As part of our commitment to the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, SportWest’s Voices of Children and Young People Advisory Group plays a vital role in ensuring that children and young people are informed about their rights, actively participate in decisions that affect them, and are always taken seriously — aligning with National Principle 2.
This week, we’re excited to profile one of our valued Advisory Group members, Brady Fulcher.
Find out more in our Q&A with Brady below:
1. Why did you choose to be part of the Voices of Children and Young People Advisory Group, and what does it mean to you to have a say in how sport is shaped in WA?
I chose to be a part of the Advisory group to have my voice as a young person in sport heard and considered. Representing other children and young people who are engaged in sport have their concerns and opinions expressed and heard means a lot to me .
2. How do you think sport can help young people feel more included, confident, or connected in their communities?
Sport can connect young children by allowing them to meet more people with similar interests. These sports can be used as conversation starters to break the silence in tense moments. Through most sports young people can be involved in the community by volunteering at the club, umpiring, coaching, etc.
3. If you could send one message to the people who make decisions in sport—coaches, club leaders, policy makers—what would you want them to understand about listening to young voices?
Young voices know young people. Instead of assuming what young people are thinking, or what they want, the club should refer to the youth to see what they want and don’t want.
4. Why do you think it’s important for organisations like SportWest to hear directly from young people like you?
Young people who are actively enrolled in sport have the experience of playing with other children and therefore can hear what other children want from talking to each other which is then relayed on to SportWest.
5. If every sport organisation in WA could do just one thing to make sport better for young people, what should it be?
More participation for youth 13-17. Often clubs will run adult programs and “youth” programs. Sometimes the “youth” program is for ages such as 8-14. With completely different ages of one being in high school and the other in primary they will not have the same interests.
