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Governance

Good governance is essential to keeping your sport safe, fair and inclusive. Here we have some practical tips for getting organised, for committee's or board members and for the conduct of the annual general meeting. 

Child Safe Sport

Child safety is about keeping children and young people safe from abuse and protecting them from people who are identified as unsuitable to work with children. In this Child Safe Sport section we use the terms child safe sport, child safety and child safeguarding to mean pretty much the same thing.

Inclusion and diversity

It's important that sport and recreation organisations reflect the diversity of the community they are in. Being inclusive and diverse doesn't just happen! Here, you will get a good understanding of what inclusion and diversity is and some practical ways to ensure your organisation reflects your community. 

Sideline behaviour

Parents play an invaluable role in club and community sports. Occasionally, however, some become over emotional, verbally abusive and sometimes even physically aggressive. It’s important that the inappropriate actions of a few parents don’t ruin the sporting experience for everyone else..

It’s an online world, and sport and recreation is firmly part of it. Technology has brought incredible advances in sport, but also present risks. Traditional sport club issues such poor sportsmanship or sideline abuse no longer just occur “on the field” – they almost always play out on social media too. Clubs and members can all play a part in safe and respectful online experiences. Here’s some advice how.

Bullying

Every person in sport, in every role, has the right to participate in an environment that is fun, safe and healthy, and to be treated with respect, dignity and fairness. Bullying denies participants these rights and can result in feelings of disgrace, embarrassment, shame or intimidation.

Team Selection Juniors

The selection of junior teams involves balancing individual participation with skill development and the shift towards greater competition as children mature. See our junior sport principles and the tips for committees, coaches and parents.

Girls Playing in Boys Teams

The issue of girls and boys wanting to play in each other’s teams may arise occasionally. This isn’t a concern when children are young, but it can become more complex as players approach adolescence and differences in physiology and ability begin to emerge.

Integrity in Sport

Sport at a grassroots level needs to be safe, it needs to be fair, it needs to be honest, respectful and have integrity. Without these things sport can lose its relevance and meaning. If people do not have belief and trust in the game, in the activity, then why would people do it? 

Intimate Relationships

An intimate (sexual) relationship between a coach and athlete has the potential to be damaging even if it doesn't constitute harassment. Athletes, coaches and sports administrators need to be aware of the potential problems that such a relationship can create for the coach, athlete, team members and the sports organisation.

Physical Contact with Children

Issues surrounding physical contact in sport can be controversial and complex. Some sports require physical contact between adults and children for skill development; others do not.