Policy

School Sport Victoria Interschool Sport Protest and Appeals Policy

Published 15 April, 2026

The purpose of this policy is to outline the School Sport Victoria (SSV) process for protests and appeals for School Sport Victoria (SSV) interschool sport competition at District, Division, Region and State Competition Levels. It also provides for Appeals for any sanctions imposed on participants for SSV activities. This Policy can be used for other SSV purposes, where approved by the SSV CEO, where the matter is not already covered by another SSV policy.

Details

SSV is responsible for the organisation and administration of school sport for Primary and Secondary schools. SSV currently conducts Championships in a number of sports at Primary and Secondary level at District, Division, Region and State Competition Levels.

This policy applies across two areas:

Protests

Applicable on the day athletes compete - during competition or within the time limit for protests for that sport at the time of competition.

Appeals

  • Where permitted for each sport and applicable after competition has ended for interschool sport at District, Division, Region or State level (noting State Teams (Team Vic)) selection matters are handled by the SSV Selection & Selection Appeals Policy).
  • Applicable should SSV impose any sanctions that places conditions on participants, participating schools and/or any other person involved in SSV interschool sport competitions. Participants includes students, schools, parents, teachers, officials, spectators or any other persons as determined by SSV.
  • Any other matter as approved by the SSV CEO where no other SSV policy applies.

Related Policies

  • School Sport Victoria Codes of Conduct
  • School Sport Victoria Complaints and Grievance Policy
  • School Sport Victoria Participant Behaviour Policy including Positive Behaviour Rule, Send off Rule and Spirit of Sport Bannerettes
  • School Sport Victoria State Teams (Team Vic) Policy
  • School Sport Victoria State Teams (Team Vic) Selection and Appeals Policy
  • School Sport Victoria State Teams (Team Vic) Trial Exception Policy

Guidance

Protests

Protests are applicable for matters that occur on the day of competition prior to competition ending or within the time limit for protests for that sport. A person can protest a decision, where that sports rules allow. For Individual and Team Sports, the following applies:

  • Where an official makes a decision regarding the rules of competition for that sport and a person feels aggrieved, where that sports rules allow, a Protest can be received by the relevant Event Convenor or SSV official within the time limit for protests specified for the rules for that sport.
  • Protests can be notified to the relevant Event Convenor or SSV official on the day of competition:
    • by a supervising teacher of the relevant student; or
    • if a teacher is not in attendance, the adult responsible for the student.
  • The competitor aggrieved by the ruling of the official may request to compete under protest (i.e. in the case of a disqualification/failed attempt) until their protest can be heard.
  • Protests must be formally lodged to the relevant event or SSV official along with any applicable fee payable on the day of competition, within the time limit as specified by the rules for that sport.
  • A Protest Panel can be convened to hear the protest, consider the matter and communicate the decision to the relevant parties on the day of competition.
  • The above process applies to all competition levels of School Sport Victoria.

Where a protest is received, a Protest Panel (PP) (some sports refer to this as a Jury of Appeal) is to be established by the Event Convenor to make a decision.

A PP is to consist of up to 3 of the following people:

  • Event Convenor (who may also act as the Chair of the PP) or Event Convenor delegate
  • 2 other people from each or any of the following groups:
    • Suitable teachers in attendance whose school(s) are not involved in the protest or competition
    • An appointed official at the event
    • SSV coordinators
    • SSV staff
    • Any other person considered suitable by the event convenor.

The PP is to convene in person at the event. Where 3 suitable people cannot be convened in person, up to 2 people can attend the PP meeting electronically. Decisions by the PP shall be final & binding on the parties involved on the day of competition.

Appeals

Appeals must be made:

  • by noon of the next business day following competition ending and email the SSV Interschool Sport Team at ssv.interschoolsport@education.vic.gov.au (mailto:ssv.interschoolsport@education.vic.gov.au), addressed to the SSV Interschool Sport Manager. A party making an appeal can request a further 24 hours to submit the required information provided the request is received by the SSV Interschool Sport team prior to noon on the next business day; or
  • in the lead up to competition.

The SSV CEO shall be informed by the Interschool Sport Team as soon as the appeal information has been received. Please see Attachment 1 for the Appeals Committee Decision and Communication flow chart.

Only a school can submit an Appeal, also known as an Appeal Submission. The Appeal Submission must be on school letterhead and signed by the School Principal by noon on the following business day. The Appeal Submission can be supported by other evidence (i.e. attachments to the Appeal Submission). For the Appeal Submission to be considered, the school must receive acknowledgment that the Appeal has been received and/or a 24 hour extension has been granted. It is the responsibility of the school submitting the appeal that they check with SSV that the Appeal Submission has been received.

Where an appeal is received, the SSV CEO shall consider how the matter shall proceed including whether:

  • a. the matter be referred to an Appeals Committee.
  • b. the matter, in the first instance, can be resolved by SSV staff working together with the aggrieved party(ies).
  • c. the appeal is trivial, frivolous or harassing in nature and no further action to be taken.
  • d. the matter is better handled under a different SSV Policy (i.e. School Sport Victoria State Teams (Team Vic) Selection & Appeals Policy or School Sport Victoria Complaints and Grievance Policy.
  • e. no further action is required; or
  • f. any other appropriate action to be taken.

The SSV CEO shall determine how the appeal is to be handled and where necessary, appoint an Appeals Handler (normally a SSV staff member or can be the SSV CEO). The Appeals Handler is responsible for liaising with the parties to bring the matter to a conclusion.

Where the matter is referred to an Appeals Committee, it must meet the following parameters:

  • Limited to Procedural Grounds: Any alleged failure of the event officials to comply with that sports competition requirements.
  • Require School Support: The student's school supports the Appeal through the provision of a letter of support on school letterhead signed by the School Principal.
  • Provide the Student or Team Name: An Appeal must name the student or team as the subject of the Appeal. Where the information received is not clear, the SSV CEO shall determine if the Appeal can proceed.
  • Within the Timeframe Required: Any Appeal must be made within the timeframe as set out in this policy.
  • Lodged in writing: Any Appeal must be lodged in writing to the SSV CEO and must set out:
    • the name of the person who is the subject of the Appeal.
    • the alleged procedural failure.
    • any grounds supporting the Appeal.
    • provides the school letter of support (unless the Appeal occurs during a Victorian School Holiday period).
    • the outcome the Appeal is seeking.

Nothing in this Policy prevents the withdrawal of an Appeal Submission at any time in writing by the person appealing.

Appeals Committee

  1. On receipt of an Appeal Submission and in accordance with this Policy, the SSV CEO (or CEO Nominee) will provide the information to an Appeals Committee for them to review the alleged procedural failure.
  2. The Appeals Committee will consider the information and make a decision.
  3. The decision from the Appeals Committee will be conveyed to the school making the Appeal via the Appeals Handler.

Appeals Committee

The Appeals Committee shall be constituted by any three independent persons to the matter who are available to hear the appeal and will be appointed by the Executive Director of the Department of Education with the SSV portfolio or the SSV CEO, factoring:

  • a. One of the Appeals Committee Members shall be appointed Chair.
  • b. Should the Executive Director appoint the Appeals Committee, the SSV CEO is also eligible for appointment to the Appeals Committee.
  • c. No member of the Appeals Committee may be a party to or directly have an interest in the matter under consideration.

The Appeals Committee has no power to overturn the merits of a competition outcome only that it relates to Procedural Grounds.

The Appeal documents will be provided to the Appeals Committee as soon as the Committee is formed. All Appeals shall be heard "on the papers" unless otherwise determined by the Appeals Committee. "On the papers" means that the matter will be determined on the written submissions provided by the appealing party, the event convenor, SSV staff or any other party to the matter.

  1. The Appeals Committee shall, as soon as practical after receiving the appeal information, consider the matter and shall within 7 days of receiving such information, determine whether the matter:
    • should be dismissed, because in its determination, the matter is trifling in nature or has no merit; or
    • requires further review and determination in accordance with this Policy.
  2. The Appeals Committee may conduct a meeting convened in any such manner as it sees fit, giving due consideration to any written statement by the appealing party or any other person party to the Appeal. The Appeals Committee may request any further information from the parties or the Appeals Handler as it sees fit.
  3. Following consideration of all relevant and available information, the Appeals Committee shall arrive at a finding (decision). A finding of the Appeals Committee is to be by a majority decision.
  4. The Appeals Committee shall notify the Appeals Handler of its finding as soon as practicable.
  5. Any decision of the Appeals Committee shall be final, and no other further appeal shall be available to the Appellant in respect of the matter.

Sanctions and Other Appeals - See Codes of Conduct

SSV may impose sanctions as it sees fit for any matters related to failure to meet the requirements as listed in the SSV Codes of Conduct. Where SSV imposes any sanctions a student, school, parent, teacher or any other person - shall have the right to appeal the sanctions under this policy.

The SSV CEO may refer any other matters to an Appeals Committee where in the CEO's view there is not another applicable SSV Policy that applies.

Attachment 1 - Guidance: Appeals Committee Decision Making and Communication Flow Chart

  1. Staff member receives appeal information (verbal or written).
  2. Place on significant issues register.
  3. Is it a formal appeal received in writing?
    • If No: Staff member informs person that a formal appeal in writing is required.
    • If Yes: CEO appoints a SSV Appeal Handler.
  4. Email acknowledgement that formal appeal has been received is sent to complainant.
  5. Consult with CEO that Appeal Committee process is to be used.
  6. If Appeal Committee process is NOT used: Alternative process used (SSV Staff, mediation, no further action etc.). Matter concluded.
  7. If Appeal Committee process IS used:
    • Email sent to complainant that appeal committee is to be established and to prepare an updated appeal submission.
    • Email sent to other party(ies) inc. SSV staff or others confirming appeal received, appeal committee being appointed and to prepare a submission.
  8. Establish panel of 3 including chair.
  9. Email sent to CEO approving panel members.
  10. If Panel approved:
    • Email sent to panel members confirming their appointment including Chair appointment.
    • Email sent by handler to parties confirming appeal committee appointed and deadline reminder date to receive submissions.
  11. Submissions received.
  12. Chair emails each submission to other party and asks for any further written submissions with deadline date.
  13. Further submission?
    • If Yes: Repeat step 12.
    • If No: Appeal Committee considers submissions received.
  14. Further information required?
    • If Yes: Email sent to parties by Chair of Appeals Committee.
    • If No: Appeal panel deliberates and makes decision.
  15. Email sent from Chair to parties and handler with outcome.
  16. Handler informs CEO and Manager Interschool Sport of outcome.
  17. Handler emails all parties and SSV CEO with committee decision finalising the matter.
  18. Update outcome on Significant Issues register.
  19. Matter concluded.