As a result of the extensive research carried out, and work undertaken by the Archery GB Child Protection Steering Group, and the adoption of the Archery GB Policy for Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults, it became apparent that the best practice in sport in general is to establish a panel of experts who would consider all cases referred either from the Disclosure checks or from issues related to disciplinary matters and breaches of codes of conduct.
In our own sport, as many others, an expert panel, once established, should alleviate some of the challenges that our volunteer officials have faced (in terms both of time commitment, and of the often difficult and troubling situations of our officials have been called upon to decide on), and will also give a uniformity and standard to our processes.
Work began early in 2008 to establish our own Archery GB Case Management Referral Panel, with terms of reference that would also review the disciplinary regulations of the Society committees etc.
In July, the Board of Directors approved the process to appoint members to the Panel, and subsequently, in October, the Chairman of the Panel (Mr Glyn Parry, an independent member) was ratified by the Board as were additional members of the panel, drawn from experts in the community, in archery and within the Performance Unit.
The Board has also decided that, in addition to the core Panel Members, Chairmen of the National Committees (from Operations), or Regional Executive Officers may be called upon, where specific expertise and knowledge from their area of the sport is required, to assist the Panel in reaching recommendations for action, by the Chairman, by a Disciplinary Panel, or by National Committees, Regions or Counties. In extreme case, there will be the opportunity to access advice from the Sports Dispute Resolution Panel.
The full process, procedures and regulations (including appropriate revisions to our current disciplinary and other policies) are currently being drawn up and will be presented to the Board at its January meeting and will be posted on to the website upon ratification by the Directors. We also intend to publish advice on the process of submitting cases, and the time-lines that can be expected in dealing with issues.
In the interim, Regions, Counties and Clubs will be requested to supply the Panel with any relevant documents on disciplinary regulations and codes of conduct, to ensure that breaches and sanctions are integrated throughout the Society.
Dave Harrison
Chairman to the Board of Directors
My name is Glyn Parry, I am the Chairman of the recently formed Induction Case Management Referral Panel and I have been asked to write a few words to describe myself and my role within the panel.
I live in Newport in Shropshire with my wife Pauline. Our children have now flown the nest but leave their offspring with us now and again and again ..... ! We have lived in Newport for nearly forty years during this time I have been involved with various organisations such as the Cubs, Scouts, Brownies, Guides and football.
In my working life I have over thirty years in Retail Management meeting many people which is what I enjoy. I am now Self- Employed as a Painter/Decorator in the winter and Gardener in the summer. This gives me the flexible time I need to carry out my other commitments, one of which is being a Magistrate, a position I have held since 1991 and I am currently the Chairman of our local Courts. During the past eighteen years I have served on many committees within the Judiciary.
Dave Harrison, your Chairman, has already outlined the remit of the panel. I think Archery GB has taken a positive step in looking after the welfare and safety of all its members by forming this panel in todays climate of protocol. The panel will initially have four members, one archer and two independent members and a representative from the Performance Unit. One other non-voting member is Anne Rook, your CPO, who I will be working with to start off any proceeding until the matter is finalised. As stated in the remit, new rules and changes will have to be made; this is to make sure matters can be dealt with correctly and professionally.
Glyn Parry
Chairman, Case Management Referral Panel
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