Peninsula Strikers Football Club
Member Protection Policy
Version: 2026.1 — draft for Committee approval
Last updated: 3 September 2026
Policy owner: Peninsula Strikers Football Club Committee
Approved by: [insert approving body and date]
Next review: Within 12 months of approval, and earlier if legislation or governing-body requirements change
Supersedes: Member Protection Policy, February 2018, once approved
Get help or report a concern
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| A child or any person is in immediate danger, a serious crime is happening, or urgent police attendance is needed | Call Triple Zero (000). |
| You suspect a child is being abused or is at risk of significant harm | Contact Victoria Police and/or DFFH Child Protection. For Frankston and surrounding areas, call the South Division on 1300 555 526 during business hours, or the statewide After Hours Child Protection Emergency Service on 13 12 78. |
| You need to report a non-urgent crime | Call the Victoria Police Assistance Line on 131 444. |
| The concern relates to the Club | Tell the Club's Child Safety Officer, Member Protection Information Officer (MPIO), President or another Committee member as soon as possible. Use another contact if the concern involves one of those people. Current Club contacts should be published on the Club website and at Club facilities. |
| You need independent information about a football member-protection or safeguarding issue | Contact Football Victoria Member Protection at mpio@footballvictoria.com.au. |
Do not wait for the Club to act before contacting emergency services, police or Child Protection. Club reporting does not replace a report to an external authority.
1. Purpose
This policy explains how Peninsula Strikers Football Club (the Club) works to provide a safe, respectful, inclusive and child-safe football environment. It:
sets the behaviour expected of everyone involved with the Club;
prohibits abuse, bullying, harassment, discrimination, sexual misconduct, victimisation and other harmful conduct;
explains how concerns, reports and complaints can be raised and managed;
supports the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and adults at risk;
establishes fair, child-focused and trauma-aware processes; and
connects Club processes with current Victorian law and the policies and procedures of Football Australia and Football Victoria.
This policy is intended to be practical and easy to use. It does not replace the law, emergency services, a governing body's rules or professional legal advice.
2. Our commitment
The Club is committed to football that is safe, welcoming and enjoyable. Every person has the right to:
be treated with dignity, fairness and respect;
participate without abuse, discrimination, harassment, bullying, vilification or intimidation;
have their safety, wellbeing, privacy and cultural needs considered;
speak up, be heard and receive an appropriate response without retaliation; and
receive information about decisions and processes that affect them, subject to safety, privacy and legal limits.
The safety and best interests of children take priority over the interests, convenience or reputation of any adult or organisation.
The Club adopts the Victorian Government's Fair Play Code principles of integrity, respect, responsibility, fairness and safety.
3. Who and what this policy covers
This policy applies to:
players and prospective players;
parents, carers and family members;
coaches, assistant coaches and team managers;
referees and other match officials;
Committee members, office holders and administrators;
employees, contractors and volunteers;
medical, welfare and support personnel;
spectators, visitors, guests and sponsors; and
any other person participating in or connected with a Club activity.
It applies to conduct connected with the Club, including:
training, matches, trials, selection, grading and development programs;
Club rooms, change rooms, facilities and grounds;
meetings, functions, fundraising, travel, camps and social events;
telephone calls, email, messaging apps, team-management platforms, livestreams, websites and social media;
conduct outside a formal Club activity where there is a material connection with a person's Club role, relationship or standing; and
conduct that creates a safety risk or may seriously damage trust in the Club or football.
This policy does not guarantee that every private dispute between members will be managed by the Club. The Club may refer or redirect matters that fall outside its authority.
4. Policy and legal framework
This policy operates alongside the current versions of:
the Football Australia Member Protection Framework, including its Safeguarding Policy, Anti-Bullying and Harassment Policy, Anti-Discrimination Policy, XI Standards of Respect and National Complaints Procedure;
Football Victoria's Member Protection, Child Safety, Working with Children Check and other integrity policies;
the current Football Victoria Grievance and Disciplinary Regulations, Rules of Competition and applicable competition regulations;
the Club's Constitution, Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy, Child Safe Code of Conduct, by-laws, risk controls and other policies;
the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (Vic) and Victoria's 11 Child Safe Standards;
the Worker Screening Act 2020 (Vic) and current Victorian Working with Children Check requirements;
the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic), Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001 (Vic), Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth), Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth), Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) and Age Discrimination Act 2004 (Cth); and
other applicable child-protection, criminal, employment, occupational health and safety, privacy and information-sharing laws.
If requirements conflict, the Club will follow the law and any binding requirement of Football Australia, Football Victoria or the relevant competition administrator. Nothing in this policy limits a person's right or obligation to contact police, a regulator, a governing body, a tribunal or another external service.
5. Responsibilities
5.1 The Committee
The Committee is responsible for:
leading and modelling a safe, inclusive and child-safe culture;
adopting, resourcing, communicating and enforcing this policy;
appointing suitable Child Safety Officer, MPIO and complaint-management contacts;
ensuring people in child-related roles are appropriately recruited, screened, inducted, supervised and trained;
maintaining current Working with Children Check and exemption records;
identifying and controlling risks in physical and online environments;
responding promptly to concerns and making required external reports;
managing conflicts of interest and appointing an independent person where appropriate;
keeping secure and accurate records; and
reviewing systems after incidents, complaints, near misses and changes to law or football policy.
5.2 Child Safety Officer
The Child Safety Officer is a visible and accessible contact for child-safety concerns. The officer supports children, families and Club personnel; helps activate the Club's reporting process; and assists the Committee to implement child-safe practices. The role does not replace police, Child Protection, the Club President or an appropriately appointed investigator.
5.3 Member Protection Information Officer
The MPIO provides impartial information about rights, responsibilities and available complaint or support pathways. An MPIO does not investigate, decide, advocate for a party or mediate a complaint merely because they are the MPIO. A different suitably authorised person should manage the complaint.
5.4 Coaches, managers, officials, employees, contractors and volunteers
People in positions of trust or authority must:
place safety and wellbeing, particularly child safety, ahead of competitive outcomes;
understand and follow this policy and the Child Safe Code of Conduct;
maintain professional boundaries;
respond appropriately to disclosures and report concerns promptly;
complete required screening, induction and training; and
cooperate with lawful and procedurally fair investigations.
5.5 Everyone involved with the Club
Everyone must:
follow applicable laws, football rules and Club policies;
treat others with dignity and respect;
take reasonable action if they see unsafe or harmful behaviour;
raise concerns honestly and in good faith;
protect privacy and not spread allegations, images or identifying information; and
comply with reasonable safety directions and interim measures.
6. Expected behaviour and prohibited conduct
The Club does not tolerate:
physical, sexual, emotional or psychological abuse;
grooming, sexual misconduct, sexual harassment or sexual exploitation;
bullying, cyberbullying, hazing, humiliation or initiation practices;
discrimination, vilification, hate speech or exclusion based on a protected personal characteristic;
threatening, intimidating, coercive, controlling, stalking or violent behaviour;
victimising or retaliating against a person who raises, supports or participates in a concern or complaint;
neglect of a child or adult at risk;
misuse of a position of trust, authority, confidential information or Club resources;
knowingly making a false allegation with malicious intent;
inappropriate one-to-one contact, private messaging, photography, filming or transport involving a child;
providing alcohol, tobacco, vaping products, illicit drugs or other age-restricted substances to a child;
match manipulation, corruption, unlawful betting-related conduct, doping or other serious integrity breaches; or
conduct that materially threatens safety or the integrity and reputation of the Club or football.
A complaint that is not substantiated is not, by itself, false, vexatious or malicious.
7. Inclusion, equity and reasonable adjustments
The Club welcomes people of different ages, abilities, bodies, cultures, ethnicities, faiths, family structures, gender identities, languages, nationalities, races, sexes, sex characteristics, sexual orientations and socioeconomic backgrounds.
The Club will:
take reasonable and proportionate steps to prevent discrimination, sexual harassment, vilification and victimisation;
make reasonable adjustments for people with disability unless doing so would cause unjustifiable hardship or create an unacceptable safety risk;
ask the person or their parent or carer what support is useful instead of making assumptions;
take reasonable steps to support cultural, religious, communication, dietary and accessibility needs;
protect Aboriginal children and young people's right to cultural safety and recognise the importance of family, community, identity and connection to Country;
pay particular attention to barriers experienced by children with disability, children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, children unable to live at home, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender-diverse, intersex and queer children and young people;
respect privacy, names and pronouns; and
make participation and team-placement decisions consistently with the law and current Football Australia, Football Victoria and competition rules, not outdated assumptions about sex or gender.
Pregnant participants and volunteers will be treated with respect. They should make informed decisions about participation in consultation with an appropriate health practitioner where needed. The Club will consider reasonable adjustments and must not exclude a person merely because they are pregnant.
8. Child safety and wellbeing
8.1 The 11 Victorian Child Safe Standards
The Club will implement all 11 Victorian Child Safe Standards by ensuring that:
culturally safe environments are established for Aboriginal children and young people;
child safety and wellbeing are embedded in leadership, governance and culture;
children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously;
families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing;
equity is upheld and diverse needs are respected in policy and practice;
people working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child-safety values in practice;
complaint and concern processes are child-focused;
staff and volunteers have the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe;
physical and online environments promote safety and minimise the opportunity for harm;
implementation of the Standards is regularly reviewed and improved; and
policies and procedures document how the Club is safe for children and young people.
This policy must be read with the Club's Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy and Child Safe Code of Conduct. If those documents impose a higher standard, the higher standard applies.
8.2 Recognising a child-safety concern
A concern may arise from a disclosure, an observation, an injury, a change in behaviour, a breach of professional boundaries, online contact, information from another person or a pattern of seemingly minor incidents. A child does not need to use the words “abuse” or “complaint” for the Club to act.
Child abuse and harm can include physical violence, sexual offences or sexual misconduct, grooming, emotional or psychological abuse, significant neglect, family violence exposure, exploitation, discrimination and harm caused by another child.
8.3 Responding to a disclosure
If a child tells you about harm or abuse:
stay calm, listen and take the child seriously;
thank them for speaking up and reassure them that the harm is not their fault;
use the child's own words and ask only open questions needed to understand immediate safety, such as “Can you tell me what happened?”;
do not interrogate, investigate, challenge, blame or make promises you cannot keep;
explain that you must share the information with people who can help keep them safe;
check whether the child or anyone else is in immediate danger;
make the required reports without delay; and
record what was said and done as soon as possible, using the child's exact words where practical.
Do not contact or confront the person alleged to have caused harm. Do not alert them if doing so may increase risk, compromise evidence or interfere with an external investigation.
8.4 Reporting child abuse or serious risk
Immediate danger: call 000.
Suspected crime: report to Victoria Police. For a non-urgent crime, call 131 444.
Child in need of protection: contact DFFH Child Protection. In the Club's area, call South Division on 1300 555 526 during business hours or the statewide after-hours service on 13 12 78.
Club notification: notify the Child Safety Officer, President or another uninvolved Committee member as soon as it is safe to do so.
Football notification: make any report required under the Football Australia Safeguarding Policy and Football Victoria procedures.
Regulatory notification: the President or other legally recognised head of the organisation must assess whether the matter is reportable to the Social Services Regulator under the Victorian Reportable Conduct Scheme. Where the Scheme applies, its notification and investigation timeframes must be followed.
The Club will also comply with Victorian mandatory-reporting duties, the failure-to-disclose offence, the failure-to-protect offence and any other applicable legal obligation. A person should seek immediate advice from police, Child Protection or an appropriate professional if uncertain. Uncertainty must not be used as a reason to ignore or delay an urgent safety concern.
8.5 Immediate protective action
The Club may take proportionate interim action while a matter is assessed or investigated. This may include changing duties, increasing supervision, restricting contact, directing a person not to attend, suspending a role or membership, preserving records, or arranging support.
Interim action is protective and does not, by itself, determine that an allegation is true. The safety of children and others at risk remains the first consideration. Where police are involved, the Club will seek their direction before starting any process that may compromise a criminal investigation.
8.6 Supervision and one-to-one contact
Activities must have supervision appropriate to the children's ages, needs, abilities, activity and environment.
Adults should avoid isolated or unobservable one-to-one situations with a child. Where one-to-one contact is necessary, it should be authorised, time-limited, observable or interruptible, and communicated to a parent, carer or another authorised adult.
A child must not be left alone at the end of an activity. At least two suitable adults should remain where practicable until the child is safely collected.
Parents and carers are responsible for timely drop-off and collection unless the Club has expressly agreed to another arrangement.
Change-room access must be managed to protect privacy and safety. Adults must not change or shower at the same time as children unless an approved arrangement and suitable safeguards are in place.
8.7 Transport and travel
Parents and carers ordinarily arrange transport. If the Club or a Club representative transports a child:
parent or carer consent and clear travel arrangements must be obtained;
the driver must hold the correct licence, the vehicle must be registered, roadworthy and appropriately insured, and every passenger must use a lawful restraint;
unnecessary one-adult/one-child travel should be avoided;
pick-up, drop-off, route changes and emergencies must be communicated and documented; and
camps, overnight stays and travel must have a documented risk assessment, supervision plan, rooming arrangements and emergency contacts.
8.8 Photography, video, livestreaming and online communication
Club-authorised images, video or livestreams involving children require appropriate notice and parent or carer consent processes.
Images must be suitable for football, must not be sexualised or degrading, and must not expose sensitive personal information such as a child's address, routine, school or private contact details.
Photography or recording is prohibited in toilets, showers, change areas and other places where privacy is reasonably expected.
Adults in Club roles must use approved and transparent communication channels. Communication with a child should include a parent, carer or another authorised adult where required by the Child Safe Code of Conduct.
Disappearing messages, secret accounts, sexual content, requests for intimate images and unauthorised private contact with children are prohibited.
Consent may be withdrawn. The Club will act promptly on reasonable safety or privacy concerns about published content.
Suspected serious cyberbullying, image-based abuse or illegal online content may also be reported to the eSafety Commissioner and police.
9. Safe recruitment, screening and Working with Children requirements
A Working with Children Check is one safeguard, not proof that a person is safe or suitable. The Club will use role descriptions, applications, identity checks, interviews or discussions, referee checks, screening, induction, supervision, training and performance management appropriate to each role.
9.1 Club requirements
Every person aged 18 or over engaged in child-related work for the Club must hold a current Victorian Working with Children Clearance of the correct type unless the Club has verified that a legal exemption applies.
A paid child-related role requires an Employee Clearance. An Employee Clearance also permits volunteer child-related work; a Volunteer Clearance must not be used for paid child-related work.
The Club may require a Clearance even where a statutory exemption could apply, provided that requirement is lawful.
A person must not begin or continue child-related duties unless the Club is satisfied that all legal and Club screening requirements have been met.
The Club will verify status using the official Victorian service and keep a secure register of the person's name, card or exemption details, clearance type, expiry, role and verification dates.
Clearance holders must link or update the Club as an organisation in their Working with Children Check details where required and immediately tell the Club about a suspension, revocation, exclusion, relevant change or loss of exemption.
The Club will periodically recheck clearances and must act immediately if a person is no longer permitted to undertake child-related work.
9.2 Exemptions
Exemptions, including those that may apply to currently registered Victorian teachers and serving Victoria Police or Australian Federal Police officers, will be accepted only after the Club verifies the exemption and any notification obligations. Registered teachers doing child-related work outside a school or early childhood service must comply with the current teacher-notification requirements of Working with Children Check Victoria.
Parents, carers and other people must not assume they are exempt. The current Victorian exemption rules and any stricter Football Victoria or Club requirement apply.
10. Raising and managing concerns and complaints
10.1 Ways to raise a matter
A concern or complaint may be made verbally or in writing to the Club's Child Safety Officer, MPIO, President, Secretary or another Committee member. A child may raise a concern in any way they can, including through a trusted adult. The Club will provide communication assistance or a support person where reasonably required.
Anonymous reports will be considered. Anonymity may limit the action available, and the Club cannot promise that a person's identity will never need to be disclosed.
10.2 Choosing the correct pathway
| Type of matter | Usual pathway |
|---|---|
| Immediate danger, suspected crime or child at serious risk | Emergency services, Victoria Police and/or DFFH Child Protection first; then notify the Club when safe. |
| Child abuse, grooming, sexual misconduct or harm to a child or adult at risk | Club child-safety process and the Football Australia Safeguarding Policy; external reports as required. Informal resolution or mediation is not appropriate for suspected abuse. |
| Discrimination, bullying, harassment, victimisation or other member-protection concern | Club complaint process and, where applicable, Football Australia's National Complaints Procedure and Football Victoria's member-protection pathway. |
| Match-day misconduct, spectator behaviour, disciplinary charge or competition matter | Current Football Victoria Grievance and Disciplinary Regulations, Rules of Competition and reporting forms. Applicable deadlines must be met. |
| Selection, grading, coaching or administrative decision | The Club process, unless the matter is not reviewable or another football regulation provides the pathway. Disagreement alone does not establish misconduct. |
| Online harm | Club process and, depending on the conduct, the platform, eSafety Commissioner and/or police. |
| Unlawful discrimination, sexual harassment, victimisation or vilification | The person may also contact the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission or another appropriate external body. |
The Club may redirect, refer, consolidate or decline to determine a matter where another organisation has jurisdiction, the same matter is already being managed, the Club lacks authority, or the complaint is not reasonably connected with the Club. The Club will explain that decision where lawful and appropriate.
10.3 Initial response
The person receiving a complaint must:
check immediate safety and activate emergency or child-protection reporting where required;
listen respectfully and clarify the key issue without conducting an unplanned investigation;
explain the available pathways and limits of confidentiality;
ask about communication, accessibility, cultural or support needs;
make an accurate record and preserve relevant material;
promptly send the matter to an authorised, impartial complaint manager; and
manage actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest.
The Club should acknowledge a non-urgent complaint promptly and provide reasonable progress updates. Timeframes will depend on safety, complexity, availability of parties and any external investigation.
10.4 Fair process
Subject to child safety, legal obligations and the requirements of an external investigation, the Club will:
appoint an impartial decision-maker who has not prejudged the matter;
give a person whose conduct is at issue enough information to understand and respond to the substance of the allegation;
give affected parties a reasonable opportunity to provide relevant information;
consider relevant information and disregard irrelevant considerations;
make decisions on the applicable standard of proof and available evidence;
provide reasons or an outcome summary where appropriate; and
impose only lawful, authorised and proportionate action.
Procedural fairness does not require the Club to disclose information where disclosure would create an unacceptable safety risk, breach the law, expose a child unnecessarily, reveal privileged material or compromise an external investigation.
10.5 Resolution and outcomes
Depending on the nature and seriousness of the matter, action may include:
safety planning, support, reasonable adjustments or restoration of access;
an explanation, facilitated discussion or mediation where safe and genuinely voluntary;
an apology, behavioural agreement, education, mentoring or increased supervision;
a warning or formal direction;
change or removal of duties;
suspension or termination of membership, employment, engagement or volunteering;
removal from a venue or conditions on attendance;
referral to Football Victoria, Football Australia, a competition administrator, an accreditation body, police, Child Protection, a regulator or another service; and
any other action available under the Club's Constitution, by-laws, contracts or applicable football rules.
The Club will not use informal resolution, mediation or restorative processes for suspected child abuse, sexual violence or another matter where safety, coercion or a serious power imbalance makes that approach inappropriate.
10.6 Escalation, review and appeal
There is no automatic right to have every Club decision reheard by Football Victoria or Football Australia. A person may request review or escalation only where the Club's Constitution, Football Australia National Complaints Procedure, Football Victoria regulations or another applicable rule allows it.
An escalation based only on disagreement with an outcome may not be accepted. Grounds may include a material failure to follow the required process, denial of procedural fairness, significant new evidence that was not reasonably available, lack of authority, or a sanction that is clearly disproportionate. Any stated time limit must be followed.
External legal, regulatory and complaint rights remain available regardless of the Club process.
11. Privacy, confidentiality and records
The Club will handle information on a need-to-know basis and in accordance with applicable law. It will:
collect only information reasonably needed for safety, legal, complaint or governance purposes;
tell people about the limits of confidentiality;
store records securely with access restricted to authorised people;
protect children and reporters from unnecessary identification, gossip and retaliation;
share information when consented to, authorised or required by law, or reasonably necessary to protect a person from serious risk; and
keep and dispose of records under an appropriate retention process, recognising that child-safety records may need to be retained long term.
People involved in a matter must not publish allegations, evidence or identifying information on social media or circulate it within the Club. This does not prevent a person from obtaining confidential support or advice, making a protected disclosure, or reporting to an authorised body.
12. Education, communication and review
The Club will:
make this policy and child-safe information accessible to members, families, children and volunteers;
include expected behaviour, reporting pathways and role boundaries in induction;
provide role-appropriate refresher training;
display current child-safety and reporting contacts at Club facilities and online;
seek feedback from children, families and people with diverse needs;
review the implementation of this policy at least annually and after serious incidents or material changes; and
record and communicate approved changes.
13. Definitions
Abuse means conduct that causes or risks physical, sexual, emotional or psychological harm, including misuse of power, grooming, exploitation and neglect.
Adult at risk means a person aged 18 or over whose ability to protect themselves from abuse or exploitation may be affected by disability, age, illness, injury, dependence, coercion, isolation or another circumstance.
Bullying means repeated and unreasonable behaviour, directed at a person or group, that creates a risk to health, safety or wellbeing. A single incident may still be harassment, abuse or another policy breach.
Child or young person means a person under 18 years of age.
Complaint means an expression of dissatisfaction for which a response or resolution is sought. A report or concern may be raised primarily to communicate a safety or conduct issue and does not require the reporter to seek a personal outcome.
Discrimination includes treating a person unfavourably because of a protected personal characteristic, or imposing an unreasonable requirement, condition or practice that disadvantages people with a protected characteristic. Applicable exceptions and participation rules are determined by law, not personal preference.
Harassment means unwelcome conduct that a reasonable person would anticipate could offend, humiliate or intimidate. It can be a single incident and may occur in person or online.
Sexual harassment means an unwelcome sexual advance, unwelcome request for sexual favours or other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature in circumstances where a reasonable person would anticipate the possibility that the person would be offended, humiliated or intimidated.
Victimisation means subjecting, or threatening to subject, a person to detriment because they raised, may raise, supported or participated in a complaint, report or protected process.
Vilification means public conduct that incites or, under applicable law, is likely to incite hatred, serious contempt, revulsion or severe ridicule because of a protected characteristic. The precise legal test depends on the law applying at the time.
Appendix A — Codes of behaviour
A1. Everyone
Everyone involved with the Club must:
act with integrity, respect, responsibility, fairness and safety;
follow the Laws of the Game, applicable competition rules and reasonable Club directions;
value participation, development and wellbeing above winning at any cost;
respect the dignity, privacy, culture and rights of every person;
use inclusive and age-appropriate language;
respect referees and accept decisions through the proper channels;
avoid abusive, discriminatory, sexualised, threatening or humiliating conduct;
keep physical and online environments safe;
maintain appropriate boundaries with children and adults at risk;
use alcohol responsibly and never supply alcohol or other age-restricted products to children;
disclose and properly manage conflicts of interest;
report safety, safeguarding and integrity concerns; and
cooperate with authorised complaint, disciplinary and safeguarding processes.
A2. Players
Players must:
play fairly, safely and to the best of their ability;
respect teammates, opponents, coaches, referees, volunteers and spectators;
control their temper and never use violence, threats, slurs, bullying or deliberate provocation;
follow lawful safety directions and disclose an injury or health concern that affects safe participation;
not use prohibited substances or participate in match manipulation or unlawful betting activity;
support teammates who raise a concern; and
raise disagreements through the captain, coach or appropriate Club process rather than abusing another person.
A3. Coaches, assistant coaches and team managers
They must:
put each player's safety, wellbeing and development first;
use positive, constructive and age-appropriate coaching;
set reasonable demands having regard to age, maturity, ability, health and other commitments;
provide fair opportunities and explain role or selection expectations appropriately;
never use degrading punishment, forced exercise as punishment, hazing or humiliation;
ensure physical contact is necessary, appropriate, explained and consented to;
avoid isolated one-to-one contact and use approved, transparent communication channels;
never groom, sexualise or pursue an intimate relationship with a child;
respond to injury and return-to-play matters consistently with qualified health advice and applicable protocols;
keep qualifications, accreditations and screening current;
manage equipment, facilities, weather and training loads safely;
respect the referee and opposition and require players to do the same; and
report concerns and boundary breaches promptly.
A4. Parents and carers
Parents and carers must:
encourage participation, learning, effort and enjoyment;
model respectful behaviour and support the authority of coaches and referees;
never ridicule, threaten or abuse a child for a mistake, result or selection decision;
not coach from the sideline in a way that conflicts with team instructions;
remain outside the field of play and technical areas unless authorised;
provide relevant medical, accessibility, collection and emergency information;
arrive on time for drop-off and collection and communicate any changed arrangement;
raise concerns calmly through the correct process, away from children where possible; and
not publish images, personal information or allegations in a way that compromises a child's privacy or safety.
A5. Spectators
Spectators must:
encourage all participants and recognise good play;
respect referees and never approach, intimidate or abuse them;
never engage in violence, threats, discriminatory language, hate speech, indecent chanting or offensive gestures;
remain outside the field, change rooms and restricted areas unless authorised;
not throw objects, light flares or bring prohibited items;
follow venue conditions, safety instructions and directions from authorised officials; and
understand that a person may be removed or excluded from Club activities for unsafe or unacceptable conduct.
A6. Referees and match officials
Match officials must:
prioritise participant safety and apply the Laws of the Game consistently and impartially;
communicate calmly and respectfully;
adapt communication appropriately for age, ability and competition level;
address or report misconduct within their role and applicable regulations;
maintain qualifications, fitness, knowledge and professional boundaries; and
avoid conflicts of interest or disclose them promptly.
A7. Committee members, administrators and office holders
They must:
act honestly, in good faith and in the best interests of the Club as a whole;
exercise care, diligence and independent judgment;
use information, authority and Club resources only for proper purposes;
identify, disclose and manage conflicts of interest;
make transparent, evidence-based and procedurally fair decisions;
protect confidential and personal information;
support volunteers and ensure adequate child-safety resources and training; and
respond to concerns without favouritism, retaliation or concern for reputation overriding safety.
A8. Volunteers, employees, contractors and support personnel
They must:
work within their role, competence and authority;
comply with screening, induction, supervision and safety requirements;
maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality;
not provide medical, legal or other specialist advice beyond their qualifications;
report hazards, injuries, misconduct and safeguarding concerns; and
comply with reasonable directions intended to protect participants and the Club.
Appendix B — Current organisations and external pathways
| Organisation or framework | Current role or use |
|---|---|
| Football Australia | National football Member Protection Framework, including safeguarding, anti-bullying and harassment, anti-discrimination, XI Standards of Respect and complaint procedures. |
| Football Victoria — Member Protection | State-level football information and member-protection support. Email: mpio@footballvictoria.com.au. |
| Football Victoria — Child Safety | Child-safety and club safeguarding resources for Victorian football. |
| Football Victoria — Discipline | Current Grievance and Disciplinary Regulations, match misconduct and competition pathways. |
| Social Services Regulator | Victorian regulator responsible from February 2026 for the Child Safe Standards, Reportable Conduct Scheme and Working with Children Check scheme. |
| Commission for Children and Young People | Continues to provide child-safety guidance and independent oversight and advocacy concerning children and young people. It is no longer the regulator for the Child Safe Standards or Reportable Conduct Scheme. |
| Victorian Child Safe Standards | The 11 mandatory standards applying to organisations that provide services or facilities for children. |
| Working with Children Check Victoria | Official clearance, exemption, status and organisation-obligation information. |
| DFFH Child Protection | Reports about a child who may be in need of protection. South Division: 1300 555 526; after hours: 13 12 78. |
| Victoria Police | Emergencies and suspected criminal conduct. 000 for emergencies; 131 444 for non-urgent police assistance. |
| Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission | Information and complaint services for discrimination, sexual harassment, victimisation and vilification. Enquiry line: 1300 292 153. |
| eSafety Commissioner | Reports and assistance for serious cyberbullying of children, adult cyber abuse, image-based abuse and illegal or restricted online content. |
| Play by the Rules | National education and practical resources for child safety, inclusion, complaint handling and member protection in sport. |
| Sport and Recreation Victoria — Fair Play Code | Victorian community-sport behaviour principles and implementation guidance. |
These organisations, contacts and links were checked on 3 September 2026. External policies and details may change, so the Club should verify them again at each annual review and before relying on a time-critical instruction.
Appendix C — Confidential concern or complaint record
This template is a record, not an investigation script. For a child disclosure, ask only what is necessary for immediate safety and reporting.
C1. Intake details
Date and time received:
Person receiving the concern:
Method received:
Reporter name and contact details, if provided:
Reporter role or connection to the Club:
Is the reporter under 18? Yes / No / Unknown
Preferred communication method and any accessibility, cultural or support needs:
C2. People and incident
Child or person affected:
Age, if relevant:
Person whose conduct is of concern:
Their role or connection to the Club:
Date, time and location of incident or concern:
Description in the reporter's own words:
Exact words used by a child, where applicable:
Witnesses or other sources of information:
Relevant documents, messages, images or video identified and securely preserved:
C3. Immediate risk and reporting
Is anyone in immediate danger? Action taken:
Victoria Police contacted? Date, time, officer/reference and advice:
DFFH Child Protection contacted? Date, time, office/reference and advice:
Club Child Safety Officer/President notified? Date and time:
Football Victoria or Football Australia notified? Details:
Social Services Regulator notification assessed or made? Details:
Other service contacted:
C4. Club response
Conflict-of-interest check completed:
Complaint or report manager appointed:
Interim safety measures:
Support offered to affected people:
Process selected and reasons:
Progress communications:
Outcome and reasons:
Action taken:
External referral or escalation:
Follow-up and review date:
C5. Record control
Completed by:
Position:
Date:
Secure storage location or record number:
Access restrictions:
Retention or disposal instruction:
Publication note: Before adoption, the Committee should insert the approval date, confirm the current named Club contacts and ensure this policy is published together with the Club's Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy, Child Safe Code of Conduct and accessible reporting information for children.