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Club policies
Code of conduct, WWCC, under-18 supervision, hunting rules, complaints, and discipline appeals.
Organisation: Sydney Shooters & Hunting Association (SSHA)
Contact: info@ssha.org.au | membership@ssha.org.au
Phone: 0404 081 818
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Document status | Club approved |
| Version | 1.0 |
| Effective date | 8 October 2026 |
| Next review | 8 October 2027 |
| Governing document | SSHA Club Constitution (Part 2 Code of Conduct; Appendix 3; Appendix 4; clauses 10–12) — prevails on conflict |
This policy sets behavioural expectations for members, guests, juniors’ guardians, volunteers, and officers so that SSHA remains a safe, respectful, and lawful community club for target shooting, competitions, training, collecting, and ethical hunting pathways.
Constitutional mission (Appendix 3): to promote shooting and hunting as safe, ethical, and responsible; and to promote the sport as beneficial to the environment, conservation, and the economy. The purpose of these rules is to maintain responsible behaviour and informed decision-making by members.
Applies at all SSHA activities (including affiliated ranges and hunting-related club activities), in club communications (including portal, email, and social channels controlled by SSHA), and in any setting where a person is representing themselves as an SSHA member in a club context.
Consistent with Appendix 3 of the Constitution, this policy applies to all persons involved with SSHA activities in a paid or unpaid/voluntary capacity, including:
All persons covered by this policy must:
SSHA Club members must adhere to the following basic ethical requirements. Any breach may result in suspension of membership or expulsion from the Association:
A. Obey the requirements of the NSW Firearms Registry and all legislation, laws, and regulations associated with firearm possession in NSW
B. Do all in their power to preserve (and improve) the good image of the sport and the Association
C. Encourage and assist new shooters to gain knowledge and ethical attitudes relating to game management, conservation, and safe firearms handling
D. Educate people in the art of shooting and safe handling of firearms, and oppose the use of firearms for illegal and unlawful purposes
E. Not engage in any act or activity considered outside the objects or the Code of Conduct
F. Follow guidelines and instructions from elected Office Bearers/Committee, and agree to report any behaviour that is against the Code of Conduct
4.1 Firearms and ammunition must only be handled when authorised, in designated areas, and in accordance with range rules and officer directions.
4.2 Muzzle awareness, load/unload procedures, cease-fire obedience, and safe storage/transport obligations are mandatory.
4.3 Reckless behaviour, horseplay with firearms, or ignoring a cease-fire is grounds for immediate expulsion from the activity and further discipline.
4.4 Persons must not participate while impaired by alcohol, illicit drugs, or any substance that reasonably affects safe judgement. Officers may refuse participation where impairment is reasonably suspected.
4.5 Members must comply with the NSW Firearms Safety Awareness Handbook rules and the safe-handling guide listed in the Firearms Governance & Compliance Policies and Constitution Appendix 3 (treat every firearm as loaded; muzzle in a safe direction; finger off trigger until intending to shoot; PPE including enclosed shoes; know the target and beyond; unload when not in use; shoot only where legally allowed; no drugs/alcohol).
5.1 SSHA welcomes new and returning shooters across its disciplines, subject to eligibility and safety requirements.
5.2 Harassment, sexual harassment, stalking, threats, hate-based abuse, or violence are prohibited.
5.3 Discrimination unlawful under NSW/Commonwealth law (including on protected attributes) is prohibited in club activities and administration.
5.4 Members must not pressure others to break range rules, falsify records, or ignore safety directions.
6.1 Minimum membership age is 12. A parent or guardian must be present whenever a member or participant under 18 attends a club activity (including range attendance, club days, competitions, training, and hunting-related club activities, unless a more specific statutory supervision rule applies — e.g. minor hunter rules in Constitution Appendix 4).
6.2 Working with Children Check (WWCC):
6.3 Inappropriate contact, grooming behaviour, or exploitation of minors is strictly prohibited and will be reported to authorities.
6.4 Photography/video of juniors for club use requires appropriate consent arrangements [TO BE CONFIRMED — media consent process].
7.1 Members who invite guests are responsible for ensuring guests understand and follow safety and conduct rules.
7.2 Try Shooting participants must complete required declarations (including P650) and follow all instructions. Failure to complete required forms ends the session immediately.
7.3 Visitors must not handle firearms unless lawfully permitted and supervised as required.
8.1 Competitors must follow applicable competition and grading rules and accept authorised scoring outcomes subject to published protest processes (where any).
8.2 Cheating, score manipulation, or interference with scoring systems is serious misconduct.
8.3 Live scoring and leaderboards are operational tools; official results are those confirmed by authorised officials.
9.1 Hunting and pest control associated with club pathways must be humane, ethical, lawful, and limited to approved areas and species under proper authority.
9.2 Members must respect landowners, other land users, and animal welfare standards.
9.3 Sharing hunting content in club channels must not encourage unlawful activity or unsafe practice.
9.4 Members must comply with Constitution Appendix 4 (Hunting Rules), including:
10.1 Portal accounts are for the authorised member only (except authorised guardian assistance for juniors).
10.2 Members must not share login credentials, attempt to access others’ data, or misuse admin/officer functions if granted.
10.3 Uploaded content (attendance proof, stories, tips, images) must be lawful, non-abusive, and relevant. SSHA may remove content and restrict access.
10.4 Communications with club email addresses and mailouts must not be used for spam, threats, or harassment.
11.1 Members must not disclose other members’ personal or licensing information obtained through club activities.
11.2 Officers and administrators have additional confidentiality duties under the Privacy Policy and governance policies.
12.1 Safety incidents, near misses, bullying, discrimination, child-safety concerns, or suspected record falsification should be reported promptly to:
12.2 Emergency situations: call 000, then notify range control / club officers.
12.3 Complaints will be handled fairly, confidentially so far as practicable, and without victimisation of good-faith reporters.
12.4 Vexatious or knowingly false complaints may themselves constitute misconduct.
12.5 Under the Constitution, members must report behaviour that is against the Code of Conduct to elected Office Bearers/Committee.
The Constitution also defines a Resolution Committee of three individuals independent of SSHA, the Committee, and any sub-committee (and not required to contain SSHA members), which may be formed from Ordinary Members who do not hold committee, sub-committee, or office positions.
13.1 For minor issues, an officer may give a direction, warning, or remove a person from an activity for the day. Immediate safety removals may occur without waiting for the formal complaint process below.
13.2 For more serious matters under club policies, the Committee (or delegate) may notify the member, invite a response, consider evidence, and decide proportionate outcomes — including warning, conditions on participation, account revoke/anonymise, refusal of confirmations, and referral to Police / Registry where appropriate — in addition to the constitutional process below.
13.3 Disciplining of members (Constitution clause 11):
13.4 Natural justice will be afforded to the extent reasonably practicable, balanced against immediate safety needs (which may require interim removal from an activity).
13.5 Appeal pathway (Constitution clause 12) — replaces any prior draft placeholder:
SSHA commits to:
Owner: The Club
Approver: The Club
Review cycle: At least annually
