On Thursday, 27 February 2025, SportWest’s True Sport team recently delivered a powerful presentation to WA Football and over 100 affiliated clubs, focusing on the importance of Safeguarding in Sport. The session aimed to equip club leaders, coaches, and volunteers with the knowledge and tools to create safe, inclusive, and protective environments for all participants - especially children and young people. SportWest, in partnership with the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and Sport Integrity Australia provided an overview of the resources available to support football clubs across Western Australia to help keep children and young people safe in sport.
The presentation explored key safeguarding principles, including:
- Recognising and responding to signs of harm
- Implementing child-safe policies and codes of conduct
- Creating safe physical and emotional spaces for athletes
- Promoting respectful relationships and positive sideline behaviour
Attendees were introduced to the True Sport Child Safeguarding Initiative and Sport Integrity Australia's resource hub, which provides clubs with:
- Policy templates and implementation guides
- Training modules for staff and volunteers
- Resources to support safe club culture
- Practical tools for responding to concerns and disclosures
Throughout the session, True Sport’s core values - Support, Protect, Opportunity, Respect, and Transform - were woven into every discussion, reinforcing the belief that safeguarding is not just a compliance requirement, but a shared responsibility that strengthens the integrity and wellbeing of sport.
WA Football’s strong turnout and engagement reflected a collective commitment to ensuring sport remains a safe and positive experience for every player, coach, and volunteer.
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 on upcoming integrity programs and resources, visit our True Sport Resource Hub or Sport Integrity Australia or contact our True Sport team via email truesport@sportwest.com.au.
