WA Children’s Week (18 – 27 October) is a time to recognise and reaffirm the commitment to keep young people safe and free to enjoy their participation in community sport.
It’s also an opportunity to celebrate the positive impact sport can have on the lives of children and young people and acknowledge the progress already made across the sector to make sport safe, fun and fair for everyone involved.
Community sport in WA is driven by the passionate administrators leading the state’s sporting organisations and volunteers across regional, rural, remote and metropolitan areas. Embedding a child-safe culture across the community is a long-term commitment that requires continuous action. This includes supporting the volunteers on the ground who are bringing sport to life.
The WA Government’s investment in SportWest, through the launch of the TrueSport Child Safeguarding initiative, is supporting WA sport organisations to understand and implement the 10 National Principles for Child Safe Organisations in line with the National Integrity Framework led by Sport Integrity Australia.
“Our strength in partnership and collaboration with leading safeguarding specialists, provides access to nationally delivered education resources and policy, as well as the benefit of state-based experts helping to navigate the Western Australian specific context,” says DLGSC Deputy Director General Marcelyn Nicolaou.
Nurturing wellbeing-centric environments
Sport Integrity Australia, acting CEO Dr Sarah Benson says that every child deserves to enjoy their childhood in an environment that prioritises their wellbeing.
“Sport Integrity Australia supports this vision by equipping sports with the resources they need to safeguard children and young athletes including educational resources highlighting child safe practices,” Benson says.
Sport Integrity Australia, WA State Integrity Manager, Helen McShane, says Children’s Week is a great time to reflect on where organisations are up to, and identify next steps on their implementation journey.
“We encourage organisations to increase awareness with members around the proactive work already being achieved and have conversations about the steps they take to prioritise keeping children and young people safe,” she says.
Implementing the National Principles and the National Integrity Framework is an extensive body of proactive work. This includes awareness, education, legislation and policy implementation, activation of procedures to address incidents. Also, empowering the sporting community to be part of creating safe environments for children and young people to thrive.
A range of educational materials, resources and information is available on the TrueSport website including how to create a Child Safety Statement of Commitment (National Principle 1.1) as well as a reporting flowchart to guide you on ‘What to do if you suspect a child or young person is at risk of harm’.
“The exciting part of this partnership is the shared intent with the industry, to see every child and young person, no matter how they participate, experience a safe and welcoming environment across their time in sport,” says SportWest Chief Executive Officer Troy Kirkham.
