Mandatory Obligations for Tennis Organisations
The Tennis Participant Protection Policy (TPPP) was established in 2018. The purpose of this policy is to protect the health, safety and well-being of everyone who participates in tennis activities. It applies to all tennis organisations, anyone involved in any aspect of tennis, and it operates throughout New Zealand.
The TPPP is important for:
- Individuals who wish to make a complaint – about something that has happened to them, or about something they have witnessed.
- New Zealand Tennis Entities (NZTEs) – all of which have procedural obligations relating to the TPPP.
Tennis NZ has created safeguarding resources to simplify and bring to life the procedural obligations of NZTEs that relate to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
What are NZTEs?
Tennis NZ, Tennis Regions, Tennis Associations, Affiliates, AND member clubs, affiliates and sub-associations which are members of Tennis Regions, Tennis Associations and Affiliates are all collectively known as NZTEs.
Why do NZTEs need to safeguard children and vulnerable adults?
Adults working and volunteering in tennis are in a position of trust and influence. This comes with a responsibility to ensure that everyone is treated with integrity and respect and that the self-esteem of children and vulnerable adults is enhanced. Creating the best possible environment keeps people involved in tennis for longer and makes them more likely to return to tennis if they have positive memories associated with it.
Ignoring safeguarding not only leaves children and vulnerable adults at risk but leaves tennis at risk of serious reputational damage too.
What are the obligations of NZTEs?
As required in the TPPP, all NZTEs have a responsibility to ensure that appropriate policies and procedures are established to safeguard all participants – in particular children and vulnerable people – from any threat of, or form of, abuse or harassment while taking part in any aspect of tennis.
The following requirements must be met by all NZTEs:
Code of Conduct
(From 2023, Tennis NZ’s National Police Vetting Service will collect a signed Code of Conduct from people who need to be police vetted for their role)
NZTEs must adopt the Tennis New Zealand General Code of Conduct and make it enforceable (i.e., members read and agree to abide by the code)
Screening
NZTEs must:
- Perform screening on all preferred and existing appointees who will work with or have regular unsupervised contact with children and/or vulnerable adults. Screening should include:
- An interview and reference check carried out by the NZTE
- Completion of a ‘police vetting request and consent form’ submitted by the individual to Tennis NZ.
- Follow the procedure set out in the Tennis NZ Police Vetting Policy if a Police Vetting check reveals that a person has been found (or has plead) guilty of any criminal offence, whether or not a conviction is recorded.
- Follow the procedure set out in the Tennis NZ Police Vetting Policy if any preferred or existing appointee refuses to undertake screening.
- Obtain a Member Protection Declaration Form from:
(From 2023, Tennis NZ’s National Police Vetting Service will collect this Declaration from people who need to be police vetted for their role)- preferred and existing appointees who work with children or vulnerable adults, as coaches, team managers, tournament directors, officials and umpires (paid or volunteer)
- preferred and existing appointees who are likely to have unsupervised contact with children or vulnerable adults
Those responsible for governance and administration at an NZTE, and any adults involved with tennis activity involving children or vulnerable adults need to have an awareness of safeguarding guidelines and best practice.
Good awareness of best practice also assists in reducing risk to tennis organisations, coaches, officials, volunteers, parents, players, and supporters.
Full details of NZTE requirements relating to Recruitment and Screening can be found on pages 10-14 of the TPPP
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