Governance & Policies
Governance Code
Principle 1. Leading our organisation. We do this by:
We commit to reviewing our organisational practice against the recommended actions for each
Constitution, Rules & Regulations
Official Rules of Racquetball (IRF) Download
Constitution of the Racquetball Association of Ireland Download
Rules & Regulations of the Racquetball Association of Ireland Download
Anti Doping Policy
The RAI`s policy is that doping is contrary to the spirit of sport and every member has a duty to ensure that the sport is free of doping. Membership of RAI means that all athletes may be selected for testing. Competing in tournaments sanctioned by the RAI commits you to agreeing to test and in the case of a minor (U/18) the prior written consent of the parent or guardian is required at selection for competition or through competition entry forms.
Full text of the RAI Anti-Doping Policy is HERE
Full text of the Irish Anti-Doping Rules are 2021-irish-anti-doping-rules.pdf (sportireland.ie)
Child Protection
The Racquetball Association of Ireland is fully committed to safeguarding the wellbeing of its participants. Every individual in racquetball should at all times, show respect and understanding for participants’ rights, safety and welfare. All members should conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles of the organisation. In working with young people or vulnerable adults, our first priority is their welfare. The Racquetball Association of Ireland is committed to providing an environment that will allow participants to perform to the best of their ability, free from abuse, neglect, bullying and intimidation.
Under the Children First Act 2015 (ROI) and the Children (NI) Order and Cooperating to Safeguarding Children and Young People 2017, all coaches are required to complete safeguarding training. Coaches in the Republic of Ireland are required to attend a Safeguarding 1 Basic Awareness workshop. This can be applied for through your Local Sports Partnership. (Search – Local Sports Partnership/safeguarding) and in Northern Ireland, Sport NI also provide the required training (contact your local council sports development officer for advice on accessing training).
RAI National Children's Officer
Mark Murphy
086 3604192
Garda Vetting
Who is required to be vetted?
Garda vetting is now required by law for all persons who will have unsupervised access to/work with children/vulnerable adults on a regular basis.
Regular basis is defined as where the same individual supervises/has contact with children at least once a week, 4 times a month or over-night.
Individuals who must be vetted are those applying for positions including but not limited to the following:
When is an individual required to be vetted?
All the above required positions must be successfully vetted before an individual is legally allowed to take up their chosen position(s).
It is now an offense to coach/have regular contact with children/vulnerable adults without being vetted before commencing the activities/events.
Garda Vetting approval from other organisations does not cover you for Racquetball Ireland, therefore you must reapply for vetting through Racquetball Ireland.
Vetting young people under the age of eighteen
Any individual under eighteen years of age in Ireland and applying for any of the required positions must undergo vetting prior to taking up the position(s).
Any person under eighteen years of age completing a vetting application must obtain the permission of their parent/guardian and complete a parent/guardian consent form.
How often? Re-vetting individuals
All individuals vetted from 1st January 2015 will be required to undergo re-vetting after three years or as determined by Racquetball Ireland as required by future circumstances.
All individuals must undergo re-vetting every three years.
Garda Vetting Process
What do I need to apply?
E-Vet I.D Verification form
Identification documents that includes applicants current address and at least one form of photographic (see form).
How to apply for vetting?
Fill in the E-Vet I.D Verification form
Get form signed by I.D Verifier. Note: A Verifier can be any member on the current Racquetball Association of Ireland Committee,
Racquetball coaching course tutor or signed and stamped at a Garda Station by a member of An Garda Siochána.
Return the E-Vet ID form to the current Liaison person stated at the end of the form.
An invitation is a link sent by e-mail, allowing applicants to complete their vetting application.
Please Note: The link is active for 30 days.
The applicant must complete the form in one sitting and has a maximum of one hour to complete each page in the application.
The completed and reviewed application is sent to the NVB (National Vetting Bureau) for processing.
Once application process is completed, a disclosure is sent back to Racquetball Ireland.
Once Racquetball Ireland open the disclosure, an email is sent to the applicant saying the vetting application is complete.
The applicant is then notified whether it is a successful application or a further enquiry is required.
The disclosure is made available to applicant on request.
Download E-Vetting Application Form Garda Vetting Evet I.D Verification Form
Further Information
For more information please see https://vetting.garda.ie/Help/FAQ
RAI Garda Vetting Liaison Officer
Jimmy Gannon
vetting@racquetball.ie
jimmygannon9@gmail.com
086-3448951
Policies
Handbook for EXCO members(pdf)
Code of Conduct for RAI EXCO members (pdf)
Conflict of Interest Policy EXCO members (pdf)
Privacy Policy (pdf)
Volunteer Policy (pdf)
Complaints Policy (pdf)
Complaint Form (pdf)
Risk Management Policy (pdf)
Anti-Discrimination & Anti-Harassment Policy (pdf)
Governance Committee Terms of Reference (pdf)
Safety Statement for Tournaments (pdf)
Accident Report Form (pdf)
GDPR
Governance Code
Principle 1. Leading our organisation. We do this by:
- Agreeing our vision, purpose and values and making sure that they remain relevant.
- Developing, resourcing, monitoring and evaluating a plan to make sure that our organisation achieves its stated purpose.
- Managing, supporting and holding to account staff, volunteers and all who act on behalf of the organisation.
- Identifying and complying with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements.
- making sure there are appropriate internal finacial and management controls.
- Identifying major risks for our organisation and deciding ways of managing the risks.
- Identifying those who have legitimate interest in the work of our organisation (stakeholders) and making sure there is regular and active communication with them about our organisation.
- Responding to stakeholders' questions or views about the work of our organisation and how we can run it.
- Encouraging and enabling the engagement of those who benefit from our organisation in the planning and decision-making of the organisation.
- Making sure that our governing body, individual board members, committees, staff and volunteers understand their: role, legal duties, and delegated responsibility for decision-making.
- Making sure that as a board we exercise our collective responsibility through board meetings that are efficient and effective.
- Making sure that there is suitable board recruitment, development and retirement processes in place.
- Being honest, fair and independent.
- Understanding, declaring and managing conflicts of interest and conflicts of loyalties.
- Protecting and promoting our organisation's reputation.
We commit to reviewing our organisational practice against the recommended actions for each
Constitution, Rules & Regulations
Official Rules of Racquetball (IRF) Download
Constitution of the Racquetball Association of Ireland Download
Rules & Regulations of the Racquetball Association of Ireland Download
Anti Doping Policy
The RAI`s policy is that doping is contrary to the spirit of sport and every member has a duty to ensure that the sport is free of doping. Membership of RAI means that all athletes may be selected for testing. Competing in tournaments sanctioned by the RAI commits you to agreeing to test and in the case of a minor (U/18) the prior written consent of the parent or guardian is required at selection for competition or through competition entry forms.
Full text of the RAI Anti-Doping Policy is HERE
Full text of the Irish Anti-Doping Rules are 2021-irish-anti-doping-rules.pdf (sportireland.ie)
Child Protection
The Racquetball Association of Ireland is fully committed to safeguarding the wellbeing of its participants. Every individual in racquetball should at all times, show respect and understanding for participants’ rights, safety and welfare. All members should conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles of the organisation. In working with young people or vulnerable adults, our first priority is their welfare. The Racquetball Association of Ireland is committed to providing an environment that will allow participants to perform to the best of their ability, free from abuse, neglect, bullying and intimidation.
- Child Safeguarding Statement
- RAI Code of Ethics for Children in Sport
- Safeguarding Guidance for Children & Young People in Sport
- RAI Anti-Bullying Policy
- Hosting Young People Policy
- RAI Photography Policy
- Child Safeguarding Incident Report Form
- Code of Conduct for Coaches
- Code of Conduct for Junior Athletes
- Code of Conduct for Parents
- Roles & Responsibilities
Under the Children First Act 2015 (ROI) and the Children (NI) Order and Cooperating to Safeguarding Children and Young People 2017, all coaches are required to complete safeguarding training. Coaches in the Republic of Ireland are required to attend a Safeguarding 1 Basic Awareness workshop. This can be applied for through your Local Sports Partnership. (Search – Local Sports Partnership/safeguarding) and in Northern Ireland, Sport NI also provide the required training (contact your local council sports development officer for advice on accessing training).
RAI National Children's Officer
Mark Murphy
086 3604192
Garda Vetting
Who is required to be vetted?
Garda vetting is now required by law for all persons who will have unsupervised access to/work with children/vulnerable adults on a regular basis.
Regular basis is defined as where the same individual supervises/has contact with children at least once a week, 4 times a month or over-night.
Individuals who must be vetted are those applying for positions including but not limited to the following:
- Club/National Children’s Officer
- Club Junior Coach
- National Junior Team Coach
- Junior Development Officer
- All members of the RAI Executive Committee
- Parental supervision where the same individual parent supervises children one or more times a week, 4 times a month or over-night.
- Committee member(s)/Team Manager /Chaperone with access to children/vulnerable adults one or more times a week, 4 times a month or over-night.
- Club/National Junior tournaments/event’s organizer ·
- Other personnel as may be considered
When is an individual required to be vetted?
All the above required positions must be successfully vetted before an individual is legally allowed to take up their chosen position(s).
It is now an offense to coach/have regular contact with children/vulnerable adults without being vetted before commencing the activities/events.
Garda Vetting approval from other organisations does not cover you for Racquetball Ireland, therefore you must reapply for vetting through Racquetball Ireland.
Vetting young people under the age of eighteen
Any individual under eighteen years of age in Ireland and applying for any of the required positions must undergo vetting prior to taking up the position(s).
Any person under eighteen years of age completing a vetting application must obtain the permission of their parent/guardian and complete a parent/guardian consent form.
How often? Re-vetting individuals
All individuals vetted from 1st January 2015 will be required to undergo re-vetting after three years or as determined by Racquetball Ireland as required by future circumstances.
All individuals must undergo re-vetting every three years.
Garda Vetting Process
What do I need to apply?
E-Vet I.D Verification form
Identification documents that includes applicants current address and at least one form of photographic (see form).
How to apply for vetting?
Fill in the E-Vet I.D Verification form
Get form signed by I.D Verifier. Note: A Verifier can be any member on the current Racquetball Association of Ireland Committee,
Racquetball coaching course tutor or signed and stamped at a Garda Station by a member of An Garda Siochána.
Return the E-Vet ID form to the current Liaison person stated at the end of the form.
An invitation is a link sent by e-mail, allowing applicants to complete their vetting application.
Please Note: The link is active for 30 days.
The applicant must complete the form in one sitting and has a maximum of one hour to complete each page in the application.
The completed and reviewed application is sent to the NVB (National Vetting Bureau) for processing.
Once application process is completed, a disclosure is sent back to Racquetball Ireland.
Once Racquetball Ireland open the disclosure, an email is sent to the applicant saying the vetting application is complete.
The applicant is then notified whether it is a successful application or a further enquiry is required.
The disclosure is made available to applicant on request.
Download E-Vetting Application Form Garda Vetting Evet I.D Verification Form
Further Information
For more information please see https://vetting.garda.ie/Help/FAQ
RAI Garda Vetting Liaison Officer
Jimmy Gannon
vetting@racquetball.ie
jimmygannon9@gmail.com
086-3448951
Policies
Handbook for EXCO members(pdf)
Code of Conduct for RAI EXCO members (pdf)
Conflict of Interest Policy EXCO members (pdf)
Privacy Policy (pdf)
Volunteer Policy (pdf)
Complaints Policy (pdf)
Complaint Form (pdf)
Risk Management Policy (pdf)
Anti-Discrimination & Anti-Harassment Policy (pdf)
Governance Committee Terms of Reference (pdf)
Safety Statement for Tournaments (pdf)
Accident Report Form (pdf)
GDPR
