In order to ensure that the official tour in which Karate Australia (KA) participate provides a safe and positive experience for athletes and their supporters, the following rules and guidelines have been prepared to provide
information about responsibilities of a volunteer chaperone (chaperone). Such rules and guidelines apply equally to parents attending a National/International Event (Event).

These rules and guidelines are not intended to be a comprehensive discussion and analysis of the roles and responsibilities of a parent and/or chaperone attending an Event but rather, a guide that parent(s) and/or a prospective chaperone may wish to take into consideration when deciding on the appropriateness and willingness to enter into a chaperone arrangement in respect of a Minor (defined below).

The chaperone arrangement is one of a private nature between the parent(s) of KA Australian team member athlete(s) under 18 years of age (Minor) and the consenting chaperone to the Minor in respect of attendance at an Event.

Athlete safety is of paramount concern to KA and in accordance with the Australian Child Protection Legislation “best practice principle” suggests that preventative actions be undertaken to protect the child (i.e. Minor). In supporting this principle, KA recommends parents requesting another to perform chaperone duties involving unsupervised access to their Minor, obtain from the prospective chaperone the appropriate clearance or permit as legislated within each State or Territory (e.g. Working with Children qualification) as evidentiary support as to the prospective chaperones suitability to perform chaperone duties whilst on tour.

Prospective chaperones may provide KA such evidentiary documentation for information purposes. In such case, the documentation should be provided to the National Office prior to the commencement of the relevant Event.

Prior to the commencement of the relevant Event, the Event Lead Coach and/or KA Administration Team will provide the parent and chaperone with information regarding event scheduling.

KA has developed the following rules and guidelines to assist in the performance of duties as a parent and/or chaperone during attendance at an Event. If a parent and/or chaperone have any questions regarding these rules and guidelines, please contact the National Office.

CHAPERONE RULES AND GUIDELINES

1. The appointment of a chaperone is a private arrangement between parents of Minors and the chaperone. In circumstances where a parent is unable to attend an Event and therefore unable to provide direct care for their Minor during an Event, KA recommends the appointment of a suitable chaperone.
2. Chaperones must not be a Minor and it is recommended they be a minimum of 21 years of age. Athletes who are not Minors competing at the Event will not be accepted as a chaperone to a Minor.
3. Chaperones may be responsible for up to a maximum of ten (10) Minors for the duration of the Event and KA will not allow such maximum to be exceeded.
4. All KA policies, procedures and rules apply on all Events participated by KA without exception.
5. Parents and/or chaperones must work cooperatively with and follow directions given to them by Event coach(es), team managers and/or KA Executive members and exhibit appropriate behaviour at all times.
6. Parents and/or chaperones consuming alcohol must do so in accordance with the relevant laws of the Event hosting nation, in a responsible manner and must not allow at any time, such consumption to impair their primary role, being the provision of parental care to Minor(s). 
7. Chaperones may not administer any medications, prescription or non-prescription, to Minors without the prior written consent of the Minors’ parent. Such written consent must be registered with KA Administration Team prior to the commencement on an Event.
8. For the protection of both the Minor and their chaperone, where possible chaperones should not place themselves in situations in which they are alone with a Minor. If such situation is foreseen to arise, KA recommends consent from the Minors’ parent be obtained in advance of the occurrence and that KA be kept fully informed of such occurrences at all times by notification to any member of the KA Event official party. 
9. Parents and/or chaperones are responsible for all costs related to attending an Event 
10. Parents and/or chaperones must be immediately available at all times while at KA represented Events. 
11. Parents and/or chaperones must be mindful of safety concerns and respond to Minors’ needs promptly. 
12. Parents and/or chaperones may not deviate from the established itinerary and group without the prior consent of the Event Lead Coach, Team Manager and/or KA Executive.

National/International Event (Event) Details