PLAYER GUIDELINES AND EXPECTATIONS
To all new players, OSFC is not only a proud club on-field, but we are a very proud club off field. We are known for being at the top of the VAFA for decades and our social side of the club allows players access to great functions and a gathering place for all. All events are open to playing members and a lot of the time these will also be open to your friends.
As a valued member of our playing group, you are the core of what everything runs for, but that doesn’t mean that everything is run by others for you. The club is funded by its players, members and sponsors and is run by volunteers. Thus, it is integral that you treat the clubrooms, the events and all stakeholders of the club as if they are your family as you are now a part of theirs.
The rooms are expected to be tidied after every training, game day and social function. We do have regular cleaners that come in, but as you would at your own house please do all you can to keep the place as tidy as possible. Many hands make light work.
Every player pays Subs to play at the football club and that entitles you to all the great facilities that we have at our disposal. It also includes a meal every Thursday night for those who train. Please be aware that there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes to keep this great club alive and many people doing too much work without much help. If you ever feel that you can help out with little things or want to jump on and help more, the club, players and committee will be much appreciative.
We are always looking for volunteers so encourage your parents, family and friends to become involved.
If everyone did this, the club would run more smoothly, and all players will experience the best possible club we can be.
OSFC INSURANCE SUMMARY
To all Players, Parents, Officials & Volunteers of the OSFC
Insurance
We provide annual insurance cover to our registered financial players, officials and volunteers through JLT Sport.
Cover
In 2023 the club has invested in standard Bronze cover that provides insurance cover for 7 teams.
Summary
The summary of your cover is provided in the link below.
https://sport.marshadvantage.com.au/afl/
Below is a link to a brief 1 page summary (schedule of insurance) provided by the club for you.
Non-Medicare Expenses Only
You can only claim reimbursement on non-Medicare related expenses.
Private Health & Ambulance Cover
We strongly recommend players have private health cover and Ambulance cover, either your own or with your parents/guardians.
Making a Claim
The claim form you are required to complete if making a claim, can be accessed via the link below.
https://sport.marshadvantage.com.au/afl/players/makeaclaim
Excess
$100 excess per claim
Club Sign-Off
We are happy to witness the claim on behalf of the club once you have completed the form and sent it to admin@oldscotchfc.com.au
Questions
If you have any questions give us a call. Ultimately the best people to talk to are the insurance experts, JLT Sport, on 1300 373 133. For a summary of the cover click on the PDF link below.
PLAYER WELLBEING PROGRAM
A Player Support Program, or PSP is a club organized and funded program for its players and members. The purpose of a PSP is to offer a free service (having been funded by OSFC) to help you deal with a personal, work-related, or other problems that might be impacting your performance, productivity, general health and/or well-being, or if you are struggling to manage symptoms of stress or other psychological problems such as:
- Bereavement/Grief
- Stress, or conflict
- Addiction
- Adjustment/life transition issues
- Self Esteem
- Depression and/or Anxiety
We have a pre-arranged agreement with The Three Seas Group whereby you are able to access short-term counselling services with one of their psychologists at no cost to you. Your identity will remain strictly confidential, and you do not need to consult the club prior to booking an appointment.
OSFC CONCUSSION CODE OF CONDUCT
The Old Scotch Football Club is committed to providing a safe playing environment for all of our players. We take the issue of Sports Related Concussion (SRC) very seriously and keep our management of concussion in line with the most up to date guidelines. This is our Code of Conduct Statement. Our club will care for the health and safety of all participants by taking concussion seriously. As a club, we understand that:
- A concussion is a brain injury that can have both short-term and long-term effects.
- Any blow (impact) to the head, face, neck, or body may cause a functional traumatic brain disturbance resulting in a concussion.
- A player does not need to lose consciousness to have sustained a concussion.
- We understand and have reviewed the latest VAFA & AFL/AFLW concussion guidelines, in particular the key message of “if in doubt, sit them out”.
- Delayed concussion can occur several days after the incident
- Any player with a suspected concussion should stop participating in training, practice or competition immediately.
- We have a commitment to concussion recognition and reporting, including self-reporting, of any possible concussion to the appropriate club representative.
- Continuing to participate in further training, practice or competition with a suspected concussion increases a player’s risk of more severe, longer lasting symptoms and increases their risk of other serious injuries.
Our club will create an environment where players, families and team officials feel safe, comfortable and supported in speaking up about concussion and we will:
- Encourage players not to hide their symptoms and to speak to a club official or another person they trust if they experience any symptoms of concussion.
- Provide education resources, information and other appropriate forums to inform all our clubs players, families and officials of the latest concussion policies and protocols.
- Update our policies and protocols for concussion annually as per the AFL/AFLW guidelines.
- Understand and respect that any player with a suspected concussion should be removed from the field of play (practice or match) and not be permitted to return until they undergo a formal assessment by an appropriate healthcare practitioner.
- Any player clinically diagnosed as having sustained a concussion will strictly adhere to our recommended return to play protocol.
- Players having sustained a concussion will require medical clearance from an appropriate healthcare practitioner before being allowed to return to play.
- If a player is diagnosed as having concussion a 2nd time in the one year they will need to get clearance from a sports physician to play again. Our recommendation is for players to report to our dedicated sports physicians at Glenferrie Private.
- Report any concussions as per the latest VAFA guidelines.
We will support all players to take the full and appropriate time they need to fully recover.
- We fully understand our commitment to supporting the safe return to play protocol as per the community football guidelines.
- We understand that a player having sustained a concussion, must have a minimum of 12 days to return to play and be cleared by an appropriate healthcare professional before returning to play.
- We will respect and support our fellow players, team officials, families and healthcare practitioners with regards to the health and safety of our players.
Links to relevant VAFA & AFL/AFLW Concussion guidelines, policies and protocols can be found here:
https://www.vafa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/10.3-VAFA-Concussion-Policy.pdf
https://portal.vafa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VAFA-Concussion-Reporting-Policy-FINAL.pdf
https://www.play.afl/clubhelp/policies/concussion-management/
