The below policy template is to be used as a guide in writing effective anti-bullying policies. All policies should take into account dynamics specific to the club that includes considerations for the ages of athletes, size of the club, staff experience, parental engagement and internal policies for reporting.

Components of effective bullying policies:

• Statement of Intent
• Definition of bullying
• Expectations
• Reporting
• Procedures for reporting and managing reports
• Progressive disciplinary measures
• Training requirements for staff, athletes, and parents
• Signature page

Statement of Intent
We (name of club) are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for our athletes. Our athletes have a right to participate in an atmosphere free from harassment, teasing, bullying and emotional harm. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable in our club and in the sport of gymnastics. Athletes should feel safe when confiding in any staff member and know that their concerns will be dealt with promptly and discretely.

What is Bullying?
Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.

Bullying can be:

• Emotional: taunting, deliberate exclusion, tormenting, threatening gestures
• Physical: pushing, kicking, hitting, punching, hair pulling, stealing or any use of violence
• Racial: taunts, graffiti, gestures
• Sexual: unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments
• Homophobic: because of, or focusing on the issue of sexuality
• Verbal: name-calling, spreading rumors, teasing
• Cyber: Social media, text messaging, photos and video taken in secret or altered for the intent of harming another person, bullying through gaming channels

* Cyberbullying targeted toward an athlete of the club by another athlete of the club, will not be tolerated regardless of where the cyberbullying occurred. For example, if an athlete makes statements toward another athlete that is derogatory in nature such as, "You should quit. You'll never be good," and posts it on social media, then club management reserves the right to respond as if the incident occurred on site at the club.

Expectations
If you are being bullied: Athletes should tell a coach as soon as possible and know that reported incidents will be dealt with promptly and discretely.

If you are an athlete that is made aware of bullying: Athletes who are made aware that a fellow teammate is being bullied are expected to tell their coach or parents as soon as possible.

If you are a parent that is made aware of bullying: Contact your child's coach immediately.

If you are a coach that is made aware of bullying: Intervene immediately and contact club management. Execute procedures for intervention and communication.

Reporting
Athletes and parents are encouraged to report acts of bullying directly to their coach or any staff member in the front office.

Reports may also be made at clubreporting@nameofgym.com.

Note for the Club: Clubs should have a published reporting helpline either through email or app that is directed to club management.

Procedures for Parents, Coaches, and Management

1. Parents or athletes should report bullying incidents to the team coach or manager immediately. If necessary and appropriate, police or the school the athlete attends may be consulted.
2. In all cases of reported bullying, parents of the gymnast(s) involved, will be informed immediately and asked to meet with club management to discuss the incident.
3. Incidents of bullying will be investigated by club management, and necessary plans implemented for the safety of all athletes.
4. Documentation will be maintained that indicates the content and outcomes of any meetings, interviews and decisions made.

Progressive Discipline:
Note for the club: Clubs should have written procedures for disciplinary actions that are progressive in nature, so athletes and parents are aware of the possible outcomes of athletes found to be bullying others. Disciplinary actions should be consistent with the culture of the club and progress only if the actions on the part of the person participating in bullying refuses to change. It is not considered a best practice to remove an athlete from the club during a first offense, unless that offense involves violence, criminal activity or moderate to severe cyberbullying.

*The below outline is an example of progressive disciplinary measures. Disciplinary measures should always be consistent with club policy, but also individualized based on the situation, age of the athletes and ability to understand the information.

1. In a first offense situation of bullying (not including violence), the person or persons found to participate in bullying will be given an opportunity to modify their behavior. Athletes and parents will be required to sign a formal acknowledgment of reprimand.
2. If the bullying persists, disciplinary action may be taken by the team coach and/or club management which may include, but is not limited to any of the following:
   1. Suspension from participation in training or meets.
   2. Suspension from training for a week, up to one month
   3. Suspension from attending an upcoming meet, clinic, or team activity
   4. Removal from team
   5. Removal from gym
3. After the incident/incidents have been investigated and addressed, the situation will continue to be monitored by the respective team coach, team manager, and gymnasts' parents to ensure the problem is resolved.
4. All incidents of bullying, subsequent meetings with involved parties and action plans will be documented and kept on file with the club.

*At no time will violence be tolerated. Any direct action against another gymnast such as hitting, punching or threatening harm will be dealt with swiftly with immediate suspension until an investigation is conducted and all parties addressed.

*All meetings with athletes and parents of a situation of bullying will be documented and filed with the gymnast's record.

Training Requirements
Below is example language to use for annual training requirements.

Parents, athletes and staff are required to participate in a club organized workshop on an annual basis that addresses the bullying policy, club philosophy and our adherence to sportsmanship. The meeting will occur at the beginning of each season.