Play by the Rules

Administrators:

Rights and responsibilities

Your club's AGM is over and you've just joined the committee. What now? Where do you start? What are your responsibilities as a club administrator and what are your rights?

Firstly, congratulations and thank you! People who volunteer their time as club administrators are the backbone of community sport in Australia. The job can be daunting to start with, but the experience can be very rewarding. You may even learn some new skills and discover hidden talents.

All members of your club, as well as those who have a non-member role (such as spectators, visiting teams, and some administrators) have personal rights that should be respected and upheld. These include the right to be free from abuse, discrimination or harassment, and to be treated with dignity and respect.

Club administrators also have responsibilities - the number one being: to create and maintain a positive, safe and healthy club environment.

It is also your responsibility to choose the right people to be involved with your club and ensure that coaches and other personnel meet child protection requirements (such as screening and working with children checks).

As a club administrator, you have the responsibility to develop and implement policies to protect these rights. To help achieve this, there are two key resources which all sporting clubs should develop and make available to their members.

Member Protection Policy

This is an important document which should include policies and practices that protect members (athletes, coaches, officials, administrators and volunteers) from harassment and abuse, as well as procedures for effectively dealing with issues and complaints.

Before developing a Member Protection Policy, check with your state, territory or national governing body as they may have specific policies your club is required to comply with. They may even have a document you can use as a starting point or you can download the easy-to-use Play by the Rules Member Protection Policy template.

Guidelines for working with children

All clubs should provide guidelines for working with children to help ensure the safety and security of child participants. The document also serves to protect coaches and other personnel from risk in their dealings with children.

A good policy should outline the procedures to follow when dealing with complaints or more serious issues. You could start by taking a look at the Play by the Rules Working with Children Guidelines template.

Education and communication is the key

Sadly, many important policies and documents sit on shelves gathering dust or exist only on one person's hard drive. Your responsibility to protect members does not stop with the successful development of an excellent policy. Use it, read it, promote it, and make it available for others to consult. Good communication and education is the key to a successful policy, you could:

• post policy documents on the club's website or social networking page and invite discussion

• give copies to coaches and officials to read

• hold a workshop to discuss the key elements

• print summaries of the key points in the club's newsletter.

The Play by the Rules website is packed with useful information for administrators: templates, guidelines, interactive scenarios and links to additional resources, as well as a Club Toolkit, which includes 10 important templates specifically designed for sporting clubs. With this support and guidance you and your club are sure to succeed!

January 2012 e-Bulletin

Welcome to the first e-Bulletin for 2012 - there’s a whole lot of news, training, events and programs to update you on this month. If you’d like to make a contribution please send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   and if it’s relevant we’ll include it (photos are always welcome).

Twittertastic or Twitterterror? 

Did you know that, using just 140 characters, you can change the world? Make no mistake - Twitter and other types of social media are not a craze or a fashion trend that will eventually phase out.  Even sport is embracing it . . . in a big way.

But what do you do when followers and fans complain or criticise you?  What happens if someone makes a mistake and sends an inappropriate message, or even the right message to the wrong people?  In part three of our series on social media, we look at how you can avoid being a Twitter victim – check it out at www.playbytherules.net.au

Volunteering runs in the family

According to 2010 survey results recently released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, volunteering is a habit which is followed through the family line and women are more likely to give their free time than men. The results showed that 38 per cent of Australian women aged 18 years and older volunteered, compared to 34 per cent of men. It also showed that two-thirds of volunteers had parents who had done voluntary work, with the most common recipient of these altruistic actions being sporting and recreational organisations. See the full survey results at: www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/4441.0Main%20Features22010?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=4441.0&issue=2010&num=&view=

New Community Service Announcements

Play by the Rules has recorded a range of new community service announcements with some of Australia’s top sportspeople to reinforce messages around safe, fair and inclusive sport. The radio ads featuring Socceroos legend Brett Emerton and Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja to name a few, will hit the airwaves later this month. Listen out for the announcements on your radio or check them out on our website at: www.playbytherules.net.au/our-champions

New committee for disability in Tasmania

A nine-member Sport and Recreation Committee has been established by the Premier’s Disability Advisory Council to assist the Tasmanian Government and wider community to enable people with disability to fully participate in sport, recreation and other physical activities. One of their first jobs this year will be to help implement (and review) the Tasmanian sport and recreation framework for people with a disability.

Coloured Vest Program for NSW clubs

The Coloured Vest Program (CVP) is an easy way for clubs to support officials and reduce incidents of harassment and abuse. It involves beginner officials wearing a coloured vest identifying them as ‘in training’, helping to build greater understanding among players, parents, spectators and coaches. Beginner officials are also mentored by a more experienced club official. An initiative of Sport and Recreation (NSW), CVP is available for free to sports clubs in NSW.  Those who register receive a kit containing vests, lanyards, posters and other material to help run the CVP. Go to www.dsr.nsw.gov.au/cvp  for more information and registration.

Grass Roots Development Grants in NT

These grants allow organisations to apply for up to $3000 to implement a new sport or recreation program or increase the capacity of their organisation to deliver sport or recreation services/programs. The Grass Roots Round 2 Development Grants close on 30 January 2012. For information go to: www.nretas.nt.gov.au/sport-and-recreation/sport-and-recreation/grants

Free online training course a hit!

The feedback from users of our new Play by the Rules free online training course has been overwhelmingly positive. Many people who have registered have told us that the situations in the case studies and scenarios in the two 'Child Protection' and 'Harassment and Discrimination' modules have happened almost identically in their club.

It is important to revisit this type of training regularly to keep updated on the latest information and laws. If you have not completed a Play by the Rules training course for a while, we suggest you register a new account and enjoy the new course. To enrol go to: www.playbytherules.net.au/online-learning

Videos showcase positive behavior in sport

Sport and Recreation Victoria have partnered with the AFL to showcase positive behaviour in sport and celebrate the contribution that grassroots players and footy fans make towards stronger communities. There are videos on: Indigenous peoples' contribution to Australian football; a celebration of the AFL’s multicultural round; and a video made by men and women from the sporting community who came together to speak up about preventing violence against women in the lead up to White Ribbon Day. See them all at: www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/sport/inclusive-sport/spreading-the-word-on-respectful-behaviour

Forum to discuss WA Disability Review

The WA Department of Sport and Recreation is inviting people to provide comment on both the findings and recommendations of the Review of the Disability Sport and Recreation Sector, which was conducted by external consultants. An information forum is being held on 1 February from 11:30am–1:30pm at 246 Vincent Street, Leederville, to provide an overview of the Review and allow discussion with its consultants. You can rsvp This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by COB 30 January 2012 to reserve a spot. Download the report and findings at: www.dsr.wa.gov.au/disabilitysectorcallforcomment

We’ve all got ‘Something in Common’

The Australian Human Rights Commission has launched a new online human rights initiative called ‘Something in Common’. The website aims to build understanding and respect for human rights in Australia by educating and inspiring people across a range of issues and topics, including a section on fair play and human rights in sport at: http://somethingincommon.gov.au/dig-deeper/belonging/fair-play/  The project also includes a micro-site (http://tellmesomethingidontknow.gov.au/) which presents a series of human rights facts.

New framework for Australian sport

A new National Sport and Active Recreational Policy Framework developed by Commonwealth, state and territory government departments responsible for sport and recreation has recently been released to provide a nationally consistent approach for Australia’s sport and recreation system. The Framework will be a guide to assist in the development of policies, strategies and programs to deliver benefits to all Australians through sport and active recreation, from the grassroots to elite level. A copy of the Framework is available at: www.ausport.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/467563/National_Sport_and_Active_Recreation_Policy_Framework.pdf

Indigenous All Stars Youth Summit

60 Indigenous students from across NSW and Queensland will take part in the second Learn Earn Legend! Indigenous All Stars Youth Summit from February 1-4. The students have been specially selected to take part in the summit, which will focus on inspiring them to embrace education and employment opportunities while still maintaining their Indigenous identity and culture. The summit coincides with the week-long celebrations of the third annual Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars match to be played at Skilled Park on February 4. 

2011 SA Grants Review

Following more than 700 submissions through online surveys, community workshops and focus groups, the outcomes from the review of the Office for Recreation and Sport SA funding programs have been finalised. The review recommends a realignment of the grant funds to improve the sustainability of organisations, simplifying the application process and directing more funds to facilities. Fact sheets on each funding program and a range of questions and answers are available at: www.recsport.sa.gov.au/funding-scholarships/grants-review.html

Sexual and gender diversity in sport

Throughout 2011, the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission and Hockey Victoria have been working with other Fair go, sport! project partners to increasing awareness of sexual and gender diversity in sport. A forum is being held at Hockey Victoria's Olympians Room at Parkville on 24 January (from 6.30-8.30pm) to explain and explore the Fair go, sport! story and showcase a range of positive approaches and practical activities. This a free event, but rsvps are essential (email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

The VEOHRC will also join in Victoria’s celebration of queer culture by putting its support behind the community during the annual Midsumma Festival and Commission staff will be marching at the Pride March on 5 February.

‘Wikipedians to the Games’ competition
By contributing to Wikipedia articles about the Paralympic movement in Australia you have the chance to win one of two trips to London to be part of the 2012 London Paralympic Games, as well as the chance to report on and contribute articles about Australian athletes and the Australian Team’s performance for Wikipedia and Wikinews. For more information go to: http://www.paralympic.org.au/

2^nd Australian Somali Football Championships

Over 5000 spectators attended the 2^nd annual Australian Somali Football Championships, which featured 12 teams in 27 games and culminated with North Melbourne-Flemington defeating defending champions Heidelberg 5-2 in the final.

The event took place from 24-30 December 2011, with players drawn from Horn of African refugee communities across Australia, including: Somali, Ethiopian, South Sudanese, Eritrean, Oromo and Kenyan. Australian Somali Football Association Chairman Ahmed Dini was elated with the community support of the event and said "This event is becoming a major national festival for our community and brings us together in a positive way that makes us proud”.   

NT training opportunities

The Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Commission provides a range of programs designed to educate management and staff. You can attend training in Darwin or a regional or remote centre, or the Commission can customise training to meet your organisational requirements and come to you. A list of training programs until June 2012 is now online; programs include Anti-Discrimination, Harassment and Bullying. For further information go to: www.adc.nt.gov.au/trainningprogram.html

Training/Events

Date: 25 January 2012   

Course: Child Safe Organisations seminar

Venue: NSW Commission for Children and Young People (Level 2, 407 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, NSW)

Cost: free (registration essential)

More info: www.kids.nsw.gov.au/kids/resources/trainingevents/childsafeorganisations.cfm

Date: 7 February 2012
Course:  Child Safe Officers Course
Venue: The Hut Community Centre, Aldgate, SA
Cost: Free
More info: www.recsport.sa.gov.au/training-support/CPSE-Specific-Club-Roles.html.

Date: 15 February 2012

Course: An introduction to social media for your sport

Venue: Willoughby Council Depot, 25-27 Gibbes Street, Chatswood, NSW

Cost: $30

More info: www.dsr.nsw.gov.au/training/region.asp

Want a Play by the Rules link on your website?

If you would like a Play by the Rules link on your website, simply send a request via email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it "> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and we will send you some brief text about the program and a logo to upload on your site. This will provide a direct link for your users to access a range of excellent Play by the Rules resources and information on how to keep sport safe, fair and inclusive.

Don’t forget to find us on facebook and YouTube

Click on the facebook and YouTube button to find us and become a fan, for tips and hints, updates, latest news, videos and more. Pass onto your networks and help us build an informed, safe, inclusive and fair sport culture - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Play-by-the-Rules-making-sport-inclusive-safe-and-fair/340348440293

Sport is for everyone

Sports stars declare:
‘Sport is for everyone and everyone starts with you’

A new community service announcement video produced by Play by the Rules, which features some of Australia’s elite sportsmen and women, has been launched to promote messages around safe, fair and inclusive sport for all. To see the video go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=It_aogZApvc

The video features messages from a range of stars across various sports, including: Liz Ellis (former captain of the Australian netball team and current sports media commentator), Petero Civoniceva (Penrith Panthers NRL and QLD State of Origin legend), David Pocock (member of the Australian Wallabies rugby union team), Kyah Simon (member of the Matildas Australian women’s soccer team), Preston Campbell (Gold Coast Titans NRL player and NRL Indigenous Ambassador), Adam Goodes (Sydney Swans AFL player) and Adam Ashley-Cooper (member of the Australian Wallabies rugby union team).

Play by the Rules Co-chair and new federal Race Discrimination Commissioner, Dr Helen Szoke, said: “As we gear up for the NRL/AFL finals, the Rugby World Cup and the Matildas playing for Olympic qualification, it is the perfect time for our sport stars to reinforce a clear message to everyone involved in sport, from the professional to grassroots level, that it should be fun, fair and inclusive”.

December e-Bulletin

This is the last e-Bulletin for 2011. The Play by the Rules team would like to thank everyone for their support this year and wish you a safe, fair and inclusive sporting Christmas and New Year.

New free online training course up and running

The new Play by the Rules free online training course is now live and open for registrations. The course features two new modules – 'Child Protection' and 'Harassment and Discrimination' – which replace all of the previous online training courses.

The modules provide information for coaches, administrators, officials, players, parents and spectators on their rights and responsibilities under discrimination and child protection laws. They are succinct, user-friendly and feature the latest interactive technology, including case studies, practical scenarios and quizzes. To enrol go to: www.playbytherules.net.au/online-learning

Social media: Online tool or social madness?

So you or your organisation is thinking of taking the big leap into social media? Why not! Social media and social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, YouTube and Twitter are accessible, instantaneous, cost-effective and user-friendly. They offer sporting clubs a fantastic opportunity to communicate more effectively with their members and supporters. But, with opportunity comes risk.

Play by the Rules has just produced a series of articles to highlight the opportunities and pitfalls of social media and show you how to navigate them. Check them out at: www.playbytherules.net.au/latest-hot-topics/804-social-media

Celebrate International Day of People with Disability

International Day of People with Disability (3 December) was an opportunity to raise awareness about disability and inclusion issues in our community, particularly the participation of people with disability in sport and recreation. In celebrating the day, federal Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes, said that more opportunities needed to be created to improve the lives of people with disability in our society. Check out his best and worst list in the disability sector for 2011 at: www.humanrights.gov.au/about/media/news/2011/127_11.html

Big boost for sport in Queensland

The Queensland Government has announced funding of $10.3 million over three years to employ an additional 67 local sport and recreation coordinators under the Local Sport and Recreation Jobs Plan program. This will take the total to 178 coordinators assisting 1150 grassroots sport and recreation clubs in Queensland. The coordinators provide guidance and advice to a cluster of sport and recreation clubs on fundraising, promotional activities and sponsorships at the grassroots level.

Take the Olympic and Paralympic Challenges

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has announced a new 'Olympic Challenge' and 'Paralympic Challenge' which will run nationally from 28 May 2012. The Challenges aim to encourage Australian primary school children to participate in sport and increase their knowledge of sport in general. The Australian Sports Commission's Active After-school Communities program will play a key role in delivering the 'Challenges' through schools, out of school hours care services and recreational organisations in 2012. For further information go to: www.olympicchallenge.gov.au/ and www.paralympicchallenge.gov.au/

Pilot Coloured Shirt Program

In late November, Tasmania's Minister for Sport and Recreation, Michelle O'Byrne, launched the Tasmanian Coloured Shirt Program to tackle harassment and abuse suffered by inexperienced sporting referees. The new pilot program, which is being trialled by touch football, aims to help support beginner officials and referees in grassroots sport. For more information go to: www.media.tas.gov.au/release.php?id=33693

Cricket – A sport for all

Cricket Australia understands that one of the main barriers to getting people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds involved in sport is language. To overcome this, they have produced 'A Sport for All' book, which aims to welcome multicultural communities to cricket through educating them about the game in 25 languages. The book covers: the benefits of getting involved, where cricket can be played and how to play the game. To see the e-brochure go to: www.e-brochures.com.au/cricket_australia/multicultural_book/

Keep cool this summer

Keep your sport cool this summer and don't let the bad behaviour of a few ruin your club's reputation and your members' enjoyment. Sport and Recreation NSW's Sport Rage Kit is available free to all clubs and associations in NSW to help encourage good sports. Order the kit at: www.dsr.nsw.gov.au/sportrage/

South Australian scholarships

If you're a South Australian coach, official or volunteer, you or your fellow club members may be eligible for financial support of up to $1,500 to attend courses and become better qualified and skilled in your chosen area. Guidelines and application forms for the 2012 Wendy Ey Memorial Scholarships for Women, Coaching, Officiating and Volunteer Scholarships are available at: www.recsport.sa.gov.au/funding-scholarships/coach-official-volunteer.html

National workshops a hit with sport

Play by the Rules took part in two recent National Sport Participation and Integrity Workshops held with national and state/territory sporting organisations and state/territory departments of sport and recreation. Organised by the Australian Sports Commission, the Sydney and Melbourne workshops focused on ways to get more Australians participating in sport by examining potential barriers and opportunities for under-represented groups, and looked at how to provide safe and fair sporting environments.

Stay safe in the sun

SunSmart and Smartplay have produced a 'UV Exposure and Heat Illness Guide' to help sporting participants take a balanced approach to UV exposure this summer and prevent and manage heat-related illness. The guide is available at: www.sunsmart.com.au or www.smartplay.com.au

Tell Tassie about your sport

To assist Sport and Recreation Tasmania understand the issues affecting clubs and associations in Tasmania and to be able to develop projects and initiatives that are appropriate to the sector, they are seeking feedback from your organisation about a wide range of topics relating to your sport. Take 20 minutes out of your schedule to complete the survey at: www.sportandrecreation.tas.gov.au/sportrectas/current_projects/clubs_and_associations_survey (closes 21 December).

More funding for clubs in regional Victoria

The Victorian Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) has provided $480,000 worth of funding to 11 clubs across regional Victoria as part of their Country Football and Netball Program. DPCD has recently invested an additional $9 million to extend the life of this program over the next five years, which will provide the chance for more country clubs and associations to upgrade their facilities. For more information visit: www.sport.vic.gov.au

Getting active in Queensland

Sport and Recreation Services Queensland is offering free courses in coaching, officiating and sports first aid in Queensland in partnership with state-level sport and recreation bodies. To see what Get Active Queensland Accreditation Program courses are available in your area or to register for one of the courses go to: www.communities.qld.gov.au/sportrec/community-programs/education-and-training/get-active-queensland-accreditation-program/gaqap-registration

Want a Play by the Rules link on your website?

If you would like a Play by the Rules link on your website, simply send a request via email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and we will send you some brief text about the program and a logo to upload on your site. This will provide a direct link for your users to access a range of excellent Play by the Rules resources and information on how to keep sport safe, fair and inclusive.

Don't forget to find us on facebook and YouTube

Click on the facebook and YouTube button to find us and become a fan, for tips and hints, updates, latest news, videos and more. Pass on to your networks and help us build an informed, safe, inclusive and fair sport culture.