Club Policies

The South Waverley Sonics have a number of club policies including a club philosophy document "Why play Basketball?" which outlines the guiding principles of the club.

Additional policies include a formal dispute resolution procedure, coaching qualification policies (including a police check/working with children check policy) and others.

These policies will be placed online over time as they are reviewed and approved by the committee for public display. Members may obtain copies of club policies at any time by requesting them through the Contact Us section of this website.

Working With Children Check

The South Waverley Sonics Basketball Club follows the requirements of Basketball Victoria in relation to Working With Children Checks. In summary, all coaches, Commitee Members and Team Managers are required to hold a valid WWCC or to have submitted an application. The full Basketball Victoria polict can be found at:

http://www.basketballvictoria.com.au/fileadmin/user_upload/PDF_ADMIN/wwc_advise_to_assoc.pdf

Coaching Expectations

The South Waverley Sonics Basketball Club has established a set of guidelines to define the expectations the club has of its coaches and that coaches should have of the club. In the event that one or more of the club’s expectations are not met the club’s response is solely at the discretion of the committee. The expectations are primarily based upon Basketball Victoria’s “Coaches Code of Conduct”.

What the South Waverley Sonics Basketball Club expects of its coaches.

Strive to coach your players not simply to become better basketballers but better people.
Be familiar with the rules of the game of basketball and abide by both the letter and spirit of these rules.
Ensure that your players and others compete in a safe and happy environment free from harassment of any kind, including “sledging”.
Lead by example. Remember that as a coach you are always being watched – by your own players and their parents as well as those of your opponents and of course also by the officials.
Remind your players that whenever they wear the South Waverley Sonics uniform they represent not simply themselves but the club.
All players should be provided equal opportunity regardless of ability, and where necessary the differentiating factors being commitment to training, the club and the team.
Remember that the South Waverley Sonics Basketball Club does not exist to win; we exist to encourage players to have fun, make friends and become better players.
Win gracefully and lose with dignity. It is right to be pleased and proud of winning, but not to the extent that it further aggravates the pain of losing for your opponents. Similarly, it is normal to be disappointed or upset at losing but not to the extent that it diminishes the joy of winning for your opponents.
Coaches must by necessity criticise players or entire teams on occasions. Be always cautious in your criticism and generous in your praise. Never be aggressive.
Ensure that equipment and facilities are safe and appropriate for your players and team.
Encourage at all times an impeccable sporting attitude in yourself, your players and those associated with the team and club. Respect your opponents and the officials.
At all times follow the advice of qualified persons (doctors, physiotherapists or similar) as regards injured players.
Be reasonable in your demands. Young players often have short attention spans - this can vary wildly between even players of the same age. Older players often have study or work commitments as well as greater social activity. A coach should respect these other priorities but is entitled to expect player to respect their own commitment to the team.
Commit yourself to becoming and remaining as informed of basketball and coaching principles as you are able.
Absolutely no alcohol is allowed at matches or during practice sessions.
Smoking whilst actively coaching at training or matches is prohibited – we ask our coaches who do smoke to make the effort to wait until the end of training or matches and where possible to do so away from locations at which junior players are congregating.
Coaches should remain vigilant and alert to the real and perceived risks in being left in supervision of children, especially when left one-on-one with children.
Under both Victorian Law and the guidelines of Basketball Victoria all coaches must hold a current Working with Children Check. The club must be informed of your application number if your check is still being processed and your card number once obtained. A committee member must physically sight your card at the commencement of each season.
Coaches must hold a Level 0 coaching certification or enrol (costs of enrolment but not travel or other possible costs will be covered by the club) in a course to obtain such certification as soon as possible and practical. Level 0 courses are typically run at either Nunawading or Ringwood stadiums and involve one or two session of one or two hours each along with a brief and simple workbook requirement.
Ensure that your time as a coach, and your player’s experience of you as a coach, are both positive experiences.

What Coaches should expect from the South Waverley Sonics Basketball Club.

The knowledge and commitment of a coach deserves respect from players, parents, officials and the club.
Coaches will be provided with avenues to improve their coaching knowledge and ability. Examples might include DVDs, books, official certification programs or coaching clinics.
Coaches should expect a safe and appropriate training facility and equipment to be provided by the club. All coaches are entitled to a clipboard-style coaching whiteboard and a single ball from the club. Further equipment may be provided upon request.
Players and teams should be matched with the age and competence of coaches to ensure that everyone’s expectations are met and opportunities for growth exist on both sides.
Coaches will be paid an honorarium for every season they coach, the amount to be determined by the South Waverley Sonics Basketball Club committee. As of July 1^st 2009 the annual honorarium was set to $100 per season regardless of the number of teams coached.