January 2024

Play by the Rules is pleased to announce the appointment of our new National Manager – Tom Dixon.

Tom joins the team from Cricket Australia where he was National Community Policy Lead responsible for supporting community cricket clubs, local associations and CA member associations to comply with the national safeguarding children and young people framework and member protection policies. During this time, Tom worked with people at all levels, including volunteer child safety officers, state administrators and CA’s legal and integrity team to promote a culture of child safety in cricket.

Before CA, Tom was the Participation & Innovation Manager at Vicsport where he led a diverse range of projects aimed at growing participation in Victorian sport through inclusion and diversity, innovation and child safety.

Tom is a volunteer himself with La Trobe University Football Club where he was formerly the club president and now contributes as the strategy officer helping implement a 5 year strategic plan.

“I’m really excited to join the team at Play by the Rules and Sport Integrity Australia,” said Tom.

“Play by the Rules is such a valuable resource for community sport and the wider sports industry – one I used myself on many occasions over the years. The events, articles and online learning are incredibly useful for people at all levels, especially volunteers.”

“Australia’s sport participation strategy, Play Well, defines participation as creating safe, welcoming, inclusive spaces where everyone belongs and thrives. This is why Play by the Rules exists – to empower volunteers who want sport to be inclusive, safe and fair for everyone.”

“I look forward to working with our multiple partners, the Australian Sport Commission, state and territory governments, human rights commissions, the eSafety Commissioner and NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian, to enhance the excellent work of this platform.”

Tom joins Education Officer Nadine Sadler in the Play by the Rules team. An exciting number of projects are in the pipeline for 2024, so stay tuned!

You can reach out to Tom via [email protected].