Version: 1.0
Adoption Date: September 1st, 2026
1. Purpose
London Flame is committed to creating a competitive but supportive environment in which players, coaches and volunteers can develop without being subjected to bullying, harassment, intimidation or deliberate exclusion.
The Club expects high standards of accountability while recognising that accountability must be delivered respectfully and constructively.
2. What is Bullying?
Bullying is behaviour that is intended to, or has the effect of, intimidating, humiliating, undermining, excluding or harming another person.
It may be:
- verbal;
- physical;
- social;
- psychological;
- written;
- online; or
- repeated behaviour forming part of a wider pattern.
Bullying may include:
- insults or personal attacks;
- deliberately excluding someone from the team or social environment;
- spreading malicious rumours;
- humiliating or mocking another player;
- threatening behaviour;
- intimidation;
- persistent unwanted criticism;
- targeting someone because of a personal characteristic;
- hostile messages or group-chat behaviour;
- deliberately undermining someone’s confidence;
- encouraging others to isolate a person; or
- abusing a position of authority.
A single serious incident may also require action even where it does not constitute a pattern of repeated behaviour.
3. What is Not Bullying?
Not every disagreement, criticism or difficult conversation constitutes bullying.
Reasonable:
- coaching feedback;
- performance criticism;
- selection decisions;
- discussions about attendance;
- enforcement of Club standards;
- disagreements handled respectfully; or
- appropriate disciplinary action
are not bullying merely because the recipient finds them uncomfortable.
Coaches retain the authority to make sporting decisions, including decisions regarding playing time and selection.
However, coaching feedback must remain professional, proportionate and respectful.
4. Harassment and Discrimination
Bullying, harassment or discrimination relating to protected characteristics or other personal circumstances will not be tolerated.
The Club shall comply with applicable equality law and BAFA requirements.
5. Reporting Concerns
A person experiencing or witnessing bullying should, where comfortable, raise the concern with:
- a captain;
- coach;
- Safeguarding Lead;
- Committee member; or
- another trusted Club representative.
Where the concern involves one of these people, it should be raised with an alternative person.
Safeguarding concerns should be raised through the safeguarding process.
6. Response
The Club will:
- take the concern seriously;
- establish the relevant facts as fairly as reasonably practicable;
- protect those involved from retaliation;
- maintain appropriate confidentiality;
- provide an opportunity for relevant individuals to respond;
- determine whether action is required; and
- take proportionate action where appropriate.
The response will depend on the seriousness, circumstances and history of the behaviour.
7. Retaliation
Retaliation against a person who raises a genuine concern or participates in an investigation is prohibited.
Retaliation may itself result in disciplinary action.
8. Malicious or Deliberately False Complaints
The Club recognises that concerns may sometimes be raised in good faith and later found not to be substantiated.
A concern being unsubstantiated does not mean it was malicious.
However, deliberately fabricated allegations made with the intention of harming another person may constitute misconduct and may be dealt with under the Club’s disciplinary procedures.
9. Consequences
Depending on the circumstances, consequences may include:
- informal resolution;
- facilitated discussion;
- behavioural expectations;
- formal warning;
- removal from an activity;
- suspension;
- removal from a team;
- termination of Club Membership; or
- referral to BAFA or another appropriate authority.
Any disciplinary action shall be proportionate and consistent with applicable Club and BAFA requirements.
10. Culture
London Flame expects members to contribute actively to a positive team environment.
Members should:
- support teammates;
- challenge behaviour rather than attack people;
- communicate openly;
- accept constructive feedback;
- avoid blame;
- take responsibility for mistakes;
- celebrate others’ successes;
- make new members feel welcome; and
- address conflict respectfully.
The Club’s objective is not to eliminate disagreement. It is to ensure disagreement can occur without becoming hostile, divisive or harmful.