We consider the following information important for you:
We stand for a safe and respectful sporting environment where everyone can enjoy participating.
At the NK Little League Tournament, the enjoyment of sport is central, but we are aware that unfortunately every year incidents of inappropriate behaviour occur in sports. These range from bullying, discrimination, and violence to excessive alcohol use, match-fixing, doping, and even causing psychological issues such as eating disorders. Some situations are visible to bystanders, while others take place behind closed doors, such as in one-on-one contacts or through digital communication (for example emails or video calls).
The impact on victims, their family, and friends can be enormous. If such matters unintentionally appear in the media or go viral on social media, the damage can become even greater. Despite all the care taken by those directly involved, public perception is difficult to control once an issue becomes public.
Within the world of sport, and specifically during our tournament, we aim to create a safe environment. Every incident of inappropriate behaviour is one too many. That is why we take preventive measures and encourage an open culture in which respect and safety come first. Together we make sure that sport remains a positive experience for everyone.
An important part of safeguarding a safe environment during the NK Little League Tournament is the establishment of preventive policies against sexual harassment and abuse of power. These policies set out the measures taken to prevent such incidents and the procedures to follow if an incident does occur.
In the appendix you will find a basic outline of a policy document. This document may be adopted in full or in part, but we encourage tournament organisers and participating clubs to actively involve their members in drafting their own policies. In this way, the policies will be better understood, accepted, and supported by everyone involved.
We also emphasise that it is crucial to make sexual harassment and abuse of power a topic of discussion within your club and during the tournament. Open communication lowers the threshold for reporting incidents and can help to prevent inappropriate behaviour. Together we can ensure a sporting environment where everyone feels safe and respected.
For more information, KNBSB provides a lot of information and useful tips on their website: