Social media has changed the way we communicate, and it plays a vital role in the promotion of basketball and our club. Social media can be fun and informative, keeping teams and people up to date.  However, inappropriate use of social media can be harmful, misleading, and dangerous to a person’s well-being and damaging to the image of basketball, your reputation and our club brand.

Your actions on social media can send you to the tribunal

“Basketball Victoria will have no hesitation in reporting to the Tribunal participants who misuse such sites if it relates to basketball.”

All it takes is a saved screenshot and you could find yourself visiting the tribunal. Unacceptable behaviour “can be bought to the Tribunal, even if it didn’t occur on the basketball court., if the incident is basketball related.”

If you are found to have acted improperly on social media regarding a basketball related matter, then you may be liable for disciplinary proceedings.

What is social media?

Social media refers to any online tools or functions that allow people to communicate and/or share content via the internet. Social media platforms include, but is not limited to:

  • Social networking sites (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, Pinterest, etc.)
  • Video and photo sharing websites or apps (e.g., Tik Tok, Reels, YouTube, Vimeo, Instagram, Snapchat etc.)
  • Blogs and micro-blogging platforms (e.g., Tumblr, WordPress, Blogger, etc.

What is appropriate use of social media?

  • Social media should be used as a positive outlet to promote basketball and our basketball community and club.
  • All comments, tags, notes, or photos/images posted on social media sites:
    • Should be supportive and positive in their nature.
    • Should show the same respect and regard for people that you would show when playing, officiating, or attending a basketball game.

What should you be aware of when using social media?

  • You should be mindful of the content of photos and status updates you share.
  • Your actions on social media may have serious consequences.
  • Assume that the person you are posting about will see your post. If the person does not see the content directly, someone else may share it with them or make them aware of it.
  • Social media is not to be used to ridicule or be critical of players, teammates, opposition players, coaches, referees, officials, administrators, volunteers, or spectators.
  • Do not tolerate or condone poor social media behaviour or actions. If you are aware of or observe poor social media behaviour or actions, do not contribute to it, or accept it by liking a photo, sharing content, or commenting.
  • If you are a coach/team manager, it is reasonable to expect your players will look for your social media accounts and read your comments. Please be mindful of this as you are a role-model. Manage your account and settings appropriately.

Reporting inappropriate content

If you notice inappropriate content online relating to our club or any of its members, please alert our club executive; executive@stchristophersjbc.com.au.

What is Basketball Victoria’s Policy on social media?

19 July 2010

To: All Basketball Participants

Social Networking Sites

Basketball Victoria is concerned at the increasing number of complaints being made about the use of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other social networking sites by people involved in basketball, for unacceptable content.

We have seen examples where the sites have been used to bully other basketballers, to criticise referees and to make racist or sexist remarks about other participants. This sort of behaviour is totally unacceptable in basketball and will not be tolerated.

Many of the remarks are being made with the posters believing that because those remarks can only be seen by people they have accepted as friends on their pages, they will not be made public. However, fortunately, there are enough decent people around who bring this behaviour to the attention of Basketball Clubs or Associations or Basketball Victoria. This occurs even when the posts are made by friends because those people recognise the harm and distress this sort of behaviour can generate.

Under Basketball Victoria’s Tribunal By-laws and Member Protection By-laws, behaviour which is unacceptable can be brought to the Tribunal, even if it didn’t occur on the basketball court.  If the incident is basketball related, the Tribunal can deal with it. Several Facebook issues have already been dealt with by the Tribunal and other hearings are pending.

Basketball Victoria will have no hesitation in reporting to the Tribunal participants who misuse such sites if it relates to basketball. Please be mindful of other basketball participants and don’t place yourself at risk of finding yourself reported to the Tribunal, as has happened to several people already.

Yours sincerely

 Gerry Glennen
Governance and Operations Manager
Solicitor