1. Purpose
Voyager is committed to providing welcoming, safe and inclusive events that promote fair competition and the physical, social and emotional wellbeing of everyone involved.
This Player Code of Behaviour sets the minimum standards expected of every player who enters, attends or participates in a Voyager tournament or competition. It applies alongside the official rules of the relevant sport, the event conditions of entry and applicable law.
2. Principles
Voyager recognises that:
- sporting behaviour creates a respectful and inclusive environment for players, officials, staff, volunteers and spectators;
- fair play and personal responsibility are essential to the integrity and enjoyment of competition;
- incidents should be addressed promptly to protect participants, the venue, the event and the reputation of the sport; and
- competitive intensity never excuses abusive, unsafe or dishonest behaviour.
3. Definitions
Code: this Player Code of Behaviour.
Code Violation: a breach of this Code, whether identified during or after an Event.
Entourage: a player’s coach, trainer, parent, guardian, relative, friend, support person or spectator associated with that player.
Event: any competition, tournament, league, promotion, exhibition or related activity organised, hosted or administered by Voyager.
Event Official: a referee, court supervisor, Tournament Director, event coordinator or other person authorised by Voyager to manage an Event.
Player: any person entered in, attending or participating as a player at an Event.
Tournament Director: the person with overall responsibility for the conduct and administration of an Event.
Venue: the site of an Event and any related facilities, functions, accommodation, transport or online spaces connected with it.
Voyager: Voyager Tennis Pty Ltd and its authorised staff, contractors and event personnel.
4. Application of this Code
This Code applies before, during and after an Event whenever there is a clear connection between the conduct and the Event, including at the Venue, at an official function, while travelling as part of an Event, and in Event-related online or social media activity.
Players are also expected to take reasonable steps to ensure that members of their Entourage comply with this Code. Misconduct by an Entourage member may result in directions or disciplinary action affecting the player where the behaviour is not addressed.
If this Code conflicts with applicable legislation, the legislation takes precedence. Suspected criminal conduct may be referred to the appropriate authority.
5. Expected Behaviour
5.1 Fair and safe play
- Understand, follow and play within the official rules and Event conditions.
- Make honest calls and respect the calls and decisions of opponents and Event Officials.
- Compete to the best of your ability and never deliberately manipulate a result or fail to make a genuine effort.
- Act with honesty, integrity, humility and professionalism.
- Place safety ahead of competitive advantage and avoid conduct that could endanger any person.
5.2 Respect for others
- Treat opponents, partners, officials, staff, volunteers and spectators with respect.
- Raise on-court concerns calmly with the referee. If no referee is present and the issue cannot be resolved respectfully between players, seek assistance from an Event Official.
- Accept the authority and decisions of Event Officials, subject to any review permitted under the official rules or Event conditions.
- Take responsibility for your own actions and behaviour.
- Do not coach, interfere with or disrupt another match.
5.3 Fair and inclusive treatment
Treat every person fairly and without harassment, vilification or discrimination, including on the basis of race, colour, nationality, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, political belief, economic status or playing ability.
5.4 Off-court behaviour
- Behave appropriately at the Venue before and after formal play, at Event functions, and while attending matches as a spectator.
- Use social media and other communications responsibly when referring to an Event, Venue, player, official or Voyager.
- Do not engage in conduct that could reasonably bring an Event, Venue, Voyager or the sport into disrepute.
- Follow reasonable directions given by Voyager staff, Venue staff and Event Officials.
6. Unacceptable Behaviour
A Code Violation occurs when a player fails to meet the standards in this Code. Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following.
6.1 Unsporting conduct or general misconduct
- blatant or repeated incorrect line calls, deliberate rule breaches or other dishonest play;
- deliberately failing to make a genuine effort or attempting to manipulate a result;
- conduct that is unfair, intimidating, disruptive or unsporting;
- disregarding the authority of Event Officials or the rights of other participants; and
- conduct that may reasonably bring an Event, Venue, Voyager or the sport into disrepute.
6.2 Audible obscenity
- using profane, obscene, insulting or offensive language loudly or clearly enough to be heard by an Event Official or another participant.
6.3 Visible obscenity
- making an obscene or offensive gesture using the body, a racquet or paddle, a ball, or any other equipment.
6.4 Racquet or paddle abuse
- throwing, hitting or kicking a racquet or paddle in anger or frustration;
- intentionally or violently striking a net, court, fence, fixture or other object; and
- intentionally or recklessly releasing a racquet or paddle at any time before, during or after play.
6.5 Ball or equipment abuse
- violently, recklessly or angrily hitting, kicking or throwing a ball or other equipment outside the normal course of play; and
- using a ball or equipment with negligent disregard for the safety of others or the risk of damage.
6.6 Verbal abuse, threats and physical abuse
- directly or indirectly insulting, degrading, threatening, intimidating or verbally abusing another person;
- making statements that improperly accuse an Event Official or participant of dishonesty; and
- unauthorised, aggressive or threatening physical contact with another person.
6.7 Event entry and attendance misconduct
- entering or playing in clashing events without prior approval where doing so disrupts either event;
- withdrawing after the published deadline, failing to complete an Event without a valid reason, or failing to follow the withdrawal process;
- failing to attend an Event or match without giving reasonable notice; and
- failing to be ready to play within the time specified by the Event schedule, rules or Tournament Director.
6.8 Entourage misconduct
- intimidating, threatening, abusive or disruptive conduct by a member of a player’s Entourage;
- inappropriate language, comments or gestures;
- unsolicited coaching, calling out or interference during play; and
- refusing to follow a reasonable direction from an Event Official or Venue staff member.
7. Disciplinary Action
Voyager may respond to a breach of this Code using one or more of the actions below. There is no requirement for Voyager to apply the actions in order. The response will depend on the seriousness of the conduct, its impact, the player’s intent, any safety risk, whether the conduct is repeated, and any relevant previous incidents.
Warning: A verbal or written warning may be issued, together with a direction to stop or correct the behaviour.
Default or removal: A player may be defaulted from a game, match, division or the entire Event. A player or member of their Entourage may also be directed to leave the Venue.
Future-event ban: Voyager may suspend or ban a player from entering, attending or participating in specified future Voyager events, or all Voyager events, for a period Voyager considers appropriate.
Serious behaviour – including violence, threats, dangerous equipment abuse, discrimination, or conduct creating an immediate safety risk – may result in immediate default, removal or a future-event ban without a prior warning.
A default or removal does not create an entitlement to a refund. Any refund will be determined under the applicable Event terms and conditions.
8. Managing Conduct
8.1 On-site decisions
Event Officials are authorised to administer this Code at the Event and should address alleged breaches as soon as reasonably practical. They may:
- issue a warning or reasonable direction;
- pause, suspend or cancel play;
- default a player from a game, match, division or Event;
- direct a player or other person to leave the Venue; and
- refer the incident to Voyager management for further review or a future-event ban.
The Tournament Director has final authority over on-site decisions concerning the conduct and continuation of the Event. A match may be immediately defaulted for a single serious breach.
8.2 Review after an Event
Voyager may review any reported incident during or after an Event, including conduct not witnessed directly by an Event Official. Voyager may consider incident reports, statements, recordings, photographs and any other relevant information. The player may be invited to provide their account before a future-event ban is imposed, where reasonably practicable.
Voyager will notify the player in writing of any future-event ban, including its scope and duration. Where the player is under 18, notice may also be provided to their parent or guardian.
9. Raising Concerns
Players and spectators should raise concerns promptly and in good faith:
- during a refereed match, speak to the referee;
- during an unrefereed match, pause play if necessary and seek assistance from the Tournament Director or another Event Official;
- for off-court conduct, report the matter to the Tournament Director or Event management as soon as possible; and
- if a person is not comfortable approaching the Tournament Director, contact another authorised Voyager representative.
Reports will be handled as confidentially as reasonably possible. A person who raises a genuine concern in good faith must not be victimised or disadvantaged for doing so.
10. Amendments
Voyager may review and amend this Code when reasonably necessary. The version published or provided for an Event will apply to that Event unless otherwise stated.
Player acknowledgement
By entering or participating in a Voyager Event, a player acknowledges that they have read, understood and agreed to comply with this Code, and understands that a breach may result in a warning, default or removal, or a ban from future Voyager events.