For Coaches

As a coach your club should provide an inclusive, safe and fair environment for participation.

To assist you meet your responsibilities your club should:

• request that you undergo a Working With Children or other police checks if required by your state's legislation
• explain your duties and responsibilities as a coach (e.g., some clubs provide a written job description)
• provide you with information about expected codes of behaviour
• support you to complete training to improve your skills and knowledge
• provide you with guidelines to support you in your role (e.g., heat guidelines, photographing children)

To create an inclusive environment for participation and manage your risks as a coach you should:

• maintain control (e.g., don’t lose your temper, harass or bully others)
• balance competition with participation, particularly in junior sport
• follow fair and consistent team selection processes
• consider flexible coaching practices (e.g., to include people with a disability)
• make sure you use appropriate coaching techniques (e.g., do not use punishment or over training to improve performance)
• maintainappropriate boundaries (e.g., avoiding intimate relationships with athletes and never with children)
• avoid being alone with a child or young person (e.g., in the changes rooms)
• maintainappropriate physical contact (e.g., when demonstrating a skill)
• avoid transporting players, particularly children and not without parental consent
• make sure any electronic communication with players is about team matters
• do not provide players with alcohol or drugs
• seek permission when taking images of players, particularly children
• take action over any inappropriate behaviours (e.g., harassment or suspicions of harm against a child)

Search for more resources relating to "Risk Management" in the Resources section