The Academy will:

• Adopt a definition of bullying that is agreed across the academy.
• Have a consistent approach to dealing with any incidents of bullying that occur.
• Work to eliminate intimidating behaviour and promote an academy ethos in which each student is safe and able to realize his/her full potential.
• Work to raise awareness among staff, parents/careers and students about the issue of bullying and promote positive relationships based on mutual respect.
• Promote positive action to prevent bullying through our program.
• Ensure staff and students are fully trained in order to support the implementation of the policy across the academy.
• Ensure fair treatment for all, regardless of age, culture, disability, gender, religion or sexuality, and encourage understanding and tolerance of different social, religious and cultural backgrounds.

WHAT IS BULLYING?

Bullying is the use of aggression with the intention of hurting another person. Bullying results in pain and distress to the victim.

• Emotional – being unfriendly, excluding (emotionally and physically), tormenting (e.g., hitting bowling equipment, threatening gestures including sending threatening text messages).
• Physical – pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence.
• Racist – racial taunts, graffiti and gestures.
• Sexual – unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments.
• Homophobic – because of, or focusing on the issue of sexuality.
• Verbal – name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours and teasing.

• All Bowling Academy coaches, volunteers and parents should have an understanding of what bullying is.
• All coaches and volunteers should know what the academy's policy is on bullying, and follow it when bullying is reported.
• All bowlers and parents should know what the policy is on bullying, and what they should do if bullying arises.
• Bowlers and parents should be assured that they will be supported when bullying is reported.
• Bullying will not be tolerated.

A child may indicate by signs or behaviour that he or she is being bullied. Children and Young People have described bullying as:

• Being called names.
• Being teased.
• Being hit, pushed, pulled, pinched, or kicked.
• Having their bag, mobile or other possessions taken.
• Receiving abusive text messages.
• Being forced to hand over money.
• Being forced to do things they do not want to.
• Being ignored or left out.
• Being attacked because of religion, gender, sexuality, disability, appearance or ethnic or racial origin.

OTHER SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

A child:

• Doesn't want to attend training or club activities.
• Changes their usual routine.
• Begins being disruptive during sessions.
• Becomes withdrawn anxious or lacking in confidence.
• Has possessions going missing.
• Becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable.
• Starts stammering.
• Has unexplained cuts or bruises.
• is bullying other children.
• stops eating.
• is frightened to say what's wrong.

These signs and behaviours may not constitute bullying and be symptoms of other problems.
Employees,coaches and volunteers need to be aware of these possible signs and report any concerns to the executive committee.

Cyber bullying is an increasingly common form of bullying behaviour which happens on social networks, games and mobile phones.
Cyber bullying can include spreading rumours about someone, or posting nasty or embarrassing messages, images or videos.

Children may know who's bullying them online – it may be an extension of offline peer bullying - or they may be targeted by someone using a fake or anonymous account.
It’s easy to be anonymous online and this may increase the likelihood of engaging in bullying behaviour.

Cyber bullying can happen at any time or anywhere - a child can be bullied when they are alone in their bedroom - so it can feel like there’s no escape.

CYBER BULLYING INCLUDES:

1. Sending threatening or abusive text.
2. Creating and sharing embarrassing images or videos.
3. 'Trolling' - the sending of menacing or upsetting messages on social networks, chat rooms or online games.
4. Excluding children from online games, activities or friendship groups.
5. Setting up hate sites or groups about a particular child.
6. Encouraging young people to self-harm.
7. Voting for or against someone in an abusive poll.
8. Creating fake accounts, hijacking or stealing online identities to embarrass a young person or cause trouble using their name.
9. Sending explicit messages, also known as sexting, pressuring children into sending sexual images or engaging in sexual conversations.

Report bullying incidents to the executive committee, record (using the BAM Incident Record Form).
If the incident is an adult bullying a young person the executive committee will report the incident to the Child Protection Officer of the Malta Olympic committee.
If the incident is a young person bullying a young person, Academy coaches will manage this, and will access advice and support from the executive committee or the MOC Officer at any stage of the process.

1. Parents may be informed and asked to come in to a meeting to discuss the problem.
2. If necessary and appropriate, police will be consulted.

IMPLEMENTING THE ACADEMY'S ANTI-BULLYING POLICY

Raise Awareness

Raise awareness with all members and players within the club:

• Ensure all young players know they can talk to someone if they are worried.
• Ensure that parents have a copy of the policy
• Adopt the policy within the club constitution.
• Ensure that the Code of Conduct clearly states that behaviour which constitutes bullying will not be accepted.
• Ensure all coaches, staff and volunteers have signed up to the code of conduct.
• Ensure the policy is given to members and players.
• Set up a working party to support the ongoing development and implementation of the policy.
• Identify any training needs within the club and contact the Academy to find out about workshops and opportunities for support.