Midnight Basketball Australia
is an Endorsed ACNC Charity

HOW TO VOLUNTEER & SUPPORT

Volunteer in a Professional Role

Working With Children Information

VOLUNTEER IN A PROFESSIONAL ROLE

Midnight Basketball provides volunteers with a unique and we hope personally rewarding opportunity to use your skills and experience to support local youth, so your support is greatly appreciated.

To achieve excellence and program outcomes, the following roles require qualified/certified people with experience. Please only register if you hold the relevant/required certification to undertake the role.

BUS DRIVER

CATERER

REFEREE

SECURITY OFFICER

YOUTH WORKER

BUS DRIVER

Requirements

Midnight Basketball Australia requires all Bus Drivers to have a current Working With Children (WWC) check prior to attending a Midnight Basketball Tournament. A copy of your WWC check will need to be provided to the Logistics Manager.
The licence you require is determined mainly by GVM - max. weight (tonnes) vehicle can be when loaded. Refer guide below.

Getting a Light Rigid or Medium Rigid licence: example NSW January 2014 (approximate)

Undertake Rigid Knowledge test at motor registry, $41.
Take driving test, $51 (once you get this licence you do not need to re-sit, like with a car drivers licence).
Upgrade licence, $21 one-off fee - this will update your drivers licence to list your new Class and show seating/GVM allowance on the back of the licence.

Week Prior

Confirm arrival time with Logistics Manager.

On Arrival (10:15pm)

Sign the Professional Role Sign-In Sheet.
Identify yourself to the Tournament Night Manager.
Introduce yourself to Bus Supervisor(s).
Review bus lists with Bus Supervisor(s) and familiarise yourself with bus route for the evening.

END of Night

Ensure Bus Assistant(s) are safely returned to their vehicle/dropped home.
Confirm that paperwork (including bus lists) and folder have been handed back to Tournament Night Manager (either by yourself or the Bus Supervisor).
Sign out on the Professional Role Sign-In Sheet.
Return bus to home location/depot.

CATERER

Requirements

Midnight Basketball Australia requires all Caterers who will be assisting in the serving of meals to have a current Working With Children (WWC) check prior to attending a Midnight Basketball Tournament. A copy of your WWC check will need to be provided to the Logistics Manager.
Understand and comply with required Health and Safety guidelines.
If addressing any cultural needs, eg, Halal, Logistics Manager must have a copy of current certification.

Week Prior

Confirm menu with Logistics Manager and ensure any dietary requirements have been addressed.

On Arrival (6:30pm)

Sign the Professional Role Sign-In Sheet.
Set up ready for players’ dinner.

On Players Arrival (7:30pm)

Coordinate serving of dinner, ensuring all players and volunteers are fed prior to seconds being offered.
Report any inappropriate behaviour or concerns to Youth Worker or Tournament Night Manager.

Workshop/Game Time (8pm onwards)

Coordinate the serving of spectator/parent dinner.
Pack up and tidy up kitchen areas.
Feel free to watch the games which commence at 8pm.

End of Night

Ensure no catering equipment brought with you has been left in the venue.
Sign out on the Professional Role Sign-In Sheet.

NUTRITION AND CATERING

Why are healthy food choices important for young people?

Major causes of obesity in children are unhealthy food choices and lack of physical activity. Providing healthy food choices is critical in reducing overweight and obesity rates. Adequate consumption of fruit and vegetables is a protective factor against many diseases including coronary heart disease, hypertension, stroke, Type 2 diabetes and many forms of cancer. Good eating habits are important during adolescence as it is a period of rapid growth and development. Regular healthy eating improves young people’s ability to think, their attentiveness, their ability to socially interact and helps to maintain a healthy body weight.

Why is this a responsibility of Midnight Basketball?

Midnight Basketball has strong ethical and professional guidelines including no drugs or tobacco, alcohol, fast food, soft drinks or organisations that may contribute negative or unclear support for the health and wellbeing messages of the program. Midnight Basketball provides an ideal place to be exposed to healthy food choices that may not otherwise be available within their family or social environment.

How can we encourage and support healthy food messages on a Tournament Night?

Ensure water is easily accessible to everyone including availability of cups.
Ensure no soft drinks, fast foods, lollies, chocolates, cakes or chips are brought into the venue.
Ensure food is cooked with low fat, salt, sugar and high fruit and vegetable principles.
Remove vending machines from site. If not possible, turn them off and cover them.
Support healthy food messages by role modelling and discussing the benefits of healthy eating.
Stick to the rules and make no exceptions; this includes volunteers and spectators.

REFEREE

Requirements

Midnight Basketball Australia requires all Referees at Midnight Basketball Tournaments to have a current Working With Children (WWC) check. A copy of your WWC check will need to be provided to the Logistics Manager.
Minimum of Level 1C (Basketball Australia) Referee Certificate.
Minimum of 18 years old.
Wear the black and white stripes provided by Basketball Australia (unless Elite referees).
Have adequate experience and maturity to be able to implement the required FIBA basketball rules, including mixed gender rules, while also mentoring/explaining the rules to the youth participants.

Week Prior

Confirm start time with Logistics Manager.

On Arrival (6:30pm)

Sign the Professional Role Sign-In Sheet.
Introduce yourself to the Tournament Night Manager.
Collect clipboard with paperwork and Yellow Cards.
Familiarise yourself with Midnight Basketball Rules and Code of Conduct.
Introduce yourself to the Scorers and Scoreboard Operators.

End of Night

Sign out on the Professional Role Sign-In Sheet

SECURITY OFFICER

Requirements

Midnight Basketball Australia requires all Security Officers at Midnight Basketball Tournaments to have a current Working With Children (WWC) check. A copy of your WWC check will need to be provided to the Logistics Manager.
Midnight Basketball Australia requires Security Officers with a Class 1C – Crowd Controller - licence (NSW - check for similar licence name in other states), and they may only work for an organisation who has a Master licence (unless they are a sole practitioner in which case they will hold both themselves). Note: they usually have Class 1A licence also (patrolling premises).
Confirmation that first aid licence is current. Note: this is a requirement in NSW which also has the benefit that once confirmed you have identified a first aid person for the Tournament night.

Week Prior

Confirm start time with Logistics Manager.

On Arrival (6:30pm)

Sign the Professional Role Sign-In Sheet.
Introduce yourself to the Tournament Night Manager.
Familiarise yourself with the venue.

During Night

Ensure players remain in designated areas, unauthorised persons do not enter the premises and other tasks as agreed.
Monitor player (and spectator) behaviour.
Report inappropriate behaviour to Youth Worker and/or diffuse situations as required.
General monitoring of the people in the venue.

End of Night

Supervise players alighting the bus.
Ensure all players and volunteers have left the premises for the night prior to signing off.
Sign out on the Professional Role Sign-In Sheet.
Leave the venue with the Tournament Night Manager, ensuring everyone else has also left the venue

YOUTH WORKER

Requirements

Midnight Basketball Australia requires all Youth Workers at Midnight Basketball Tournaments to have a current Working With Children (WWC) check. A copy of your WWC check will need to be provided to the Logistics Manager.

On Arrival (6:30pm)

Sign the Professional Role Sign-In Sheet.
Make contact with Tournament Night Manager and pick up your nametag.
Collect clipboard containing relevant reports and Yellow Cards.
Introduce yourself to the Security Guard(s) and explain to them why you are there.
Read up on incidents from previous week and be aware of those players on two warnings - another warning for them will result in suspension.
Familiarise yourself with the Midnight Basketball Rules and Code of Conduct.
Introduce yourself to volunteers as they arrive.
Attend the Volunteer's Briefing Session (6:55pm).

On Players’ Arrival (7.30pm)

Enjoy some dinner (sit with players) before the games begin.
Following dinner - encourage players to put rubbish in bins and tidy up.
From 8pm, mentoring sessions and games commence. Assist Tournament Night Manager and volunteers in moving players to the relevant areas.

Throughout the Night

Monitor player (and spectator) behaviour and diffuse situations where possible.
Help the Tournament Night Manager ensure the night runs smoothly, without any major incidents involving players.
Assist volunteers with difficult players.
Issue Yellow Cards as required and record.
Assist Tournament Night Manager in encouraging all registered players to play, not just watch.
Assist Coaches with getting players on the bus after final matches (any player not cooperating will be suspended).
Record any incidents on an Incident Report Form.
General monitoring of venue and nightly proceedings – mentoring sessions, restrooms, etc.
Volunteers and spectators are bound by the same Code of Conduct as players – ask them to leave if behaviour is unacceptable and causing trouble (refer inappropriately behaved volunteers/spectators to the Tournament Night Manager).

End of Night

Night concludes after all players have left the venue by bus or with a parent/guardian.
Advise Tournament Night Manager of any incidents.
Notify Tournament Night Manager if any follow up is required with a player during the week.
Hand back nametag, clipboard and Yellow Cards to Tournament Night Manager.
Sign out on the Professional Role Sign-In Sheet.

WORKING WITH CHILDREN INFORMATION

As a Harm Prevention Charity, protecting our youth is paramount. To ensure this, we need your support with the following:

WWC Statement of Commitment

Applying for a WWC Check

WWC CONCERNS? Please contact your Chair or MBAustralia.

WWC STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT

Midnight Basketball Australia is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people, including those who use our services. Our workers will treat them with respect and understanding and address their concerns at all times. Our organisation will endeavour to provide a safe and supportive service environment for children and young people through adherence to best practice WWC policies and practices.

Code of Conducct

Who must comply with the Code of Conduct: This Code of Conduct applies to all paid roles, volunteers, parents, and any other adults or young people who are involved in the setting up and running of Midnight Basketball Tournaments.

Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person, regardless of their abilities, gender, religion or cultural background.
Support all efforts to remove any form of abuse in the organisation and encourage a safe and supportive service environment.
Ensure that any physical contact with others is appropriate to the situation and necessary for the person’s skill development.
Refrain from developing close personal relationships with the players outside of the adult/player relationship.
Refrain from using abusive, derogatory or offensive language.
Impart knowledge and skills of the game in a respectful and encouraging manner.
Respect the decisions of Midnight Basketball Australia, the Committee and other officials and encourage players to do the same.
Always consider the health, safety and welfare of the players.

Policy and Procedure for Handling Disclosures or Suspicions of Harm

The following policy and procedures will ensure that everyone responds as quickly as possible and in the best interests of the child or young person under 18 years of age, when disclosures or suspicions of harm are received. Midnight Basketball Australia recognises that children and young people are vulnerable members of the community and that extra measures must be taken to protect and support them.

Definitions

Harm may be categorised in the following types:

physical abuse, for example, beating, shaking, burning, biting, causing bruise or fractures by inappropriate discipline, giving children alcohol, drugs or inappropriate medication;
emotional or psychological abuse, for example, constant yelling, insults, swearing, criticism, bullying, not giving children positive support and encouragement;
neglect, for example, not giving children sufficient food, clothing, enough sleep, hygiene, medical care, leaving children alone or children missing school; and
sexual abuse or exploitation, for example, sexual jokes or touching, exposing children to sexual acts or pornography or having sexual intercourse with a child or young person under 16 years of age (even if the child appears to have consented).

Suspicion of harm

You can suspect harm if you are concerned by significant changes in behaviour or the presence of new unexplained and suspicious injuries.

Disclosure of harm

A disclosure of harm occurs when someone, including a child, tells you about harm that has happened or is likely to happen.

Disclosures of harm may start with:

“I think I saw…”
“Somebody told me that…”
“Just think you should know…”
“I’m not sure what I want you to do, but…”

Procedures to minimise harm to children and young people

Our organisation works to minimise harm to children and young people by acting in a manner that supports their interests and wellbeing, by:

making sure that children know that it is their right to feel safe at all times;
teaching them about acceptable and unacceptable behaviour in general;
letting them know who is and who is not an employee in the organisation;
allowing them to be a part of decision-making processes;
making sure they are safe by monitoring their activities and ensuring their environment meets all safety requirements;
taking anything a child or young person says seriously and following up their concerns;
letting them know there is no secret too awful, no story too terrible, that they can’t share with someone they trust;
teaching them about appropriate and inappropriate contact in a manner appropriate to their age and level of understanding;
teaching children and young people to say ‘no’ to anything that makes them feel unsafe;
encouraging them to tell staff of any suspicious activities or people; and
listening to children and young people and letting them know that staff are available for them if they have any concerns.

Procedures for receiving a disclosure of harm

When receiving a disclosure of harm:

remain calm and find a private place to talk;
don’t promise that you’ll keep a secret; tell them they have done the right thing in telling you but that you’ll need to tell someone who can help keep them safe;
only ask enough questions to confirm the need to report the matter; probing questions could cause distress, confusion and interfere with any later enquiries; and
do not attempt to conduct your own investigation or mediate an outcome between the parties involved.

Reporting Guidelines for Disclosures or Suspicions of Harm

Following are the actions our organisation will take immediately following a disclosure or suspicion of harm.

Documenting a suspicion of harm

If you or others have concerns about the safety of a child, record your concerns in a non-judgmental and accurate manner as soon as possible. If a parent explains a noticeable mark on a child, record your own observations as well as accurate details of the conversation. If you see unsafe or harmful actions towards a child in your care, intervene immediately, provided it is safe to do so. If it is unsafe, call the police for assistance.

Documenting a disclosure of harm

Discuss with the Committee Chair or the Tournament Night Manager how to complete a Midnight Basketball incident report form or record the details as soon as possible so that they are accurately captured. Include:

time, date and place of the disclosure;
‘word for word’ what happened and what was said, including anything you said and any actions that have been taken; and
date of report and signature.

If you do not wish to enter this information into the Tournament System due to the sensitivy of the information, discuss with your Committee Chair and notify Midnight Basketball Australia.

APPLYING FOR A WWC CHECK

The process for applying for a WWC Check is different in each state. Links to the appropriate State departments are provided below.

New South Wales

WWC Information

Apply for a WWC Check

Notes on completing your application:

For 'Child-related sector' select 'Clubs or other bodies providing services to children'.
Ensure details entered exactly match details on your identity documents.
If you are undertaking a paid role you must hold a paid (Employee) clearance.

Northern Territory

WWC Information

Apply for a WWC Check

Notes on completing your application:

For 'Category of Child-related work' select category Number 7 (Clubs, associations or movements with significant child membership or involvement, including groups that are of cultural, recreational or sporting nature)
If you are undertaking a Paid role you will need pay the application fee of $55.00

Queensland

WWC Information

Apply for a WWC Check

Notes on completing your application:

Enter the following on behalf of the Volunteer Manager:
- PART A: Select 'Volunteer' (If undertaking a paid role you must select 'Paid employee')
- PART B: Enter the following information:
  - Name of Organisation: Midnight Basketball Australia
  - Postal Address: GPO Box 1600, Sydney NSW 2001
  - Contact person's name: Amber Holliday
  - Contact person's position: Communities Support Manager
  - Telephone: 02 8052 9504
  - Email: info@midnightbasketball.org.au
- PART C: Select 'Health, counselling and support services (including disability services)'

South Australia

WWC Information

Apply for a WWC Check

Victoria

WWC Information

Apply for a WWC Check

Notes on completing your application:

For 'Organisation Details' list: 'Midnight Basketball Australia, GPO Box 1600 Sydney NSW 2001 Phone: 02 8052 9504'
For 'Occupational work codes' select: '24 Child protection services'

Western Australia

WWC Information

Apply for a WWC Check

Notes on completing your application (Volunteer Manager to complete):

PART 5:
- Category of Child Related Work: 12
- Type of Employment: 'Volunteer/Unpaid Position'
  - Note: if you are contacted by a professional role ask them to complete this form with their employer, eg, catering company, Basketball Assn, Security company and then provide their WWC Card number and expiry date to you once received.
- Name of Organisation for which you undertake child-related work: Midnight Basketball [Community]
- Applicant's job title/role in child-related work: Volunteer
- Organisation's Phone Number: 02 9908 9181
PART 6:
- Name of Employer/Volunteer Organisation or Education Provider Representative: [Volunteer Manager Name]
- Position of Employer/Volunteer Organisation or Education Provider Representative: Volunteer Manager
- Street Address of Employer/Volunteer Organisation or Education Provider Representative: [add Stadium address]
- Postal Address of Employer/Volunteer Organisation or Education Provider Representative:
- Position to whom your notice will be sent: Communities Support Manager
- Address: GPO Box 1600, Sydney NSW 2001
PART 7: Date and sign

“I am so impressed by the way these players have responded to me and I have been able to help them build their understanding of the rules and the game. Great maturity and team spirit displayed.” Tournament Night Referee, Midnight Basketball