SportWest’s True Sport team recently presented to the City of Kalamunda Child Safe Community of Practice, delivering a powerful session focused on the True Sport Child Safeguarding Initiative and its role in protecting young people across community sport.
The presentation brought together local club representatives, community leaders, and sport administrators to explore how safeguarding practices can be embedded into everyday operations, based on the 10 National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. True Sport’s values-based approach anchored in Support, Protect, Opportunity, Respect and Transform (S.P.O.R.T) - provided a practical framework for clubs to protect young participants and foster a culture of care and accountability.
Key topics included:
- Recognising and responding to signs of harm
- Establishing clear codes of conduct for coaches, volunteers, and spectators
- Creating safe physical and emotional spaces for children
- Promoting positive sideline behaviour and respectful communication
The True Sport team also outlined the range of resources and support available to clubs through SportWest, including:
- Safeguarding resources and training modules specific to Western Australian requirements
- Mental health and wellbeing initiatives tailored for youth sport
- Inclusion and diversity support
- Advocacy and representation at local and state levels
The City of Kalamunda’s commitment to child safety in sport was evident throughout the session, with attendees actively engaging in discussions and seeking ways to implement best practices within their own clubs.
This presentation reaffirmed True Sport’s mission: to ensure sport is a safe, positive, and enriching sport experience for everyone and every sport.
SportWest work collaboratively with the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport Child Safeguarding and Sport Integrity Australia. No door is the wrong door.
For more information or to start proactively working towards embedding the 10 National Principles into your sport or recreation organisation visit the True Sport Child Safeguarding Initiative or contact the True Sport team via email truesport@sportwest.com.au.
