Karting Australia will soon require its affiliated clubs to display a sign at the entrance to each circuit that states the conditions of entry for non-members (ie, the spectators).
The intent of this “Conditions Of Entry” statement is to provide clubs with the power to remove people from the venue who have breached conditions.
This was revealed in a message to parents about child safety responsibilities by KA CEO Kelvin O’Reilly.
The statement is re-produced below. The PDF version can be downloaded by clicking/tapping HERE.
23 August 2024
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Subject: Respect, Responsibility, Misconduct and Parental Supervision at Race Meetings
I want to take a few moments to remind everyone in our sport of the responsibilities associated with participating in Australian karting race meetings and in particular, supervision of children, safety, Respect and Misconduct and Adherence to our Code Of Conduct.
Supervision of Children – There have been several instances during 2024 events, where very young children have been playing together without adequate supervision. Unfortunately, this has led to situations where inappropriate comments were made by some children, resulting in offence and distress. To prevent such incidents, we ask that parents and guardians always take full responsibility for supervising their children at all times during race meetings.
Safety at the Race Track – Race tracks are exciting but inherently dangerous environments. It is crucial that parents and guardians know the whereabouts of their children at all times to ensure their safety. Our race officials and event staff are there to manage the event and ensure the smooth running of the races—they are not responsible for providing child-minding services. The safety and well-being of your children are your responsibility, and it is vital to keep them within sight and safe from potential hazards around the track.
advertisement
Parental Responsibility – AKC meetings regularly attract over 2000 people each day and many other Race Meetings also attract very significant numbers of attendees, creating a vibrant and busy atmosphere. However, this also means that it is easy for unsupervised children to become lost or involved in inappropriate activities. By taking an active role in supervising your children, you are contributing to a safer and more enjoyable environment for everyone.
Respect and Misconduct – There is absolutely no place for misconduct, including abuse, towards drivers, officials, or any other participants at our events. Such behaviour should not be tolerated under any circumstances. Karting Australia developed the Respect Karting Program, which promotes the core message: “Treat Others As You Would Like To Be Treated.” Our officials are volunteers who generously give their time to run race meetings at all levels, from Club competitions to AKC events. They, along with all participants, deserve to be treated with the utmost respect. Any form of abuse should be taken very seriously and dealt with as soon as is reasonably practicable, and those responsible should face appropriate disciplinary action.
Adherence to the Code of Conduct – We would also like to highlight the importance of adhering to Karting Australia’s Code of Conduct, which applies to all participants, parents, guardians, and spectators. The Code emphasises the need to respect the rights, dignity, and safety of others, including children. All attendees are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the values of our sport—professionalism, integrity, respect, and safety.
Failure to comply with these expectations not only jeopardises the safety of the children and detrimentally affects the karting environment. It also risks disciplinary actions as outlined in the Code of Conduct and our Integrity Framework. It is essential that you familiarise yourself with the relevant sections of the Code that pertain to the behaviour of children, parents, and spectators. https://www.karting.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/P6-Code-Of-Conduct-Updated-7-September-2023-Clean.pdf
Important Note To Clubs. The code predominately deals with Members and Licence Holders, but it also deals with spectators who are not Members or Licence Holders (Non-members). We are in the process of preparing a new Waiver/Disclaimer Sign that will also include a Conditions Of Entry Statement that you will be required to display at your Circuit. This will require compliance with the Code and will provide you with grounds to remove the persons involved in a breach of the Code from the Circuit.
We appreciate your cooperation and understanding in this matter. Let’s work together to ensure that our events remain safe, fun, and respectful for all participants and spectators.
Thank you for your attention to these important issues.
Regards,
Karting Australia
Kelvin O’Reilly
Chief Executive Officer
advertisement