e-Bulletins

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 email 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.