Complaint Handling
The Essendon District Netball Association (EDNA) is committed to providing a safe, inclusive and respectful environment for all participants. To ensure matters are managed fairly and consistently, EDNA has two separate processes for dealing with complaints and disciplinary matters.
The EDNA Constitution (Clause 11) provides a process for situations where disciplinary action may be taken against a member of the Association.
This process may apply where a member:
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Fails to comply with the Rules of the Association;
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Refuses to support the purposes of the Association; or
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Engages in conduct that is prejudicial to the Association.
Matters dealt with under the Constitution are managed in accordance with the procedures outlined within the Constitution.
EDNA has also adopted the Netball Victoria Competition Complaint Handling Regulations for dealing with offences that occur within competitions.
These regulations apply to participants including, but not limited to:
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Players
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Coaches
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Team Officials
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Umpires
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Spectators
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Parents and Guardians
The Competition Regulations outline:
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What constitutes an offence;
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The minimum penalties that may apply to specific offences; and
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The process for lodging and managing complaints.
Individuals considering lodging a complaint should familiarise themselves with the Netball Victoria Competition Complaint Handling Regulations before submitting a complaint.
Lodging a Competition Complaint
All competition-related complaints must be submitted through the relevant Club.
Complaints will only be accepted when submitted by:
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The Club President;
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The Club Secretary; or
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Another authorised Club Representative nominated by the Club.
Individual participants should raise the matter with their Club in the first instance so the Club can determine whether a formal complaint should be lodged.
Important Information
Before lodging a complaint, participants are encouraged to consider whether the matter can be resolved informally through discussion with the relevant Club, Team Official or EDNA representative.
EDNA will assess all complaints in accordance with the applicable policy, regulation or constitutional process and will ensure procedural fairness is provided to all parties involved.
Please note that not all concerns will result in formal disciplinary action, and EDNA may determine that alternative resolution processes are more appropriate depending on the circumstances.
What Is Not a Complaint?
Not every concern or disagreement is considered a complaint under the Netball Victoria Competition Complaint Handling Regulations or the EDNA Constitution.
The following matters will generally not be accepted as formal complaints:
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Disagreement with an umpire’s judgement or decisions made during a match;
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Team selection decisions made by clubs or representative programs;
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Court time, positional changes or coaching decisions;
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Grading decisions made in accordance with published competition policies;
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Matters that have already been determined through the appropriate competition or disciplinary process;
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Anonymous complaints where insufficient information is provided to investigate the matter; and
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Concerns that have not first been raised through the appropriate Club channels where required.
Participants are encouraged to recognise that netball involves subjective decisions by coaches, selectors, officials and umpires. A disagreement with a decision does not, by itself, constitute misconduct or grounds for a formal complaint.
Where appropriate, EDNA may refer individuals back to their Club, competition policy, or another relevant process if a matter does not fall within the complaint framework.
If you are unsure whether a matter constitutes a complaint, please discuss the matter with your Club President, Secretary or nominated Club Representative in the first instance.