Teach your child that honest effort is as important as victory, so that each result is accepted without undue disappointment.
• Turn each defeat into victory, by helping your child to work towards skill improvement and good sportsmanship.  Never ridicule or abuse your child from the sidelines.  There is NO circumstance which warrants humiliation.
• Remember – children learn best by example.  Applaud good performances by your athlete AND by those competing with them.
• Do not project your own aspirations on to your child.
• Do not publicly question the Officials’  judgement, and never their honesty.  If you see something of which you disapprove, notify the Arena Manager, Club Official or any Committee member.
• Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from children’s sport.
• Recognise the value and importance of volunteer coaches and officials.  They give their time and resources freely to provide recreational activities for your child.

For more information about our other policies, including our Healthy Club Policy, please refer to the Hamersley Yellow Book.

Hamersley LAC and it’s affiliated clubs are committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people participating in our sport. As an affiliate of Athletics West, we are required to comply with and abide by the Athletics Australia and Little Athletics Australia National Child Protection Policy.

We support the rights of children and will act without hesitation to ensure a child safe environment is maintained at all times.  We also support the rights and wellbeing of our committee and volunteers and encourage their active participation in building and maintaining a secure environment for all participants.

It is a legislative requirement of the State Government of WA for Hamersley LAC and our affiliated clubs to comply with the requirements of the Working With Children (WWC) Card, ensuring all coaches, officials and club administrators who engage in regular child-related work (paid or unpaid), must have a valid Working With Children’s Card. Child related work includes coaching, volunteering and supporting sport related events and clubs, coaching and education tuition where U18’s are present. This includes all club office bearers.

Categories of people requiring a WWC Card include:

• Coach that regularly coaches anyone under the age of 18
• Officials that regularly officiate at competitions where there are U18’s
• Administrators such as Club committee members that have registered members U18.

Exemptions:

There are exemptions that apply to the following categories, where a WWC card is not required:

• Parent exemption – Where the parent ( coach or administrator / committee member) of a registered member who is under 18 years of age is engaged in regular child related work (paid or unpaid). In this instance, the parent will not be eligible to apply for a WWC Check. If the child is no longer involved in the program/event/club, a card must be obtained.
• 5 day Threshold – adults that simply support on a one off occasion (assist at a competition on the day with no prior planning) do not require a WWC. The adult has 5 days per year where they are able to assist ad hoc, however not 5 days in a row. Note also that the 5 days is across all volunteering activities and is not exclusive to any one activity.

The WWC Card is a process to support both minors and the coach/official/administrator. In the unlikely event of a child safeguarding matter arising, a valid Working With Children Card ensures that all process have been put in place to support all members of the athletics community. All Athletics West affiliated Clubs and Centres must ensure that their club members who require a valid WWC have one. Anyone wishing to coach or officiate at any Athletics West sanctioned event or Club/Centre run programs will be required to hold a valid card, not doing so may result in being unable to carry out your chosen role.

Read more: https://www.workingwithchildren.wa.gov.au/.

For more information contact admin@hamersleyathletics.com.au.

The Centre has a Member Protection Officer who is available to provide guidance on complaints procedures – they are the ‘go to’ person if you would like to discuss problems at your Club or Centre, particularly if you are considering making a formal complaint. The Member Protection Officer’s details can be found under the Committee Contacts tab of this website.

The athlete registration fee includes an insurance levy for accidents, injury and public liability. The insurance is taken out on behalf of all Centres by Athletics West and provides cover for registered athletes and tiny tots participating in an approved event or training activity, coaches, officials and others volunteering, either at official club training or at competition.

An incident report should be completed for all incidents or injuries regardless of whether a claim will be submitted. In the case of a claim or potential claim, the appropriate form must be completed and submitted to the committee without delay.

More information about insurance cover is available here.