Policies and Resources
COVID-19 Safety and Participation in Sport
We all have a role to play in keeping ourselves, our teammates and our community safe.
It is important to maintain sensible safety precautions including good hygiene, additional sanitation and physical distancing. At the Perth Broncos American Football Club here are some of the additional measures we are taking:
1. Additional cleaning and sanitation measures have been put in place including hand sanitiser stations.
2. COVID-19 guidelines and signage will be displayed including QR codes for the SafeWA App.
These measures will be continually reviewed and updated as information, legislation and recommendations from the relevant authorities change.
Concussion Recognition, Assessment and Education Resources
The Perth Broncos American Football Club takes concussions very seriously. Our coaches and support staff follow the recommendations set out by Concussion in Sport Australia. Everyone at our club – players, supporters, coaches and volunteers – are encouraged to learn the signs of concussion and speak up if you think someone needs to sit out. A conservative approach is encouraged – if in doubt, sit them out.
CREST Concussion Recovery Study Information and Referral Form
Download the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 5 (SCAT5)
Download the Concussion Recognition Tool 5 (shown below) as a PDF
Any athlete with a suspected concussion should be immediately removed from practice or play and should not return to activity until assessed medically, even if the symptoms resolve. Athletes with a suspected concussion must:
- not be left alone for the first 1-2 hours
- not drink alcohol
- not use recreational or prescription drugs
- not be sent home by themselves. They need to be with a responsible adult.
- not drive until cleared by a healthcare professional
The sports trainer on duty when the suspected concussion occurs is the only person allowed to clear the player on that day. If the player fails to be cleared, they must be assessed by a medical professional no sooner than 14 days after the suspected concussion, and submit written clearance to the Perth Broncos before beginning a graduated Return to Sport Protocol.
Concussion Management Online Learning
Mental Health Resources
The Perth Broncos recognise the role that sporting clubs play in the mental health of our community. We encourage our players, volunteers and supporters to approach anyone of our leadership team for advice and assistance by email or in person, at any time. Your information will be treated with the strictest confidence. If you are unable to contact someone and need assistance please use the resources listed below.
In an emergency call 000 or visit your local emergency department
Helplines can provide you with immediate access to support and advice that is confidential, free and anonymous.
Mental Health Emergency Response Line
1300 555 788 (Metro)
13 11 14
Toolkit for helping someone at risk of suicide
1300 224 636 (adults) 1300 224 636 (12-25 year olds)
1300 659 467
1300 789 978
QLife (LGBTI+, 3pm to 12am)
1800 184 527
Member Protection, Diversity and Inclusion
As a member of Gridiron West and Gridiron Australia, the Perth Broncos American Football Club has adopted GA’s Member Protection Policy and Reporting Documents. Some of the topics covered include harassment, discrimination, bullying and dispute resolution.
The Perth Broncos recognise the value and importance of having an inclusive and diverse community. We believe that all individuals, regardless of ethnicity, belief, social background, gender identity, ability or sexuality, should be able to participate, be welcomed, and treated with respect at our club. To that end, we are proud to be a member of ACON’s Welcome Here Project.
Most recently, we recognise the challenges faced in a gendered competition framework, and are working towards breaking down barriers such as those faced by trans and gender-diverse athletes according to the Australian Human Right’s Commissions Guidelines. Our membership process no longer requires athletes to nominate a gender and be assigned to a team, instead athletes are asked to select the team they choose to join. The design of our equipment, uniforms and merchandise is unisex/consistent across the club, and everyone is welcome to purchase and wear the club apparel of their choosing.
For information and support in relation to these issues, please speak to a member of our leadership team or a Member Protection Information Officer. Your information will be treated in the strictest confidence and used to educate and inform our future decisions.
Working With Children
We require all our Board Members, Volunteers, Social Media Admins and Coaches that are in contact, or potential contact, with members under 18 to have a current Working With Children Check.
To apply for a Working With Children Check, visit your authorised Australia Post outlet to collect a form and present it to the Perth Broncos Board to sign in order to qualify for the volunteer fee rate.
Healthy Food, Drink and Venue
We’re a Level 3 Accredited Fuel to Go & Play club that maintains a healthy environment and food service. Our volunteers are qualified in Food Handling & Safety, Healthy Community Venues and All About Allergens, and our canteen menu has been designed and assessed to meet nutritional guidleines and standards.
As a community venue we have a social responsibility to provide an enviroment that encourages healthy choices, make healthy choices easier by providing options and education, and to strengthen the association between healthy choices and physical activity.
Alcohol, Smoking and Illegal Drugs
We’re one of the Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s Good Sports Clubs with access to tools and resources to address alcohol management, smoking regulations, mental health, illegal drugs, and safe transport. These together add up to help create a safe, welcoming, family-friendly environment.
Smoking
Many young people hold parents, teammates and coaches in high esteem and smoking around them sends the message that smoking is okay. Therefore we expect that coaches, players, officials and volunteers will refrain from smoking while involved in an official capacity for the club, on and off the field.
See the Make Smoking History website for advice and information on quitting smoking.
Alcohol
Our club adheres to all liquor licensing requirements and promotes responsible serving and consumption of alcohol. We encourage safe celebrations by not conducting drinking events or competitions, not providing alcohol as prizes, not serving alcohol during junior events and rewarding members for participating in our safe transport program.
See the Alcohol Think Again website for advice and information on drinking alcohol.
Visit the Alcohol and Drug Foundation website to learn about alcohol and its effects.
Illegal Drugs
We provide our club leaders and members with education and support around illegal drug usage. Members, volunteers and visitors will not be allowed to participate in club activities while under the influence of illegal drugs. To foster our reputation as a healthy environment, we will not advertise or allow to be advertised any messages alluding to or condoning the use of illegal drugs.
See the Drug Aware website for advice and information on illegal drug use.
Visit the Alcohol and Drug Foundation website to learn about drugs and addressing risk.
Complete the Good Sports Tackling Illegal Drugs Learning Module online.
Use of Social Media
This policy applies to all members of the Perth Broncos community including, but not limited to, players, coaches, members, supporters, and volunteers. It also applies to any person that participates in or interacts with the Perth Broncos social media accounts and groups.
Governance
Codes of Conduct
Applies to coaches, players/athletes, administrators/volunteers, parents/guardians and spectator/supporters
Personal Insurance and Public Liability Insurance
American Football (Gridiron) is a dangerous sport and individuals participate at their own risk. The Perth Broncos American Football Club recommends that all participants seek independent advice about obtaining personal insurance, including but not limited to, injury and income protection. Your membership at the Perth Broncos, of Gridiron West, and Gridiron Australia does not cover injury or losses sustained in relation to your participation.
Gridiron Australia 2021-22 Perth Broncos American Football Club Insurance
Rules of American Football
Gridiron Australia and Gridiron West operate under the rules as set out by the International Federation of American Football (IFAF). These rules have been adapted from NCAA rules and vary from the rules used in the NFL.
International Federation of American Football Rules and Regulations