Complaints & Disciplinary.
Raising something, and what happens next
OCRA maintains a disciplinary process so that alleged breaches of its rules, ethics or standards of conduct are handled consistently rather than case by case.
Before you write
Two things go somewhere else, and going there first is faster:
A dispute about what happened in a competition — obstacle completion, penalties, timing, results, an official's decision — is a competition protest, not a complaint. Those follow the protest procedure for that event, which has a time limit measured in minutes or hours. See rules.
What can lead to disciplinary action
Cheating in competition. Abuse, harassment or discrimination. Dangerous behaviour or safety rule violations. Serious breaches of OCRA rules. Conduct damaging to the integrity of the sport. Misconduct by a coach or a Technical Official. Serious or repeated breaches of the Codes of Conduct.
Submitting a complaint
Complaints go in writing through the contact form, under the Complaint / Disciplinary Matter category.
Include your name, what happened, when and where, who was involved, any witnesses, and any supporting documents, photographs or video. Anonymous complaints are difficult to act on, because the person complained about has a right to know the substance of the allegation.
How it is handled
First a review, to establish whether the matter falls within OCRA's authority and whether investigation is warranted. Some matters properly belong to a competition protest, the safeguarding process, another sporting body, an event organiser or a statutory authority — if so, you will be told where.
Then investigation, where it is warranted: reviewing the complaint, gathering evidence, speaking to those involved and to witnesses, consulting event officials, reviewing competition records and any video, against the applicable OCRA rules.
A right to respond. Anyone who is the subject of a complaint must be given the opportunity to answer the allegations before a decision is made. A hearing may be held remotely.
Possible outcomes
No further action. A warning. Suspension. Removal from an OCRA role, a coaching role, a Technical Official role or a committee position. Suspension or termination of membership.
Appeal
A person subject to a disciplinary decision may appeal to the OCRA Board within 14 days. Under the current Bylaws the Board's decision on appeal is final.